Summary
The Kafue lechwe population of Zambia numbers90,000 and is divided by the River Kafue into two virtually segregated populations. The south bank population is known to be infected with tuberculosis but the north bank is thought to be free. One hundred and twenty-five south bank lechwe were cropped at random and lesions of tuberculosis were found in45 (36%). Isolates from lung lesions were typed asMycobacterium tuberculosis var.bovis.
Twenty-five of27 pneumonia cases appeared active and on the assumption that these would die within12 months the annual mortality due to tuberculosis was estimated as around8,000.
The disease in lechwe and the neighbouring cattle population is discussed.
Résumé
La population de cobes de la Kafue lechwe en Zambie compte 90 000 têtes et est divisée par cette rivière de la Kafue en 2 populations virtuellement isolées. La population de la rive sud est connue pour être infectée de tuberculose, mais celle de la rive nord passe pour indemne. Cent vingt cinq cobes lechwe de la rive sud ont été sacrifiés au hasard et quarante cinq (36 p. 100) d'entre eux présentaient des lésions de tuberculose. Les cultures isolées des lésions pulmonaires ont été typées commeMycobacterium tuberculosis var. bovis. Sur 27 cas de pneumonie, 25 sont apparus comme actifs, et sur la supposition que ces animaux seraient morts dans les 12 mois, la mortalité annuelle due à la tuberculose a été estimée à 8 000. Ceci pose le problème des rapports entre la maladie des cobes et celle du bétail voisin.
Sumario
La poblacion Kafue lechwe de Zambia alcanza a 90,000 y esta dividida por el rio Kafue en dos poblaciones virtualmente segregadas.
La poblacion del banco sur es conocida estar infectada con tuberculosis pero el banco norte es sabido estar libre. Se tomaron ciento veinticinco antilopes lechwe al azar del banco sur y se encontraron lesiones de tuberculosis en 45 (36%). Los aislamientos de las lesiones pulmonares fueron tipificadas comoMycobacterium tuberculosis var.bovis.
Veinticinco de los veintisiete casos de neumonia parecian activos y asumiendo que estos morrrian en 12 meses, la mortalidad anual debido a tuberculosis fue estimada en aprox. 8,000.
Se discute la enfermedad en lechwe y en la poblacion de ganado de los alrededores.
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Gallagher, J., Macadam, I., Sayer, J. et al. Pulmonary tuberculosis in free-living lechwe antelope in Zambia. Trop Anim Health Prod 4, 204–213 (1972). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02360112
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02360112