Occurrence of blood-borne tick-transmitted parasites in tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus lunatus) antelope in Vaalbos National Park, Northern Cape Province

Blood was collected from 71 tsessebe antelope and ticks from 12 of these animals, in the Vaalbos National Park. The samples were collected when the animals were relocated to a new park as a result of the deproclamation of Vaalbos National Park. DNA was extracted from the blood samples and the V4 hypervariable region of the 18S rRNA gene of any piroplasm parasites present was amplified by PCR. The RLB hybridisation technique was used to identify piroplasm parasites. Theileria spp. were identified and full-length 18S rRNA genes were amplified, cloned and sequenced. The results indicated the presence of novel Theileria spp. phylogenetically very closely related to both Theileria sp. (sable) and Theileria separate. The ticks collected were all Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi, which has been shown to be capable of acting as a vector for Theileria spp. All animals appeared to be in good health at the time of sampling and after relocation. It is thus possible that, as with several other wildlife species, the Theileria spp. identified here do not cause disease under normal circumstances and that a situation of endemic stability exists. Once the host is under any form of stress, however, overt clinical disease may well become evident. The significance of these Theileria spp. should not be underestimated, and care should be taken not to transmit the organisms into new areas. More research will need to be conducted to determine the exact clinical significance of these findings and the role of Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi as a potential vector for these Theileria spp. CopyrightDissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2008.Veterinary Tropical Diseasesunrestricte

Occurrence of blood-borne tick-transmitted parasites in common tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus) antelope in Northern Cape Province, South Africa

Blood samples were collected from 71 tsessebes relocated from the deproclaimed Vaalbos National Park to Mokala National Park, South Africa. DNA was extracted from the samples and the reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization technique was used to detect and identify any haemoparasites present. Six samples hybridized to the Theileria/Babesia genus-specific probe, the Theileria genus-specific probe and the Theileria sp. (sable) probe, while 3/6 also hybridized to the Theileria separata probe. Full-length 18S rRNA genes of the Theileria spp. detected were amplified, cloned and sequenced. Two novel Theileria 18S rRNA gene sequences were identified which are phylogenetically very closely related to both Theileria sp. (sable) and T. separata. All animals appeared to be in good health. It seems likely, therefore, that these Theileria spp. do not cause disease under normal circumstances. Nevertheless, care should be taken when translocating wild animals, as introduction of novel piroplasm parasites into new areas could cause clinical disease and losses in naïve wildlife and domestic animals, and new parasite species could become established in areas in which they previously did not occur.National Research Foundation grant UID 44403 to B.L. Penzhorn.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/vetparab201

Retrospective study on antibody response to vaccination of the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) with Clone 13 Rift Valley fever virus vaccine

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a disease of ruminants in Africa, Madagascar and the Middle East, affecting primarily domestic, but also many wild species. The disease can be peracute to acute and is characterised by a necrotic hepatitis and a generalised haemorrhagic syndrome. The disease is caused by a mosquito-borne virus of the Phenuiviridae family. Outbreaks occur after heavy rains, which favour the breeding of the mosquito vectors. The disease is a zoonosis and humans become infected by bites from infected mosquitoes or contact with tissue from infected animals. The first records of RVF in southern Africa date back to 1950 when a large epidemic occurred in South Africa and there have been many outbreaks since, some major, with the most recent major outbreak in SA in 2010. During the 2010 outbreak multiple indigenous wildlife species were affected, including springbok (Antidorcas marsupialis), blesbok (Damaliscus pygargus phillipsi), bontebok (D. pygargus pygargus), waterbuck (Kobus ellipsiprymnus), African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), sable (Hippotragus niger), kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) and gemsbok (Oryx gazella). Even though no cases have been recorded in roan (Hippotragus equinus) antelope to date, the fact that such a wide array of wildlife was affected, and taking into account the close phylogenetic relationship between sable and roan antelope, it is reasonable to assume that roan will also be susceptible to RVF. Many control methods are aimed at vector control, but since the epidemiology of the disease is still poorly understood, this has limited value. Vaccination thus provides the best means of disease prevention and RVFV Clone 13 vaccine is a new vaccine proven to be effective and safe in domestic animals. It has not yet been scientifically tested in wildlife. To date there is no published research on the use of RVF vaccine in wildlife, nor are there any recommended vaccine protocols for wildlife. Many of these species are valuable in conservation and financial terms, and hence the need for this research. The purpose of the research was: To determine whether Clone 13 RVFV vaccine is effective in creating a humoral immune response in the African savannah buffalo and roan antelope. To determine if there are any obvious clinical side effects, such as general malaise or abortion due to vaccination. The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) lists both the enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and serum neutralization test (SNT) as recommended methods for detecting an immune response in populations considered free from disease, as well as post-vaccination to detect an immune response. As reported previously, the ELISA and SNT have been used to detect antibodies against RVFV in serum of a variety of animal species.Dissertation (MMedVet)--University of Pretoria, 2017.Production Animal StudiesMMedVetUnrestricte