Evidence of natural infections with Trypanosoma, Anaplasma and Babesia spp. in military livestock from Tunisia.

Livestock constitute habitual hosts and carriers for several infectious pathogens which may represent a serious public health concern affecting the readiness of military forces and lead to wide economic losses. The present report aimed to investigate the prevalence of some haemopathogens infecting military livestock, particularly, dromedaries, sheep and horses using Giemsa-stained blood smears. A total of 300 animals (100 from each species) were selected, clinically examined and sampled. Trypanosoma spp. (22.0%), Anaplasma spp. (17.0%) and Babesia spp. (1.0%) were identified in camels' blood. Six dromedaries were found to be co-infected by Trypanosoma and Anaplasma organisms (6.0%). Camels of female gender, infested by ticks and showing clinical signs were statistically more infected by Trypanosoma spp., compared to those of male gender, free of ticks and apparently healthy (P= 0.027, 0.000 and 0.004, respectively). Babesia spp. infection (1.0%) was identified, for the first time in Tunisia, in one adult female camel that presented abortion and anemia. Anaplasma spp. was the only haemopathogen identified in examined sheep (6.0%) and horses (17.0%). Horses infested by Hippobosca equina flies and sheep infested by Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks were more infected by Anaplasma spp. than other non-infested animals (P=0.046 and 0.042, respectively). Hyalomma dromedarii, H. impeltatum and H. excavatum were the most prevalent diagnosed ticks removed from camels with an intensity of infestation of 1.2 ticks per animal. However, in sheep, only R. turanicus was identified. H. equina and Tabanus spp. were the potential hematophagous flies found in dromedaries and horses herds. This useful data must be taken into consideration during animal treatment and vectors' control programs in Tunisian military farms which help to limit the diffusion of vector-borne diseases, keep our livestock healthy and reduce economic losses.

Evidence of natural infections with Trypanosoma, Anaplasma and Babesia spp. in military livestock from Tunisia

@#Livestock constitute habitual hosts and carriers for several infectious pathogens which may represent a serious public health concern affecting the readiness of military forces and lead to wide economic losses. The present report aimed to investigate the prevalence of some haemopathogens infecting military livestock, particularly, dromedaries, sheep and horses using Giemsa-stained blood smears. A total of 300 animals (100 from each species) were selected, clinically examined and sampled. Trypanosoma spp. (22.0%), Anaplasma spp. (17.0%) and Babesia spp. (1.0%) were identified in camels’ blood. Six dromedaries were found to be co-infected by Trypanosoma and Anaplasma organisms (6.0%). Camels of female gender, infested by ticks and showing clinical signs were statistically more infected by Trypanosoma spp., compared to those of male gender, free of ticks and apparently healthy (P= 0.027, 0.000 and 0.004, respectively). Babesia spp. infection (1.0%) was identified, for the first time in Tunisia, in one adult female camel that presented abortion and anemia. Anaplasma spp. was the only haemopathogen identified in examined sheep (6.0%) and horses (17.0%). Horses infested by Hippobosca equina flies and sheep infested by Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks were more infected by Anaplasma spp. than other non-infested animals (P=0.046 and 0.042, respectively). Hyalomma dromedarii, H. impeltatum and H. excavatum were the most prevalent diagnosed ticks removed from camels with an intensity of infestation of 1.2 ticks per animal. However, in sheep, only R. turanicus was identified. H. equina and Tabanus spp. were the potential hematophagous flies found in dromedaries and horses herds. This useful data must be taken into consideration during animal treatment and vectors’ control programs in Tunisian military farms which help to limit the diffusion of vector-borne diseases, keep our livestock healthy and reduce economic losses.

Cystic echinococcosis in slaughtered domestic ruminants from Tunisia.

