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

Clinical and seroepidemiological study of Leishmaniasis in Northern Morocco

Une étude clinique, parasitologique et sérologique entreprise de 1993 à 1996 dans trois régions (17 localités) du nord du Maroc a révélé une fréquence élevée de la leishmaniose canine. 1362 chiens ont été examinés. Les sérums ont été collectés et testés selon la technique ELISA utilisant la souche locale Leishmania infantum comme antigène. Les résultats obtenus ont révélé une séroprévalence (quand elle n’est pas nulle) allant de 3,77% à 35,7%. Six isolats ont été caractérisés : 5L eishmania infantum ont été identifiés dans les provinces de Khémisset et Taza et une souche Leishmania tropica isolé d’un cas leishmanien dans la province de Taounate. La majorité des chiens cliniquement suspects ont montré des lésions ulcératives de la peau, amaigrissement, onychogriffose et lymphadenopathie. L’alopécie, la cécité et la diarrhée ont été observés uniquement dans la province de Khémisset

Parasitoses caprines dans la région de Chefchaouen: épidémiologie et prophylaxie

Cette étude épidémiologique des parasitoses caprines a été effectuée, de septembre 1993 à août 1994, dans la région de Chefchaouen (Rif). Les caprins conduits en élevage extensif sont exposés à un polyparasitisme interne et externe très diversifié. La population des strongles gastro-intestinaux, constituée de sept espèces, est maximale en décembre et en avril. Les strongles respiratoires composés principalement de protostrongylidés montrent une forte charge parasitaire en septembre, décembre et mai. Au niveau hépatique, le trématode Fasciola hepatica manifeste un pic bicuspidal automno-hivernal. Les parasitoses de moindre importance sont la monieziose et l'oestrose. Parmi les parasitoses transmises au caprin par le chien, la cysticercose hépato-péritonéale prédomine l'hydatidose. Les ectoparasites dominants sont les mallophages en hiver et les ixodidés en été. Un programme de traitement anthelminthique est proposé

Detection of Babesia divergens in southern Norway by using an immunofluorescence antibody test in cow sera

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The incidence of bovine babesiosis, caused by <it>Babesia divergens </it>(Apicomplexa: Piroplasmida) has decreased markedly since the 1930 s, but may re-emerge as a consequence of climate change and changes in legislation and pasturing practices. This is a potentially serious disease, with both economical and animal welfare consequences. Therefore, there is a need to survey the distribution of <it>B. divergens</it>.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We tested sera from 306 healthy pastured cows from 24 farms along the southern Norwegian coast by using an indirect immunofluorescence IgG antibody test (IFAT). Fractions of seropositive cows were compared by calculating 95% CI.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The results of this test showed that 27% of the sera were positive for <it>B. divergens </it>antibodies. The fraction of antibody-positive sera that we detected showed a two-humped distribution, with a high fraction of positives being found in municipalities in the western and eastern parts of the study area, while the municipalities between these areas had few or no positive serum samples.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Neither the farmers' observations nor the Norwegian Dairy Herd Recording System give an adequate picture of the distribution of bovine babesiosis. Serological testing of cows by using IFAT is a convenient way of screening for the presence of <it>B. divergens </it>in an area.</p

Comparison of effects of low and high tick infestations on acquired cattle tick resistance:

Three Holstein calves were infested with low numbers of ticks, two or three pairs of adults Hyalomma marginatum marginatum in cloth bag daily for 21 days. Infestation was carried out during tick proliferation periods. Two months later, cattle leads were challenged with 100 pairs of ticks. Another group of three Holstein calves were infested five times with 100 pairs of adult ticks of the same species. The five infestations were performed two weeks from the previous infestation. Three tick characteristics were recorded for each experiment: survival to detachment, females weight at detachment and egg mass weight. Light continuous infestations did not cause a significant change in this parameter, but every parameter declined gradually in the heavy infestations. Female and egg mass weight reached a significant difference from the first infestation by the fourth infestation. The circulating antibodies anti-salivary glands of Hyalomma m. marginatum showed that light infestation may induce like immuno-suppression. However, there is an inverse relationship between these antibodies and manifestation of resistance when calves were heavily infested. This is discussed in relation to a fraction of produced antibodies against protective antigens, and participation of another effector mechanism

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

Female tick

Proteins extracted from salivary glands of unfed, three days and five days fed adult Hyalomma marginatum marginatum were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). We have noticed changes during the three feeding steps. Some proteins disappeared during feeding process (23, 38, 39, 40 to 50, 95 and 112 kDa), they might be proteins which were converted in other substances and are secreted. Other antigens (13 to 14, 20, 25, 29, 165 and 210 kDa) were synthesized as a result of tick attachment and feeding. They may be related to growth and development or are the ciment which fixed the adult. Also, three Holstein calves were infested five times with 100 pairs of adult ticks of the same species. The five infestations were performed two weeks from the previous infestation. The sera before infestations and after each infestation were used in western-blot analyses to identify antigens from five days salivary gland extracts of the primary infestation of ticks. Three antigens (18.7, 50 and 80 kDa) were revealed weakly after the first and the second infestations by sera samples but not at infestation onward. Others (13.5, 17 to 18.5, 25, 30, 70, 133, 176 and 193 kDa) were revealed only by sera taken after manifestation of resistance (third infestation). A 13.5 kDa antigen was particularly revealed when resistance had appeared and became more evident after the fourth and fifth infestations. The late antigens recognized might be associated with establishment of calves resistance against ticks

Molecular and serological prevalence of Anaplasma marginale in cattle of North Central Morocco.

A cross sectional study was conducted to investigate the epidemiological distribution of Anaplasma marginale in North Central Morocco. Blood samples from five provinces of Morocco were collected from apparently healthy cattle (n=668) and simultaneously analyzed by a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assay and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). The overall prevalence of A. marginale was 21.9% by nPCR and 16.5% by cELISA. The Kappa coefficient between nPCR and cELISA indicated a modest level of agreement (0.54). The prevalence of A. marginale varied significantly according to the province and the month of sampling. However age, gender and breed did not have a significant effect on the prevalence of this pathogen. The highest prevalence of A. marginale was found in the Gharb, a sub-humid area while the lowest was reported in the Saiss, a semi-arid area. These results indicate that an A. marginale infection are widespread in the country and suggests that either or both techniques are excellent tools for epidemiological studies and control programs

Développement post-natal du pouvoir de concentration rénal, du système rénine-angiotensine et des hormones cortico-surrénaliennes chez le veau

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