Isolation, Identification and Antibiogram of Pasteurella multocida Isolates of Rabbits Suffering from Pasteurellosis

Isolation of Pasteurella multocida was attempted from the heart blood, spleen, liver and lung collected from rabbits (4 No,s) suspected to have died of pasteurellosis. A total of four P. multocida isolates were isolated and identified on the basis of biochemical characteristics, pathogenicity studies in mice and PM-PCR. The In vitro antibiotic sensitivity test of the organisms was conducted which revealed that all the four isolates showed sensitivity to Gentamicin and Oflaxacin. Three of them were sensitive to Enrofloxacin and Ciprofloxacin. Two isolates showed sensitivity to Doxycycline and Chloramphenicol. Only one isolate was found sensitive to Nalidixic acid. All the isolates were resistant to Doxycycline, Erythromycin, Neomycin, Ampicillin, Penicillin, Cephalexin and Poymixin B. Based on the antibiotic sensitivity test, Gentamicin was recommended as a drug of choice for the treatment of Pasteurellosis in rabbits and the disease was controlled.