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Home / Equine Research Bank / Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl / Translocation a potential corridor for equine piroplasms in ...
International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife2019; 9; 130-133; doi: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.04.010

Translocation a potential corridor for equine piroplasms in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra).

Abstract: Translocation of animals in fragmented habitats is an important means of dispersal and gene flow, however, the movement of animals has led to the spread of various diseases globally and wildlife are often the reservoirs of these diseases. Currently, Cape mountain zebra are translocated within South Africa as a management method for augmentation of isolated and fragmented populations. The movement of pathogens due to translocations in local regions have gone largely unchecked, particularly where there may still be isolated regions that can be negatively affected. Equine piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease caused by and/or reported to occur in equids (Bhoora et al., 2010; Zweygarth et al., 2002). Here, the presence of and was detected in 137 clinically healthy Cape mountain zebra from three South African reserves, Mountain Zebra National Park (MZNP), De Hoop Nature Reserve (DHNR) and Karoo National Park (KNP) using the multiplex EP real-time PCR (qPCR) assay. We observed 100% prevalence for and identified only one animal from MZNP with These results affirm that precautions should be taken prior to founding new populations of Cape mountain zebra and that potential farms and properties adjacent to prospective reserves should be screened for the presence of the organisms in order to mitigate risks of infection to domestic animals.
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Publication Date: 2019-04-25 PubMed ID: 31080728PubMed Central: PMC6500921DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.04.010Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research article reveals that the translocation process of Cape mountain zebras in South Africa is contributing to the spread of equine piroplasmosis, a tick-borne disease, among the zebras and potentially to other animals in their new locations.

Summary of Research Article

  • The researchers observe that translocation of animals, including Cape mountain zebras, is a common method in South Africa to strengthen isolated populations and increase genetic diversity.
  • However, the article states that this very process of moving zebras across different regions is resulting in the transmission of diseases. The specific disease discussed here is equine piroplasmosis.
  • The scientific argument is that diseases can piggyback on the host animals, in this case the zebras, to new regions, affecting new populations that may have no immunity or adaptation for the unfamiliar disease.

Evidence for Spread of Disease

  • The researchers tested 137 Cape mountain zebras for equine piroplasmosis in three South African reserves: Mountain Zebra National Park, De Hoop Nature Reserve, and Karoo National Park.
  • The tests employed a multiplex EP real-time PCR (qPCR) assay, a diagnostics method that can accurately detect the presence of specific diseases.
  • The tests found a 100% prevalence of the disease in two reserves and only one case in the third.

Implication of the Findings

  • The research findings indicate that precautionary measures are needed before initiating new populations of Cape mountain zebras or undertaking any serious translocation programs from affected regions.
  • The researchers suggest that potential farms and properties in areas near the reserves should also be checked for the presence of the disease as these locations could be equally affected, posing risks of infection to domestic animals nearby.

Significance of the Study

  • The study provides an important insight into the challenges of species translocation as a method for wildlife conservation. While the method can potentially enhance the genetic diversity and overall health of a species, it can inadvertently promote the spread of diseases.
  • The research underscores the need for rigorous health screening in both the source and recipient populations to mitigate the risks of disease transmission.

Cite This Article

APA
Smith RM, Bhoora RV, Kotzé A, Grobler JP, Lee Dalton D. (2019). Translocation a potential corridor for equine piroplasms in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra). Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl, 9, 130-133. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijppaw.2019.04.010

Publication

International journal for parasitology. Parasites and wildlife
ISSN: 2213-2244
NlmUniqueID: 101599824
Country: England
Language: English
Volume: 9
Pages: 130-133

Researcher Affiliations

Smith, Rae Marvin
  • Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, 232 Boom Street, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
  • Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.
Bhoora, Raksha Vasantrai
  • Epidemiology, Parasites and Vectors, Agricultural Research Council, Onderstepoort Veterinary Research, Onderstepoort, 0110, South Africa.
Kotzé, Antoinette
  • Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, 232 Boom Street, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
  • Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.
Grobler, J Paul
  • Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.
Lee Dalton, Desiré
  • Research and Scientific Services, National Zoological Garden, South African National Biodiversity Institute, 232 Boom Street, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa.
  • Department of Genetics, University of the Free State, 205 Nelson Mandela Drive, Bloemfontein, 9300, South Africa.

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Citations

This article has been cited 3 times.
  1. Tirosh-Levy S, Gottlieb Y, Fry LM, Knowles DP, Steinman A. Twenty Years of Equine Piroplasmosis Research: Global Distribution, Molecular Diagnosis, and Phylogeny. Pathogens 2020 Nov 8;9(11).
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  2. Bishop RP, Kappmeyer LS, Onzere CK, Odongo DO, Githaka N, Sears KP, Knowles DP, Fry LM. Equid infective Theileria cluster in distinct 18S rRNA gene clades comprising multiple taxa with unusually broad mammalian host ranges. Parasit Vectors 2020 May 19;13(1):261.
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  3. King'ori E, Obanda V, Chiyo PI, Soriguer RC, Morrondo P, Angelone S. Molecular identification of Ehrlichia, Anaplasma, Babesia and Theileria in African elephants and their ticks. PLoS One 2019;14(12):e0226083.
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