Changes in whole blood and serum components during Francisella tularensis and rabbit pox infections of rabbits

Rabbits infected with virulent Francisella tularensis strain Schu S4 or rabbit pox virus (Utrecht strain) showed significant early changes in serum levels of trace metals, neutral fat and alkaline phosphatase activity. With F. tularensis infections a marked early leukopenia and a decrease in serum amino acids were also observed; the effect on amino acid levels was less pronounced in rabbit pox infections. In both diseases these changes preceded the appearance of acute phase globulins in the serum. Vaccination with the live vaccine strain of F. tularensis slightly increased survival times but did not delay the onset of metabolic changes in rabbits subsequently infected with the virulent Schu S4 strain.