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Djouaher T, Akhoundi M, Hamarsheh O, Sereno D, Chebbah D, Brahmi K, Chahed S, Brun S, Jan J, Izri A. First official report of bed bug (Hemiptera, Cimicidae) infestations in Algeria. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2024; 24:e00335. [PMID: 38235414 PMCID: PMC10792260 DOI: 10.1016/j.parepi.2023.e00335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Bed bugs are hematophagous insects with a long history of presence in human communities. Over the last three decades, infestations by bed bugs in human dwellings have drastically increased, leading to a rise in bed bug concerns. Nevertheless, very little is known about the bed bug species and their population diversity in Algeria. Method A pilot entomological inventory was performed in May 2019 in Tizi Ouzou, in northern Algeria. The gathered bed bug specimens were identified by morphological and molecular approaches, followed by neighbor-joining and network phylogenetic analyses. Results A total of seven out of 12 requested locations were allowed to inspect for bed bug infestation. Of these, three locations were found with active bed bug infestations. A total of 145 specimens belonging to different life stages [egg (21), nymph (74), adult male (17), and female (33)] were collected and analyzed using morphological and molecular approaches. The adult specimens were identified as Cimex lectularius according to specific morphological criteria, most importantly the pronotum laterally expanded with more flattened extreme margins. Morphological identification of the adults was confirmed further by conventional PCR targeting 450 bp fragment of the COI gene. All the nymphs and eggs were also molecularly identified as C. lectularius. Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic tree reconstructed with the collected specimens provides clues on the presence of two closely phylogenetic groups. The first one gathers our samples of Algeria with previously reported COI haplotype sequences from Asian, European, and North American countries. The second group encompasses a lesser-documented haplotype reported in Europe and Central America. These findings were further confirmed by network analysis. Conclusions These results provide evidence of established C. lectularius infestation in Algeria and its potential dispersal capacity by travelers or immigrants and will help future management of these ectoparasites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thinhinane Djouaher
- Faculté des Sciences biologiques et des Sciences agronomiques, Département de biologie, Université Mouloud Mammeri, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria
| | - Mohammad Akhoundi
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Bobigny, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, France
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Université-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France
| | - Omar Hamarsheh
- Department of Biological Sciences, Al-Quds University, Jerusalem 51000, Palestine
| | - Denis Sereno
- Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement, Montpellier University, MIVEGEC, Montpellier, France
- Institut de Recherche Pour le Développement, Montpellier University, InterTryp, Infectilogy, Entomology and One Health Research Group Montpellier, France
| | - Dahlia Chebbah
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Bobigny, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, France
| | - Karima Brahmi
- Faculté des Sciences biologiques et des Sciences agronomiques, Département de biologie, Université Mouloud Mammeri, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria
| | - Soumeya Chahed
- Faculté des Sciences biologiques et des Sciences agronomiques, Département de biologie, Université Mouloud Mammeri, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria
| | - Sophie Brun
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Bobigny, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, France
| | - Julie Jan
- Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS) Île-de-France, 35, Rue de la Gare, CEDEX 19, 75935 Paris, France
| | - Arezki Izri
- Parasitology-Mycology Department, Avicenne Hospital, AP-HP, Bobigny, Sorbonne Paris Nord University, France
- Unité des Virus Émergents (UVE: Aix-Marseille Université-IRD 190-Inserm 1207-IHU Méditerranée Infection), Marseille, France
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Benallal KE, Mezai G, Mefissel M, Klari N, Lardjane C, Khardine AF, Kherachi I, Dib Y, Brahmi K, Sadlova J, Volf P, Harrat Z. Host competence of Algerian Gerbillus amoenus for Leishmania major. Int J Parasitol Parasites Wildl 2023; 21:69-73. [PMID: 37144140 PMCID: PMC10151220 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijppaw.2023.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most important neglected disease reported in North Africa, Algeria ranks second in the world with more than 5000 cases per year. In Algeria, two rodent species Psammomys obesus and Meriones shawi, are so far known as proven reservoirs of Leishmania major, however, they are absent in several endemic localities. In this study, we experimentally infected Gerbillus rodents trapped around human dwellings in Illizi, Algeria to assess their susceptibility to L. major. Seven gerbils, morphologically and molecularly identified as Gerbillus amoenus, were intradermally inoculated with 104 parasites derived from culture, monitored for six months and their infectiousness for sand flies was tested by xenodiagnosis. The study revealed that G. amoenus was susceptible to L. major and was able to maintain and transmit the parasites to sand flies tested six months after infection, suggesting the role of this gerbil as a potential reservoir for L. major.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamal Eddine Benallal
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Genetic of Populations, Institut Pasteur of Algiers, Algeria
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
- Corresponding author. Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Genetic of Populations, Institut Pasteur of Algiers, Algeria.
