Seroprevalence Assessment and Risk Factor Analysis of Toxoplasma gondii Infection in Goats from Northeastern Algeria.

T. gondii is the causal agent of toxoplasmosis, a worldwide zoonotic disease relevant in human and veterinary medicine. In Algeria, few reports focused on the presence and circulation of this parasite in the local goat population. The aim of the survey was to evaluate toxoplasmosis seroprevalence and associated risk factors. Sera from 460 goats reared on 72 farms in northeastern Algeria were collected and tested for IgG antibodies to T. gondii by an indirect ELISA. To identify risk factors, a linear regression analysis of the variables was performed. Anti-T. gondii antibodies were found in 94.44% (68/72; 95% CI: 73.34-119.73) of goat farms and in 53.26% (245/460; 95% CI: 46.80-60.36) at the individual level. The multivariable analysis showed that seasonal pasture (OR = 3.804; 95% CI: 3.321-4.358; p = 0.003), presence of water source in pasture area (OR = 4.844; 95% CI: 1.942-7.789; p = 0.0004), use of anthelminthics (OR = 2.640; 95% CI: 1.592-3.146; p = 0.036), number of cats, hygiene, proportion of abortions, number of abortions in the last year, year of sampling, region, and season were the variables significantly associated with T. gondii seropositivity. Abortions in goat herds seem to be related to T. gondii exposure, thus it is crucial to undertake measures and strategies to reduce, control, and prevent toxoplasmosis infection in goats, and thereby in humans, from Algeria.

Molecular characterization of Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato genotypes in dromedary camels from extreme Sahara of Algeria based on analysis of nad2 and nad5 genetic markers.

Cystic echinococcosis is parasitic disease caused by the metacestodes belonging to the Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato (s.l.) species complex. Cystic echinococcosis is of considerable economic and public health importance. It is endemic in both livestock and humans in North African countries, including Algeria. The present study aimed to characterize E. granulosus s.l. genotypes in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) from the extreme Sahara of Algeria, using recently developed mitochondrial genetic markers (NADH dehydrogenase subunit 2 and NADH dehydrogenase subunit 5) for reliable identification of different genotypes. A total of 75 Echinococcus cysts were collected from 49 dromedary camels, including 65 and 10 cysts from 45 and four camels originating from two slaughterhouses of Tindouf and Illizi provinces, respectively. E. granulosus sensu stricto (s.s.) G1 and G3 were identified in camels from both areas based on nad5 (649 bp) gene sequences, whereas E. granulosus s.l. G6 was identified in camels from Tindouf region based on concatenated nad5 and nad2 gene sequences (total 1336 bp). Identified samples clustered into 11 different haplotypes (ALG1-ALG11), including four haplotypes (ALG8-ALG11) for E. granulosus s.s. G1, one haplotype (ALG7) for E. granulosus s.s. G3, and six haplotypes (ALG1-ALG6) for E. granulosus s.l. G6. The present study provides valuable molecular data, including genotyping and haplotypic variability, on E. granulosus s.l. in dromedary camels from two regions in the extreme Sahara of Algeria. Future characterization of the G1, G3, and G6 samples based on sequencing of complete mitochondrial genomes would be of considerable significance for a more comprehensive understanding of molecular epidemiology of CE in Algeria.

First Epidemiological Report on the Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Cryptosporidium spp. in Farmed Marine and Wild Freshwater Fish in Central and Eastern of Algeria.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to estimate the prevalence and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in six different fish species both from marine and freshwater environments. METHODS: During a period of 2 years (2018-2020), a total of 415 fecal samples and 565 intestinal scrapings were collected in seven provinces from the central and eastern Algeria. From those, 860 fish belonged to six different species, two of which are cultured marine and four are wild freshwater fish. All samples were screened for Cryptosporidium spp. presence using molecular techniques. Nested PCR approach was performed to amplify partial sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) and 60-kDa glycoprotein (GP60) genes for Cryptosporidium genotyping and subtyping. Detailed statistical analysis was performed to assess the prevalence variation of Cryptosporidium infection according to different risk factors. RESULTS: Nested PCR analysis of SSU gene revealed 173 Cryptosporidium positive fish, giving an overall prevalence of 20.11% (17.5-23.0). Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 8.93% (42/470) of cultured marine fish and 33.58% (131/390) of wild freshwater fish. Overall, the prevalence was affected by all studied risk factors, except the gender. Molecular characterization and subtyping of Cryptosporidium isolates showed occurrence of IIaA16G2R1 and IIaA17G2R1 subtypes of C. parvum in the fish species Sparus aurata. CONCLUSION: The present study provides the first epidemiological data on the prevalence and associated risk factors of Cryptosporidium spp. in farmed marine and wild freshwater fish and the first molecular data on the occurrence of zoonotic C. parvum in fish from North Africa (Algeria).

First report on occurrence of zoonotic helminth Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina and Ancylostoma caninum in domestic dogs from province of Djelfa, Algeria.

A total of 85 faecal samples of domestic dogs were collected from six localities, including Birine, Sidi Ladjel, Dar Chioukh, Aïn Maâbed, Aïn El-Ibel and Djelfa city from province of Djelfa, Algeria. Samples were tested for presence of Toxocara canis, Toxascaris leonina and Ancylostoma caninum eggs by formol-ether concentration and flotation techniques. Microscopic examination revealed an infection rate of 9.4%, 15.3% and 1.15% for T. canis, T. leonina and A. caninum, respectively. Males were more frequently infected with T. leonina as compared to females, while, no difference was observed regarding T. canis and A. caninum. Prevalence of T. canis and T. leonina did not vary significantly with age ranges of dogs. In contrast, A. caninum seems to be more found in dogs aged of 6-12 months. Prevalence of the three species did not vary significantly in dogs without diarrhea and those with diarrhea. Through these preliminary findings, dogs from steppic region of Djelfa can play a potential role in the dissemination of these neglected zoonotic helminths, which may endanger health of peoples, particularly, pastoral community.