<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;">Poisoning with cardiac glycoside-containing plants is collectively the most important plant-associated poisoning of livestock in southern Africa. As a diagnosis of this significant poisoning is currently based on circumstantial evidence, a practical chemical procedure indicating the presence of cardiac glycosides in plants and animal specimens would be of considerable benefit. <br />The fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA) method, used to determine digoxin plasma levels in humans and dogs, was adapted to estimate cardiac glycoside levels in known cardiac-glycoside- containing plants as well as in the rumen and organs of dosed sheep. Positive FPIA values were obtained with bufadienolide-containing plants, while negative results were obtained with plants not known to contain cardiac glycosides. The FPIA has aided in the diagnosis of cardiac glycoside poisoning in livestock and game in 30 outbreaks examined at the Division of Toxicology, Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute. Each outbreak is briefly described. <br />As a result of this assay, a better understanding of cardiac glycoside poisoning has been reached.</span>

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;">Seasonal surveys were conducted at the Vaal Dam between April 2000 and January 2001. Twenty smallmouth yellowfish <em>(Labeobarbus aeneus)</em> and 20 largemouth yellowfish <em>(Labeobarbus kimberleyensis)</em> were collected with the aid of gill nets. Surface water quality variables were included. The cestodes were identified as either <em>Bothriocephalus acheilognathi Yamaguti</em>, 1934 or "other cestode spp.". The majority (99.8 %) of the cestodes found in both yellowfish species were identified as <em>B. acheilognathi</em> (Asian tapeworm). The prevalence, mean intensity and abundance of <em>B. acheilognathi</em> in both yellowfish species were calculated. Ecological parameters including species specificity, seasonality, gender specificity and relationships between fish size and the Asian tapeworm prevalence were also included. In this study, <em>B. acheilognathi</em> preferred <em>L. kimberleyensis</em> over <em>L. aeneus</em> although a low intensity was observed in smallmouth yellowfish. Furthermore, the infection (in terms of prevalence, abundance and mean intensity) in largemouth yellowfish was markedly higher. Seasonal patterns observed in the Asian tapeworm's infection of smallmouth yellowfish are attributed to breeding and subsequent feeding patterns of this fish species with relatively high infections recorded in winter and spring. For <em>L. kimberleyensis</em> no explanation can be given regarding the seasonal patterns observed for the mean intensity and abundance of <em>B. acheilognathi.</em> The maximum and minimum mean intensity and abundance values in largemouth yellowfish were recorded in autumn and spring, respectively. In addition, the prevalence of <em>B. acheilognathi</em> was consistently high in all four seasons.</span>

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;">Serum samples from 474 domestic pigs <em>(Sus scrofa)</em> from Zimbabwe were tested for anti-<em>Toxoplasma gondii</em> IgG antibodies using the indirect fluorescent antibody test. The results showed that <em>T. gondii</em> infection is widespread in Zimbabwean pigs. Seroprevalence was lowest in fattening pigs from large and small-scale commercial farms that practise good hygiene (19.75 % of 238) and highest in backyard scavenging pigs (35.71 % of 70). Only 11.7 % (11) of the 127 positive samples had titres of <span style="text-decoration: underline;">&gt;</span> 1:400 and nine (81.82 %) of these 11 originated from pigs reared under poor hygienic conditions. A prevalence of 3.51 % was found in the same group of fattening pigs using an indirect IgG enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at the single serum dilution of 1:400. The serosurvey shows the importance of modern intensive husbandry systems in reducing the prevalences of <em>T. gondii</em> infection in domestic pigs.</span>

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;">A survey conducted in five villages in a resource-poor farming community in Qwa-Qwa, using the rapid rural appraisal technique and a questionnaire survey, showed that a significant proportion of the farmers (84 %) use traditional or alternative methods to control ectoparasites, while 16 % use commercial acaricides (<span style="font-family: Symbol;" lang="AF"><span>c</span></span>² = 7.1; P <span style="text-decoration: underline;">&lt;</span> 0.05). Alternative control methods included the use of used engine oil, household disinfectant and paraffin. Killing of ticks was the main reason for control (40 %), with disease control being second (20 %). Other reasons given for controlling ticks were to prevent damage to teats, to provide animals with a clean appearance and to protect hides. Some 40 % of farmers were aware of the effects of ticks on their animals. There is a need for farmer education that will provide information on integrated tick management and its advantages over absolute reliance on commercial acaricides.</span>

<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica;">Two hundred and twenty-five small mammals belonging to 16 species were examined for ticks in Free State, Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces, South Africa, and 18 ixodid tick species, of which two could only be identified to genus level, were recovered. Scrub hares, <em>Lepus saxatilis</em>, and Cape hares, <em>Lepus capensis</em>, harboured the largest number of tick species. In Free State Province Namaqua rock mice, <em>Aethomys namaquensis</em>, and four-striped grass mice, <em>Rhabdomys pumilio</em>, were good hosts of the immature stages of <em>Haemaphysalis leachi</em> and <em>Rhipicephalus gertrudae</em>, while in Mpumalanga and Limpopo Provinces red veld rats, <em>Aethomys chrysophilus</em>, Namaqua rock mice and Natal multimammate mice, <em>Mastomys natalensis</em> were good hosts of <em>H. leachi</em> and <em>Rhipicephalus simus</em>. <em>Haemaphysalis leachi</em> was the only tick recovered from animals in all three provinces.</span>