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Rekik S, Hammami I, Timoumi O, Maghzaoua D, Khamassi Khbou M, Schulz A, Groschup MH, Gharbi M. A Review on Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Infections in Tunisia. Vector Borne Zoonotic Dis 2024; 24:325-337. [PMID: 38457645 DOI: 10.1089/vbz.2023.0079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a zoonotic tick-borne disease, caused by an arbovirus of the genus Orthonairovirus and the family Nairoviridae. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) is widespread in several regions of the world. While the virus is not pathogenic to all susceptible livestock and wild mammals, it can lead to severe hemorrhagic fever in humans. In this review, we compiled published data on CCHFV infections in humans, animals, and ticks in Tunisia. Based on that, we discussed the epidemiology and the distribution patterns of CCHFV infections highlighting the risk factors for this virus in the country. CCHF infection prevalence in humans was estimated to 2.76% (5/181) and 5% (2/38) in Tunisian febrile patients and Tunisian slaughterhouse workers, respectively. Concurrently, seroprevalence in domestic ungulates (sheep, goats, cattle, and dromedaries) ranged from zero to 89.7%, and only one Hyalomma impeltatum tick specimen collected from dromedaries in southern Tunisian was positive for CCHFV by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (0.6%; 1/165). As Tunisian studies on CCHFV are geographically scattered and limited due to very small sample sizes, further studies are needed to improve the knowledge on the epidemiology of CCHF in Tunisia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Syrine Rekik
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Zoonoses, and Sanitary Regulation, University of Manouba, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Ines Hammami
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Zoonoses, and Sanitary Regulation, University of Manouba, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Oumayma Timoumi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Zoonoses, and Sanitary Regulation, University of Manouba, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Dhekra Maghzaoua
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Zoonoses, and Sanitary Regulation, University of Manouba, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Médiha Khamassi Khbou
- Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases, Zoonoses, and Sanitary Regulation, University of Manouba, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Ansgar Schulz
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Insel Riems, Germany
| | - Mohamed Gharbi
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Zoonoses, and Sanitary Regulation, University of Manouba, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
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Rjeibi MR, Amairia S, Mhadhbi M, Rekik M, Gharbi M. Detection and molecular identification of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. infections in Hyalomma aegyptium ticks in Tunisia. Arch Microbiol 2022; 204:385. [PMID: 35689686 DOI: 10.1007/s00203-022-02995-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Tortoises of the genus Testudo are the main hosts of Hyalomma aegyptium ticks. This species serves as a vector of several zoonotic pathogens. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the presence of four pathogens associated with H. aegyptium ticks obtained from tortoises from Tunisia. Conventional, multiplex and nested PCRs were used for Aanaplasma phagocytophilum, Ehrlichia canis, Coxiella burnetii and Babesia spp. screening. The molecular analyses revealed the presence of A. phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. None of the ticks, were infected by E. canis or C. burnetii species. Co-infection was detected in four ticks. As a conclusion, this is the first detection of A. phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in H. aegyptium ticks collected from tortoises, in Tunisia. Thus, considering these results, the spur-thighed tortoise constitute a potential host of H. aegyptium which plays an important role in the transmission of pathogenic agents affecting both human and animals. In term of public health, a strict control and surveillance should be carried to reduce the circulation of such pathogens between different hosts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ridha Rjeibi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Univ. Manouba, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Institut de la Recherche Vétérinaire de Tunisie, 20 Rue de Jebel Lakdhar, La Rabta, 1006, Tunis, Tunisia.
| | - Safa Amairia
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Univ. Manouba, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Moez Mhadhbi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Univ. Manouba, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Mourad Rekik
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), P.O. Box 950764, Amman, 11195, Jordan
| | - Mohamed Gharbi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Univ. Manouba, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, École Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, 2020, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
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Khamassi Khbou M, Romdhane R, Bouaicha Zaafouri F, Bouajila M, Sassi L, Appelberg SK, Schulz A, Mirazimi A, Groschup MH, Rekik M, Benzarti M, Gharbi M. Presence of antibodies to Crimean Congo haemorrhagic fever virus in sheep in Tunisia, North Africa. Vet Med Sci 2021; 7:2323-2329. [PMID: 34390548 PMCID: PMC8604105 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is an emerging tick‐borne disease causing severe and fatal haemorrhagic syndrome in humans. Hyalomma spp. ticks are the primary vectors and sheep are important CCHF virus (CCHFV)‐amplifying hosts. In this study, blood samples and ticks collected in October 2019 from 270 sheep from 15 farms across Tunisia constituted the main research material. Moreover, the sera of the same animals taken at different periods between 2018 and 2019 were also used to obtain comparative results. To investigate the presence of anti‐CCHFV antibodies in sheep, all sera were tested using ELISA. Reactive sera were further characterised by a virus neutralisation test (VNT). Overall, one out of the 270 tested sheep was both ELISA‐ and strongly VNT‐positive to CCHFV. Another two sheep were borderline ELISA‐positive but did not exhibit neutralising antibodies. Ninety‐one ticks were collected from all sampled sheep, of which 34 (37.4%) belonged to Hyalomma spp. This is the first report of anti‐CCHFV antibodies in sheep from Tunisia. Both the results of this study and the recent CCHFV detection in ticks collected from camels in southern Tunisia indicate that further studies are needed to determine the competent tick vector in the country and to characterise the epidemiological cycle of CCHFV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Médiha Khamassi Khbou
- Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases Zoonoses and Sanitary Regulation, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia.,Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Univ. Manouba, Institution de La Recherche et de L'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Rihab Romdhane
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Univ. Manouba, Institution de La Recherche et de L'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Faten Bouaicha Zaafouri
- Service de Sémiologie et Pathologie Médicale du Bétail, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Mohsen Bouajila
- Commissariat Régional de Développement Agricole de Tataouine, Tataouine, Tunisia
| | - Limam Sassi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Univ. Manouba, Institution de La Recherche et de L'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | | | - Ansgar Schulz
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Ali Mirazimi
- Public Health Agency of Sweden, Solna, Sweden.,National Veterinary Institute, Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Martin H Groschup
- Friedrich-Loeffler-Institute, Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases, Insel Riems, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Mourad Rekik
- Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Amman, Jordan
| | - M'hammed Benzarti
- Laboratory of Infectious Animal Diseases Zoonoses and Sanitary Regulation, National School of Veterinary Medicine of Sidi Thabet, Institution of Agricultural Research and Higher Education, Univ. Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Mohamed Gharbi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Univ. Manouba, Institution de La Recherche et de L'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
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TICKS PARASITIZING THE SPUR-THIGHED TORTOISE (TESTUDO GRAECA) POPULATION OF TUNISIA. J Wildl Dis 2021; 56:815-822. [PMID: 32402236 DOI: 10.7589/2019-09-219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2019] [Accepted: 03/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
From March to April 2017, a total of 147 free-ranging spur-thighed tortoises (Testudo graeca) was captured in different habitat types of northern Tunisia and examined for tick infestation. A total of 134 was infested, yielding an infestation prevalence of 91.2%. From these tortoises, 1,174 ticks were collected, a subsample (10%, n=120) of which was randomly selected and identified; the remaining ticks were stored at -80 C and examined for zoonotic pathogens. Only adult Hyalomma aegyptium were found among the subsample of ticks collected for spur-thighed tortoise. The prevalence of tick infestation did not vary significantly within the study area but differences in intensity were observed in relation to the size of tortoises and the vegetation coverage. Our results provide strong evidence that adult H. aegyptium is the predominant tick species found on wild spur-thighed tortoises in northern Tunisia, where the species is commonly traded illegally across the Mediterranean Basin. Considering the potential transmission of several zoonotic pathogens by H. aegyptium to humans, we highlight the need to develop a surveillance system to prevent the introduction and the spread of tick-borne pathogens in the Mediterranean Basin.
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Kar S, Rodriguez SE, Akyildiz G, Cajimat MNB, Bircan R, Mears MC, Bente DA, Keles AG. Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus in tortoises and Hyalomma aegyptium ticks in East Thrace, Turkey: potential of a cryptic transmission cycle. Parasit Vectors 2020; 13:201. [PMID: 32307010 PMCID: PMC7168965 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-020-04074-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Recent reports have demonstrated the presence of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV) genomic material in Hyalomma aegyptium ticks feeding primarily on tortoises belonging to the genus Testudo. This raises the question if these ticks and their hosts play a role in the natural transmission dynamics of CCHFV. However, the studies are limited, and assessing the relevance of H. aegyptium in perpetuating the virus in nature, and a potential spillover to humans remains unknown. This study aimed to detect CCHFV in H. aegyptium ticks and their tortoise hosts in the East Thrace region of Turkey, where H. aegyptium is the most common human-biting tick and where a high density of tortoises of the genus Testudo can be found. Methods During the study period, 21 blood samples from different tortoises (2 T. hermanni and 19 T. graeca), 106 tick pools (containing 448 males, 152 females, 93 nymphs and 60 larvae) collected from 65 tortoises (5 T. hermanni and 60 T. graeca), 38 adult unfed questing ticks (25 males and 13 females, screened individually) and 14 pools (containing 8 nymphs and 266 larvae) of immature unfed questing ticks collected from the ground were screened for CCHFV genome by nested PCR and partial genomes sequenced. Results As a result of the screening of these 179 samples, 17 (9.5%) were detected as positive as follows: 2 of 21 blood samples (9.52%), 13 (containing 18 nymphs in 3 pools, and 52 males and 8 females in 10 pools) of 106 tick pools from tortoises (12.26%), and 2 of 38 adult questing ticks (5.26%). No positive result was determined in 14 pools of immature questing ticks. Conclusions Previous studies have shown that reptiles can participate in the transmission of arthropod-borne viruses, but they may contribute to different aspects of the disease ecology and evolution of tick-borne viral pathogens. Our results indicate the presence of CCHFV in questing and feeding H. aegyptium ticks as well as tortoise hosts. This may indicate that CCHFV circulates in a cryptic transmission cycle in addition to the primary transmission cycle that could play a role in the natural dynamic of the virus and the transmission to humans.![]()
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Affiliation(s)
- Sirri Kar
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Biology, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey
| | - Sergio E Rodriguez
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Gurkan Akyildiz
- Department of Biology, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey
| | - Maria N B Cajimat
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.,Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Rifat Bircan
- Department of Biology, Tekirdag Namik Kemal University, Tekirdag, Turkey
| | - Megan C Mears
- Department of Pathology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA
| | - Dennis A Bente
- Galveston National Laboratory, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute for Human Infections and Immunity, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX, USA.
| | - Aysen G Keles
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Marmara University, Istanbul, Turkey
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