The occurrence of Theileria and Cowdria parasites in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and their associated Amblyomma hebraeum ticks.

ALLSOPP, M.T.E.P., THERON, J. , COETZEE, M.L., DUNSTERVILLE, M.T. & ALLSOPP, B.A. 1999. The occurrence of Theileria and Cowdria parasites in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and their asso­ ciated ticks. Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, 66:245-249 The polymerase chain reaction and oligonucleotide probing were used to detect Theileria and Cow­ dria species in DNA extracted from blood and ticks recovered from 24 African buffalo during a game­ capture operation in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Species-specific probing indicated that all but one of the buffalo were carrying at least one Theileria species. Indirect fluorescent antibody (I FA) serology indicated that all animals had been exposed to Theileria parva infection but only 33% were positive for T. parva by probing. Twelve (50%) of the animals but only six of the 214 adult Am­ blyomma hebraeum ticks examined (2 ,8 %) were probe-positive for Cowdria. Only one Cowdria 16S genotype was detected in the animals and ticks.