- I am a veterinary wildlife disease epidemiologist, with more than 36 years of field experience with African wildlife.edit
An infection model for Mycobacterium bovis in African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, was developed, using the intratonsilar route of inoculation. Two groups of 11 buffaloes each, aged approximately 18 months, were infected with either 3.2 x... more
An infection model for Mycobacterium bovis in African buffaloes, Syncerus caffer, was developed, using the intratonsilar route of inoculation. Two groups of 11 buffaloes each, aged approximately 18 months, were infected with either 3.2 x 10(2) cfu (low dose) or 3 x 10(4) cfu (high dose) of M. bovis strain isolated from a buffalo. A control group of six buffaloes received saline via the same route. The infection status was monitored in vivo using the comparative intradermal tuberculin test, and in vitro by the modified interferon-gamma assay. All buffaloes were euthanazed 22 weeks post infection and lesion development was assessed by macroscopic examination, culture and histopathology. It was found that the high dose caused macroscopic lesions in nine out of 11 buffaloes. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from all buffaloes in the high-dose group and from six out of 11 in the low-dose group.
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The viraemic period of African horsesickness is significantly longer in experimentally infected zebra than in horses. The virus could be isolated 40 d post-infection from blood and 48 d post-infection from spleen. The introduction of... more
The viraemic period of African horsesickness is significantly longer in experimentally infected zebra than in horses. The virus could be isolated 40 d post-infection from blood and 48 d post-infection from spleen. The introduction of zebra into African horsesickness-free countries should therefore be considered carefully, and preferably be restricted to serologically negative zebra.
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The viraemic period of African horsesickness is significantly longer in experimentally infected zebra than in horses. The virus could be isolated 40 d post-infection from blood and 48 d post-infection from spleen. The introduction of... more
The viraemic period of African horsesickness is significantly longer in experimentally infected zebra than in horses. The virus could be isolated 40 d post-infection from blood and 48 d post-infection from spleen. The introduction of zebra into African horsesickness-free countries should therefore be considered carefully, and preferably be restricted to serologically negative zebra.
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A serological investigation was undertaken to determine the prevalence of brucellosis titres in buffalo in the Kruger National park. A total of 406 samples were collected over a period of one year. The rose bengal and the complement... more
A serological investigation was undertaken to determine the prevalence of brucellosis titres in buffalo in the Kruger National park. A total of 406 samples were collected over a period of one year. The rose bengal and the complement fixation tests were used in the investigation as these tests are routinely used for cattle sera and have proved to be reliable. In the females, 12.6% adult, 10.7% sub-adult and 3% juvenile animals reacted positively to the tests. In the males, 15.1% adults, 10.6% sub-adults and 5.3% juveniles were recorded as positive.
Research Interests: Biology, Medicine, South Africa, Humans, Animals, and 5 moreMale, Brucellosis, Prevalence, Veterinary Sciences, and Buffaloes
Few non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been involved in work with wildlife diseases and the One Health concept. However, there are several NGOs and scientific institutions, on international and national levels, that can... more
Few non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been involved in work with wildlife diseases and the One Health concept. However, there are several NGOs and scientific institutions, on international and national levels, that can potentially play a significant role in furthering the objectives of the One Health concept by contributing to wildlife health or wildlife disease knowledge and collaborations. This is because many NGOs have dedicated members that voluntarily become involved in the wildlife aspect of the One Health concept, in many different ways. The authors have identified six international organisations, and ten national organisations that could well be involved in this work. They recommend that the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Delegates, and OIE National Focal Points for Wildlife in different countries, focus on establishing links and collaboration between the Veterinary Services (including Focal Points) and various NGOs, as well as scientific institutions bo...
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Mycobacterium bovis has been isolated from a wide range of wildlife species, in addition to domestic animals. This review examines the role played by various species in the maintenance of M. bovis in wildlife communities and the spread to... more
Mycobacterium bovis has been isolated from a wide range of wildlife species, in addition to domestic animals. This review examines the role played by various species in the maintenance of M. bovis in wildlife communities and the spread to domestic animals. Badgers (Meles meles), brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula), deer (Odocoileus virginianus), bison (Bison bison) and African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) are examples of wildlife that are maintenance hosts of M. bovis. The importance of these hosts has been highlighted by the growing realisation that these animals can represent the principal source of infection for both domestic animals and protected wildlife species. The range of methods for controlling M. bovis in wildlife is limited. While population control has been used in some countries, this approach is not applicable in many situations where protected wildlife species are concerned. Vaccination is a potential alternative control method, although as yet, no practical, effe...
