Asma Hassan1, Omeira Ibrahim1, Maria Shahzeen1, Waseem Ijaz2, Asim Khalid Mehmood2 and Maryam Ijaz1,*
1Institute of Zoology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan 60800, Pakistan; 2Pet Centre, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
*Corresponding author: arzoomalik929@gmail.com
African lions (Panthera leo) are currently listed as “Vulnerable” on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) red list of threatened species. After habitat destruction and illegal hunting, vector-borne pathogens are the major source of morbidity and mortality in African lions. The aim of the present study was to assess the presence of selected pathogens in African lions from Pakistan. Blood samples were collected from six lions visiting a pet clinic in Lahore, Pakistan. Data on the epidemiological characters (gender, age, mucous membrane, deworming, hematuria, vomiting, and tick infestation) was collected through a questionnaire at the sampling site with the help of lion owner. The blood samples were screened for the amplification of 16S rRNA genes of Anaplasma spp., Ehrlichia canis, and Mycoplasma haemofelis, and 18S rRNA gene of Babesia spp. and Babesia canis DNA. The results revealed that 2 out of 6 (33.3%) lion blood samples were infected with Anaplasma spp. The presence of B. canis was also detected in 2 out of 6 (33.3%) lions. Analysis of epidemiological data revealed that all of the studied parameters varied non-significantly (P > 0.05) when compared between B. canis and Anaplasma spp. positive and negative lion blood samples. In conclusion, this is the first report on molecular detection of tick-borne parasites in lions from Pakistan. The data generated in this study will help to understand host parasite interaction of these wild species that would lead towards effective diagnosis and infection control.