Tetralogy of Fallot and Atrial Septal Defect in a White Bengal Tiger Cub (Panthera tigris tigris)

A 3-week-old female white Bengal Tiger cub (Panthera tigris tigris) presented with acute onset tachypnoea, cyanosis and hypothermia. The cub was severely hypoxaemic with a mixed acid–base disturbance. Echocardiography revealed severe pulmonic stenosis, right ventricular hypertrophy, high membranous ventricular septal defect and an overriding aorta. Additionally, an atrial septal defect was found on necropsy, resulting in the final diagnosis of Tetralogy of Fallot with an atrial septal defect (a subclass of Pentalogy of Fallot). This report is the first to encompass arterial blood gas analysis, thoracic radiographs, echocardiography and necropsy findings in a white Bengal Tiger cub diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with an atrial septal defect

Theileriosis in roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) : identification of vectors and experimental transmission using a tick-derived stabilate

Four hand-reared, naïve roan antelope 6 months of age were exposed to naturally infected pasture on a game farm in Mpumalanga where roan are known to die from theileriosis. The predominant ticks parasitising these animals at this time (during the months of January and February) were Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and R. evertsi evertsi adults. After a period of 5 weeks the animals developed signs of clinical theileriosis, characterized by anorectal lymphadenomegaly, shortly followed by pyrexia and generalised peripheral lymphadenomegaly. Around the time of pyrexia, peripheral blood smears showed severe mononuclear leukocytosis, with some leukocytes containing cytoplasmic theilerial schizonts (Koch’s bodies). This was followed by erythrocytic piroplasmaemia. Animals were treated successfully using buparvaquone. Primary hyperplasia of the local draining lymph nodes (Lnn. anorectales) of adult R. e. evertsi feeding sites indicated vector status of theileriosis for this tick species. After recovery from theileriosis, these animals were confirmed carriers of Theileria sp. (sable) by PCR and DNA probe analysis. Laboratory-bred larvae and nymphae of R. e. evertsi and R. appendiculatus respectively were fed on the ears of these roan antelope, now known to be carriers. Engorged nymphae were recovered from the roan. A cryopreserved stabilate was produced from each species, using an adapted protocol for Theileria parva tick stabilate preparation. Both stabilates were tested for infectivity in T. sp. (sable) negative (PCR analysis) roan antelope calves that were intensively hand reared under tick-free conditions. The stabilate derived from R. e. evertsi induced clinical theileriosis at doses between 5 and 60 tick equivalents per calf. The R. appendiculatus stabilate did not induce clinical disease or infection; the calves remained PCR negative throughout the trial period. The calves that survived the R. e. evertsi stabilate trial showed no clinical reaction to field exposure, in contrast to the controls and R. appendiculatus stabilate inoculated calves which all exhibited clinical theileriosis The stabilate has the potential to be used as the infection source in an infection and treatment method of immunising roan antelope against theileriosis. CopyrightDissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2012.Paraclinical Sciencesunrestricte

Fire-induced mortality and associated pathologies across functional reptile groups in relation to fire behaviour

Variation in fire behaviour has been suggested to affect faunal species differently depending on their physical condition and functional traits. Following a management burn in the Munywana Conservancy, KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa, post-fire mortality surveys produced unique reptile fatality profiles corresponding to variations in fire behaviour and associated pathologies. Mortality due to thermal injury was sustained by epigeic snakes in the headfire, while pulmonary oedema was prevalent in fatalities collected following backburns for a viperid and a fossorial skink. Fat reserves and ecdysis are likely to affect survivorship through these factors placing constraints on locomotion. These results suggest that specific traits and physical condition may make certain reptile functional groups and individuals more susceptible to direct fire effects.https://www.biotaxa.org/hn/indexam2024Paraclinical SciencesSDG-15:Life on lan

Mycotic rhinitis in a Mutton Merino ewe

Although nasal masses are uncommon in sheep and may have several causes, including neoplasia and bacterial, fungal and viral infections, these lesions may lead to economic losses resulting from weight loss and even death. It is therefore important to differentiate between various categories of upper respiratory tract obstructions and lower respiratory tract infections. The correct aetiological diagnosis of obstructive masses is essential for appropriate treatment and management to be given or action to be taken. The presentation, clinical signs, treatment and pathology of a case of suspected mycotic rhinitis in a 6-year-old Mutton Merino ewe, are described.http://www.jsava.co.zaam2017Paraclinical SciencesProduction Animal Studie

Observed sexual dimorphism in the epidermal gland structure and arrangement for the Fossorial Skink Scelotes bidigittatus FitzSimons, 1930

Scelotes bidigittatus is a small burrowing scincid with an obligate fossorial lifestyle (Maritz and Alexander, 2008). It lives in sandy substrate and leaf litter in savannah, forest, and grassland habitats and ranges from the South African Lowveld through eSwatini to southern Mozambique and northern KwaZulu-Natal province, South Africa (Broadley, 1994; Branch, 1998; Jordaan, 2021). During August 2018, seven S. bidigittatus fatalities were collected during a post-fire mortality survey, following a late winter management fire on the Munywana Conservancy in KwaZulu-Natal province. Six of these specimens were prepared for histopathological examination to investigate fire-associated mechanisms of mortality (Jordaan and Steyl, 2023). During histopathological examination, variations in epidermal glands were noted between specimens suggesting possible sexually dimorphic differences in their structure, size, and spatial arrangement.https://www.biotaxa.org/hn/indexam2024Paraclinical SciencesNon

