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Giraffe Skin Disease (GSD) is a recently observed illness, mainly affecting adult and sub adult giraffes, causing gray or crusty lesions on giraffe body. The general objective of this
study was to assess and characterize GSD and its severity in Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem
(TME). The study used road transects to gather field information on GSD. Eighty-four
giraffes were sighted by systematic random sampling in the six study sites. Examination of
giraffes involved body distribution of lesions, severity of the lesions and whether they were
associated with age and sex of the affected giraffes. Five giraffes with GSD were
immobilized in Tarangire National Park and Burunge Wildlife Management Area for tissue
collection and histopathological analysis and blood for hematological and biochemical
analysis. Overall GSD prevalence was (69%,), affected animals typically had 1-5 lesions
which were mostly moderate and were predominantly observed on the forelegs. GSD
positivity rate was higher among females 54% versus males, whereas males had a higher rate
of severe lesions and generally had more lesions than females. Calves showed no lesions. All
tissue sections stained routinely with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H-E) and then to the special
Grocott Methenamine Silver (GMS) staining showed the presence of large quantities of
fungal elements (hyphae and spores). However, haematological parameters examined and
biochemical profile analysis showed changes associated with the presence of fungus
infection. Our findings suggest the involvement of fungal infection in GSD pathogenesis. We
recommend further characterization of the lesions using modern molecular techniques and
culture to identify primary and secondary or opportunistic etiologies, and the order in which
the pathogens occur in the lesions.Giraffe Skin Disease (GSD) is a recently observed illness, mainly affecting adult and sub adult giraffes, causing gray or crusty lesions on giraffe body. The general objective of this
study was to assess and characterize GSD and its severity in Tarangire-Manyara Ecosystem
(TME). The study used road transects to gather field information on GSD. Eighty-four
giraffes were sighted by systematic random sampling in the six study sites. Examination of
giraffes involved body distribution of lesions, severity of the lesions and whether they were
associated with age and sex of the affected giraffes. Five giraffes with GSD were
immobilized in Tarangire National Park and Burunge Wildlife Management Area for tissue
collection and histopathological analysis and blood for hematological and biochemical
analysis. Overall GSD prevalence was (69%,), affected animals typically had 1-5 lesions
which were mostly moderate and were predominantly observed on the forelegs. GSD
positivity rate was higher among females 54% versus males, whereas males had a higher rate
of severe lesions and generally had more lesions than females. Calves showed no lesions. All
tissue sections stained routinely with Hematoxylin and Eosin (H-E) and then to the special
Grocott Methenamine Silver (GMS) staining showed the presence of large quantities of
fungal elements (hyphae and spores). However, haematological parameters examined and
biochemical profile analysis showed changes associated with the presence of fungus
infection. Our findings suggest the involvement of fungal infection in GSD pathogenesis. We
recommend further characterization of the lesions using modern molecular techniques and
culture to identify primary and secondary or opportunistic etiologies, and the order in which
the pathogens occur in the lesions. |
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