Intestinal Plasmacytosis

A syndrome characterized by marked plasma cell infil­tration in the intestinal tract of domestic rabbits has been described. The intestinal lesions have been identi­fied in New Zealand White, Dutch Belted, and Watanabe rabbits used in research projects. Older animals are at risk, particularly rabbits used for antibody production or cholesterol studies. Affected animals are usually sub- clinical, and the changes are frequently detected only on histopathologic examination. The selective involve­ment of the intestinal tract and the nature of the cellular infiltrate are consistent with the response to antigenic stimuli at the local level. The etiology and pathogenesis are currently unknown.