Subpopulations of large felids in southern Africa exhibit a range of lentivirus preva lence, with some subpopulations showing no evidence of infection. Botswana lions (Panthera leo), leopards {Panthera pardus), and cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) were evaluated for evidence of feline lentivirus infection by assaying for antibodies against test antigens derived from a puma lentivirus isolate (PLVCGZ) and a domestic cat feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and for oncovirus (feline leukemia virus (FeLV)) infection using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for detec tion of antigen. Blood collection filter paper kits were distributed countrywide to safari hunters and Department of Wildlife and National Parks field officers involved in problem predator management. All sampling (n = 53) was opportunistic; no cats were captured, anesthetized, or killed for this project. Five different assays for antibodies to lentivirus were utilized on most samples: PLVCGZ indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), PLVCGZ western immunoblot (WB), FIV ELISA, FIV IFA, and FIV WB. One test was used for detection of oncovirus antigen: domestic cat FeLV ELISA. None of the cats tested positive for FeLV infection. There are different specificities and sensitivities among the lentivirus assays being applied to nondomestic felids, suggesting that assay choice is important and that caution is warranted in interpreting data. Evidence of current lentivirus infection (defined as a positive result on at least the PLVCGZ WB) was found in all three species: eight of 31 lions (25.8%), three of 18 leopards (16.7%), and one of four cheetahs (25%). In domestic cats and other mammals so far investigated, lentivirus seropositivity is strongly correlated with lentivirus infection. Seropositive cats were found in geographically diverse parts of the country. Although this study is not a comprehensive virologie evaluation of the lion, leopard, and cheetah populations of Botswana, it does reveal wild felid lentivirus infection in a previously unexamined portion of sub-Saharan Africa. With more information on PLV-like lentivirus and FeLV, scientists and man agers in southern Africa can make more informed decisions regarding the movement of large cats locally or internationally for research, management, or commercial purposes.

Feline lentivirus and feline oncovirus status of free-ranging lions (panthera leo), leopards (panthera pardus), and cheetahs (acinonyx jubatus) in botswana: a regional perspective

High prevalence of spotted fever group rickettsiae in Amblyomma variegatum from Uganda and their identification using sizes of intergenic spacers

Livestock production is a major sector of the Ugandan economy. Ugandan ruminant livestock (principally cattle and goats) are susceptible to hemoparasites that can cause serious clinical disease and production losses. Kibale National Park, in western Uganda, is a protected forest ecosystem surrounded by small-scale farms where cattle and goats are raised. We conducted a cross-sectional study of cattle and goats in this area and diagnosed hemoparasite infections by microscopy. We collected data on animal characteristics and management practices to assess risk factors associated with infection. We studied 186 cattle and 317 goats from 20 villages, including 16 villages directly adjacent to Kibale and 4 villages ≥3 km from the park boundary. Hemoparasites detected in cattle and goats were of the genera Theileria, Anaplasma, and Trypanosoma with a prevalence of 15.1%, 1.6%, and 4.3% respectively in cattle, and 10%, 6.0%, and 0.0%, respectively in goats. Trypanosomes infected approximately 8% of cattle...

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Prevalence and Risk Factors Associated with Hemoparasites in Cattle and Goats at the Edge of Kibale National Park, Western Uganda.

The prevalence of bovine anaplasmosis was studied in 320 Zebu cattle randomly selected from three regions of Uganda (central, south-western and north-western) using DOT-ELISA, Western immunoblotting. Rapid Card Agglutination Test (RCAT), Capillary Tube Agglutination Test (CAT), Complement Fixation Test (CFT), and parasitological techniques. Dried blood on Whatman filter paper no. I was eluated in PBS 0.05% Tween 20 prior to testing at an initial dilution of 1:25.



The incidence of parasitaemia ranged from 25% in the central region to 35% in the northwestern region and the serological prevalence was lower in the central region and highest in the north-west. Prevalence rates assayed by DOT-ELISA and Western immunoblotting were 1.5-fold greater than those tested with RCAT and 3-fold greater than in CAT. The overall prevalence rates by DOT-ELISA and Western immunoblotting compared favourably with CFT data.



The present data utilizing dried blood on filter papers indicate that there is a high prevalence of anaplasmosis in those regions of Uganda surveyed and it confirms our observations and those of others that collecting blood on filter papers is a suitable technique for large-scale screening and for seroepidemiological studies.

Anaplasmosis in Uganda. II. Prevalence of bovine anaplasmosis.

