STEPHANIE OTOKUNEFOR

Rabbit gastrointestinal tracts harbour a variety of bacteria that are shed in stool and some are beneficial while others are pathogenic. Fifteen (15) rabbit stool samples were collected from three different farms (University of Benin farm, Okene Farm and Animal house) with sterile universal bottles and samples were immediately transported to the laboratory for bacteriological analysis. Total heterotrophic bacterial counts and culture were carried out using standard microbiological techniques. Bacterial identification was also carried out using selective media and various biochemical tests. Phenotypic virulence factors (haemolysin, gelatinase production, serum resistance and capsule formation assays) were carried out on the bacterial isolates. Antibiotic susceptibility was carried out using the Kirby–Bauer disc diffusion method on Mueller-Hinton agar. Results showed that Animal House had the highest bacterial load (12.9 × 10⁶ ± 1.4 CFU/g) while University of Benin Farm the lowest (2.1 × 10⁶ ± 1.4 CFU/g) (p < 0.001). The bacteria isolated include, Lactobacillus sp. (26%), Neisseria sp. (20%), Staphylococcus aureus (20%), Bacillus sp. (13%), Escherichia coli (13%) and Salmonella sp. (6%). Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus sp., E. coli, and Salmonella sp. exhibited β-haemolysis, gelatinase activity, serum resistance and capsule formation, while Lactobacillus sp. and Neisseria sp. lacked these virulence factors. All isolates were susceptible to levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin, rifampicin and ceftazidime but resistant to gentamicin, cefuroxime, streptomycin, azithromycin, amoxicillin and erythromycin. Rabbit stool contains both commensal and opportunistic pathogens carrying resistant bacteria.