| | - Ghania Mezai
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Genetic of Populations, Institut Pasteur of Algiers, Algeria
| | | | - Nadia Klari
- Mouloud Maameri University, Department of Biology, Ecology and Biology of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Laboratory, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
| | - Cylia Lardjane
- Mouloud Maameri University, Department of Biology, Ecology and Biology of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Laboratory, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
| | - Ahmed-Fayez Khardine
- Laboratory Emergent and Reemergent Viruses, Institut Pasteur of Algiers, Algeria
| | - Ihcen Kherachi
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Genetic of Populations, Institut Pasteur of Algiers, Algeria
| | - Yacine Dib
- Public Establishment of Nearby Health of Illizi, Ibn-Sina, Algeria
| | - Karima Brahmi
- Mouloud Maameri University, Department of Biology, Ecology and Biology of the Terrestrial Ecosystem Laboratory, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
| | - Jovana Sadlova
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Petr Volf
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Science, Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zoubir Harrat
- Laboratory of Parasitic Eco-Epidemiology and Genetic of Populations, Institut Pasteur of Algiers, Algeria
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Berri T, Brahmi K, Seddiki MMSE. Open new simplified totally extraperitoneal (ONSTEP) versus Lichtenstein repair for primary inguinal hernias. Ann R Coll Surg Engl 2021; 103:569-575. [PMID: 34464575 PMCID: PMC9774018 DOI: 10.1308/rcsann.2020.7105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Chronic postsurgical pain (CPP) remains the main complication after Lichtenstein hernioplasty. The open new simplified totally extraperitoneal (ONSTEP) technique is a more recent transinguinal procedure that seems to be associated with less CPP. The aim of this study was to compare outcomes of the ONSTEP versus the Lichtenstein procedure for primary inguinal hernia. METHODS In this prospective, double-blinded and single-centre clinical trial, CPP at the six-month follow up assessed by a visual analogue scale was the primary endpoint. Secondary endpoints were operative time, perioperative complications, length of hospital stay, early pain, time to return to daily activities and to work, pain-related sexual dysfunction, aesthetic satisfaction and recurrence. RESULTS A total of 100 men were allocated to undergo either the Lichtenstein (n=50) or the ONSTEP (n=50) hernioplasty. The incidence of CPP was nonsignificantly lower in the ONSTEP group compared with the Lichtenstein group (28% vs 42%; p=0.142). However, the ONSTEP procedure required less operative time (42 vs 62min; p<0.001). Patients from the ONSTEP group resumed their daily activities earlier (5.94±3.9 days vs 8.56±5.14 days; p=0.009), had fewer postsurgical complications (5 vs 19; p=0.001) and expressed better satisfaction with the cosmetic result (p=0.041). No recurrence was observed after six months of follow up. CONCLUSION CPP was similar, but the ONSTEP technique was associated with shorter operating time, earlier return to normal daily activities, fewer postsurgical complications and better cosmetic results.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - K Brahmi
- University Hospital Center of Oran, Algeria
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Boutellis A, Bellabidi M, Benaissa MH, Harrat Z, Brahmi K, Drali R, Kernif T. New Haplotypes of Trypanosoma evansi Identified in Dromedary Camels from Algeria. Acta Parasitol 2021; 66:294-302. [PMID: 33389544 DOI: 10.1007/s11686-020-00316-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 11/13/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Surra is a zoonotic disease caused by Trypanosoma evansi (Trypanozoon), a salivary trypanosome native to Africa which affects a wide range of mammals worldwide and causes mortality and significant economic loss. The present study was devoted to the molecular characterization of T. evansi derived from naturally infected dromedary camels in Algeria. METHODS A total of 148 blood samples were collected from mixed age camels living in one of four geographic regions (Ouargla, El Oued, Biskra and Ghardaia) of Algeria. Samples underwent PCR amplification and sequencing of the internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) complete sequence. RESULTS DNA of Trypanosoma spp. was found in 19 camels (12.84%). Trypanosoma spp. molecular positivity was not affected by sex (p = 0.50), age (p = 0.08), or geographic location (p = 0.12). Based on multiple sequence alignment of the obtained DNA sequences with representative T. evansi ITS1 sequences available globally, the Algerian sequences were grouped within four different haplotypes including two which were original. CONCLUSION Results of this study provide preliminary data on which future studies of genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology of T. evansi can be based.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amina Boutellis
- Laboratoire de Biodiversité Et Environnement: Interaction, Génomes, Faculté Des Sciences Biologiques, Université Des Sciences Et de La Technologie Houari Boumediene Bab Ezzouar, 16111, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Meriem Bellabidi
- Faculté Des Sciences de La Nature Et de La Vie, Laboratoire Des Bio Ressources Sahariennes, Université Kasdi Merbah Ouargla, 30000, Ouargla, Algeria
- Laboratoire D'Eco-Épidémiologie Parasitaire Et Génétique Des Populations, Institut Pasteur D'Algérie, 01 Rue du Petit Staouéli Dely-Brahim, 16302, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Mohammed Hocine Benaissa
- Centre de Recherche Scientifique Et Technique Sur Les Régions Arides (CRSTRA), 30002, Touggourt, Algeria
| | - Zoubir Harrat
- Laboratoire D'Eco-Épidémiologie Parasitaire Et Génétique Des Populations, Institut Pasteur D'Algérie, 01 Rue du Petit Staouéli Dely-Brahim, 16302, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Karima Brahmi
- Faculté Des Sciences Biologiques Et Des Sciences Agronomiques, Département de Biologie, Université Mouloud Mammeri, 15000, Tizi Ouzou, Algeria
| | - Rezak Drali
- Plateforme Génomique, Bioinformatique, Institut Pasteur D'Algérie, 16302, Algiers, Algeria
| | - Tahar Kernif
- Laboratoire D'Eco-Épidémiologie Parasitaire Et Génétique Des Populations, Institut Pasteur D'Algérie, 01 Rue du Petit Staouéli Dely-Brahim, 16302, Algiers, Algeria.
