Seroprevalence and risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infection among goats in Algeria.

Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common zoonotic parasitic diseases worldwide and is caused by Toxoplasma gondii. It is implicated in reproductive disorders in small ruminants. This study aims to determine, for the first time in Algeria, the seroprevalence and associated factors of T. gondii infection in goats. The study was conducted in four regions, Ghardaia, Laghouat and Djelfa, southern Algeria, and Jijel region, northern Algeria. A total of 92 blood samples were collected including 74 females and 18 males. All sera were tested using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect the T. gondii antibodies. The presence of anti-T. gondii antibodies was detected in 35 out of 92 goats (38.04%) (95% CI: 31.64%-44.44%) and in all flocks (100%). Risk factors that have a significant influence on the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection are breed, regions, production system, presence of cats, clinics and abortion history. However, variables such as age and gender were note significantly associated with toxoplasma infection in goats. The highest seroprevalences of infection was observed in saanen (52.94%) (p<0.001) and cross-breed race (44%) (p<0.01) in comparison with other breeds. Regarding regions, Jijel and Laghouat were most infected with seroprevalences of 50% (p<0.001) and 40.91% (p<0.01), respectively. Animals in intensive production systems were most infected, showing a seroprevalence of 51.85%, in comparison with extensive (28.13%) and semi-intensive systems (36.36%) (p<0.001). The presence of cats in farms was significantly associated with high seroprevalence (44.64%) (p<0.001). The infection was more prevalent in previously aborted females (50%) than females that had never aborted (3.35%) (p<0.001)and animals that have diarrhoea or poor health (41.67%) were significantly more infected than healthy animals (37.50%) (p<0.01). Seroprevalence in males (38.89%) was very close to those in females (37.84%) (p>0.05). Age-related seroprevalence did not vary significantly (ranged from 36.37% to 40%) between the three age classes. These results indicate that goat toxoplasmosis is widespread in Algeria, and goats may represent a high risk of contamination for humans. This requires more attention during consumption of goat meat.

Brucellosis in hospitalized patients and their animals in the agro-pastoral region of Theniet El Had (Algeria) during ten years (2013-2023).

Introduction: Brucellosis is an important zoonosis problem worldwide. It's also recognized as a clinical and health problem in Algeria. Methods: This research is a descriptive study to determine the prevalence of brucellosis and some clinical and epidemiological aspects of hospitalized patients in the agro-pastoral region of Theniet El Had for ten years, between March 2013 and March 2023. During the study period, 180 patients (61.66% men and 38.33% women) with confirmed brucellosis based on clinical symptoms and serological tests were hospitalized for treatment. Patients working with animals were requested to screen their animals (383 goats from 27 suspicious farms with no history of vaccination), 16, 71% of goats from 44%, and 44% herds were infected. Results: The occurrence of human cases varied from 49.18 to 66.02pcm (cases/100,000 inhabitants) with an average of 58, 48pcm (cases/100,000 inhabitants). Almost half of hospitalized people who had been in contact with animals could have been contaminated by direct contact. Consumption of unpasteurized dairy products during the last 2 months was at the order of 95.55%. A family history of Brucellosis was observed in 36 (20%) patients. Brucella epididymo-orchitis occurred in 18.01% while relapse occurred in a small proportion of 7.22%. Conclusions: Local authorities should prevent human brucellosis with surveillance systems, disease declarations, biosecurity programs, and warning communities about the hazards of consumption of unpasteurized milk and dairy products.

