본 연구는 국내 애완용 토끼 총 122두를 대상으로 피부병변을 일으키는 토끼매독(Treponema paraluiscuniculi) 감염율을 혈청학적 방법으로 조사하고 피부병변 부위를 알아보기 위해 실시하였다. 혈청학적 감염율은 21.3%이었으며 수컷보다는 암컷이, 1세 이상보다는 1세 미만에서 유의성 있는 높은 감염율을 나타내었다(각각 p < 0.01). 피부병변은 입술(59.1%), 코(56.5%), 생식기(50.0%), 항문(40.9%) 및 눈꺼풀(18.2%) 순으로 나타났다. 혼합병변은 코와 입술(26.0%), 항문과 생식기(21.8%), 입술, 항문 및 생식기(17.4%) 순으로 나타났다. 모든 피부병변은 Penicillin G(48,000-84,000 IU/kg, 녹십자, 한국)로 1주일 간격으로 3-4회 치료 후 완치 되었다. 피부 병변을 가지고 있거나, 토끼매독의 혈청학적 양성을 나타내는 환자의 경우 즉각적인 치료 및 교배에서 배제가 필요하다.
A total of 122 rabbits (40 males, 51 females, 25 castrated males and 6 spayed females; age range: 3 months to 11 years; weight range: 0.8-3.4 kg) were admitted to Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital of Chungnam National University from January 2012 to February 2013. The syphilis rapid test was positive in 21.3% of rabbits, with a significant difference in the rates of positivity between male versus female rabbits and rabbits younger than 1 year versus older than 1 year of age (both p < 0.01). Skin lesions were detected around the lips (59.1%), nose (56.5%), genitalia (50.0%), anus (40.9%) and eyelids (18.2%). Coexisting skin lesions were found on the nose and lips (26.0%); anus and genitalia (21.8%); lips, anus and genitalia (17.4%) of rabbits. Twenty-two rabbits with skin lesions were subcutaneously treated with Penicillin G (48,000-84,000 IU/kg, Green cross, Korea) every 7 days for three or four weeks. All skin lesions were disappeared after Penicillin G treatment. In conclusion, a rabbits with skin lesions and serological test positive for syphilis should undergo prompt treatment and not be used for breeding.
