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Elati K, Salhi I, Kodia R, Rekik M, Gharbi M. Epidemiological situation of bovine tropical theileriosis in an arid region in central Tunisia with a phylogenetic analysis of Theileria annulata. Vet Med Sci 2023; 9:2862-2870. [PMID: 37725348 PMCID: PMC10650360 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.1276] [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: 12/04/2022] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/21/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tropical theileriosis, Theileria annulata infection, is the most prevalent summer disease in Tunisia. It is transmitted by Hyalomma scupense, a two-host tick known to be endophilic. OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to estimate the infection prevalence of cattle by T. annulata in two districts from central Tunisia. METHODS Blood samples collected from 270 Holstein cattle from the Sidi Bouzid (140 samples) and Kasserine districts (130 samples) were analysed by Giemsa staining and T. annulata-specific PCR. RESULTS In both regions, PCR revealed a prevalence of 32.6%. This was significantly higher than the 6.3% prevalence obtained by Giemsa staining blood smears (p < 0.001). Giemsa staining also revealed a low parasitaemia of 0.05%. The PCR-based prevalence was not statistically different between the two districts (31.4 ± 0.04 and 33.8 ± 0.04% in Sidi Bouzid and Kasserine districts, respectively, p = 0.6). On the contrary, the results of blood smear examination (2.85 and 10% in Sidi Bouzid and Kasserine, respectively) differed significantly between the two sampling sites (p = 0.01). There was no evidence of a statistically significant difference between the overall molecular infection prevalence when the samples were segregated based on animals' age or gender (p = 0.1 and 0.2, respectively) and a similar trend was observed for Giemsa staining. Ten PCR amplicons of the Tams1 gene (721 bp) were subsequently sequenced from the two regions. The phylogenetic analyses showed 100% similarity between all sequences. The unique conserved Tams1 sequence was deposited in GenBank under the accession number OP428816 and used to infer its phylogenetic relationships with those available in the GenBank repository. CONCLUSIONS This is the first report of the presence of T. annulata in this region of central Tunisia which has no history of tropical theileriosis. Priority areas for future studies include understanding the origin of these T. annulata-positive animals in a region where the presence of a known natural vector tick, H. scupense, has not been reported. Given that the disease severely constrains cattle productivity, it would also be worthwhile to investigate if other potential vectors for T. annulata, such as Hyalomma dromedarii, are present in the arid regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khawla Elati
- Institute of Parasitology and Tropical Veterinary MedicineFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
- Veterinary Centre for Resistance Research, Department of Veterinary MedicineFreie Universität BerlinBerlinGermany
- Laboratoire de ParasitologieÉcole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles. Univ. ManoubaSidi ThabetTunisia
| | - Ismail Salhi
- Laboratoire de ParasitologieÉcole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles. Univ. ManoubaSidi ThabetTunisia
| | - Ridha Kodia
- Laboratoire de ParasitologieÉcole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles. Univ. ManoubaSidi ThabetTunisia
| | - Mourad Rekik
- International Centre for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA)AmmanJordan
| | - Mohamed Gharbi
- Laboratoire de ParasitologieÉcole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet, Institution de la Recherche et de l'Enseignement Supérieur Agricoles. Univ. ManoubaSidi ThabetTunisia
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Onyiche TE, MacLeod ET. Hard ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) and tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats in Africa: A review. Ticks Tick Borne Dis 2023; 14:102232. [PMID: 37531888 DOI: 10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Ticks are leading vectors of economically important pathogens that affect small ruminants due to favourable climatic conditions across different regions of the African continent. They are responsible for both direct and indirect economic losses in the livestock industry. This review focuses on the species diversity of hard ticks, their biology, tick-borne diseases of sheep and goats including non-infectious disease, and risk factors to tick infestation in Africa. Furthermore, our review provides recent updates on distribution of ticks and tick-borne pathogens of small ruminants in Africa. It was observed that several species and subspecies of hard ticks belonging to the genera Hyalomma (Hy), Rhipicephalus (Rh), Ixodes (I) and Amblyomma (Am) were found infesting small ruminants across the different regions of the continent. Of these genera, Rhipicephalus ticks accounts for the majority of the registered species, with exactly 27 different species infesting small ruminant stocks comprising of different developmental instars and adults of the tick. Rhipicephalus decolaratus, Rh. e. evertsi and Rh. appendiculatus were the three most common Rhipicephalus species reported. Both protozoal (Babesia and Theileria) and bacterial (Anaplasma, Rickettsia, Ehrlichia, Coxiella and Mycoplasma) pathogens have being reported to be amplified in several hard tick species and/or small ruminant hosts. Furthermore, tick paralysis and lameness were non-infectious conditions attributed to tick infestations. Amblyomma hebraeum and Rh. glabroscutatum may cause lameness in goats, while Hy. rufipes is responsible for the same condition in Merino sheep. Host paralysis due to a neurotoxin released by female Rh. e. evertsi and I. rubicundus has been documented within the continent. We therefore advocate for the need of integrated control measures against tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) including their arthropod vectors, to be performed simultaneously to ease the burden of vector-borne diseases in small ruminant production.
