Geographic distribution of Theileria sp. (buffalo) and Theileria sp. (bougasvlei) in Cape buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in southern Africa: implications for speciation.
Strict control measures apply to movement of buffalo in South Africa including testing for Theileria parva, the causative agent of Corridor disease in cattle. The official test is a real-time hybridization PCR assay that amplifies the 18S rRNA V4 hyper-variable region of T. parva, T. sp. (buffalo) and T. sp. (bougasvlei). Mixed infections with the latter organisms affect diagnostic sensitivity due to PCR suppression. While the incidence of mixed infections in the Corridor disease endemic region of South Africa is significant, little information is available on the specific distribution and prevalence of T. sp. (buffalo) and T. sp. (bougasvlei). Specific real-time PCR assays were developed and a total of 1211 samples known to harbour these parasites were screened. Both parasites are widely distributed in southern Africa and the incidence of mixed infections with T. parva within the endemic region is similar (∼25-50%). However, a significant discrepancy exists in regard to mixed infections of T. sp. (buffalo) and T. sp. (bougasvlei) (∼10%). Evidence for speciation between T. sp. (buffalo) and T. sp. (bougasvlei) is supported by phylogenetic analysis of the COI gene, and their designation as different species. This suggests mutual exclusion of parasites and the possibility of hybrid sterility in cases of mixed infections.
Parasites, Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.
Ronel
R
Pienaar
Parasites, Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.
Abdalla A
AA
Latif
Parasitology Research Programme, Department of Zoology and Entomology, University of the Free State Qwaqwa Campus, Private Bag X13, Phuthaditjhaba 9866, South Africa.
Oriel M M
OM
Thekisoe
Parasites, Vectors and Vector-Borne Diseases, Agricultural Research Council-Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute, Onderstepoort 0110, South Africa.
Ben J
BJ
Mans
D000818:Animals; D002020:Buffaloes / Q000469:parasitology*; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D060085:Coinfection; D016054:DNA, Protozoan / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D003710:Demography; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV / Q000235:genetics; D049810:Genetic Speciation; D058507:Host Specificity; D015994:Incidence; D018512:Parasitemia / Q000662:veterinary; D010802:Phylogeny; D015800:Protozoan Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013019:South Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D016794:Theileria / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology*; D016797:Theileria parva / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D013801:Theileriasis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology
D016054:DNA, Protozoan; D004275:DNA, Ribosomal; D015800:Protozoan Proteins; D003576:Electron Transport Complex IV