A possible new piroplasm in lions from the Republic of South Africa

A small piroplasm was detected in blood smears from lions (Panthera leo) in the Kruger National Park (KNP; Republic of South Africa) during 1991/1992. The parasite was identified provisionally as Babesia felis, but sera from these lions tested negative to B. felis antigen in the indirect immunofluor escent antibody test (IFAT). Blood from an infected lion was subsequently s ubinoculated into a domestic cat and two leopards in an attempt to identify the parasite. A lion also was infected with B. felis (from a cat). Serum s amples collected from these animals were tested against B. felis, the KNP s mall piroplasm, and Cytauxzoon felis antigen in the IFAT. The serological r esults indicate that the KNP small piroplasm isolated from the lion is prob ably a distinct species from B. felis and C. felis.