First report of heartwater (cowdriosis) in Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) in Zambia

Abstract

Heartwater was diagnosed among translocated Kafue lechwe (Kobus leche kafuensis) based on clinical symptoms, necropsy and laboratory examination. The disease was characterised by hyperaesthesia, circling with stiff and unsteady high stepping gait and mortality. The animals were heavily infested with Amblyomma ticks. Autopsy revealed hydrothorax, hydropericardium, ascites and splenomegaly. Brain Crush smears stained with Giemsa revealed characteristic rickettsial bodies in the capillary endothelial cells. The disease is attributed to spreading from infected cattle to newly introduced lechwe through the vector. This is the first published report of occurrence of heartwater in lechwe. Unfortunately prevention is not easily feasible in game animals.