New Zealand White Rabbit as a Nonsurgical Experimental Model for Salmonella enterica Gastroenteritis

Rabbits orally challenged with Salmonella enterica developed a dose-dependent diarrheal disease comparable to human salmonellosis. Viable Salmonella organisms recovered from the intestine and deep tissues indicate local and systemic infections. Therefore, results show that the rabbit can be used as a model for diarrheal disease and sequelae associated with salmonellosis.