Listeric septicaemia and abotion in African buffalo ( Syncerus caffer )

Listeria monocytogenes infection is insidious in mammals and systemic cases have been reported. We report an unusual clinical case and manifestation of Listeria monocytogenes infection in an African buffalo ( Syncerus caffer ) culminating in septicemia and abortion. The infection was unsuspected but only diagnosed by the isolation of Listeria monocytogenes from the multiple specimens of blood, vaginal discharge, swab of the abortficient and feces of the buffalo. The animal, however, recovered after treatment with Enrofloxacin antibiotics. This is the first report on listeriosis in African buffalo in Nigeria. This report has revealed the presence of Listeria monocytogenes in the wildlife in Nigeria. Based on the isolation of L. monocytogenes from all the clinical samples and the characteristics data, this L. monocytogenes acquisition is possible cause of the septicemia and abortion in the African buffalo. Consequently listeriosis in wildlife deserves further investigation in Nigeria. Keywords : Listeria monocytogenes , listeriosis, African buffalo, septicemia, abortion > Animal Production Research Advances Vol. 2 (4) 2006: pp.194-196