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Four hundred and six serum samples from buffalo (Syncerus caffer) were tested for leptospirosis, using the microscopic agglutination test. Seven buffaloes (1.7%) reacted positive and 27 (6.6%) inconclusive. Reactions against L. tarassovi... more
Four hundred and six serum samples from buffalo (Syncerus caffer) were tested for leptospirosis, using the microscopic agglutination test. Seven buffaloes (1.7%) reacted positive and 27 (6.6%) inconclusive. Reactions against L. tarassovi and L. hardjo were the most prevalent.
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Pressure measured in teh epidural space of 50 dogs was consistently negative (subatmospheric). Acutely implanted epidural catheters gave an average reading of -2.72 mmHg (n = 44, SE = 0.18), whereas chronically implanted catheters gave... more
Pressure measured in teh epidural space of 50 dogs was consistently negative (subatmospheric). Acutely implanted epidural catheters gave an average reading of -2.72 mmHg (n = 44, SE = 0.18), whereas chronically implanted catheters gave more negative readings, averaging -5.8 mmHg (n = 6, SE = 0.49). Since the chronically implanted catheters permit healing, resolution of hemorrhage, and resealing of the epidural space to take place, resulting in equilibration of microcirulatory forces, these readings are believed to represent more closely the true epidural pressure. Also these results approximate closely the calculated and measured interstitial fluid pressures obtained by different techniques in other loose areolar connective tissue systems. Compliance studies, using a double-lumen catheter for simultaneous recording and infusing in the epidural space, showed increasing compliance as the pressure rose into the positive pressure range, with an eventual plateau of the volume-pressure cu...
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Research Interests: Zoology, Wildlife Diseases, South Africa, Tuberculosis, Kruger National Park, and 13 moreAnimals, Wildlife, Bovine Tuberculosis, Sample Size, Prevalence, Animals and disease transmission, Veterinary Sciences, Animal Diseases, Disease Management, Cluster Sampling, Mycobacterium bovis, Buffaloes, and disease transmission
The long-standing conflict between livestock owners and animal health authorities on the one hand, and wildlife conservationists on the other, is largely based on differing attitudes to controlling diseases of livestock which are... more
The long-standing conflict between livestock owners and animal health authorities on the one hand, and wildlife conservationists on the other, is largely based on differing attitudes to controlling diseases of livestock which are associated with wildlife. The authors have attempted to highlight the fact that these disease problems are frequently bi-directional at the wildlife/livestock interface. The different categories of diseases involved are presented. A new dimension being faced by veterinary regulatory authorities is the spectre of emerging sylvatic foci of diseases, such as bovine tuberculosis, bovine brucellosis and possibly rinderpest; these diseases threaten to undermine national and international eradication schemes, which have been implemented and executed with significant success, and at great cost. Conversely, wildlife-based ecotourism world-wide has expanded rapidly over the past decade and is the source of lacking foreign revenue for many developing countries. Traditional subsistence farming is still the largest source of much-needed protein on some continents and this, together with the growth and hunger of historically disadvantaged communities for land, is forcing enterprises and communities with markedly different objectives and land-use practices to operate effectively in close proximity. Some land-users rely exclusively on wildlife, others on livestock and/or agronomy, while yet others need to combine these activities. The net result may be an expansion or intensification of the interface between wildlife and domestic livestock, which will require innovative control strategies that permit differing types of wildlife/livestock interaction, and that do not threaten the land-use options of neighbours, or the ability of a country to market animals and animal products profitably.
