SEROLOGIC SURVEY OF ZIMBABWEAN WILDLIFE FOR BRUCELLOSIS

A total of 4,066 serum samples from 20 species of wildlife were collec ted from several game areas in Zimbabwe during 1990 and 1991. The samp les were tested for antibodies to Brucella by rose bengal, tube serum agglutination, and complement fixation tests. Antibodies were detected in 29 of 444 (6.5%) African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), eight of 555 ( 1.4%) eland antelope (Tragelaphus oryx), two of 222 (0.9%) giraffe (Gi raffa camelopardalis), and one of 2,068 (0.05%) impala (Aepyceros mela mpus). Contact with Livestock was likely in the case of seropositive e land antelope, impala, and giraffe, whereas 14 of 29 (48%) samples fro m positive buffalo were collected from game areas where contacts with domestic cattle, sheep, and goats could be excluded. These serologic d ata document the exposure of Zimbabwean wildlife to Brucella spp. and demonstrate that the infection may be able to cycle independently in A frican buffalo populations, which consequently should be considered a possible source of reinfection for domestic stock.