Abstract:
Aegyptianella botuliformis n. sp. (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) isolated from helmeted guineafowls
Numida meleagris from the Kruger National Park is described. The rickettsia occurs within a
membrane-bound vacuole in the cytoplasm of erythrocytes with up to 8 organisms in a mature inclusion.
The initial body resembles that of Aegyptianella pullorum. The tightly packed, sausage-shaped
intermediate forms are a distinctive morphological feature, seen as irregular, pleomorphic forms under
light microscopy.
While more larvae and nymphs of Amblyomma hebraeum and Amblyomma marmoreaum were
found on the birds than larvae of an Argas sp., it is believed that the latter are the vectors of A.
botuliformis n. sp.
In addition to the Kruger National Park, positive blood smears were obtained from guineafowls at
other localities in the Transvaal.