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The long-standing conflict between livestock owners and animal health authorities on the one hand, and wildlife conservationists on the other, is largely based on differing attitudes to controlling diseases of livestock which are... more
The long-standing conflict between livestock owners and animal health authorities on the one hand, and wildlife conservationists on the other, is largely based on differing attitudes to controlling diseases of livestock which are associated with wildlife. The authors have attempted to highlight the fact that these disease problems are frequently bi-directional at the wildlife/livestock interface. The different categories of diseases involved are presented. A new dimension being faced by veterinary regulatory authorities is the spectre of emerging sylvatic foci of diseases, such as bovine tuberculosis, bovine brucellosis and possibly rinderpest; these diseases threaten to undermine national and international eradication schemes, which have been implemented and executed with significant success, and at great cost. Conversely, wildlife-based ecotourism world-wide has expanded rapidly over the past decade and is the source of lacking foreign revenue for many developing countries. Tradit...
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Research Interests: South African and Toxicon
The Spanish brush goat (Capra hiricus) was studied as an animal model for the anephric state. This rugged animal has a hardy appetite and offers ready blood access for dialysis and sampling. BUN, plasma creatinine and potassium could be... more
The Spanish brush goat (Capra hiricus) was studied as an animal model for the anephric state. This rugged animal has a hardy appetite and offers ready blood access for dialysis and sampling. BUN, plasma creatinine and potassium could be brought to normal values by daily hemodialysis. Continual weight loss, severe anemia and some tendency for the development of hypertension were observed despite dialysis. Maintenance of a healthy rumen proved a continual challenge but was possible by hyperalimentation and vigorous dialysis immediately postnephrectomy.
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This review examines the current situation of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in southern African savannah systems, and uses theory on multi-species host-pathogen systems to suggest possible options for future research and management. In... more
This review examines the current situation of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in southern African savannah systems, and uses theory on multi-species host-pathogen systems to suggest possible options for future research and management. In southern Africa, the buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and the Kafue lechwe [Marsh antelope] (Kobus leche) have been found to be maintenance hosts for this disease, but the importance of other host species is becoming apparent. The role of other host species in the maintenance and spread of the disease varies, depending on the spatial distribution and resource utilization patterns of the species, disease susceptibility, transmission modes and the ecology of both host(s) and vector(s). Future research needs to identify the pathogenicity of bTB in each of the host species, and the mechanisms and rates of inter- and intra-specific transmission among different species, in order to develop multi-host models to understand the development and spread of the disease.
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The authors describe the public health risks associated with wildlife products in certain regions of Africa. Most of the information presented is obtained from the Republic of South Africa, particularly the Kruger National Park. There are... more
The authors describe the public health risks associated with wildlife products in certain regions of Africa. Most of the information presented is obtained from the Republic of South Africa, particularly the Kruger National Park. There are no statutory requirements in South Africa regarding the general inspection of game carcasses prior to sale: however, current regulatory inspection requirements are explained. Game farming systems in southern Africa are generally extensive systems with wild herbivores living in a near-natural 'free-ranging' state. Several pathological processes and disease entities have been confirmed in wildlife carcasses and these are listed with zoonotic implications.
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A serological investigation was undertaken to determine the prevalence of brucellosis titres in buffalo in the Kruger National park. A total of 406 samples were collected over a period of one year. The rose bengal and the complement... more
A serological investigation was undertaken to determine the prevalence of brucellosis titres in buffalo in the Kruger National park. A total of 406 samples were collected over a period of one year. The rose bengal and the complement fixation tests were used in the investigation as these tests are routinely used for cattle sera and have proved to be reliable. In the females, 12.6% adult, 10.7% sub-adult and 3% juvenile animals reacted positively to the tests. In the males, 15.1% adults, 10.6% sub-adults and 5.3% juveniles were recorded as positive.
Research Interests: South Africa, Humans, Animals, Male, Brucellosis, and 3 morePrevalence, Veterinary Sciences, and Buffaloes
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Research Interests: Zoology, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Wildlife Diseases, Sudden Death, Prodrugs, and 22 moreElephants, Liver, Female, Animals, Male, Wildlife, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Vascular endothelium, Lung, North America, Inclusion Bodies, Tongue, Myocardium, Endothelial cell, Retrospective Studies, Veterinary Sciences, North American, African Elephant, Cardiac failure, Antiviral Agents, Clinical evaluation, and Acyclovir
Three new Sarcocystis species recovered from muscle fibers of the skeletal musculature of a giraffe in South Africa are described based on light and electron microscopy. Sarcocystis giraffae n. sp. formed slim macrocysts with a... more
Three new Sarcocystis species recovered from muscle fibers of the skeletal musculature of a giraffe in South Africa are described based on light and electron microscopy. Sarcocystis giraffae n. sp. formed slim macrocysts with a parasite-induced connective tissue encapsulation of the host muscle fiber in which the plasma membrane of the latter remained unaltered. The sarcocyst wall represented a new ultrastructural type that is characterized by fingerlike villar protrusions with a hairlike projection at the tip, containing microtubules penetrating the ground substance. Sarcocystis klaseriensis n. sp. formed small filiform microcysts with kinked finger-shaped villar protrusions of the wall, containing scattered microtubules or filaments, and represented another new ultrastructural type. Sarcocystis camelopardalis n. sp. formed small filiform microcysts with straplike villar protrusions of the wall, containing chainlike osmiophilic structures, and represented again a new ultrastructural type.
