Real Time PCR Based Diagnosis of Multiple Tick Transmitted Diseases in a Captive Asian Elephant-Elephas Maximus-A Case Report

Abstract

Real Time PCR based diagnosis of multiple tick transmitted pathogens in a captive Asian elephant (aged 37 years) owned by a temple in Thrissur District, Kerala State is documented. According to reports from the temple authorities’ elephant was not taking food and water for past few days, had partial paralysis of trunk and progressive emaciation. Treatment was initiated but animal didn’t show any response to medicines used and died next day. Peripheral blood in EDTA and peripheral blood smear was processed for confirmatory diagnosis. Peripheral blood smear after Giemsa staining revealed dot and ring like inclusions in the periphery and centre of RBC’s suspected for inclusions of Anaplasma or Babesia species and morulae inside neutrophils suggestive of Ehrlichia species or Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Real Time PCR based on Taqman chemistry was done to confirm multiple tick transmitted pathogens. To authors knowledge this is the first report of RT PCR based diagnosis of multiple tick transmitted pathogens in a captive elephant in the state of Kerala which should be a major concern and necessitates prevalence studies for the same among domesticated captive elephant population and treatment regimens has to be modified according to the findings and data generated.