Human exposure to Anaplasma phagocytophilum in two cities of Northwestern Morocco

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging tick-borne zoonosis with extensive increased interest. Epidemiological data are available in several regions of the USA, Europe and Asia in contrast to other parts of the world such as North Africa. Blood samples of 261 healthy individuals divided in two groups i.e., dog handlers and blood donors were analysed. Indirect immunofluorescent assay using a commercial kit was performed to detect specific A. phagocytophilum IgG. Two dilutions were used to assess the prevalence of seroreactive samples. Demographic variables were assessed as potential risk factors using exact logistic regression. Seropositivity rates reached 37% and 27% in dog handlers and 36% and 22% in blood donors. No statistically significant differences were found in the prevalence rates between the two groups. Analysis of risk factors such as gender, age groups, outdoor activities, self-reported previous exposure to ticks, or contact with domestic animals (dogs, cats, ruminants and horses) did not shown any significant difference. A. phagocytophilum exposure was common in both high-risk population and blood donors in Morocco

Anaplasma phagocytophilum: Un pathogène émergent mais non reconnu transmis par les tiques

Several vector-borne pathogens are considered to be emerging or re-emerging. Among these agents, Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-borne rickettsiale bacterium of worldwide distribution. This bacterium is increasingly detected in several parts of the world in both ticks and hosts, including animals and humans. A. phagocytophilum is the causal agent of a zoonotic disease called ‘granulocytic anaplasmosis’ and described in several domestic animals and humans. Currently, human granulocytic anaplasmosis is considered to be the third most important vector-borne disease in both the USA and Europe and is also increasingly diagnosed in some Asian countries. However, in many parts of the world, this disease is unknown and no data are available on its epidemiology. Key words: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Granulocytic anaplasmosis, Epidemiology, Vector-borne disease, Zoonosis.De nombreux agents vectoriels sont actuellement considérés comme émergents ou ré-émergents. Parmi ces organismes, Anaplasma phagcytophilum est une bactérie transmise par les tiques de distribution mondiale. Cette bactérie est de plus en plus détectées dans différents pays aussi bien chez le vecteur, la tique, et les hôtes constitués par les animaux et l'homme. A. phagocytophilum est responsable d'une maladie zoonotique, décrite chez différents animaux domestiques et chez l'homme, appelée "anaplasmose granulocytaire". Actuellement, cette maladie est considérée comme la troisième plus importante maladie vectorielle en Europe et aux USA et est également de plus en plus rapportée en Asie. Toutefois, elle reste méconnue dans une large majorité de pays et aucune donnée épidémiologique n'y sont disponibles.  Key words: Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasmose granulocytaire,épidémiologie, Maladie vectorielle, Zoonose.   &nbsp

Canine cardiopulmonary nematodes in Morocco: Prevalence of Dirofilaria immitis and report of the first autochthonous infection with Angiostrongylus vasorum

Dirofilaria immitis and Angiostrongylus vasorum are two of the most important, life-threatening cardiopulmonary nematodes affecting dogs. This study aimed to determine the current prevalence of D. immitis and to investigate, for the first time in Morocco, the occurrence of A. vasorum in dogs. Two hundred and thirteen blood and 291 fecal samples were collected from Moroccan dogs. Blood samples were examined using both the modified Knott’s test and the in-clinic enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, whereas fecal samples were examined using the Baermann technique. Fecal analysis revealed the presence of A. vasorum larva in one sample. This was the first reported case in a dog from Morocco. We believe that these preliminary results are of great interest to veterinary practitioners in Morocco, suggesting that veterinarians should consider D. immitis, but also A. vasorum in their differential diagnosis, and should perform regular screenings for these parasites. Keywords: Cardiopulmonary nematodes, Dirofilaria immitis, Angiostrongylus vasorum, Dogs, Morocc

