Hostname: page-component-8448b6f56d-c4f8m Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-04-18T12:46:45.212Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Helminth parasites of the Kafue lechwe antelope (Kobus leche kafuensis): a potential source of infection to domestic animals in the Kafue wetlands of Zambia

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  14 April 2010

A.M. Phiri ,
A. Chota ,
J.B. Muma ,
M. Munyeme  and
C.S. Sikasunge
A.M. Phiri*
Affiliation:
Department of Clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, PO Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
A. Chota
Affiliation:
Department of Para-clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, PO Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
J.B. Muma
Affiliation:
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, PO Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
M. Munyeme
Affiliation:
Department of Disease Control, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, PO Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
C.S. Sikasunge
Affiliation:
Department of Para-clinical Studies, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zambia, PO Box 32379, Lusaka, Zambia
*
*Fax: +260-211-293727 E-mail: andrew.phiri@unza.zm; amphiri2001@yahoo.co.uk
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract

The Kafue lechwe antelope (Kobus leche kafuensis), a medium-sized, semi-aquatic antelope, grazes extensively on pastures accessed by livestock in and around Lochinvar and Blue Lagoon national parks in the Kafue wetlands of Zambia. This interaction has a potential for bi-modal transmission of a wide range of parasitic helminths between lechwe and domestic ruminants. A survey was conducted to investigate the status of helminths in the Kafue lechwe during the 2008 (July–December) hunting season, involving 65 animals hunted under special research licences. Worm identification was based on morphological features using standard identification keys. Eleven different types of helminths were identified in the animals studied; namely, Oesophagostomum, Bunostomum, Cooperia, Dictyocaulus, Marshallagia, Stilesia, Setaria, Trichuris, Fasciola, amphistomes and Schistosoma. Amphistomes (100%) and Oesophagostomum (60.9%) were the most common while Fasciola (7.8%) and Stilesia (1.6%) were the least of the identified helminths. There was no evidence that helminths, at intensities observed, adversely affected the health of the lechwe. The degree of worm infection was observed to vary between the two study areas, with Blue Lagoon recording higher infection levels compared to Lochinvar. The host range of many of the helminths found in the Kafue lechwe is broad and could serve as a potentially stable source of infection to domestic animals such as goats and cattle. Therefore, issues concerning livestock management and conservation may arise.

Type
Research Papers
Information
Journal of Helminthology , Volume 85 , Issue 1 , March 2011 , pp. 20 - 27
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2010

