Detection of Babesia spp. in Free-Ranging Pukus, Kobus vardonii, on a Game Ranch in Zambia

• Published in: Korean journal of parasitology Vol. 49; no. 4; pp. 437 - 440
• Main Authors: Munang'andu, Hetron Mweemba, Norwegian School of Veterinary Sciences, Department of Basic Sciences and Aquatic Medicine, Section of Aquatic Medicine and Nutrition, Oslo, Norway, Munyeme, Musso, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia, Nambota, Anderw Mubila, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia, Nalubamba, King Shimumbo, University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia, Siamudaala, Victor M., Kavango Transfrontier Wild Animal, Gaborone, Botswana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) 대한기생충학열대의학회 01.12.2011; The Korean Society for Parasitology
• Subjects: Animals; Animals, Wild - parasitology; ANTELOPES; Antelopes - parasitology; ANTILOPE; Arachnid Vectors - classification; Asymptomatic Diseases; BABESIA; Babesia - isolation & purification; Babesia - ultrastructure; Babesiosis - epidemiology; Babesiosis - transmission; Babesiosis - veterinary; Brief Communication; Erythrocytes - parasitology; Prevalence; puku; Rhipicephalus - classification; Tick Infestations - epidemiology; Tick Infestations - parasitology; Tick Infestations - veterinary; Ticks - parasitology; ZAMBIA; Zambia - epidemiology; ZAMBIE; Zambia; prevalence; Zambia; Babesia sp; puku; antelope
• ISSN: 0023-4001; 1738-0006
• DOI: 10.3347/kjp.2011.49.4.437

Babesia spp. were detected from 4 asymptomatic pukus captured on a game ranch in central Zambia in October 2008. Blood smears were examined in 4 species of aymptomatic free-ranging antelopes, namely the puku (Kobus vordanii), reedbuck (Redunca arundinum), bushbuck (Tragelaphus sylvaticus), and kudu (Tragelaphus strepsiceros), and showed the presence of Babesia parasites only in the puku. In the puku, the prevalence of babesiosis was estimated at 33.3% (n=12), while the overall prevalence in all examined animals was 8.5% (n=47). The parasites showed morphological characteristics of paired ring-like stages with the length varying between 1.61 μm and 3.02 μm (mean=2.12 μm, n=27; SD=0.76 μm). Both the infected and non-infected pukus showed good body condition scores (BCS), while the dominant tick species detected from all animals were Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Rhipicephalus spp., and Boophilus spp. To our knowledge this is the first report of Babesia spp. infection in pukus in Zambia. These findings suggest that wildlife could play an important role in the epidemiology of babesiosis in Zambia.