Seasonal activity of ixodid ticks, parasites of cattle in two bioclimatic areas of Northeastern Algeria

Monthly monitoring of the infestation by ticks of 48 cattle head in six farms was performed in the wilayas (districts) of Mila (semiarid climate) and El Tarf (humid climate) in Algeria, between April 2006 and March 2007. In total, 7024 ticks belonging to four genera and ten species of Ixodidae were collected: Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus (62.7% of collected ticks) R. turanicus (13.6%), Hyalomma scupense (13.6%), Rhipicephalus bursa (7.7%), H. marginatum (4.7%), H. excavatum (3.9%), H. anatolicum (2.3%), Haemaphysalis punctata (1.5%), Ixodes ricinus (0.7%), and Hyalomma lusitanicum (0.4%). R. annulatus (77.7%) was the most frequent species in El Tarf, whereas H. scupense (39.2%) and R. bursa (17.7%) were dominant in Mila. Many Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus species had a continuous activity throughout the year, with maximum intensity in summer for R. annulatus and H. Scupense, and from spring to fall for R. bursa. The abundance of mesophilic species was low, with winter activity for I. ricinus (exclusively present in El Tarf), and fall activity for Hae. punctata (exclusively present in Mila). The intensity of infestation was significantly higher in adult cattle than in calves under one year old. Tick phenology sometimes differed depending on neighboring countries, showing thus the highly adaptive capability of ticks and the need to carry out regional studies before implementing any control program against ticks or the pathogens they transmit

Prevalence and risk factors of tropical theileriosis, and sequencing of <em>Theileria annulata</em>, the causative pathogen, in Setif region (Algeria) before and after tick season

To determine the prevalence of Theileria annulata infection and the influence of some risk factors, a molecular survey was carried out in the Setif region (Alge­ria). A total of 134 cattle blood samples from 21 farms were collected twice, in April and November 2015, before and after the tick vector season. Theileria annulata molecular prevalence was 25.4% in April and and 50% in November, indicating a significant increase (p < 0.001) in the number of asymptomatic car­rier animals. The molecular prevalence was significantly higher than the preva­lence in Giemsa-stained blood smears for the two periods. In April, the Fleck­vieh breed had the lowest molecular prevalence, but this prevalence increased significantly in November (p < 0.001). The breeding type and sex had no influ­ence on T. annulata prevalence. However, the infection rate increased signifi­cantly during the tick infestation period as the walls were not roughcast and had cracks (p < 0.001). The Algerian Tams1 gene sequence was very similar to the already known Mauritanian, Tunisian and Egyptian sequences

identification et cinétique saisonnière des tiques parasites des bovins dans la région de taher (Jijel) Algérie

International audienceFrom June 2002 to May 2003, a study was carried out in the area of Taher (Jijel, Algerian littoral) in order to identify the tick species found on cattle and their population dynamics. Five species were identified: Boophilus annulatus (79,96%), Rhipicephalus bursa (9,35%), R. turanicus (2,64%), Hyalomma lusitanicum (5,48%), Hyalomma detritum (2,55%). On the other hand, the study of the dynamics revealed a seasonal activity mainly for summer for Boophilus annulatus and spring for Rhipicephalus bursa, R. turanicus and Hyalomma lusitanicum. In contrast, Hyalomma detritum is present in spring and summer. These dates must be taken into account with respect to the control of cattle tick infections in this area. This is particularly important in the case of Boophilus annulatus, Rhipicephalus bursa et Hyalomma detritum which act as important vectors of babesiosis and theileriosis.De juin 2002 à mai 2003, une enquête ciblant l'infestation des bovins par les tiques a été réalisée dans la région de Taher (Jijel, littoral algérien) et a permis d'identifier cinq espèces avec une nette prédominance de Boophilus annulatus (79,96 %) suivie successivement de Rhipicephalusbursa (9,35 %), R. turanicus (2,64 %), Hyalomma lusitanicum (5,48 %), Hyalomma detritum (2,55 %). D'autre part, l'étude de la dynamique saisonnière a révélé une activité essentiellement estivale pour Boophilus annulatus et printanière pour Rhipicephalus bursa, R. turanicus et Hyalomma lusitanicum.En revanche, Hyalomma detritum est présente au printemps et en été. Ces périodes d'activité sont à prendre en considération lorsque se met en place une organisation de lutte vis-à-vis des tiques infestant les bovins notamment en ce qui concerne Rhipicephalus bursa, Boophilus annulatus et Hyalomma detritum, vecteurs des piroplasmoses sensus lat

Failure to observe cross-fertilization between the Echinococcus granulosus G1 and G6 strains after an experimental mixed infection of the definitive host.

