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Title: MICROBESNOITIA LEONI BWANGAMOI, 1989, FROM THE AFRICAN LION (PANTHERA LEO) REDETERMINED AS A JUNIOR SYNONYM OF HEPATOZOON CANIS

Author
item DUBEY JITENDER P - 1265-55-00
item BWANGAMOI O - UNIV OF ZIMBABWE

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/14/1994
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary: Protozoan parasites of the genus Hepatozoon can cause illness in several species of domestic and wild animals. The life cycle of Hepatozoon is poorly understood. Infection is transmitted by arthropods, mostly by ticks. Scientists at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center and the University of Zimbabwe have found Hepatozoon infection in an African lion. The parasite was previously misidentified as a new genus and a new species, Microbesnoitia leoni. The results will be useful in diagnosis of Hepatozoon-like diseases.

Technical Abstract: Hepatozoon canis-like schizonts were found in the hearts of 2 lionesses (Panthera leo) from Kenya. The parasite, initially described as a new genus and new species Microbesnoitia leoni Bwangamoi, 1989, is determined to be a junior synonym of Hepatozoon canis (James, 1905) Wenyon, 1926.