الفهرس 
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Abstract
This study was planned to assess the clinicopathological and histopathological
changes associated with experimental infection of weaned WNZ rabbits with an E.
coli (EPEe 0111) strain and to determine the effect of the probiotic (Enetrococcus
faecium) -supplemented in drinking water- on the growth performance,
clinicopathological parameters as well as immunological responses in weaned rabbits.
The study also included the investigation of the potential effect of the probiotic as a
prophylaxis to E. coli infection in recently weaned rabbits. Results revealed that
EPEe infection in weaned rabbits caused significant decrease in the weight gain, feed
consumption and a significant increase in the feed conversion ratio. EPEe caused
significant macrocytic hypochromic anaemia, heterophilia, lymphopenia, monocytosis
and increased heterophil toIymphocyte ratio. Serum biochemical changes associated
with EPEe 0111 infection included significant hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia, a
and ’Y hypoglobulinemia, hypocalcaemia, hyperphosphatemia, hypernatremia,
hypokalemia as well as significant increase in serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen
and glucose concentrations. ~ globulin concentration and the A/G ratio as well as the
serum total cholesterol and triglycerides concentrations showed insignificant changes.
Histopathological examination of the EPEe-infected rabbits showed enteritis,
necrosis and effacement of the intestinal microvilli as well as hepatic and renal
necrosis. Results clarified that supplementing the probiotic E. faecium in the drinking
water did not prevent the clinical manifestation of colibacillosis in recently weaned
rabbits but it delayed the occurrence and lowered the incidence and severity of some
clinicopathological and histopathological changes associated with E. coli infection in
weaned rabbits.