Neurological Alphavirus infections in horses and wildlife in South Africa: a survey (2019 – 2021)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1FzYXj-Jjwd5ZQ6_RO_2DUaixvJTHZqbG/view?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1J6-Yn2yBdGbr1mBxNX46yC_lfTisQ4uV?usp=sharinghttps://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KLf0cI0c1ZXicDTGy67nf03k0N0Eis55?usp=sharin

Investigation of Brucella melitensis in sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) in South Africa

Supplementary Data 1: Mitigation plan for Farm 1.In this study, Brucella melitensis infection in sable antelope (Hippotragus niger) was investigated on two wildlife ranches in South Africa over a 12-year period in order to determine the origin of the outbreaks and the role of livestock in maintaining the disease. Retrospective data were obtained from farm records and interviews as well as samples tested from di erent disease scenarios and clinical settings. On one ranch, 10 of 74 sable tested seropositive for B. melitensis in 2004 but were certified clear of infection after no further brucellosis cases were detected following repeated serological tests and culling over a five-year period. Recrudescence occurred in 2013 (7 of 187 brucellosis positives) and in 2014 (one positive), with persistent, latent infection being the most reasonable explanation. In a second case study, linked to the first one through a common vendor, 15 of 80 sable tested positive in 2016, some five years after the acquisition of the animals from a putative source. Brucella melitensis biovar 1 and/or 3 were isolated from each outbreak on both ranches. Both outbreaks resulted in substantial losses for the owners, arising from testing and culling and significant resource expenditure by the state. The study identified the diagnostic challenges for identifying and resolving disease outbreaks in wildlife, the persistence of B. melitensis in sable, the risks associated with animal movements, and the need for a wildlife-sensitive disease control scheme. Although the actual source of infection could not be identified, the investigation points away from local livestock as a source of ongoing infection while the persistent infection is consistent with the disease circulating within small, ranched populations and being spread through the keeping and trading of high-value animals. The implications of the study findings to disease control in wildlife are discussed.The ARC-Onderstepoort Veterinary Research (OVR); the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development; National Research Foundation (NRF) and the University of Pretoria.http://www.mdpi.com/journal/microorganismsam2021Centre for Veterinary Wildlife StudiesParaclinical SciencesProduction Animal StudiesVeterinary Tropical Disease

Theileriosis (Cytauxzoonosis) in Roan antelope (Hippotragus equinus) : field exposure to infection and identification of potential vectors

Four hand-reared, naïve roan antelope, 4 months of age, were exposed to naturally infected pasture on a game farm in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa, where roan are known to die from theileriosis. Various clinical parameters were recorded during this period. The predominant ticks parasitising these animals at the time (January to February), were Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi adults. After a period of 5 weeks the animals developed signs of clinical theileriosis and were treated with buparvaquone to prevent mortality. Primary hyperplasia of the local draining lymph nodes (Lnn. anorectales) near the feeding site of adult R. evertsi evertsi indicated possible transmission of Theileria sp. (sable) by this tick species. After recovery from theileriosis, these animals were confirmed carriers of Theileria sp. (sable) by PCR (polymerase chain reaction) and DNA probe analysis. Laboratory-bred larvae and nymphs of R. evertsi evertsi and R. appendiculatus respectively, were fed on the ears of these roan antelope. Salivary glands from moulted and prefed adult ticks of each species were dissected and stained for Theileria spp., and the PCR and DNA probe applied to a representative batch of dissected glands. R. appendiculatus adults collected from grass in infected camps were also dissected after prefeeding them on rabbits. Salivary glands of both tick species showed infected acini on staining and were also positive for Theileria sp. (sable) only, on multiprotozoal PCR-screening analysis. There was no statistical significant difference between the infection rate and the intensity of infection between the two tick species. R. appendiculatus ticks collected from grass were also PCR-positive for Theileria sp. (sable).Mr J. Hume, owner of Mauricedale Game Ranch.http://www.ojvr.orgmn201

Fiber type and metabolic characteristics of skeletal muscle in 16 breeds of domestic dogs

The domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) species comprises hundreds of breeds, each differing in physical characteristics, behavior, strength, and running capability. Very little is known about the skeletal muscle composition and metabolism between the different breeds, which may explain disease susceptibility. Muscle samples from the triceps brachii (TB) and vastus lateralis (VL) were collected post mortem from 35 adult dogs, encompassing 16 breeds of varying ages and sex. Samples were analyzed for fiber type composition, fiber size, oxidative, and glycolytic metabolic capacity (citrate synthase [CS],3-hydroxyacetyl-coA dehydrogenase [3HAD], creatine kinase [CK], and lactate dehydrogenase [LDH] enzyme activities). There was no significant difference between the TB and VL in any of the measurements. However, there were large intra species variation, with some variables confirming the physical attributes of a specific breed. Collectively, type IIA was the predominant fiber type followed by type I and type IIX. The cross-sectional areas (CSA) of the fibers were all smaller when compared to humans and similar to other wild animals. There was no difference in the CSA between the fiber types and muscle groups. Metabolically, the muscle of the dog displayed high oxidative capacity with high activities for CS and 3HAD. Lower CK and higher LDH activities than humans indicate a lower and higher flux through the high energy phosphate and glycolytic pathways, respectively. The high variability found across the different breeds may be attributed to genetics, function or lifestyle which have largely been driven through human intervention. This data may provide a foundation for future research into the role of these parameters in disease susceptibility, such as insulin resistance and diabetes, across breeds.South African National Research Foundation; Tim and Marilyn Noakes Sports Science Postdoctoral Fellowship; National Research Foundation of South Africa.http://wileyonlinelibrary.com/journal/arCentre for Veterinary Wildlife StudiesCompanion Animal Clinical StudiesParaclinical Science