A total of 10,818 domestic ruminants (3913 cattle, 2722 sheep, 3779 goats, 404 dromedaries) slaughtered in various abattoirs in Tunisia between 2003 and 2010 were examined for the presence of Echinococcus granulosus hydatid cysts. The prevalence of cystic echinococcosis (CE) was 16.42% in sheep, 8.56% in cattle, 5.94% in dromedaries and 2.88% in goats. CE prevalence increased with age according to an asymptotic model and there was evidence of variation in infection pressure depending on the region of Tunisia where the animals were slaughtered. Cattle appeared to have the highest infection pressure of the species examined. The mean intensity of hepatic cysts was higher than that of pulmonary cysts in all species. The highest mean intensity of infection with E. granulosus larvae was observed in cattle (18.14) followed by sheep (9.58), goats (2.31) and dromedaries (2.12). The abundance of infection increased in a linear fashion with age in all animal species. Cyst abundance varied with species of animal and district of Tunisia. Cysts from dromedaries were more fertile (44.44%) than those from sheep (30.25%), goats (30.32%) and cattle (0.95%). The viability of the protoscoleces from fertile cysts from cattle (78.45%) was higher than those from sheep (70.71%) and camels (69.57%). The lowest protoscolex viability was recorded for hydatid cysts from goats (20.21%). This epidemiological study confirms the importance of CE in all domestic ruminant species, particularly in sheep, throughout Tunisia and emphasizes the need to interrupt parasite transmission by preventive integrated approaches in a CE control programme.

Osteite frontale post-sinusitique : etude retrospective a propos de 31 cas

Objectif : L'osteite frontale post-sinusitique est definie par l'extension de l'infection du sinus frontal aux structures osseuses adjacentes. Elle constitue une urgence diagnostique et therapeutique. Le but de ce travail est d'analyser les particularites epidemiologiques; cliniques et paracliniques; et de passer en revue les differentes attitudes therapeutiques devant cette pathologie. Materiel et methodes : Il s'agit d'une etude retrospective portant sur 31 patients diagnostiques et traites entre 1996 et 2010. Tous les patients ont beneficie d'un examen ORL et neurologique complet; d'un bilan biologique et d'une tomodensitometrie du massif facial et cerebrale. L'antibiotherapie a ete administree par voie intraveineuse. Le drainage chirurgical du sinus frontal se faisait soit par trepanation; soit par confection d'un volet frontal; soit par mise en place d'unclou de Lemoyne. Le drainage par voie endonasale comportait une meatotomie moyenne avec ethmoidectomie anterieure. La cranialisation du sinus frontal se faisait par voie coronale. L'evolution a ete evaluee sur des criteres cliniques; biologiques et radiologiques. Resultats : L'age moyen etait de 24;4 ans (8-62 ans) et le sex-ratio etait de 4;16. Les cephalees frontales (10 cas) et les signes d'hypertension intracranienne (8 cas) etaient les signes fonctionnels les plus frequents. Une tumefaction frontale etait notee chez 9 patients; associee dans 5 cas a une tumefaction orbitaire au niveau de l'angle interne de l'oeil. Les signes rhinologiques etaient domines par la rhinorrhee purulente (9 cas) et l'obstruction nasale (5 cas). L'endoscopie nasale trouvait du pus au niveau du meat moyen dans 12 cas. La TDM a revele un aspect typique d'osteite frontale sous forme d'un foyer d'osteolyse. Un abces sous-perioste etait associe chez 7 patients. Une extension intracranienne a ete notee dans 15 cas et orbitaire dans 7 cas. L'examen bacteriologique a mis en evidence un germe dans 8 cas. Les germes les plus frequents etaient le streptocoque et le staphylocoque aureus (3 cas pour chacun). Le traitement antibiotique a ete instaure d'emblee chez tous les patients. Pour le traitement chirurgical initial; 9 patients ont beneficie d'un drainage frontal et 2 autres d'un drainage orbitaire. Par ailleurs; 4 patients ont eu un drainage d'abces sous perioste seul. Celui-ci a ete associe a une cranialisation d'emblee dans un autre cas. Pour les patients ayant des complications endocraniennes; un drainage d'empyeme a ete realise dans 14 cas; associe chez 6 d'entre eux a une cranialisation d'emblee. Un drainage d'abces cerebral a ete pratique chez un autre patient. L'evolution clinique et radiologique a ete favorable chez 24 patients (77;4). Les sept autres patients ont necessite une reprise chirurgicale devant la persistance ou l'aggravation de la symptomatologie clinique. L'evolution ulterieure a ete favorable. Conclusion : L'osteite frontale post-sinusitique est une affection rare et grave. Son diagnostic; qui repose sur la clinique et l'imagerie; doit etre precoce. Un traitement adequat doit etre instaure afin de prevenir des complications qui peuvent mettre en jeu le pronostic vital