Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies in sheep from Libya

Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide contagious disease of humans and other warm-blooded animals including birds caused by coccidian parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This survey was carried out to show the prevalence of antibodies of T. gondiiin sheep by latex agglutination test (LAT) in different geographical areas in Libya (western area, central area, eastern area, and southern area). The results of this survey are showed that the overall seroprevalence of antibody of Toxoplasma is 71%. There was significant differences in infection to Toxoplasma gondii in the age group of sheep (P = 0.00). The prevalence of anti-Toxoplasma antibody in sheep in the <1 years old was higher than >1 years old sheep. The results showed that there was a significant relation between the seropositivity and presence of abortion in sheep (P = 0.000). Also a significant differences was observed between rate of infection and management system (Extensive and Intensive) of sheep (P =0.022). In total the results of this study together with the previously recorded show high seroprevalence in sheep in Libya and other countries support the impression that Toxoplasmosis is widespread cause for abortion and a latent infection in sheep. Furthermore sheep are suitable host for Toxoplasma gondii. Copy Right, IJAR, 2013,. All rights reserved. Introduction Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide contagious disease of humans and other warm-blooded animals including birds. Clinically it is manifested chiefly by abortion and stillbirths in ewes, and in all species by encephalitis, pneumonia and neonatal mortality Infection by the protozoan parasite T. gondii is widely prevalent in sheep throughout the world. Clinically, ovine toxoplasmosis does not cause any symptoms, but in non-immune ewes an infection acquired during pregnancy may spread to the placenta and fetus and cause abortion, stillbirth or delivery of weak, infected lambs. In nonpregnant ewes the parasites develop cysts containing dormant organisms in the central nervous system and muscle. These cysts could transmit the disease to humans by ingestion of raw or undercooked meat containing tissue cysts (Marca et al., 1996). The seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in sheep has been reported in several parts around the world. The prevalence rates have been varied among countries and diagnostic methods from 25% to 65% The only documented study on T. gondii seroprevalence in sheep in Libya was in Tripoli (EL-Gomatiet al., 2008) who reported seroprevavlence rates of 40.71 % in adult in Tripoli-Libya, using the Latex agglutination test. The purpose of the present study was to determine the prevalence of T. gondii infection in adult sheep from different agro-ecological zones (Natural regions) of Libya. ISSN 2320-5407 International Journal of Advanced Research (2013) , Volume 1, Issue 9, 148-154 149 Material and Methods We divided Libya into four geographical areas (western area, central area, eastern area, and southern area).A total of 5806 blood samples were obtained from the jugular vein of sheep. These samples were collected randomly from four different geographical areas. The blood samples were collected by veterinarians and veterinary assistants in tubes without anticoagulant directly from the jugular. The samples were transported to the research laboratory in (Libyan National Center for Diseases Control) LNCDC as soon as possible in an ice keeper tanks. Upon arrival, the sera were separated into micro tubes after centrifugation at 4000 rpm for 10 min. Then the micro tubes were stored at -20˚C until analysis. The sera obtained were screened for anti-T. gondii antibodies using the Latex agglutination test (Toxocell Latex, Biokit, Spain). Data analysis was performed with computer software SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Science), version 15. SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL).Statistical significance was taken at P-value of ≤ 0.05. Result Seropositivity according to blood samples collection area

First Molecular Epidemiological Study of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis in Libya

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. The disease is characterized by the formation of chronic skin lesions followed by permanent scars and deformation of the infected area. It is distributed in many tropical and subtropical countries with more than 2 million cases every year. During the past few years CL has emerged as a major public health problem in Libya. So far, diagnosis was based on clinical symptoms and microscopic observation of parasites. Disease outbreaks were not investigated and the causative leishmanial species of CL were not identified so far. Our study indicates the presence of two coexisting species: Leishmania major and Leishmania tropica. These results are crucial in order to provide accurate treatment, precise prognosis and appropriate public health control measures. The recent armed conflict in Libya that ended with the Gadhafi regime collapse on October 2011 has affected all aspects of the life in the country. In this study we discussed multiple risk factors that could be associated with this conflict and present major challenges that should be considered by local and national health authorities for evaluating the CL burden and highlighting priority actions for disease control