Abstract
BackgroundWild carnivores living alongside humans and domestic animals are vulnerable to changes in the infectious disease dynamics in their populations. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and diversity of selected tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) of veterinary and/or zoonotic concern in wild populations of caracals (Caracal caracal) occurring in human-modified landscapes in South Africa. Using molecular techniques, we screened 57 caracal blood samples for infection by rickettsial bacteria and piroplasms in three regions of South Africa: rangeland in the Central Karoo (n = 27) and Namaqualand (n = 14) as well as the urban edge of the Cape Peninsula (n = 16) of South Africa. To characterise pathogen identity, we sequenced the 18S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes from positive samples and analysed sequences within a phylogenetic framework. We also examine the diversity of potential tick vectors.ResultsAll individuals tested were infected with at least one tick-borne pathogen. Pathogens included Hepatozoon felis, Babesia felis, Babesia leo and a potentially novel Babesia species. An Anaplasma species previously described in South African domestic dogs was also found in 88% of urban edge caracals. Higher rates of co-infection characterised urban edge caracals (81% vs 15% and 0% in the two rangeland populations), as well as a greater incidence of mixed infections. Host attached tick species include Haemaphysalis elliptica, an important pathogen vector among carnivore hosts.ConclusionsThis study confirms the occurrence of previously undocumented tick-borne pathogens infecting free-ranging caracals in human-modified landscapes. We identify clear differences in the pathogen profiles among our study populations and discuss the likely health costs to caracals living adjacent to urban areas.
Highlights
Wild carnivores living alongside humans and domestic animals are vulnerable to changes in the infectious disease dynamics in their populations
The Basic Local Alignment Search Tool for nucleotides (BLASTn) identification of a domestic dog Anaplasma sp. in Peninsula caracals is further supported by the phylogenetic placement of sequences within a wellsupported clade comprising Anaplasma spp. sequences isolated in South African domestic dogs (Fig. 1)
High prevalence and diversity of tick‐borne pathogen infections in peri‐urban caracals While rangeland caracals were not infected with either Ehrlichia or Anaplasma species, caracals living at the urban edge on the Cape Peninsula showed high rates of infection with an Anaplasma species most similar to that previously reported in South African (SA) domestic dogs [74]
Summary
Wild carnivores living alongside humans and domestic animals are vulnerable to changes in the infectious disease dynamics in their populations. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence and diversity of selected tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) of veterinary and/or zoonotic concern in wild populations of caracals (Caracal caracal) occurring in human-modified landscapes in South Africa. To date there have been no extensive studies on the health of caracals in human-modified landscapes but opportunistic sampling of individuals in disease studies of other felid species have yielded novel findings, for tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) [15, 16]. Very few studies on TBP prevalence in wildlife species have noted clinical manifestations of disease Very few studies on TBP prevalence in wildlife species have noted clinical manifestations of disease (with the exception of significant wildlife population declines through interactions with other pathogens, e.g. [21, 22, 28]) and are instead concerned about the potential for wildlife to act as reservoir hosts to sympatric domestic animals [29, 30]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
