scholarly journals First report of a mixed infection of Trichinella nelsoni and Trichinella T8 in a leopard (Panthera pardus) from the Greater Kruger National Park, South Africa

2014 ◽  
Vol 81 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Louis J. La Grange ◽  
Björn Reininghaus ◽  
Samson Mukaratirwa
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Panthera Pardus ◽  
Predator Species ◽  
First Report ◽  
Dietary Preference ◽  
Sources Of Infection

At least three Trichinella species, namely Trichinella nelsoni, Trichinella britovi and Trichinella zimbabwensis, and one genotype (Trichinella T8), have been isolated from sylvatic carnivores on the African continent. With the exception of T. britovi, the other species are known to circulate in wildlife of the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa, and KNP neighbouring game reserves (collectively known as the greater KNP area). Lions (Panthera leo) and spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) appear to be the most important reservoirs of T. nelsoni and Trichinella T8 in the KNP and surrounding areas. Interspecies predation between lions and hyenas has been implicated as a primary mode of maintaining the life cycles of these two Trichinella species. This is the first report of a mixed natural infection of T. nelsoni and Trichinella T8 in a leopard (Panthera pardus) from South Africa. Trichinella muscle larvae were identified to species level by multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Probable sources of infection, based on the known dietary preference and prey species’ range of leopards, are also discussed. The described occurrence of Trichinella species in a leopard from the greater KNP area raises the question of possible sources of infection for this predator species.

scholarly journals First report of a parasitic mite, Leptotrombidium (Hypotrombidium) subquadratum (Lawrence) (Acari : Trombiculidae : Trombiculinae), from dogs and children in the Bloemfontein area, South Africa : case report

2001 ◽  
Vol 72 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
H. Heyne ◽  
E.A. Ueckermann ◽  
L. Coetzee
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Case Report ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
First Report ◽  
Elephant Shrew ◽  
Parasitic Mite ◽  
First Time

Leptotrombidium subquadratum larvae were collected for the first time in 1994 from dogs in Bloemfontein. The larvae have been collected annually, during the summer months, over a period of 6-7 years. Previously the only known hosts were scrub hare (Lepus saxatilis) (locality unknown) and short-snouted elephant shrew (Elephantulus brachyrhynchus) (Kruger National Park). These mites cause severe itching and dermatitis in humans and dogs.

Prevalence and molecular identification of Trichinella species isolated from wildlife originating from Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa

2017 ◽  
Vol 93 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-56 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mukaratirwa ◽  
L.J. La Grange ◽  
M.P. Malatji ◽  
B. Reininghaus ◽  
J. Lamb
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Natural Infection ◽  
Molecular Techniques ◽  
The Body ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Full Spectrum ◽  
Wildlife Species ◽  
Monitor Lizard

AbstractTrichinella species are widely distributed on all continents with the exception of Antarctica, although the full spectrum of Trichinella species found in sub-Saharan African countries, and their hosts, has not been fully documented. This study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Trichinella in wildlife from the Greater Kruger National Park (GKNP) and adjacent areas located in the Limpopo and Mpumalanga provinces of South Africa, and to identify the species and/or genotypes of Trichinella larvae isolated from muscle tissues, using molecular techniques. A review of Trichinella spp. and their wildlife hosts reported during 1964–2011 was also conducted and the results were compared with our current study. Ninety samples representing 15 mammalian, two bird and three reptile species were screened for Trichinella infection during 2012–2016, using artificial digestion. Isolates detected were identified using a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of the internal transcriber spacers ITS1 and ITS2, and expansion segment V (ESV) regions of ribosomal DNA, followed by molecular analysis of the sequences. Twenty samples from seven wildlife species were positive for Trichinella spp. larvae, with an overall prevalence of 21.1% (20/90). The prevalence was higher in carnivores (18.9%, 18/90) than in omnivores (2.2%, 2/90). Analysis of sequences showed that eight of the isolates – two from spotted hyaena (Crocuta crocuta) (2/8), three from lion (Panthera leo) (3/13), one from leopard (Panthera pardus) (1/6), one from small spotted genet (Genetta genetta) (1/2) and one Nile monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus) (1/2) – conformed to Trichinella zimbabwensis. One isolate from a hyaena was grouped under the encapsulated species clade comprising T. nelsoni and genotype Trichinella T8 reported to be present in South Africa. This is the first report confirming natural infection by T. zimbabwensis in hyaena, leopard, genet and Nile monitor lizard, adding to the body of knowledge on the epidemiology of Trichinella infections in the Greater Kruger National Park of South Africa. Ten Trichinella-like larval isolates recovered after digestion from four wildlife species in this study (2012–2016) revealed inconclusive results due to DNA degradation resulting from poor storage or too few larvae for analysis, in comparison to 20 unidentified isolates from five wildlife species during the 1964–2011 period.

scholarly journals Ecological suitability modeling for anthrax in the Kruger National Park, South Africa

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. e0191704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pieter Johan Steenkamp ◽  
Henriette van Heerden ◽  
Ockert Louis van Schalkwyk
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
National Park ◽  
Kruger National Park ◽  
Ecological Suitability
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