PiROPLASMOSIS IN THE An G L O-E G YP T I A N SUDAN 
By the Director 
The canine form is common, and the equine exists, having apparently been introduced 
from South Africa (Olver). The hovine is, however, the only type which has been studied to 
any extent in these laboratories, and such study has been more or less confined to lilood 
examinations. The disease was first discovered in the blood of cattle suffering from redwater, 
which was sent me from the Berber district by Mr. Thomas. The latter was engaged in 
rinderpest inoculation work, and he found that he was running the risk of inoculating 
piroplasmosis. According to his observations, the disease was introduced by means of a stud 
bull sent up from Egypt. This a])pears very probable, as the type of parasite found closely 
resembled that of the North African disease, described by Bitter and Duchoux. This, 
according to the former author, differs from the Trans-Caucasian disease, and resembles 
P. parvum, of South Africa, in being non-inoculahle. 
If this be so, then, the disease was transferred by ticks, probably by Hyalomma agijptmm, 
and not by the rinderpest inoculations. Reference to Plate IV., fig. 5, will show a drawing 
of a blood-smear of the Egyptian Fever of cattle, kindly given me by Dr. Bitter. Fig. 1 on 
the same plate shows the type of parasite met with in the Berber district, especially on certain 
of the Nile islands there, notably Briseia and Domali Islands. It will be seen that the 
parasite is very minute, and that “ cross ” forms are common. Generally speaking, it conforms 
to the P. parvum type, hut is more minute than P. parvum and is more irregular in its forms. 
I think it is quite possible that the parasite exists in the Sudan, for it will he seen that 
the forms found in the blood of cattle sent me from Gulsa in the Kassala Province are almost 
identical with those from the Berber district. Plate IV., fig. 2. 
Recently a small type of Piroplasmosis like that of Dschunkowsky (P. ammlatum), wdio 
first described the so-called tropical piroplasmosis of Trans-Caucasia, has been observed 
in Uganda, so that these small forms probably have a wide range in Africa. On Plate IV. 
have been placed drawings of the various species of bovine piroplasm now known in the 
Sudan. Dr. Wenyon found P. higeminum on the White Nile, and it is seen to contrast 
well with the small forms. The tick which transmits it in the Sudan is not known with 
certainty, but there are several which might be effective {vide “ Ticks,” in Review Supplement, 
and in Mr. King’s article). 
Dr. Wenyon also recently found P. mutans in cattle on the Sobat River, and I discovered 
the same form of Babesia in the blood of cattle sent me by Captain Headlam, from the 
Bahr-El-Ghazal Province. Twenty head of cattle had died of the disease induced by this 
parasite, the symptoms of which were, running at the nose and eyes, general debility, cracked 
skin, and the presence of “ nasty sores.” The parasite in all respects conformed to Theiler’s 
P. mutans, and it is noteworthy that marginal points were found in the erythrocytes, as 
shown in Plate IV., fig. 4. 
Dr. Wenyon also descrilies an interesting new piroplasm which he found in the striped 
mouse {page 152). 
It is evident that we know little regarding this important subject, but fortunately 
P. parimm does not appear to exist, for it, by general consent, is the most to be dreaded. 
In a country like the Southern Sudan it is very difficult to deal effectively with such a disease, 
conditions being very different to those prevailing in South Africa, and the natives being 
alike ignorant and suspicious. 
Canine, equine 
and bovine 
types 
In cattle at 
Berber 
In the Kassala 
Province 
P. bigeminuin 
on the White 
Nile 
P. fHuians 
'rhe mouse 
parasite of 
W'^enyon 
Apparent 
absence of 
/’. pat'vum 
