Detection of Babesia and Theileria parasites in white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) in the Kruger National Park, and their relation to anaemia

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University of Pretoria

Abstract

As part of the larger survey to map the geographical distribution of Babesia and Theileria parasites in the Southern African rhinoceros population, white rhinoceroses were sampled during routine immobilizations in the Kruger National Park. Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and Reverse Line Blot (RLB) hybridization assays were used to screen for the presence of haemoprotozoa and complete blood counts were used to assess associated changes in clinical parameters. Of the 195 rhinoceroses sampled, 36.4% tested positive for the presence of Theileria bicornis, with no significant change in the haematological parameters measured. None of the rhinoceroses sampled tested positive for Babesia bicornis, the parasite linked to mortalities in black rhinoceroses. Copyright

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Dissertation (MSc)--University of Pretoria, 2009.

Keywords

Theileria bicornis, Theileria parasites, Babesia parasites, Kruger National Park (KNP), Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis minor), White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum), Ceratotherium simum, UCTD

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Govender, D 2009, Detection of Babesia and Theileria parasites in white rhinoceroses (Ceratotherium simum) in the Kruger National Park, and their relation to anaemia, MSc dissertation, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, viewed yymmdd < http://hdl.handle.net/2263/27118 >