Assessment of Monkeypox (MPOX) Knowledge and Vaccination Intention among Health and Life Sciences Students in Algeria: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Monkeypox (MPOX) is a viral zoonotic disease affecting endemically the Central and Western regions of Africa. The ongoing outbreak in non-endemic countries has made this disease a global concern. While no cases have been reported in Algeria, it is important to raise awareness about the disease to prepare for a potential outbreak, especially in light of the cases reported in neighboring Middle East and North African (MENA) countries. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge and attitude of Algerian Health and Life Sciences students toward MPOX and its vaccine through an anonymous online survey. A total of 196 students participated in this study. Students of medicine (64.3%), females (85.7%), and those under 20 years of age (55.1%) were the most represented. The results revealed a low level of knowledge represented by a score of only 42.8% for correct answers with multiple gaps in epidemiology, etiology, and clinical manifestations of MPOX. Students of veterinary sciences showed the highest levels of knowledge (OR: 6.71; CI95%: 1.23-36.77), while those aged between 20 and 30 years old (OR: 0.11; CI95%: 0.02-0.79) and those vaccinated against seasonal flu (OR: 0.42; CI95%: 0.21-0.85) were associated with low levels of knowledge. Regarding MPOX vaccination, the study found a moderate level of acceptance (48.5%) among the surveyed students with Natural and Life Sciences students and those having a high vaccine conspiracy belief score (VCBS) showing the lowest level of acceptance. These findings highlight the need for educational programs and intensified public awareness campaigns to improve knowledge about MPOX and emphasize the importance of vaccination in preventing outbreaks and overcoming vaccine reluctance.

Prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among animals in Algeria: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Toxoplasma gondii is a zoonotic parasite that can infect all warm-blooded animals. It is responsible for considerable economic losses in some regions and farming systems. This review aims to synthesize current findings on the prevalence and risk factors associated with T. gondii infection in animal species in Algeria. It was performed according to the recommendations of the PRISMA guideline. A total of 14 papers from 1955 to 2020 were eligible to be included in this systematic review and meta-analysis study including a number of 10,187 animals of which 2594 were positive cases (25.46 %) (24.62-26.31 %, 95 %CI). Prevalence of Toxoplasma-infection was 20.04 % in cattle, 22.57 % in sheep, 33.61 % in goats, 28.17 % in horses, 30 % in donkeys, 70.31 % in stray cats, 14.57 % in local rabbits, 30.47 % in dogs and 50.70 % in poultry farms. Adult animals and females were most infected. The highest prevalences were reported in stray cats and poultry. Rabbits were the least infected. This analysis showed a trend of increasing infection since 2015 (R² = 0.129, p > 0.05) which requires further studies to provide better prevention strategies.

First report on Cryptosporidium parvum, Escherichia coli K99, rotavirus and coronavirus in neonatal lambs from north-center region, Algeria.

The etiology of neonatal diarrhea is multifactorial and remains one of the greatest health problems in sheep livestock farming. Faecal samples from 559 neonatal lambs aged less than 30 days from 30 sheepfolds located in the north-center region of Algeria were screened with pathogen-specific antigen ELISA for Cryptosporidium parvum, Escherichia coli K99, rotavirus, and coronavirus. Of the 559 lambs, 312 (58.81 %), 155 (27.72 %), 72 (12.88 %) and 20 (3.57 %) were positives for C. parvum, E. coli K99, rotavirus and coronavirus antigens, respectively. The prevalence of C. parvum was the highest (p < 0.0001). C. parvum, E. coli K99, rotavirus and coronavirus were observed in 23 (76.66 %), 17 (56.66 %), 9 (30 %) and 3 (10 %) sheepfolds, respectively. Compared to age, the prevalence of C. parvum was highest during the second and third week of age (p < 0.001). In contrast, other pathogens were found to be more frequent in lambs aged ≤7 days (p < 0.001). The number of lambs with diarrhea was 280 (50.09 %) of which 280 (100 %), 127 (45.35 %), 52 (18.57 %) and 10 (3.57 %) were found to be infected with C. parvum, E. coli K99, rotavirus and coronavirus, respectively (p < 0.0001). In various combinations, mixed infections were detected only with C. parvum. This is the first report of C. parvum, E. coli K99, rotavirus, and coronavirus in ≤30-days old neonatal lambs in Algeria. Special attention should be given to the first colostrum feeding, hygiene of the farm, prevention and control measures for a better prevention of neonatal diarrhea in lambs.

Investigation of internal and external parasites of the camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Algeria.

