Detection and characterisation of papillomavirus in skin lesions of giraffe and sable antelope in South Africa
Papillomavirus was detected electron microscopically in cutaneous fibropapillomas of a giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) and a sable antelope (Hippotragus niger). The virus particles measured 45 nm in diameter. Histopathologically, the lesions showed histopathological features similar to those of equine sarcoid as well as positive immunoperoxidase-staining of tissue sections for papillomavirus antigen. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) detected […]
Prevalence, disease description and epidemiological factors of a novel skin disease in Giraffes (Giraffa camelopardalis) in Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
A study was conducted to examine the prevalence and epidemiological factors of a novel skin disease in giraffes inhabiting the Ruaha National Park (RNP). A cross-sectional drive-transect survey was conducted. Animals were observed using binoculars from the car. Potential epidemiological risk factors assessment included disease status, age, sex, disease severity, body condition, herd size, location, […]
Soil correlates and mortality from Giraffe Skin Disease in Tanzania
Giraffe skin disease (GSD) is a disorder of undetermined etiology that causes lesions on the forelimbs of Masai giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) in Tanzania, East Africa. We examined soil correlates of prevalence of GSD from 951 giraffe in 14 sites in Tanzania, and estimated mortality using 3 yr of longitudinal mark–recapture data from 382 giraffe […]