Normalised absorbance ratios of IgG for myxoma and rabbit hemorrhagic disease viruses: Longitudinal dataset wild European rabbits

This study addresses the long-term dynamics of humoral immunity to two viral pathogens of the European rabbit, an endangered keystone species of major ecological relevance. Such studies are particularly challenging in free-ranging species, and a combination of longitudinal capture-mark-recapture and semi-quantitative serology was used to address this question. Over 600 normalised absorbance ratios of indirect ELISA, obtained from 505 individual rabbits in 7 populations over five years were analysed using linear mixed models. The results support a lifelong acquired humoral immunity to myxoma virus and rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus upon natural infection and suggest the presence of maternal immunity to the latter in wild juvenile rabbits. These results contribute to understanding the epidemiology of two viral diseases threatening this keystone species and assist in developing conservation programs.