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Affiliation(s)
- ThankGod E Onyiche
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri, Nigeria; Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa.
| | - Ewan Thomas MacLeod
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
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Abdelbaset AE, Kwak ML, Nonaka N, Nakao R. Human-biting ticks and zoonotic tick-borne pathogens in North Africa: diversity, distribution, and trans-Mediterranean public health challenges. One Health 2023; 16:100547. [PMID: 37363219 PMCID: PMC10288109 DOI: 10.1016/j.onehlt.2023.100547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
North Africa is home to more than 200 million people living across five developing economies (Egypt, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, and Morocco) and two Spanish exclaves (Ceuta and Melilla), many of whom are impacted by ticks and tick-borne zoonoses. Populations in Europe are also increasingly vulnerable to North African ticks and tick-borne zoonoses due to a combination of climate change and the movement of ticks across the Mediterranean on migratory birds, human travellers, and trafficked wildlife. The human-biting ticks and tick-borne zoonoses in North Africa are reviewed along with their distribution in the region. We also assess present and future challenges associated with ticks and tick-borne zoonoses in North African and highlight opportunities for collaboration and coordination between governments in Europe and North Africa to address public health challenges posed by North African ticks and tick-borne zoonoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdelbaset Eweda Abdelbaset
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
- Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut 71515, Egypt
| | - Mackenzie L. Kwak
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| | - Nariaki Nonaka
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
| | - Ryo Nakao
- Laboratory of Parasitology, Department of Disease Control, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Hokkaido University, N18 W9, Kita-ku, Sapporo, Hokkaido 060-0818, Japan
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Stevanović O, Radalj A, Subić I, Jovanović NM, Sladojević Ž, Amović M, Zuko A, Nedić D, Ilić T. The presence of malignant ovine babesiosis in Bosnia and Herzegovina indicates a possible emerging risk for Balkan region. Comp Immunol Microbiol Infect Dis 2022; 90-91:101893. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cimid.2022.101893] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 09/27/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
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Onyiche TE, Mofokeng LS, Thekisoe O, MacLeod ET. Molecular survey for tick-borne pathogens and associated risk factors in sheep and goats in Kano Metropolis, Nigeria. Vet Parasitol Reg Stud Reports 2022; 33:100753. [PMID: 35820726 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2022.100753] [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: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) pose an increased health and productivity risk to livestock in sub-Saharan Africa. Information regarding TBPs infecting small ruminants in Kano metropolis is scarce. Therefore, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens of economic importance from sheep and goats in Kano, Nigeria using Polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 346 blood DNA samples were collected from small ruminants and analyzed for TBPs using PCR and sequencing. Risk of infection was determined for age, sex, breed and animal species. Our results indicate the absence of piroplasmids (Babesia/Theileria) and Rickettsia spp. infections. The overall prevalence for Anaplasma spp. was 9.25% (32/346) with a higher prevalence in goats 13.59% (25/184) compared with sheep 4.32% (7/162). With respect to age of animals, goats >4 years had the highest prevalence of 32.45% (11/37) which differs significantly (P = 0.0059) compared with other age categories. Cross breed goats had a prevalence of 15.63% (5/32) compared with Kano brown breed 14.08 (20/142). Sex significant difference (P = 0.029) was observed in the goats with females having the highest prevalence 20.89% (14/67) compared with males 9.40% (11/117). Furthermore, with regards to sheep, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed with respect to age and breed. Finally, no significant difference (P > 0.05) was observed with the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. due to Body condition score (BCS) in both sheep and goats. Conclusively, the occurrence of TBPs in small ruminants is low. Continuous efforts in tick control must be sustained to ensure high productive yield and reduced disease burden associated with TBPs of sheep and goats in Kano metropolis.