The classification within Echinococcus granulosus is currently under debate. To assess the reproductive potential between the G1 and G6 strains, an experimental double infection was carried out in a dog. First, two fertile hydatid cysts were collected in Algeria from a cow and a dromedary. They were identified as being G1 and G6 with the markers coxI and nadI. Subsequently, a dog was inoculated with protoscoleces from these two cysts. Sixty days after infection, 85 adult worms were recovered from the intestine of the dog. Then, the two cysts and each of these individual parasites were characterized with the multilocus microsatellite EmsB and compared. For all worms, the scolex and the gravid proglottids, separately analyzed, provided an identical profile: the G1 profile was observed in 70 adults, and the G6 profile in the 15 others. No single worm exhibited a hybrid G1/G6 profile. This result suggests the absence of cross-fertilizing between the two taxa under the given experimental conditions, and so, the presence of a strong cross-reproductive barrier. This observation corroborates with the recent reclassification of G1 and G6 within two distinct species

Taxonomic position and geographical distribution of the common sheep G1 and camel G6 strains of Echinococcus granulosus in three African countries.

International audienceThe taxonomic and phylogenetic status of Echinococcus granulosus strains are still controversial and under discussion. In the present study, we investigated the genetic polymorphism of E. granulosus isolates originating from three countries of Africa, including a region of Algeria, where the common G1 sheep and the camel G6 strains coexist sympatrically. Seventy-one hydatid cysts were collected from sheep, cattle, camels, and humans. Two mitochondrial markers (cox1 and nad1) were used for strain identification. Two nuclear markers (actII and hbx2) were used to study the possible occurrence of cross-fertilization. Despite the heterogeneity observed among the G1 isolates, they were all localized within one robust cluster. A second strong cluster was also observed containing all of the G6 isolates. Both strains appeared as two distinct groups, and no cases of interbreeding were found. Thus, the attribution of a species rank can be suggested. We also found the Tasmanian sheep G2 strain for the first time in Africa. Because of the slight variations observed between the common sheep and the Tasmanian sheep strains, further studies should be carried out to elucidate the epidemiological relevance of this genetic discrimination

The EmsB Tandemly Repeated Multilocus Microsatellite: a New Tool To Investigate Genetic Diversity of Echinococcus granulosus Sensu Lato▿

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a widespread and severe zoonotic disease caused by infection with the larval stage of the eucestode Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. The polymorphism exhibited by nuclear and mitochondrial markers conventionally used for the genotyping of different parasite species and strains does not reach the level necessary for the identification of genetic variants linked to restricted geographical areas. EmsB is a tandemly repeated multilocus microsatellite that proved its usefulness for the study of genetic polymorphisms within the species E. multilocularis, the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis. In the present study, EmsB was used to characterize E. granulosus sensu lato samples collected from different host species (sheep, cattle, dromedaries, dogs, and human patients) originating from six different countries (Algeria, Mauritania, Romania, Serbia, Brazil, and the People's Republic of China). The conventional mitochondrial cox1 and nad1 markers identified genotypes G1, G3, G5, G6, and G7, which are clustered into three groups corresponding to the species E. granulosus sensu stricto, E. ortleppi, and E. canadensis. With the same samples, EmsB provided a higher degree of genetic discrimination and identified variations that correlated with the relatively small-scale geographic origins of the samples. In addition, one of the Brazilian single hydatid cysts presented a hybrid genotypic profile that suggested genetic exchanges between E. granulosus sensu stricto and E. ortleppi. In summary, the EmsB microsatellite exhibits an interesting potential for the elaboration of a detailed map of the distribution of genetic variants and therefore for the determination and tracking of the source of CE