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Selim A, Marzok M, Gattan HS, Hereba AM. Serosurvey and associated risk factors for Chlamydia abortus infection in Dromedary camels in Egypt. Trop Anim Health Prod 2024; 56:188. [PMID: 38862771 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-024-04032-9] [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: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 05/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/13/2024]
Abstract
Chlamydia abortus (C. abortus) is a gram-negative, obligate intracellular bacterium that causes major public health problems in human and reproductive problems in animals. The information about the epidemiology of this pathogen among camels in Egypt is very rare. This study aimed to evaluate the existence of antibodies against C. abortus in camels and assess the related risk factors for infection. A total of 410 blood samples were collected from camels from three Egyptian governorates and examined using commercial ELISA kit. The overall seroprevalence rate was 6.6% and the higher C. abortus seropositivity rate was found in Giza governorate. Location, sex and infestation by ectoparasites did not influence on the seroprevalence of the disease. In addition, age, herd size, contact with small ruminants and history of abortion were identified as risk factors for C. abortus infection according to the univariate analysis. Based on multivariate analysis, age group of 4-8 years, small herd size, contact of camels with sheep and goats, and history of abortion were found to be significant risk factors for chlamydiosis transmission in camels. These factors had odds ratios of 4.23, 3.51, 2.84, and 2.5, respectively. These results suggest that camels have a role in the epidemiology of C. abortus infection. This promotes awareness and severe public health concern about infectious camel illnesses, allowing for additional diagnostic advancements and effective management techniques to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelfattah Selim
- Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh, 13736, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Marzok
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al- Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafr El Sheikh University, Kafr El Sheikh, Egypt.
| | - Hattan S Gattan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Center, King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abdelrahman M Hereba
- Department of Biomedical Physics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia
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Veiga J, Baltà O, Figuerola J. Does bird life-history influence the prevalence of ticks? A citizen science study in North East Spain. One Health 2024; 18:100718. [PMID: 38644969 PMCID: PMC11026695 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2024.100718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024] Open
Abstract
After mosquitoes, ticks are among the most important vector of pathogens of concern for animal and public health, but unless mosquitoes ticks remain attached to their hosts for long time periods providing an opportunity to analyse their role in the dispersal and dynamics of different zoonotic pathogens. Given their interest in public health it is important to understand which factors affect their incidence in different hosts and to stablish effective surveillance programs to determine the risk of transmission and spill-over of zoonotic pathogens. Taking benefit of a large network of volunteer ornithologists, we analysed the life-history traits associated to the presence of ticks using information of 620,609 individuals of 231 avian species. Bird phylogeny, locality and year explained a large amount of variance in tick prevalence. Non-colonial species non breeding in grasslands and non-spending the non-breeding season as gregarious groups or isolated individuals (e.g. thrushes, quails and finches) had the higher prevalence of ticks and appear as good candidates for zoonosis surveillance programs based on the analyses of ticks collected from wild birds. Ringers underestimated tick prevalence but can be considered as an important source of information of ticks for public and animal health surveillance programs if properly trained for the detection and collection of the different tick development phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesus Veiga
- Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Granada, Granada, Spain
| | - Oriol Baltà
- Institut Català d'Ornitologia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jordi Figuerola
- Estación Biológica de Doñana – CSIC, Sevilla, Spain
- CIBER Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP), Madrid, Spain
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Moutailler S, Galon C. Real-Time Microfluidic PCRs: A High-Throughput Method to Detect 48 or 96 Tick-borne Pathogens in 48 or 96 Samples. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2742:1-17. [PMID: 38165611 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3561-2_1] [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: 01/04/2024]
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are often detected through classical molecular tools (PCR, nested PCR, real-time PCR), but these are limited in terms of the number of targeted pathogens due to the volume of DNA available for analysis. To solve this problem, in 2014 we developed a new high-throughput method based on real-time microfluidic PCRs that can detect 48 or 96 pathogens in 48 or 96 samples in a single run, such as ten species from the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato group. We then used this technique for large-scale epidemiological studies of TBPs in tick and animal samples on an international scale through numerous collaborative projects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Moutailler
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France.
| | - Clemence Galon
- ANSES, INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale, Maisons-Alfort, France
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Selim A, Alshammari A, Marzok M, Salem M, Al-Jabr OA, Gattan HS. Molecular prevalence and associated risk factors of Theileria annulata infections in dromedary camels in Egypt. Trop Anim Health Prod 2023; 55:335. [PMID: 37770705 DOI: 10.1007/s11250-023-03767-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Theileria annulata (T. annulata) is an intracellular protozoan, transmitted by ixodid ticks of the genus Hyalomma and affects camels. There are few epidemiological data on T. annulata infection and its associated risk factors in Egyptian camels. Thus, the present study aimed to determine the prevalence of T. annulata in camels using PCR and assess the associated risk factors for infection. A total of 380 blood samples were collected from camels raising in three Egyptian governorates and examined by PCR assay targeting 30-kDa gene to detect the presence of T. annulata infection, beside statistical analysis of associated factors. The results revealed presence of T. annulata with overall prevalence of 21.1%. In addition, the univariate analysis revealed significant (P<0.05) association between prevalence of T. annulata in camels and locality, age, sex, tick infestation, and application of acaricides. Whereas the prevalence of T. annulata was higher in camels of age group >6 to 10 years (38%), females (25.7%) and in infested camels with ticks (29%) and in case of absence of acaricides application (25%). In contrast, the body condition of camels had not significant effect on prevalence of theileriosis in camels. The current study concluded that T. annulata is prevalent in Egyptian camels and that a tick control program is required to reduce the risk of infection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelfattah Selim
- Department of Animal Medicine (Infectious Diseases), Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Benha University, Toukh, 13736, Egypt.