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A total of 594 sera collected from buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve complex, Ndumu Game Reserve and the eastern shores of Lake St Lucia were examined for antibody to SAT 1, 2 and 3 types of foot-and-mouth... more
A total of 594 sera collected from buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Hluhluwe/Umfolozi Game Reserve complex, Ndumu Game Reserve and the eastern shores of Lake St Lucia were examined for antibody to SAT 1, 2 and 3 types of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus in neutralization tests. No neutralization of SAT 2 or 3 viruses was exhibited by any of the sera tested at final dilutions greater than 10. A small proportion (2,9%) of sera neutralized SAT 1 virus at dilutions up to 10, but these were considered to be due to non-specific reactions. This, together with the absence of clinical FMD in both cattle and game in this region over at least a 45-year period and the failure to isolate FMD virus from pharyngeal scrapings of buffalo sampled in the area, leads to the conclusion that FMD does not occur in these buffalo populations.
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The monitoring of a foot-and-mouth disease epizootic amongst impala (Aepyceros melampus) in the Kruger National Park is described. Infection rates of different sex and age classes of impala within the outbreak focus were determined.... more
The monitoring of a foot-and-mouth disease epizootic amongst impala (Aepyceros melampus) in the Kruger National Park is described. Infection rates of different sex and age classes of impala within the outbreak focus were determined. Seroprevalence rates in other clovenhoofed species were also determined. RNA sequencing of a portion of the 1D gene of viruses isolated from SAT-2 viruses obtained from diseased impala showed that they were unrelated to previous SAT-2 isolates made from animals in the Kruger National Park.
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Between November 2000 and the end of 2007, five outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) occurred in cattle in the area adjacentto the Kruger National Park (KNP) in the north-eastern corner of South Africa. To help understand the factors... more
Between November 2000 and the end of 2007, five outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) occurred in cattle in the area adjacentto the Kruger National Park (KNP) in the north-eastern corner of South Africa. To help understand the factors behind these outbreaks a qualitative risk assessment based on the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) assessment framework was adopted, using available data from published sources and various unpublished South African sources. Risk was assessed on the basis of the following factors: data on South African Territories (SAT) type infections of buffalo and impala in the KNP, permeability of the fence along the western boundary of the KNP, the potential for contact between livestock and wildlife susceptible to FMD in areas adjacent to the KNP, and the level of herd immunity in cattle generated by prophylactic vaccination. Scenario pathways for FMD occurrence outside the KNP are presented as a conceptual framework to qualitatively assess the risk ...
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Five kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), three bulls and two cows, within the Greater Kruger National Park complex, were diagnosed with generalized tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis. The lesions seen in these animals were similar... more
Five kudus (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), three bulls and two cows, within the Greater Kruger National Park complex, were diagnosed with generalized tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis. The lesions seen in these animals were similar to those previously reported in kudus and included severe tuberculous lymphadenitis of the nodes of the head and neck (that resulted in noticeable uni- or bilateral swelling beneath the ear), thorax, and the mesentery. All the animals also suffered from severe granulomatous pneumonia. The lesions in the lungs were more severe cranially and had a miliary distribution elsewhere in the lungs. Based on the DNA patterns of the M. bovis isolates, at least some of these kudus were infected with strains commonly present in tuberculous buffaloes, lions, cheetahs, and baboons in the Park whereas other strains from these kudus were quite different and may reflect another source of infection. The presence of tuberculous kudus in the Park is expected to complicat...