Canine babesiosis in Morocco: description of two cases

Deux chiens présentés à la clinique des animaux de compagnie de l’Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II ont été diagnostiqués avec une babésiose. Les chiens ont manifesté de façon aiguë de la fièvre, un abattement et de l’anorexie. D’autres signes cliniques ont été observés incluant vomissement et ictère. Les modifications hémato-biochimiques détectées incluaient une monocytose, une lymphopénie et une thrombocytopénie pour le premier cas, une discrète anémie et une élévation importante de l’activité sérique des phosphatases alcalines pour le deuxième cas. Des inclusions intra-érythrocytaires de piroplasmes ont été détectées à l’examen microscopique des frottis sanguins chez les deux chiens. Babésiose, Babesia spp., chien, maladies transmises par les tiques, Maroc.Two dogs presented at the companion animals' clinic of the Hassan II Institute of Agronomy and Veterinary Medicine were diagnosed with babesiosis. Both dogs presented an acute onset of fever, lethargy and anorexia. Other clinical signs included vomiting and icterus. Blood hematological and biochemical modifications included monocytosis, lymphopenia and thrombocytopenia for the first dog,  mild anemia and increased serum concentration of alcaline phosphatases for the second patient. Microscopic evaluation of blood smears revealed intra-erythrocytes inclusions compatible with Babesia inclusions in both dogs.   Keywords: Babesiosis, Babesia spp., dog, tick-borne diseases, Morocc

Anaplasma spp. in dogs and owners in north-western Morocco

Background: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging tick-borne zoonotic pathogen of increased interest worldwide which has been detected in northern Africa. Anaplasma platys is also present in this region and could possibly have a zoonotic potential. However, only one recent article reports on the human esposure to A. phagocytophilum in Morocco and no data are available on canine exposure to both bacteria. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological study aiming to assess both canine and human exposure to Anaplasma spp. in Morocco. A total of 425 dogs (95 urban, 160 rural and 175 working dogs) and 11 dog owners were sampled from four cities of Morocco. Canine blood samples were screened for Anaplasma spp. antibodies by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and for A. phagocytophilum and A. platys DNA by a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) targeting the msp2 gene. Human sera were tested for specific A. phagocytophilum immunoglobulin G (IgG) using a commercial immunofluorescence assay (IFA) kit. Results: Anaplasma spp. antibodies and A. platys DNA were detected in 21.9 and 7.5% of the dogs, respectively. Anaplasma phagocytophilum DNA was not amplified. Anaplasma platys DNA was significantly more frequently amplified for working dogs. No statistically significant differences in the prevalence of Anaplasma spp. antibodies or A. platys DNA detection were observed between sexes, age classes or in relation to exposure to ticks. A total of 348 Rhipicephalus sanguineus (sensu lato) ticks were removed from 35 urban and working dogs. The majority of dog owners (7/10) were seroreactive to A. phagoyctophilum IgG (one sample was excluded because of hemolysis). Conclusions: This study demonstrates the occurrence of Anaplasma spp. exposure and A. platys infection in dogs, and A. phagocytophilum exposure in humans in Morocco

Epidemiological and Clinicopathological Features of Anaplasma phagocytophilum Infection in Dogs: A Systematic Review

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a worldwide emerging zoonotic tick-borne pathogen transmitted by Ixodid ticks and naturally maintained in complex and incompletely assessed enzootic cycles. Several studies have demonstrated an extensive genetic variability with variable host tropisms and pathogenicity. However, the relationship between genetic diversity and modified pathogenicity is not yet understood. Because of their proximity to humans, dogs are potential sentinels for the transmission of vector-borne pathogens. Furthermore, the strong molecular similarity between human and canine isolates of A. phagocytophilum in Europe and the USA and the positive association in the distribution of human and canine cases in the USA emphasizes the epidemiological role of dogs. Anaplasma phagocytophilum infects and survives within neutrophils by disregulating neutrophil functions and evading specific immune responses. Moreover, the complex interaction between the bacterium and the infected host immune system contribute to induce inflammatory injuries. Canine granulocytic anaplasmosis is an acute febrile illness characterized by lethargy, inappetence, weight loss and musculoskeletal pain. Hematological and biochemistry profile modifications associated with this disease are unspecific and include thrombocytopenia, anemia, morulae within neutrophils and increased liver enzymes activity. Coinfections with other tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) may occur, especially with Borrelia burgdorferi, complicating the clinical presentation, diagnosis and response to treatment. Although clinical studies have been published in dogs, it remains unclear if several clinical signs and clinicopathological abnormalities can be related to this infection