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Altizer, S., Dobson, A., Hosseini, P., Hudson, P., Pascual, M. & Rohani, P. (2006) Seasonality and the dynamics of infectious diseases. Ecology Letters 9, 467–484.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Genet, B.S. (2007) Shrub enchroachment into grassland and its impact on Kafue Lechwe in the Lochinvar National Park, Zambia. MSc thesis, International Institute for Geo-Information Science and Earth Observation.Google Scholar
Ghirotti, M., Semproni, G., De Meneghi, D., Mungaba, F.N., Nannini, D., Calzetta, G. & Paganico, G. (1991) Sero-prevalence of selected cattle diseases in the Kafue flats of Zambia. Veterinary Research Communications 15, 25–36.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gibbons, L.M., Jones, A. & Khalil, L.F. (1994) Training manual for identification of helminth parasites of economic importance. Wallingford, UK, Royal Veterinary College, CAB International.Google Scholar
Gillett, J. (1974) Direct and indirect influences of temperature on the transmission of parasites from insects to man. pp. 79–95in Taylor, A.E.R. & Muller, R. (Eds) The effects of meteorological factors upon parasites. London, Blackwell Scientific Publications.Google Scholar
Gordon, R.M., Davey, T.H. & Peaston, H. (1934) The transmission of human bilharziasis in Sierra Leone, with an account of the life cycle of the schistosomes concerned, S. mansoni and S. haematobium. Annals of Tropical Medicine and Parasitology 28, 323–418.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Hansen, J. & Perry, B. (1994) The epidemiology, diagnosis and control of helminth parasites of ruminants. 2nd edn. pp. 31–33, 117, 118. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ILRAD.Google Scholar
Kamweneshe, B., Beilfuss, R. & Simukonda, C. (2002) Population and distribution of Kafue lechwe and other large mammals on the Kafue wetlands, Zambia. pp. 1–23. Lusaka, Zambia, Crane Wetland Conservation Project & WWF Partners for Wetlands Project.Google Scholar
Kapungwe, E.M. (1993) Carrying capacity changes and management of the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) in Kafue flats, Zambia. MSc thesis, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe.Google Scholar
Krauss, H., Rottcher, D., Weiss, D., Danner, K. & Hubschle, O.J. (1986) Wildlife as a potential source of infection in domestic animals, studies on game in Zambia. Animal Research and Development 24, 41–58.Google Scholar
Lewis, D., Kaweche, G.B. & Mwenya, A. (1990) Wildlife conservation outside protected areas – lessons from an experiment in Zambia. Conservation Biology 4, 171–180.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morgan, E.R., Milner-Gulland, E.J., Torgerson, P.R. & Medley, G.F. (2004) Ruminanting on complexity: macroparasites of wildlife and livestock. Trends in Ecology and Evolution 19, 181–188.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Morgan, E.R., Shaikenov, B., Torgerson, P.R., Medley, G.F. & Milner-Gulland, E.J. (2005) Helminths of Saiga antelope in Kazakhstan: implications for conservation and livestock production. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 41, 149–162.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Morgan, E.R., Lundervold, M., Medley, G.F., Shaikenov, B.S., Torgerson, P.R. & Milner-Gulland, E.J. (2006) Assessing risks of disease transmission between wildlife and livestock: the Saiga antelope as a case study. Biological Conservation 131, 244–254.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Muma, J.B. (2006) Epidemiology of brucella infections in livestock–wildlife interface areas in Zambia. PhD thesis, Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, Oslo, Norway.Google Scholar
Muma, J.B., Samui, K.L., Siamudaala, V.M., Oloya, J., Matope, G., Omer, M.K., Munyeme, M., Mubita, C. & Skjerve, E. (2006) Prevalence of antibodies to Brucella spp. and individual risk factors of infection in traditional cattle, goats and sheep reared in livestock–wildlife interface areas of Zambia. Tropical Animal Health and Production 38, 195–206.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Muma, J.B., Samui, K.L., Oloya, J., Munyeme, M. & Skjerve, E. (2007) Risk factors for brucellosis in indigenous cattle reared in livestock–wildlife interface areas of Zambia. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 80, 306–317.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Munyeme, M., Muma, J.B., Skjerve, E., Nambota, A.M., Phiri, I.G., Samui, K.L., Dorny, P. & Tryland, M. (2008) Risk factors associated with bovine tuberculosis in traditional cattle of the livestock/wildlife interface areas in the Kafue basin of Zambia. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 85, 317–328.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Munyeme, M., Muma, J.B., Skjerve, E., Nambota, A.M., Samui, K.L., Rigouts, L. & Tryland, M. (2009) Prevalence of bovine tuberculosis and animal level risk factors for indigenous cattle under different grazing strategies in the livestock/wildlife interface areas in Zambia. Tropical Animal Health and Production 41, 345–352.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Mwima, H.K. (1995) Wildlife research and management in Zambia with special reference to some protected areas where wild and domestic animals co-exist. Proceedings of the Symposium on the Effects of Enlargement of Domestic Animal Pasture on Wildlife in Zambia. Lusaka, Zambia, 22 March. pp. 41–64.Google Scholar
