The occurrence of Theileria and Cowdria parasites in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) and their associated Amblyomma hebraeum ticks

The polymerase chain reaction and oligonucleotide probing were used to dete ct Theileria and Cowdria species in DNA extracted from blood and ticks reco vered from 24 African buffalo during a game-capture operation in the Kruger National Park, South Africa. Species-specific probing indicated that all b ut one of the buffalo were carrying at least one Theileria species. Indirec t fluorescent antibody (IFA) serology indicated that all animals had been e xposed to Theileria parva infection but only 33% were positive for T. parva by probing. Twelve (50 %) of the animals but only six of the 214 adult Amb lyomma hebraeum ticks examined (2,8 %) were probe-positive for Cowdria. Onl y one Cowdria 16S genotype was detected in the animals and ticks.