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Bellabidi M, Benaissa MH, Bissati-Bouafia S, Harrat Z, Brahmi K, Kernif T. Coxiella burnetii in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Algeria: Seroprevalence, molecular characterization, and ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) vectors. Acta Trop 2020; 206:105443. [PMID: 32173315 DOI: 10.1016/j.actatropica.2020.105443] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2019] [Revised: 03/11/2020] [Accepted: 03/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Q fever is a widespread zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii that most commonly infects not only a variety of mammals but also arthropods and in particularly ticks. The aim of this study was to detect C. burnetii infection in camels including ixodid ticks using serological and molecular assays. Between July 2018 to June 2019, blood samples from 184 male and female camels (Camelus dromedarius) were collected from 3 regions of South-East Algeria and serum samples were tested for antibodies against Coxiella burnetii using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit. The positive sera and a total of 60 ticks were tested by quantitative PCR (qPCR) for detection of C. burnetii with primers and probes specific to the transposon-like repetitive region (IS1111 gene). Positive samples were genotyped by amplification and sequencing of partial sequences based on the IS1111 gene. The seroprevalence of antibodies against C. burnetii was 75.5%. Statistical analysis pointed out three potential risk factors associated with Q fever infection: geographic location, age class and season. No positive DNA of camel blood sample was observed. However, five Hyalomma dromedarii, one H. impeltatum and one H. excavatum tick species were detected positive for Coxiella burnetii DNA by qPCR, with an overall prevalence rate of 11.66% (7/60). The revealed Algerian strains by phylogenetic and comparative analysis of the IS1111 nucleotide sequences were clustered with several pathogenic C. burnetii strains isolated from ticks, human, and cattle located in Tunisia, Greece and in some Mediterranean countries, respectively. The study results clearly indicate that camels and their ticks in Algeria may play an important role as a reservoir for C. burnetii and can be considered as a significant source of Q fever transmission to other animal species and humans.
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Khechekhouche E, Brahmi K, Kerboub A, Slimani S, Bissati S, Doumandji S, Aulagnier S. Variations saisonnières du régime alimentaire du Fennec, Vulpes zerda (Canidae, Carnivora), en Algérie. revec 2018. [DOI: 10.3406/revec.2018.1918] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
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Brahmi K, Khechekhouche EA, Mostefaoui O, Doumandji S, Baziz B, Aulagnier S. First quantitative data on the diet of the fennec fox,Vulpes zerda(Canidae, Carnivora), in Algeria. Folia Zoologica 2012. [DOI: 10.25225/fozo.v61.i1.a10.2012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karima Brahmi
- Institut National de Formation Supérieure d'Agronomie Saharienne, Ouargla, Algeria
| | | | - Otman Mostefaoui
- Institut National de Formation Supérieure d'Agronomie Saharienne, Ouargla, Algeria
| | - Salaheddine Doumandji
- Département de Zoologie agricole et forestière, Institut National Agronomique d'El Harrach, Alger, Algeria
| | - Belkacem Baziz
- Département de Zoologie agricole et forestière, Institut National Agronomique d'El Harrach, Alger, Algeria
| | - Stéphane Aulagnier
- Comportement et Ecologie de la Faune Sauvage, Institut National de la Recherche Agronomique, B.P. 52627, 31326 Castanet Tolosan cedex, France
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Brahmi K, Khechekhouche EA, Mostefaoui O, Bebba K, Hadjoudj M, Doumandji S, Baziz B, Aulagnier S. Extralimital presence of small mammals in north-eastern Algerian Sahara. MAMMALIA 2010. [DOI: 10.1515/mamm.2010.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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