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Affiliation(s)
- ThankGod E Onyiche
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK; Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Maiduguri, P. M. B. 1069, Maiduguri 600230, Nigeria.
| | - Lehlohonolo S Mofokeng
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Oriel Thekisoe
- Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom 2520, South Africa
| | - Ewan Thomas MacLeod
- Deanery of Biomedical Sciences, Edinburgh Medical School, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, The University of Edinburgh, 1 George Square, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ, UK
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Genome variation in tick infestation and cryptic divergence in Tunisian indigenous sheep. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:167. [PMID: 35227193 PMCID: PMC8883713 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08321-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 01/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Ticks are obligate haematophagous ectoparasites considered second to mosquitos as vectors and reservoirs of multiple pathogens of global concern. Individual variation in tick infestation has been reported in indigenous sheep, but its genetic control remains unknown. Results Here, we report 397 genome-wide signatures of selection overlapping 991 genes from the analysis, using ROH, LR-GWAS, XP-EHH, and FST, of 600 K SNP genotype data from 165 Tunisian sheep showing high and low levels of tick infestations and piroplasm infections. We consider 45 signatures that are detected by consensus results of at least two methods as high-confidence selection regions. These spanned 104 genes which included immune system function genes, solute carriers and chemokine receptor. One region spanned STX5, that has been associated with tick resistance in cattle, implicating it as a prime candidate in sheep. We also observed RAB6B and TF in a high confidence candidate region that has been associated with growth traits suggesting natural selection is enhancing growth and developmental stability under tick challenge. The analysis also revealed fine-scale genome structure indicative of cryptic divergence in Tunisian sheep. Conclusions Our findings provide a genomic reference that can enhance the understanding of the genetic architecture of tick resistance and cryptic divergence in indigenous African sheep. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12864-022-08321-1.
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Wang Y, Wang B, Zhang Q, Li Y, Yang Z, Han S, Yuan G, Wang S, He H. The Common Occurrence of Theileria ovis in Tibetan Sheep and the First Report of Theileria sinensis in Yaks from Southern Qinghai, China. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:1177-1185. [PMID: 33840059 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-021-00381-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The tick-borne protozoa piroplasms, including Theileria and Babesia, are the cause of substantial economic losses to the livestock industry. However, in southern Qinghai province, China, there are limited information on the molecular characteristics of piroplasms. This study therefore aimed at determining the prevalence and genetic diversity of piroplasms. METHODS In order to detect piroplasms, we examined 330 yaks and 236 Tibetan sheep blood samples by nested PCR. The differences in piroplasms prevalence in relation to different risk factors was analyzed using SPSS 26. Phylogenetic analysis based on 18S rRNA sequences was inferred using MEGA 7. RESULTS During this study, Theileria spp. were detected in 33.6% (111/330) of yaks and 94.1% (222/236) of Tibetan sheep, but no Babesia was identified. Importantly, a comparison study revealed that T. ovis infection was highly prevalent in sheep (94.1%) but infrequent in yaks (6.1%), while T. sinensis was host-specific to yaks with an infection rate of 27.6%. In addition, male animals were more likely to be infected by T. sinensis and female animals were more likely to be infected by T. ovis. And animals below 4000 m areas reported a higher infection rate with T. sinensis (26.1% vs. 2.9%, p < 0.001). Alongside these differences in prevalence, we found a significantly higher T. sinensis infection rate in separated-grazing livestock (22.2% vs. 3.7%, p < 0.001), while mixed-grazing ruminants had a higher T. ovis infection rate (50.0% vs. 39.0%, p = 0.014). Furthermore, sequence analysis revealed that the 18S rRNA sequences obtained in this study shared 86.9-100.0% identities with each other and they were clustered into T. sinensis or T. ovis. CONCLUSION To our knowledge, this is the first report of T. sinensis in Qinghai region. In addition, high prevalence of the generally sub-clinical T. ovis in sheep indicates extensive exposure to ticks and transmission of tick-borne pathogens with a significant economic impact. This study provides insights into the distribution and genetic diversity of Theileria in China.
