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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: [email protected]; [email protected]
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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

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