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Lion sera from the Kruger National Park (KNP) dating back to 1977 and from the Etosha National Park (ENP), obtained from 1989 to 1991, have been analysed by ELISA and Western blot analyses using a genetically engineered antigen... more
Lion sera from the Kruger National Park (KNP) dating back to 1977 and from the Etosha National Park (ENP), obtained from 1989 to 1991, have been analysed by ELISA and Western blot analyses using a genetically engineered antigen representing the p24 structural protein of feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV). It was concluded that some 83% of 98 KNP lion sera reacted with the p24 antigen, while none of 28 ENP lion sera reacted. A few other KNP felids (cheetahs and genets) gave samples that did not react with the FIV p24 antigen. For the KNP lions, apart from a lower prevalence in cubs (50%), no particular trends were demonstrated in terms of age, sex, date or origins of the samples. In Western blot and radio-immunoprecipitation analyses the lion sera reacted with the engineered p24 antigen, as well as with the p15 and p24 gag proteins and the p50 gag precursor protein from FIV, indicating that the agent is probably a lentivirus related to FIV. The ELISA with the engineered p24 antigen ...
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Using age-related infection rates derived from serological data in available deterministic and specially developed stochastic simulation models, it has been possible to establish that the basic reproductive rates for South African... more
Using age-related infection rates derived from serological data in available deterministic and specially developed stochastic simulation models, it has been possible to establish that the basic reproductive rates for South African Territory (SAT) type foot and mouth disease virus in buffalo (Syncerus caffer) are high. The models predict that there is a periodicity of infection within herds and possibly the population as a whole. Thus, buffalo herds are likely to be more infectious at some times than at others. However, because most infections in buffalo are inapparent, such episodes are difficult to identify. There is wide intratypic variation within the SAT type virus populations circulating in buffalo. This was determined by sequencing part of the 1 D gene of buffalo isolates and establishing antigenic profiles with neutralising monoclonal antibodies and conventional antisera.
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Between November 2000 and the end of 2007, five outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) occurred in cattle in the area adjacentto the Kruger National Park (KNP) in the north-eastern corner of South Africa. To help understand the factors... more
Between November 2000 and the end of 2007, five outbreaks of foot and mouth disease (FMD) occurred in cattle in the area adjacentto the Kruger National Park (KNP) in the north-eastern corner of South Africa. To help understand the factors behind these outbreaks a qualitative risk assessment based on the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) assessment framework was adopted, using available data from published sources and various unpublished South African sources. Risk was assessed on the basis of the following factors: data on South African Territories (SAT) type infections of buffalo and impala in the KNP, permeability of the fence along the western boundary of the KNP, the potential for contact between livestock and wildlife susceptible to FMD in areas adjacent to the KNP, and the level of herd immunity in cattle generated by prophylactic vaccination. Scenario pathways for FMD occurrence outside the KNP are presented as a conceptual framework to qualitatively assess the risk ...
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There are huge numbers of wild animals distributed throughout the world and the diversity of wildlife species is immense. Each landscape and habitat has a kaleidoscope of niches supporting an enormous variety of vertebrate and... more
There are huge numbers of wild animals distributed throughout the world and the diversity of wildlife species is immense. Each landscape and habitat has a kaleidoscope of niches supporting an enormous variety of vertebrate and invertebrate species, and each species or taxon supports an even more impressive array of macro- and micro-parasites. Infectious pathogens that originate in wild animals have become increasingly important throughout the world in recent decades, as they have had substantial impacts on human health, agricultural production, wildlife-based economies and wildlife conservation. The emergence of these pathogens as significant health issues is associated with a range of causal factors, most of them linked to the sharp and exponential rise of global human activity. Among these causal factors are the burgeoning human population, the increased frequency and speed of local and international travel, the increase in human-assisted movement of animals and animal products, c...
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Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, was diagnosed for the first time, in a kudu cow from a commercial game ranch in the Malelane area of the Mpumalanga Province close to the Kruger National Park. This diagnosis has important... more
Tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium bovis, was diagnosed for the first time, in a kudu cow from a commercial game ranch in the Malelane area of the Mpumalanga Province close to the Kruger National Park. This diagnosis has important implications for the eradication of the disease in commercial and communal livestock in the area. Kudus are considered to be a potential maintenance host and, because of discharging fistulae in the parotid area where the lymph nodes are commonly infected, they have the potential of disseminating bacteria over wide areas. Cognisance should be taken of the presence of tuberculosis in a species other than domesticated cattle in this area and its implications for the control of tuberculosis in cattle.