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Tick Infestation and Piroplasm Infection in Barbarine and Queue Fine de l'Ouest Autochthonous Sheep Breeds in Tunisia, North Africa. Animals (Basel) 2021; 11:ani11030839. [PMID: 33809606 PMCID: PMC8001609 DOI: 10.3390/ani11030839] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2020] [Revised: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As ticks and tick-borne pathogens affect the productivity of livestock, searching for genetically resistant breeds to infestation by ticks may represent an alternative to the overuse of chemical drugs. The aim of this study was to assess if there is a difference in tick infestation among the main sheep breeds in Tunisia. The study was carried out between April 2018 and January 2020 in 17 small to middle-sized sheep flocks from 3 regions across Tunisia. Four hundred and thirty-nine ear-tagged ewes from Barbarine (n = 288, 65.6%) and Queue Fine de l'Ouest (QFO) (n = 151, 34.4%) breeds were examined and sampled each trimester. Ticks were identified to the species level, and piroplasms were detected using PCR that targets a common sequence ARNr18S to both Babesia and Theileria genera using catch-all primers. Totally, 707 adult ticks were collected from animals; 91.4% (646/707) of them were Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. Queue Fine de l'Ouest animals were markedly less infested by ticks, and no one of them was infected by piroplasms compared to the Barbarine breed. Indeed, during the first four seasons, 21 animals, all from the Barbarine breed, were detected positive for piroplasms. This is the first study in Tunisia about the low susceptibility of QFO ewes to infestation by ticks and to infection by piroplasms. The QFO sheep breed could be raised preferably at high-risk areas of tick occurrence and could be considered in concrete control strategies, including a breeding program.
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Gargano V, Blanda V, Gambino D, La Russa F, Di Cataldo S, Gentile A, Schirò G, Torina A, Millán J, Vicari D. Serological Survey and Molecular Characterization of Theileria annulata in Sicilian Cattle. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10020101. [PMID: 33494377 PMCID: PMC7910905 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10020101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Tropical theileriosis is a tick-borne disease caused by hemoprotozoan parasites with considerable veterinary and economic impact worldwide. Ticks transmitting the disease belong to the Haemaphysalis, Rhipicephalus, and Hyalomma genera. The Hyalomma genus is very common in Sicily (Italy) and represents the main Theileria annulata vector in the island. Data concerning the molecular epidemiology of this pathogen are missing in the region. In 2018-2019, blood and serum samples were collected from 480 cows in seven Sicilian farms from four different provinces. Seroprevalence in the farms ranged from 22% to 71%. Three farms were selected for molecular analysis consisting of real-time PCR targeting the almost complete 18S ribosomal RNA (rRNA). Four amplicons per farm were sequenced and phylogenetic analyses were carried out. The four sequences were identical within each farm and showed 92-99% identity with the other farms and with sequences from Genbank. According to the phylogenetic analysis, these three sequences and an additional one from a laboratory-cultured Theileria annulata strain obtained in 1999 belonged to a single T. annulata clade with good bootstrap support with other sequences from Italy, India, and Iran, indicating limited geographical and temporal genetic variability of the parasite. This study represents the first phylogenetic analysis of T. annulata in Sicily, which will be useful to improve the strategies for theileriosis control and prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valeria Gargano
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Valeria Blanda
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
- Correspondence: (V.B.); (D.G.)
| | - Delia Gambino
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
- Correspondence: (V.B.); (D.G.)
| | - Francesco La Russa
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Sophia Di Cataldo
- Programa de Doctorado en Medicina de la Conservación, Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile;
| | - Antonino Gentile
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Giorgia Schirò
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Alessandra Torina
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
| | - Javier Millán
- Instituto Agroalimentario de Aragón-IA2 (Universidad de Zaragoza-CITA), 50013 Zaragoza, Spain;
- Fundación ARAID, 50018 Zaragoza, Spain
- Facultad de Ciencias de la Vida, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Domenico Vicari
- Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale della Sicilia “A. Mirri”, Via Gino Marinuzzi n. 3, 90129 Palermo, Italy; (V.G.); (F.L.R.); (A.G.); (G.S.); (A.T.); (D.V.)
