PRESENCE OF EHRLICHIA-LIKE BODIES IN MONOCYTES OF AN ADULT LIONESS

An adult lioness from a wildlife refuge was presented dead to the Univ ersity of Nairobi Veterinary Teaching Hospital. She was emaciated, had prominent superficial lymph nodes, and was infested with ticks of the genus Haemaphysalis. Hematology results revealed a moderate neutrophi lic leukocytosis. Giemsa-stained peripheral blood and cut lung impress ion smears revealed the presence of Rickettsia-like bodies in monocyte s. The bodies were similar to those described in some clinically sick domestic cats. At necropsy there was no gross abnormality detected.