MOLYBDENUM DOPED CARBON AEROGELS WITH CATALYTIC POTENTIAL

Mo-doped carbon aerogels were obtained in the polycondensation reaction of aqueous resorcinol and formaldehyde by adding Mo-salt at two different stages of the synthesis: i) to the initial sol; ii) by incipient wetting impregnation of the supercritically dried polymer gel. Molybdenum added during the polymerization yielded a more compact gel structure with practically no mesoporosity. With post-impregnation, by contrast, mesopores of diameter 3-15 nm were generated. Carbonization appreciably enhanced the microporous character of both samples, but in the mesopore range their pore size distribution was conserved. The Mocontent of the samples was also different: Mo was lost during the solvent exchange before the supercritical drying (i.e., the Mo failed to bind chemically to the polymer matrix). The residual Mo congregated into 25-60 nm bulk clusters of α-Mo2C. In the other carbon aerogel, finely dispersed α-Mo2C and η-Mo3C2 crystals formed, of size 8-20 nm. On the surface of both carbons the Mo formed oxides. In the model test reaction (acetic acid hydroconversion) the catalytic activity of both carbon aerogels was enhanced by molybdenum. The more open pore structure, higher concentration and finer Mo distribution, as well as its chemical form, may all be responsible for the greater conversion and higher value products obtained with the post-impregnated sample

Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens Abound in the Cattle Population of the Rabat-Sale Kenitra Region, Morocco

18 Pág. Departamento de Reproducción Animal​ (INIA)Tick-borne pathogens cause the majority of diseases in the cattle population in Morocco. In this study, ticks were collected from cattle in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region of Morocco and identified morphologically, while tick-borne pathogens were detected in cattle blood samples via polymerase chain reaction assay and sequencing. A total of 3394 adult ixodid ticks were collected from cattle and identified as eight different tick species representing two genera, Hyalomma and Rhipicephalus. The collected ticks consisted of Hyalomma marginatum, Hyalomma anatolicum excavatum, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, Rhipicephalus bursa, Hyalomma detritum, Hyalomma lusitanicum, Hyalomma dromedarii, and Hyalomma impeltatum. The overall prevalence of tick-borne pathogens in blood samples was 63.8%, with 29.3% positive for Babesia/Theileria spp., 51.2% for Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., and none of the samples positive for Rickettsia spp. Sequencing results revealed the presence of Theileria annulata, Babesia bovis, Anaplasma marginale, Theileria buffeli, Theileria orientalis, Babesia occultans, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Anaplasma capra, Anaplasma platys, Anaplasma bovis, Ehrlichia minasensis, and one isolate of an unknown bovine Anaplasma sp. Crossbreeds, females, older age, and high tick infestation were the most important risk factors for the abundance of tick-borne pathogens, which occurred most frequently in Jorf El Melha, Sidi Yahya Zaer, Ait Ichou, and Arbaoua locations.The research was supported by the Flemish Interuniversity Council-University Development Cooperation and Directorate GeneraPeer reviewe

Anaplasma phagocytophilum: An emerging but unrecognized tick-borne pathogen

Several vector-borne pathogens are considered to be emerging or re-emerging. Among these agents, Anaplasma phagocytophilum is a tick-borne rickettsiale bacterium of worldwide distribution. This bacterium is increasingly detected in several parts of the world in both ticks and hosts, including animals and humans. A. phagocytophilum is the causal agent of a zoonotic disease called ‘granulocytic anaplasmosis’ and described in several domestic animals and humans. Currently, human granulocytic anaplasmosis is considered to be the third most important vector-borne disease in both the USA and Europe and is also increasingly diagnosed in some Asian countries. However, in many parts of the world, this disease is unknown and no data are available on its epidemiology