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Rouatbi M, Romdhane R, Bouaicha F, Saddem R, Sassi L, Dhibi M, Rekik M, Haile A, Mwacharo JM, Rischkowsky B, Darghouth MA, Gharbi M. Individual variability among autochthonous sheep in Northern Tunisia to infection by abomasum nematodes and Babesia/Theileria parasites. Vet Med Sci 2020; 6:834-845. [PMID: 32588559 PMCID: PMC7738738 DOI: 10.1002/vms3.310] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Revised: 05/15/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
In Tunisia, livestock plays an important role in the economy; unfortunately, Tunisian sheep population faces several health challenges. The aim of this trial was to study phenotypic variability of four local sheep breeds and strains to abomasum nematodes infection and to Babesia/Theileria parasites. Faeces, blood and abomasum contents were collected from 310 sheep slaughtered in eight commercial slaughterhouses across North Tunisia. Haematological and biochemical parameters were assessed. DNA was extracted and catch‐all primers were used to detect both Theileria spp. and Babesia spp. DNA. Faecal egg counts (FEC) was quantitatively assessed using simple flotation technique followed by McMaster technique. Male and female worms were collected from all abomasum contents and counted under a stereomicroscope. The percentage of faeces samples positive for GIN’s eggs was 30.82%. After worms’ recovery, the infection prevalence was estimated to 75.90%. The overall infection prevalence by Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. was 4.21%. The dispersion of observations plots obtained by principal component analysis (PCA) showed two clusters of individuals. The first cluster contains animals having positive Babesia/Theileria PCR, presence of nematodes in the abomasum contents and relatively low total worm count (TWC < 500) expect one animal which was found bearing high TWC (>500). In this same group, with a suspected form of resistance, animals showed normal values of albumin and normal haematological parameters (red blood cell count [RBC], haemoglobin [Hb] and packed cell volume [PCV]). The second cluster represents all the other observations in which subgroups of animals were distinguished on the basis of their potential resistance to abomasum nematodes. Multiple correlations showed significant positive correlations between RBC/Hb, RBC/PCV, PCV/Hb and FEC/TWC. Significant negative correlations were observed between TWC/RBC and TWC/Hb. It is concluded that the phenotypic variability among local sheep breeds is essential for more advanced genetic and genomic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariem Rouatbi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Université de la Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Rihab Romdhane
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Université de la Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Faten Bouaicha
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Université de la Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Rahma Saddem
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Université de la Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Limam Sassi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Université de la Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Mokhtar Dhibi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Université de la Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
| | - Mourad Rekik
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Amman, Jordan
| | - Aynalem Haile
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Joram M Mwacharo
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Barbara Rischkowsky
- International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | | | - Mohamed Gharbi
- Laboratoire de Parasitologie, Université de la Manouba, Sidi Thabet, Tunisia
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Ceylan O, Sevinc F. Endemic instability of ovine babesiosis in Turkey: A country-wide sero-epidemiological study. Vet Parasitol 2020; 278:109034. [PMID: 31991285 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2020.109034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2019] [Revised: 01/17/2020] [Accepted: 01/18/2020] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Ovine babesiosis is an endemic tick-borne disease of small ruminants in the Middle East, European, and some African and Asian countries, including Turkey. This study assessed whether the endemic status of this disease was stable or instable, which is important for disease control efforts. For this aim, 4115 sheep blood samples were collected from 81 cities in the seven geographical regions of Turkey. The diagnosis of Babesia ovis was made using microscopic and serological techniques. Thin blood smears were prepared from anticoagulated venous blood. Serum samples were screened for specific antibodies using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT). Recombinant Babesia ovis secreted antigen 1 (rBoSA1) was used in the ELISA. The antigen slides used in the IFAT were prepared from the B. ovis-infected blood at a high level of parasitemia (5 %). The animals were divided into three groups according to their age: group I (one to six months), group II (6-12 months), and group III (older than one year). The endemic status of B. ovis was determined according to the inoculation rate (h value) calculations. Babesia spp. merozoites were observed in 40 (0.97 %) of the slides. Seropositivity rates were 29.89 % (1230/4115) and 49.16 % (2023/4115) by the ELISA and IFAT, respectively. According to the IFAT results, 31.7 %, 33.6 %, and 52.8 % of the animals were seropositive in groups I, II, and III, respectively. The inoculation rates of the animals indicated that the endemic status of ovine babesiosis was mostly instable throughout the country. Endemic stability was found only in group I from four regions (Central Anatolia, Eastern Anatolia, Aegean, and Mediterranean). Based on these results, the risk of clinical infection due to tick infestation was high when the maternal immunity and non-specific age resistance weakens or disappears. Thus, vaccination is needed to protect sheep against B. ovis infections in Turkey.