Summary. The transportation of plasma specimens to specialized haemophilia centre laboratories for anti-factor VIII inhibitor titre determination is often necessary. The routine method of transporting frozen specimens on dry ice is limited by its cost and need for special handling. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the effect of storing specimens at room temperature on the FVIII inhibitor titre determinations using the Bethesda assay. Specimens stored both in liquid phase as well as adsorbed onto filter paper discs were studied. The results of the present study demonstrate that plasma specimens stored for up to 2 weeks at room temperature, either in liquid phase or adsorbed onto filter paper, yield equivalent measures of FVIII inhibitor titres using the Bethesda assay to plasma specimens stored frozen at −70 °C. Plasma specimens dried on filter paper discs and stored at room temperature offers a reliable, more practical and less expensive alternative to frozen plasma as a means of transport to specialized referral laboratories for analysis of anti-FVIII titres.

An evaluation of the stability of factor VIII inhibitors in plasma and plasma dried on filter paper discs stored at room temperature

Randomly selected goat sera from north-western, central, and south-western regions of Uganda were analyzed parasitologically and serologically for evidence of anaplasmosis. Prevalence rates of 3.2% by parasitemia, 4.8% by card-agglutination test, and 12.9% by DOT-ELISA combined with western blotting were established. Parasitologically positive samples were consistently serologically positive. Positive samples were all from either the north-western or south-western regions of the country. Goats in these regions graze with cattle and are presumable exposed to the same tick species. There was no evidence of clinical caprine anaplasmosis, whereas bovine anaplasmosis cases are very common. Rhipicephalus evertsi was frequently observed on goats which cograze with cattle.

Anaplasmosis in Uganda. III. Parasitological and serological evidence of Anaplasma infection in Ugandan goats.

The suitability of blood collected on filter papers in comparison with corresponding conventional serum samples in the diagnosis of bovine anaplasmosis was studied using the complement fixation test, DOT-ELISA, Western immunoblot and rapid card agglutination test. Dried blood on Whatman filter paper no. 1 was eluted in PBS 0.05% Tween 20 giving an initial dilution of 1:10. The reactivity of the eluted samples in both DOT-ELISA and Western immunoblotting were similar to those obtained with the corresponding straight serum sample dilutions. Filter paper samples gave lower reactivity in the remaining tests when compared with corresponding serum samples. There was no significant difference in the reactivity between the eluates from filter papers stored at temperatures ranging between 15.5 and 24 degrees C and those kept refrigerated. Storage at 15.5 to 24 degrees C did not significantly affect reactivity for up to six months. Eluates from filter papers stored for six months at 15.5 to 24 degrees C continued to give similar reactivity as those from freshly prepared filter papers in both DOT-ELISA and Western blot, and in the rapid card agglutination test. It is concluded that collecting blood on filter papers is a suitable technique for large scale seroepidemiological studies on anaplasmosis and offers many advantages in developing countries where transport and cold chain facilities are a major constraint.

Anaplasmosis in Uganda. I. Use of dried blood on filter papers and serum samples for serodiagnosis of anaplasmosis--a comparative study.

The suitability of blood collected on filter papers in comparison with corresponding conventional serum samples in the diagnosis of bovine anaplasmosis was studied using the Complement Fixation Test (CFT), DOT-ELISA, Western immunoblot and Rapid Card Agglutination Test (RCAT). Dried blood on Whatman filter paper no. 1 was eluted in 1.8 ml of PBS 0.05% Tween 20 given an initial dilution of 1:100. The reactivity in both DOT-ELISA and Western immunoblotting was similar to that obtained with the sera diluted 1:100. Filter paper samples gave lower reactivity in all the tests as compared with corresponding serum samples. There was no significant difference in the reactivity between the eluates from filter papers stored at room temperature and those stored at 4 degrees C. Storage at room temperature did not significantly affect reactivity for up to 6 months. Eluates from filter papers stored for 6 months at room temperature continued to give similar reactivity to those from freshly prepared filter papers in both DOT-ELISA and Western blot, and in the Rapid Card Agglutination Test. It is concluded that collecting blood on filter papers is a suitable technique for large-scale screening and for seroepidemiological studies on anaplasmosis, and offers many advantages especially in developing countries where transport and cold chain facilities are a major constraint.

R. Hansen

Papers

Anaplasmosis in Uganda. III. Parasitological and serological evidence of Anaplasma infection in Ugandan goats.

Anaplasmosis in Uganda. I. Use of dried blood on filter papers and serum samples for serodiagnosis of anaplasmosis--a comparative study.

Anaplasmosis in Uganda. I. Use of Dried Blood on Filter Paper and Serum Samples for Serodiagnosis of Anaplasmosis—a Comparative Study