Pandey, G.S., Minyoi, D., Hasebe, F. & Mwase, E.T. (1992) First report of heartwater (cowdriosis) in lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) in Zambia. Revue d'élevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux 4, 23–25.Google Scholar
Pandey, G.S., Mweene, A., Suzuki, A.K., Nambota, A. & Kaji, T. (1994) Dermatophilosis (cutaneous streptothricosis) in Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 30, 586–588.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Pandey, G.S., Kobayashi, K., Nomura, Y., Nambota, A., Mwima, H.K. & Suzuki, K. (1999) Studies on sero-prevalence of Brucellosis in Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis in Zambia). Indian Veterinary Journal 76, 275–278.Google Scholar
Phiri, A.M., Phiri, I.K. & Monrad, J. (2006) Prevalence of amphistomiasis and its association with Fasciola gigantica infections in Zambian cattle from communal grazing areas. Journal of Helminthology 80, 65–68.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Phiri, A.M., Phiri, I.K., Chota, A. & Monrad, J. (2007) Trematode infections in freshwater snails and cattle from the Kafue wetlands of Zambia during a period of highest cattle–water contact. Journal of Helminthology 81, 85–92.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Reinecke, R.K. (1984) Identification of helminths in ruminants at necropsy. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 55, 135–143.Google ScholarPubMed
Rottcher, D. (1978) Final report, veterinary wildlife research officer, 1975–1978. pp. 1–87. Lusaka, Zambia, Zambia Wildlife and National Parks & German Agency for Technical Co-operation (GTZ).Google Scholar
Sheppe, W.A. (1985) Effects of human activities on Zambia's Kafue flats ecosystem. Environmental Conservation 12, 49–57.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Siamudaala, V.M., Muma, J.B., Munang'andu, H.M. & Mulumba, M. (2003) Veterinary challenges regarding the utilization of the Kafue Lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) in Zambia. Conservation and Development Interventions at the Wildlife/Livestock Interface: Implications for Wildlife, Livestock and Human Health, Durban, South Africa, 14–15 September. pp. 75–80.Google Scholar
Soulsby, E.J.L. (1982) Helminths, arthropods and protozoa of domesticated animals. 7th edn.224 pp. London, Bailliere Tindall.Google Scholar
Southgate, V.R., Howard, G.W., Rollinson, D., Brown, D.S., Ross, G.C. & Knowles, R.J. (1985) Bulinus tropicus, a natural intermediate host for Schistosoma margrebowiei in Lochinvar National Park, Zambia. Journal of Helminthology 59, 153–155.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stafford, K.J. (1991) A review of parasitic diseases of the Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis). Journal of Wildlife Diseases 27, 661–667.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Stein, A., Irvine, R.J., Ropstad, E., Halvorsen, O., Langvatn, R. & Albon, S.D. (2002) The impact of gastrointestinal nematodes on wild reindeer: experimental and cross-sectional studies. Journal of Animal Ecology 71, 937–945.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Stromberg, B.E. (1997) Environmental factors influencing transmission. Veterinary Parasitology 72, 247–256.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Waid, D.D., Pence, D.B. & Warren, R.J. (1985) Effects of season and physical condition on the gastrointestinal helminth community of white-tailed deer from the Texas Edwards plateau. Journal of Wildlife Diseases 21, 264–273.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Wright, C.A. (1966) The pathogenesis of helminths in molluscs. Helminthological Abstracts 35, 207–244.Google Scholar
Wright, C.A., Southgate, V.R. & Howard, G.W. (1979a) A note on the life cycle of some amphistome flukes in Zambia. Journal of Helminthology 53, 251–252.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Wright, C.A., Southgate, V.R. & Howard, G.W. (1979b) Observations on the life-cycle of Schistosoma margrebowiei and its possible interactions with S. leiperi in Zambia. Journal of Natural History 13, 499–506.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Yabe, J., Phiri, I.K., Phiri, A.M., Chembensofu, M., Dorny, P. & Vercruysse, J. (2008) Concurrent infections of Fasciola, Schistosoma and Amphistosoma spp. in cattle from Kafue and Zambezi river basins of Zambia. Journal of Helminthology 82, 373–376.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
Zieger, U., Pandey, G.S., Kriek, N.P. & Cauldwell, A.E. (1998) Tuberculosis in Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) and in a bushbuck (Tragelaphus scriptus) on a game ranch in central province, Zambia. Journal of the South African Veterinary Association 69, 98–101.CrossRefGoogle Scholar