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Affiliation(s)
- Onur Ceylan
- Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasiyology, Konya, Turkey.
| | - Ferda Sevinc
- Selcuk University, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of Parasiyology, Konya, Turkey
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Abdullah DA, Ali MS, Omer SG, Ola-Fadunsin SD, Ali FF, Gimba FI. Prevalence and climatic influence on hemoparasites of cattle and sheep in Mosul, Iraq. J Adv Vet Anim Res 2019; 6:492-498. [PMID: 31819877 PMCID: PMC6882721 DOI: 10.5455/javar.2019.f373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 09/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective: Hemoparasitism is a condition commonly found in animals and it exerts negatively on the health, production, reproduction, and performance of the affected animals. This study is aimed at determining the prevalence of different hemoparasites affecting cattle and sheep in Mosul, Iraq, and to deduce the effect of climatic factors on the occurrence of these hemoparasites. Materials and Methods: Blood samples from cattle and sheep that were submitted to the Parasitology Laboratory of the Veterinary Hospital of Ninavah between 2008 and 2018 were examined for the presence of blood parasites using the thin blood smear preparation. Data were analyzed using percentages (%), tabulations, and graphs. Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient was used to measure the strength of association between the occurrence of hemoparasites of cattle/sheep and each climatic variable. Results: Anaplasma spp. Babesia spp. and Theileria spp. were the hemoparasites detected among cattle and sheep in the study, with Theileria spp. been the most prevalent among cattle, while Anaplasma spp. was the most prevalent among sheep. There was no distinct pattern in the yearly and monthly prevalence of these hemoparasites among cattle and sheep. Rainfall and relative humidity negatively influenced the occurrence of hemoparasites infections, while temperature favored their occurrences. Conclusion: This study appears to be the first to evaluate the correlation between climatic variables and the prevalence of hemoparasites of cattle and sheep in Mosul, Iraq. Climatic variables influenced the abundance of hemoparasites of cattle and sheep in the study area. The outcome of this study will add to the existing knowledge on the effect of climatic factors on the occurrence of parasitic diseases of ruminants in Middle East.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Moeena Sadeq Ali
- Department of Animal production Techniques, Northern Technical University Mosul, Iraq
| | - Sanaa Gazei Omer
- Department of Animal production Techniques, Northern Technical University Mosul, Iraq
| | - Shola David Ola-Fadunsin
- Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine,University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
| | - Fawwaz Fadhil Ali
- Department of Animal production Techniques, Northern Technical University Mosul, Iraq
| | - Fufa Ido Gimba
- Avian Influenza Control Project, Animal Health Component Desk office, Taraba State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Jalingo, Nigeria
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Elati K, Hamdi D, Jdidi M, Rekik M, Gharbi M. Differences in tick infestation of Tunisian sheep breeds. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2018; 13:50-54. [PMID: 31014889 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2018.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2017] [Revised: 12/07/2017] [Accepted: 03/31/2018] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Different infestation patterns by ixodid ticks were studied in three sheep breeds in Tunisia: Barbarine, Queue Fine de l'Ouest and their cross-bred animals. During one year, 700 sheep were monitored and examined for tick infestation. A total of 722 ticks were collected from sheep ears. The most frequent tick species was by far Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (99%) and there were few specimens of Rhipicephalus bursa (1%) (p < 0.001). Overall infestation prevalence was estimated at 10.4%. The lowest infestation prevalence was in Barbarine sheep (7.3%), followed by Queue Fine de l'Ouest (16.7%) and the highest prevalence was in cross-bred sheep (19.1%) (p < 0.001). Mean overall infestation intensity was 1.6 ticks/sheep: lowest in Barbarine (1.4), followed by Queue Fine de l'Ouest (1.7) and cross-bred sheep (1.8). Similarly, abundance was lowest in Barbarine sheep (0.1), and was 0.3 in Queue Fine de l'Ouest and cross-bred animals. The results demonstrated a reduced infestation, possibly due to reduced attractiveness and/or increased resistance to tick infestation, of the Barbarine breed compared with the other two breeds. Further behavioural, genetic and molecular studies are needed to explain the mechanisms for the lower infestation indicators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khawla Elati
- 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.
| | - Dhia Hamdi
- 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
| | - Mohamed Jdidi
- 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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