An outbreak of bovine tuberculosis in a free-living African buffalo (Syncerus caffer-Sparrman) population in the Kruger National Park [South Africa]: a preliminary report

• Published in: Onderstepoort journal of veterinary research Vol. 63; no. 1; p. 15
• Main Authors: Bengis, R.G. (Department of Agriculture, Skukuza (South Africa). Directorate of Animal Health), Kriek, N.P.J, Keet, D.F, Raath, J.P, De Vos, V, Huchzermeyer, H.F.A.K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: South Africa 01.03.1996
• Subjects: AFRICAN BUFFALOES; AFRIQUE DU SUD; Animals; BOVINAE; BUFALO AFRICANO; Buffaloes - microbiology; BUFFLE AFRICAIN; Cattle; Disease Outbreaks - veterinary; HISTOPATHOLOGIE; HISTOPATHOLOGY; HISTOPATOLOGIA; Male; MYCOBACTERIUM; Mycobacterium bovis - isolation & purification; SOUTH AFRICA; South Africa - epidemiology; SUDAFRICA; TUBERCULOSE; TUBERCULOSIS; Tuberculosis, Bovine - diagnosis; Tuberculosis, Bovine - epidemiology; Tuberculosis, Bovine - physiopathology; South Africa
• ISSN: 0030-2465; 2219-0635

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.