Absolute Configuration of a Tetrahydrophenanthrene from Heliotropium ovalifolium by LC-NMR of Its Mosher Esters

A new tetrahydrophenanthrene (1, (1R,2R)-1-hydroxy-2-methoxy-6,9-dimethyl-2,3-dihydrophenanthren-4(1H)-one (heliophenanthrone)) has been isolated from the aerial parts of Heliotropium ovalifolium. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic data, and the absolute configuration of the asymmetric centers was determined from LC-NMR data of the Mosher ester derivatives

Bovine tuberculosis in Buffaloes, Southern Africa

Funded by European Union Partnership, South East Lowveld Project; Ministere Francais des Affaires Etrangeres; United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Wildlife without Borders, Africa Progra

Tuberculosis serosurveillance and management practices of captive African elephants (Loxodonta africana) in the Kavango-Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area

Transfrontier conservation areas represent an international effort to encourage conservation and sustainable development. Their success faces a number of challenges, including disease management in wildlife, livestock and humans. Tuberculosis (TB) affects humans and a multitude of non‐human animal species and is of particular concern in sub‐Saharan Africa. The Kavango‐Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area encompasses five countries, including Zimbabwe, and is home to the largest contiguous population of free‐ranging elephants in Africa. Elephants are known to be susceptible to TB; thus, understanding TB status, exposure and transmission risks to and from elephants in this area is of interest for both conservation and human health. To assess risk factors for TB seroprevalence, a questionnaire was used to collect data regarding elephant management at four ecotourism facilities offering elephant‐back tourist rides in the Victoria Falls area of Zimbabwe. Thirty‐five working African elephants were screened for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex antibodies using the ElephantTB Stat‐Pak and the DPP VetTB Assay for elephants. Six of 35 elephants (17.1%) were seropositive. The risk factor most important for seropositive status was time in captivity. This is the first study to assess TB seroprevalence and risk factors in working African elephants in their home range. Our findings will provide a foundation to develop guidelines to protect the health of captive and free‐ranging elephants in the southern African context, as well as elephant handlers through simple interventions. Minimizing exposure through shared feed with other wildlife, routine TB testing of elephant handlers and regular serological screening of elephants are recommended as preventive measures.Financial support for elephant sample collection was provided by the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium and the framework agreement (FA3) with the Belgian Development Cooperation, the National Research Foundation South African Research Chair Initiative (NRF SARChI), and the International Wildlife Health Institute. Laura Rosen was supported by a Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Fellowship for Advanced Study (grant ID: D15ZO‐906).http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/tbed2019-04-01hj2018Veterinary Tropical Disease

Gousiekte in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) : clinical communication

Three African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) that died after capture and translocation from Mutirikwe Recreational Park in southern Zimbabwe showed macroscopic and microscopic lesions of cardiomyopathy compatible with a diagnosis of gousiekte. The buffalo had had access to Pavetta schumanniana, a plant that is known to cause gousiekte. Death was attributed to cardiac failure as a result of previous consumption of the plant, exacerbated by the stress of translocation

Heliotropamide, a novel oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxamide from Heliotropium ovalifolium

Heliotropamide (1), a new alkaloid with a novel oxopyrrolidine-3-carboxamide central moiety, has been isolated as the major product of the dicholoromethane extract of Heliotropium ovalifolium aerial parts. Its structure was elucidated by spectrometric methods including ESI-HR, EI, D/CI mass spectrometry, H-1, C-13, and 2D NMR experiments, and chemical derivatization. Neither heliotropamide nor its acetylated derivative (1a) showed any antifungal activity against Cladosporium cucumerinum and Candida albicans, antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, radical-scavenging properties in the DPPH test, or inhibitory potential toward acetylcholinesterase