| | - Ayed Alshammari
- Department of Biology, College of Science, University of Hafr Al-Batin, Hafr Al-Batin, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed Marzok
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia.
- Department of Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kafr El Sheikh University, Kafr El Sheikh, Egypt.
| | - Mohamed Salem
- Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia
- Department of Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, 12613, Egypt
| | - Omar A Al-Jabr
- Department of Microbiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, P.O. Box 400, Al-Ahsa, 31982, Saudi Arabia
| | - Hattan S Gattan
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
- Special Infectious Agents Unit, King Fahad Medical Research Center, King AbdulAziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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Companion Vector-Borne Pathogens and Associated Risk Factors in Apparently Healthy Pet Animals (Dogs and Cats) in Khukhot City Municipality, Pathum Thani Province, Thailand. Pathogens 2023; 12:pathogens12030391. [PMID: 36986313 PMCID: PMC10058879 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12030391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Pet animals (dogs and cats) can be infected with several companion vector-borne pathogens (CVBPs). Morbidity and mortality have been reported in pet animals due to CVBP infections. Pet animals living in close proximity to humans are able to transmit zoonotic pathogens. This study used molecular techniques to investigate the prevalence of CVBPs in apparently healthy pet animals (dogs and cats) from Khukhot City Municipality, Pathum Thani province, Thailand. In total, 210 blood samples were randomly collected from 95 dogs and 115 cats for the detection of seven companion vector-borne pathogens (Anaplasma, Babesia, Bartonella, Ehrlichia, Hepatozoon, Mycoplasma, and Rickettsia) using polymerase chain reaction. The results showed that 10.5% (22/210) of apparently healthy pet animals were infected with at least one pathogen, comprising 6 dogs (6.3% of all dogs tested) and 16 cats (13.9% of all cats tested). Ehrlichia (6.3%) was present only in dogs; furthermore, 1.1% of the dogs were positive for Anaplasma. There was one dog case co-infected with two pathogens (1.1%). In cats, Mycoplasma (9.6%) was the predominant CVBP, followed by Rickettsia (4.4%). The DNA sequences of all positive animals were 97–99% homologous to those found in the GenBank™ database for all CVBPs identified, namely Ehrlichia canis, Anaplasma platys, Rickettsia felis, Mycoplasma haemofelis, and Candidatus Mycoplasma haemominutum. Additionally, the risk of infection with CVBPs in pets was significantly associated with age, with young dogs more likely to be infected with CVBPs than adult dogs (OR 8.5, 95% CI 1.4–50.1, p = 0.006), while adult cats were more likely to be infected with CVBPs than young cats (OR 3.8, 95% CI 1.0–14.0, p = 0.038). The detection of CVBPs demonstrated the potential risk of infection that may occur in apparently healthy pet animals in Pathum Thani province. These results confirmed that apparently healthy pet animals may still be at risk of vector-borne infections and could maintain the infection cycle in pet populations. Furthermore, sampling a greater number of apparently healthy pet animals may disclose predictors of CVBP positivity in domesticated animals in this area.
