Lions (Panthera leo) are an endangered species threatened by illegal hunting, habitat loss, and infectious diseases. Little is known about the tick-borne pathogens that infect lions and could contribute to population declines. The objective of this study was to characterize Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Coxiella burnetii infections in 10 lions from the Fasano Safari Park in Italy by serology, polymerase chain reaction, and sequence analysis. Although animals did not show clinical signs of tick-borne diseases, evidence of infection with C. burnetii, spotted fever group Rickettsia sp., and A. phagocytophilum were found in 50%, 20%, and 10% of the lions, respectively. One of the lions tested positive for all three pathogens. This study is the first report of molecular evidence of infection with C. burnetii, Rickettsia sp., and A. phagocytophilum in lions and provides evidence that these felids become infected and serve as hosts for tick-transmitted bacteria.
How to translate text using browser tools
1 December 2007
SEROLOGIC AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF TICK-BORNE PATHOGENS IN LIONS (PANTHERA LEO) FROM THE FASANO SAFARI PARK, ITALY
Alessandra Torina,
Victoria Naranjo,
Maria Grazia Pennisi,
Tatiana Patania,
Fabrizio Vitale,
Pietro Laricchiuta,
Angelina Alongi,
Salvatore Scimeca,
Katherine M. Kocan,
José de la Fuente
ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine
Vol. 38 • No. 4
December 2007
Vol. 38 • No. 4
December 2007
Anaplasma
Coxiella
lion
Rickettsia
tick