Full diagnostic approach aimed to eradicate Myxomatosis from an industrial farm

An integrated approach was used in a rabbit commercial farm during a case of Myxomatosis. The collaborative activity of various actors, was finalised to eradicate the disease accomplishing those rational sanitary measures provided by the law but without stopping the production. Myxomatosis was definitively eradicated, thanks to repeated sampling of sera and naso-conjunctival swabs to detect respectively antibodies by cELISA and viral antigen by using PCR. This work emphasizes that, in association with early diagnosis performed with sensitive and specific methods, cooperation, application of strict hygienic and biosecurity measures and vaccination programs are essential to recover from Myxomatosis. Indeed, there is the urgent need to define new and updated standard measures applicable for an effective control of this disease, endemic in Italy since 1955.