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Defaye B, Moutailler S, Grech‐Angelini S, Galon C, Ferrandi S, Pasqualini V, Quilichini Y. Detecting zoonotic and non‐zoonotic pathogens in livestock and their ticks in Corsican wetlands. Vet Med Sci 2022; 8:2662-2677. [PMID: 36207820 PMCID: PMC9677362 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Corsica is a large French island in the Mediterranean Sea with high human and animal migration rates, especially near wetlands where these migrations are particularly frequent. Among the livestock populations, cattle and sheep are widely present all across the entire Mediterranean region. Trade can be responsible for the circulation of numerous pathogens and their vectors, thereby representing a health and economic threat for the livestock industry. Objectives The objective of our study was to investigate the presence of pathogens in cattle and sheep farms in the wetlands of Corsica using a high‐throughput screening technique. Methods In our study, blood samples and ticks were collected from cattle and sheep in 20 municipalities near Corsican wetlands to screen for the presence of various types of pathogens. The samples were processed using a high‐throughput screening technique based on real‐time microfluidic PCR: 45 pathogens were screened in 47 samples simultaneously. Results A total of 372 cattle and 74 sheep were sampled, and 444 ticks were collected from cattle. Out of the eight tick species detected, the main one was Rhipicephalus bursa (38.7% of the ticks collected). From cattle blood samples, one species and two genera were found: Anaplasma marginale, Trypanosoma sp. and Babesia sp. in respectively 61.5%, 58.3% and 12.2% of the cattle blood samples. From sheep blood samples, 74.3% were positive for Anaplasma sp, 2.7% for Anaplasma ovis and 1.4% for Anaplasma capra. This is the first report of A. ovis DNA in blood samples from sheep in Corsica. Out of 444 the tick samples, 114 were positive: 77.2% for Rickettsia aeschlimannii, 20.2% for Rickettsia sp., 3.5% for Babesia sp. and 1.8% for Anaplasma sp. Among them, 2.7% were co‐infected with R. aeschlimannii and Babesia sp. Conclusions Our results confirm the extent of possible circulation of different pathogens near Corsican wetlands, not only in ticks collected from livestock but also directly in cattle and sheep, with two (Trypanosoma sp. and Babesia sp.) being detected for the first time in cattle, one for the first time in sheep (A. ovis) and one for the first time in Corsica (A. capra)
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Affiliation(s)
- Baptiste Defaye
- UMR CNRS SPE 6134 – Université de Corse Pascal Paoli Corte France
| | - Sara Moutailler
- ANSES INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale Maisons‐Alfort France
| | | | - Clémence Galon
- ANSES INRAE, Ecole Nationale Vétérinaire d'Alfort, UMR BIPAR, Laboratoire de Santé Animale Maisons‐Alfort France
| | | | | | - Yann Quilichini
- UMR CNRS SPE 6134 – Université de Corse Pascal Paoli Corte France
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Saratsis A, Ligda P, Aal F, Jelicic M, Polgar J, de Vries M, Mastranestasis I, Musella V, Rinaldi L, Jongejan F, Sotiraki S. The Scenario of Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens of Sheep on a Mediterranean Island. Microorganisms 2022; 10:microorganisms10081551. [PMID: 36013969 PMCID: PMC9412349 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms10081551] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Ticks and transmitted pathogens constitute a major concern for livestock health/welfare and productivity for the Mediterranean region, often posing an important zoonotic threat. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence, infection intensity, and seasonality of ticks and tick-borne pathogens on the island of Lesvos in Greece, which was selected as a potential hotspot for their circulation. To this end, 101 sheep farms were visited over a tick activity season, and ticks, blood samples, and questionnaire data were collected. Ticks were identified by species, and DNA from both ticks and blood samples was further investigated using the polymerase chain reaction–reverse line blot (PCR–RLB) technique. In 72.3% of the farms, sheep were found to be infected by 9 ixodid species, with Rhipicephalus turanicus being the most common during the spring/early summer period. As regards tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), 84.9% of the animals were found to be infected with at least one pathogen, the most common being genera of Anaplasma and Theileria, alone or in co-infections. To further characterize the Anaplasma species found, selected samples were sequenced, revealing isolates of A. ovis, A. capra, A. marginale, and A. phagocytophilum. Of the 169 female R. turanicus ticks analyzed by PCR–RLB, 89.9% were harboring at least one TBP belonging to the genera Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Babesia, Theileria, or Rickettsia. Overall, the data presented in this study revealed a high burden of ticks and TBPs in sheep, including zoonotic species, stressing the need for applying effective monitoring and control programs using a more holistic One Health approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasios Saratsis
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-Demeter, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (P.L.); (I.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.S.); or (S.S.)
| | - Panagiota Ligda
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-Demeter, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (P.L.); (I.M.)
| | - Fredie Aal
- Utrecht Centre for Tick-Borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (F.A.); (M.J.); (J.P.); (M.d.V.); or (F.J.)
| | - Mandy Jelicic
- Utrecht Centre for Tick-Borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (F.A.); (M.J.); (J.P.); (M.d.V.); or (F.J.)
| | - Juliette Polgar
- Utrecht Centre for Tick-Borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (F.A.); (M.J.); (J.P.); (M.d.V.); or (F.J.)
| | - Myrthe de Vries
- Utrecht Centre for Tick-Borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (F.A.); (M.J.); (J.P.); (M.d.V.); or (F.J.)
| | - Ioannis Mastranestasis
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-Demeter, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (P.L.); (I.M.)
| | - Vincenzo Musella
- Department of Health Science, University “Magna Græcia” of Catanzaro, Viale Europa, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy;
| | - Laura Rinaldi
- Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, University of Naples Federico II, CREMOPAR Campania Region, Via Della Veterinaria 1, 80137 Naples, Italy;
| | - Frans Jongejan
- Utrecht Centre for Tick-Borne Diseases (UCTD), FAO Reference Centre for Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 1, 3584 CL Utrecht, The Netherlands; (F.A.); (M.J.); (J.P.); (M.d.V.); or (F.J.)
- TBD International B.V., Ramstraat 39, 3581 HE Utrecht, The Netherlands
- Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, Pretoria 0110, South Africa
| | - Smaragda Sotiraki
- Veterinary Research Institute, Hellenic Agricultural Organisation-Demeter, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece; (P.L.); (I.M.)
- Correspondence: (A.S.); or (S.S.)
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