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Prevalence and histopathological characterization of Masai Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) skin disease in Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem, Northern Tanzania

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dc.creator Kiula, Faraji
dc.creator Mjingob, Eblate
dc.creator Mremic, Alex
dc.creator Chilongolad, Jaffu
dc.creator Munishi, Linus
dc.date 2022-08-29T12:50:37Z
dc.date 2022-08-29T12:50:37Z
dc.date 2021-08-26
dc.date.accessioned 2022-10-25T09:21:11Z
dc.date.available 2022-10-25T09:21:11Z
dc.identifier https://doi.org/10.1080/01652176.2021.1970279
dc.identifier https://dspace.nm-aist.ac.tz/handle/20.500.12479/1528
dc.identifier.uri http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/95482
dc.description This research article was published by Taylor & Francis online, 2021
dc.description Background: Masai Giraffes have declined dramatically in recent decades due to loss of habitat and illegal hunting. Hence, it is critically important that the epidemiology and eti ology of so-called giraffe skin disease (GSD) is understood well. Aim: To assess the prevalence and histopathological characteristics of GSD in the Tarangire Manyara Ecosystem (TME), northern Tanzania. Methods: 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 for tissue collection and histopathological analysis. Results: Prevalence among adults was 79%. 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 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 from five affected giraffes showed the presence of large quantities of fungal ele ments (hyphae and spores) that involved hair shafts and sub-cutaneous tissue after staining with Grocott Methenamine Silver as special fungal staining technique. Conclusions: Our findings suggest the involvement of fungal infection in GSD pathogenesis. Clinical relevance: We recommend further characterization of the lesions using modern molecular techniques and culture to identify primary and secondary or opportunistic etiolo gies, and the order in which the pathogens occur in the lesions.
dc.format application/pdf
dc.language en
dc.publisher Taylor & Francis online
dc.subject Masai Giraffe
dc.subject Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi
dc.subject Giraffe skin disease
dc.subject Mycosis
dc.title Prevalence and histopathological characterization of Masai Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi) skin disease in Tarangire-Manyara ecosystem, Northern Tanzania
dc.type Article


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