Emerging Infectious Diseases (Jul 2019)

Mycobacterium bovis Infection in African Wild Dogs, Kruger National Park, South Africa

  • Roxanne L. Higgitt,
  • O. Louis van Schalkwyk,
  • Lin-Mari de Klerk-Lorist,
  • Peter E. Buss,
  • Peter Caldwell,
  • Leana Rossouw,
  • Tebogo Manamela,
  • Guy A. Hausler,
  • Jennie Hewlett,
  • Emily P. Mitchell,
  • Paul D. van Helden,
  • Sven D.C. Parsons,
  • Michele A. Miller

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3201/eid2507.181653
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 25, no. 7
pp. 1425 – 1427

Abstract

Read online

We screened African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Kruger National Park, South Africa, for Mycobacterium bovis infection using an interferon-gamma release assay. We detected M. bovis sensitization in 20 of 21 packs; overall apparent infection prevalence was 83%. These animals experience high infection pressure, which may affect long-term survival and conservation strategies.

Keywords