Parasitic diseases are one of the dominant pathological entities with significant consequences on camel productivity. This survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of camel infection with internal and external parasites in two regions in southern Algeria, between January and December 2015. The investigation of external parasites was carried out in Oued Souf and concerned 406 camels. For internal parasites, two studies were conducted; the first was realized at the slaughterhouse in the Ouargla and concerned 273 camels and the second study was realized in Oued Souf region which aimed to search for digestive parasites; therefore, 64 samples of camel faeces were taken. The results showed that 232/406 (57.14%), 114/406 (28%) and 67/406 (16.5%) camels were infested with ticks, scabies and ringworms, respectively. Camels were significantly more infested with ticks than scabies and ringworms (p<0.001). The identification of ticks revealed Hyalomma dromedarii (83.98%), Hyalomma impeltatum (10.58%), Amblyomma variegatum (5.12%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (0.32%). Camels were more infested with H. dromedarii (p<0.001). For internal parasites, 22/64 (34.37%) camels were found infected with digestive strongyles of which 8/64 (12.5%) were infected with Nematodirus sp. At the Ouargla slaughterhouse, 23/273 (8.42%) camels were revealed infected with hydatid cyst. Camels appear to be highly parasitized in Algeria and its cohabitation with other animal species increases the risk of its contamination. Therefore, it is important to take into consideration the parasitism of the camel in Algeria and appropriate control measures are recommended in order to improve camel productivity.

Molecular detection of avian spirochete Borrelia anserina in Argas persicus ticks in Algeria.

Argasid ticks are one of the most important poultry ectoparasites. They affect poultry directly through blood meal and indirectly through the transmission of pathogens essentially Borrelia anserina, agent of avian borreliosis, one of the most widespread poultry diseases in the world, and is of great economic importance. This study was conducted between April 2014 and March 2015 in the region of Ksar El Boukhari, Algeria, in order to investigate the presence of soft ticks in laying hen farms and to detect B. anserina bacteria using molecular tools. DNA was extracted and screened for the presence of Borrelia spp. DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Borrelia spp. screening was performed using primers and probe targeting the 16S rRNA gene. A total of 83 traditional laying hen farms were visited, of which 39 (46.98 %) were found infested with A. persicus tick. Molecular analysis revealed that 2/34 (5.88 %) of ticks were infected by B. anserina. None of the ticks tested were positive for Rickettsia spp., and Coxiella burnetii. These results constitute the first report in Algeria of A. persicus harboring B. anserina.

Detection and genotyping of Chlamydia species responsible for reproductive disorders in Algerian small ruminants.

Chlamydiosis in small ruminants is a zoonotic disease mainly related to Chlamydia abortus. This bacterium is responsible for abortions and reproductive disorders in sheep and goats. Stillbirth and infertility, leading to important economic losses, are also associated with this pathology. In Algeria, abortion cases are frequently reported by veterinarians but, except for brucellosis which is a notifiable disease in this country, abortive diseases are in general poorly studied. In order to detect and genotype Chlamydia species in small ruminants in different areas of Algeria, a study was conducted on samples collected from females (164 blood samples and 199 vaginal swabs) between October 2011 and March 2013. Serum samples were tested with a C. abortus-specific indirect ELISA test. Fourteen samples (8.5 %), from six farms (6/20, 30 %) were tested positive. Vaginal swabs were analysed with a real-time PCR targeting all Chlamydiaceae spp. Thirty samples (15 %) were diagnosed positive in 16 farms (16/25, 64 %). Positive samples were all re-tested with a C. abortus- and a C. pecorum-specific real-time PCR. Finally, 13/30 (43.3 %) and 6/30 (20 %) were identified as C. abortus and C. pecorum, respectively. Enough concentrated C. abortus samples were genotyped by multi-loci variable number of tandem repeat (VNTR) analysis (MLVA), and all were related to the genotype [2] group which mainly includes French C. abortus isolates. C. pecorum-positive samples were genotyped by multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). Interestingly, two of them were successfully genotyped and showed identical MLST sequences to VB2, AB10, E58 and SBE, a group which includes C. pecorum isolates considered as highly pathogenic. These findings suggest a possible role of C. abortus and C. pecorum strains in the aetiology of abortion in Algerian small ruminants.