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Bovine tuberculosis was diagnosed for the first time in an African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National Park (KNP). The index case was a 2-year-old, emaciated bull which had been found recumbent and obviously ill, near the... more
Bovine tuberculosis was diagnosed for the first time in an African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National Park (KNP). The index case was a 2-year-old, emaciated bull which had been found recumbent and obviously ill, near the south-western boundary of the KNP, in July 1990. During a follow-up random sampling of 57 buffalo, from two herds in close proximity to this initial case, nine more suspect cases were found. Mycobacterium bovis was isolated from a lung and thoracic lymph node, respectively, of two of these cases. Histopathologically, all nine of these animals had granulomatous lesions compatible with a diagnosis of mycobacteriosis, but acid-fast organisms could be demonstrated in only one animal.
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The presence of low levels of group- and type-specific antibodies against African horsesickness virus in the serum of some free-living elephants was reconfirmed. Experimental infection resulted in conflicting results. No detectable... more
The presence of low levels of group- and type-specific antibodies against African horsesickness virus in the serum of some free-living elephants was reconfirmed. Experimental infection resulted in conflicting results. No detectable viraemia nor virus could be demonstrated in the organs of the six elephant calves and none of them mounted significant levels of neutralizing antibodies against the virus. On the other hand, all calves showed a slight rise in ELISA titres. This rise, however, was modest when compared with the rise in experimentally infected zebra. The presence of low levels of group- and type-specific antibodies in the serum of some free-living elephants is judged to be the result of natural hyper-immunization due to frequent exposure to infected biting insects. Elephants should therefore, despite the presence of low levels of antibodies, be regarded as poorly susceptible and unlikely to be a source of African horsesickness virus.
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A necropsy conducted on an emaciated 8-year-old female African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National Park, revealed gross pathological changes compatible with generalised bovine tuberculosis. Macroscopic lesions in the lungs... more
A necropsy conducted on an emaciated 8-year-old female African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National Park, revealed gross pathological changes compatible with generalised bovine tuberculosis. Macroscopic lesions in the lungs and associated lymph nodes were of a caseous necrotic nature with liquefied foci. Mycobacterium bovis was cultured from pulmonary lesions. The distribution and the characteristics of the lesions are described and the conclusion is made that the initial route of infection was aerogenous with secondary bacterial metastasis to the intestine. It would also appear that the spread of infection within the animal was extremely rapid. The conjecture is made that due to the cavernous state of the pulmonary lesions, the animal was probably highly infective at the time of death. Environmental factors that may have had an influence on the pathogenesis of the disease are seasonal rainfall fluctuations, extreme temperature variations and harsh ultra-violet exposure.
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The viraemic period of African horsesickness is significantly longer in experimentally infected zebra than in horses. The virus could be isolated 40 d post-infection from blood and 48 d post-infection from spleen. The introduction of... more
The viraemic period of African horsesickness is significantly longer in experimentally infected zebra than in horses. The virus could be isolated 40 d post-infection from blood and 48 d post-infection from spleen. The introduction of zebra into African horsesickness-free countries should therefore be considered carefully, and preferably be restricted to serologically negative zebra.
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Ten pregnant buffalo cows, six of which were subsequently shown to be carriers of SAT 1, 2 and 3 viruses, were captured in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and allowed to calve in captivity. The buffalo cows and calves were separated by a... more
Ten pregnant buffalo cows, six of which were subsequently shown to be carriers of SAT 1, 2 and 3 viruses, were captured in the Kruger National Park (KNP) and allowed to calve in captivity. The buffalo cows and calves were separated by a fence from 6 FMD susceptible cattle but the buffalo and cattle were obliged to use common drinking troughs and hay racks. Over a period of 15 months, during which the buffalo calves lost their maternally-derived immunity, neither the buffalo calves nor the susceptible cattle became infected with FMD virus. By the end of the observation period, however, only 1 buffalo cow still had detectable virus in its oesophageal/pharyngeal specimens.