Description of Aegyptianella botuliformis n. sp. (Rickettsiales: Anaplasmataceae) from the helmeted guineafowl, Numida meleagris

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.