Molecular detection and MST genotyping of Coxiella burnetii in ruminants and stray dogs and cats in Northern Algeria

Aiming at identifying the reservoir and contamination sources of Coxiella burnetii in Northern Algeria, we investigated the molecular presence of the bacterium in 599 samples (blood, placenta, liver, spleen, and uterus) collected from cattle, sheep, dogs and cats. Our qPCR results showed that 15/344 (4.36%) blood samples and six/255 (2.35%) organ specimens were positive for C. burnetii. In cattle, three (4%) blood and liver samples were positive. In sheep, one blood (1.19%) and 3 (8.57%) placenta samples were positive. At the Algiers dog pound, 8 (10%) and 3 (5%) blood samples were qPCR positivein dogs and cats, respectively. In addition, MST genotyping showed that MST 33 was present in cattle and sheep, MST 20 in cattle,andMST 21 in dogs and cats.

Diversity of digeneans parasitizing Mullus barbatus and Mullus surmuletus (Teleostean, Mullidae) off the coast of Algerian

Mullus barbatus and Mullus surmuletus (Perciformes, Mullidae) are a common marine teleost of great commercial importance in many coastal areas. We studied the communities of Digenea species in two congeneric Mullidae hosts collected on the Algerian coast in the southern Mediterranean. Five hundred and seven M. barbatus and one hundred and twenty-three M. surmuletus were examined. During this work, we collected six species of parasitic Digenea which are related to five different families: Hemiuridae represented by Lecithocladium excisum, Fellodistomidae by Proctoeces maculatus and which is reported only from M. surmuletus, Derogenidae by Derogenes latus, Monorchiidae by Proctotrema bacilliovatum and finally Opecoelidae represented by two species Opecoeloides furcatus and Poracanthium furcatum. A critical systematic study revealed an apparent overlap in morphometric data of the six Digenean species from two host fishes. Therefore, the two mullet species are likely to share the same parasite community, and the stenoxenic specificity of Digenean parasites is briefly argued. Prevalence values showed that in the midst of six hundred and thirty Mullidae, one hundred and ninety-six are parasitized (31.11 %). Statistical tests showed that the most parasitized fish hosts are M. surmuletus with a high prevalence value (47.15 %), and on the other hand, they proved that small fish are more parasitized than others. Also, the lack of homogeneity between the different parasites is reported. We also note that the use of factorial correspondence analysis (FCA) allowed us, for the first time to highlight the distribution of the parasite species identified in the two mullets according to the seasons.

Equine piroplasmosis in northern Algeria: Haematological and serological parameters

Equine piroplasmosis is an acute, subacute or chronic tick-borne disease due to Babesia caballi and/or Theileria equi, affecting Equidae and causing economic losses to horse breeders and poor performances during tournaments. The objectives were fourfold: first to determine the seroprevalence of piroplasmosis in horses via cELISA, second to establish the haematological profile of piroplasmosis in horses of different Algerian areas through optical microscopy, third to identify the risk factors associated with the infection, and forth to try to elucidate any eventual correlation between piroplasmosis and anaemia. The study was carried out in different regions of northern Algeria. A total of 182 horses of both sexes were blood tested to estimate the prevalence of Theileria equi and Babesia caballi via competitive ELISA and to examine microscopically thin stained blood smears looking for haematological alterations using a standard cell counter. Parasites were detected in 42.9% of horses after microscopic examination of thin blood smears. The seroprevalence of equine piroplasmosis infection using competitive ELISA was 39% and 1,1% for Theileria equi and Babesia caballi respectively. Therefore, equine piroplasmosis is present in different regions of Algeria with a predominance of positivity in the central region (54,5%). Season (winter), region (central) and intended activity are the risk factors significantly associated with the prevalence of the disease. Anaemia was observed in 34,61% of individuals but there was no significant differences between positive and negative populations. Piroplasmosis is endemic in Algeria. Measures such as limiting horses’ mobility should be taken to reduce/prevent dissemination