The Diagnosis of Bacillary Piroplasmosis of Bovines 



in the Transvaal. 



The term " piroplasmosis " is applied to diseases caused by endo- 

 globular parasites belonging to the group protozoa and called piroplasmata. 

 Of the bovine piroplasmoses known in the Transvaal, two interest us 

 more particularly^ viz., the two caused by bacilhform piroplasms and 

 which hitherto have . been known under the name Piroflasma farvum 

 and Piroflasma mutans ; both from a diagnostic point of view are 

 interesting ; the former from an economic point of view is of extraordinary 

 importance, and at one time threatened to destroy the cattle of South 

 Africa. These two microscopical organisms are morphologically insepar- 

 able ; this forms the reason for a difficulty in the microscopical diagnosis. 

 An early decision with regard to a diagnosis of East Coast fever is always 

 a matter of urgency, consequently the practical utility of observations 

 which would allow of a differential diagnosis would be very considerable. 

 Piroflasma farvum is the cause of the disease popularly known as 

 East Coast fever. A specific name for the disease caused by Piroflasma 

 mutans does not exist, but the term " gall-sickness " probably includes 

 that disease as well. The main characteristic of Piroflasma farvum is 

 its non-inocubility which separates it absolutely from Piroflasma mutans, 

 which is inoculable even with small quantities of blood. 



At the Veterinary Conference held in Budapest * in 1905, the 

 question of piroplasmosis received attention. Dschunkowsky stated the 

 disease described first by him under the name Tropical Piroplasmosis, 

 and caused by small endoglobular parasites in the shape of rings, rods, 

 and flagellated forms, in Transcaucasia was inoculable; this statement 

 reversed his former one, and by this differentiated it from the disease 

 East Coast fever. Bitter communicated that he had observed a non- 

 inoculable piroplasm in Egypt, likewise due to small piroplasms, and 

 Ducloux, of Tunis, reported his experience of a similar parasite as the cause 

 of a disease in that country. In view of these new discoveries the 

 piroplasmata at that time were grouped as follows, viz. : — 



" Type. — Piroflasma begiminum, Piroflasma bovis (Babes) found 

 in European Haemoglobinuria of cattle. Piroflasma bige- 

 minum (Smith and Kilborne) of Texas fever." 

 " Type. — Piroflasma farvum (a) Inoculable piroplasmoses, tropical 

 piroplasmosis of Transcaucasia, Piroflasma ammlatum 

 (Dschunkowsky) ; (b) Piroplasmoses (not inoculable) Piro 

 flasma farvum (Theiler) of East Coast fever, piroplasmosis of 

 the North African disease (Bitter and Ducloux)." 



* Proceedings of the 8th International Veterinary Congress, Budapest, Sept., 1905. 



