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

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

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

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

Community perception and knowledge of cystic echinococcosis in the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco

Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a neglected zoonosis caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, remains a public health issue in many developing countries that practice extensive sheep breeding. Control of CE is difficult and requires a community-based integrated approach. We assessed the communities' knowledge and perception of CE, its animal hosts, and its control in a CE endemic area of the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco. We conducted twenty focus group discussions (FGDs) stratified by gender with villagers, butchers and students in ten Berber villages that were purposefully selected for their CE prevalence. This community considers CE to be a severe and relatively common disease in humans and animals but has a poor understanding of the parasite's life cycle. Risk behaviour and disabling factors for disease control are mainly related to cultural practices in sheep breeding and home slaughtering, dog keeping, and offal disposal at home, as well as in slaughterhouses. Participants in our focus group discussions were supportive of control measures as management of canine populations, waste disposal, and monitoring of slaughterhouses. The uncontrolled stray dog population and dogs having access to offal (both at village dumps and slaughterhouses) suggest that authorities should be more closely involved in CE control. This study also highlights the need for improved knowledge about the transmission cycle of the parasite among communities and health professionals. Inter-sectoral collaboration between health staff, veterinarians, and social scientists appears to be crucial for sustainable control of this parasitic zoonosis

Perbadanan Kemajuan iktisad negeri Kelantan (PKINK) dalam pembangunan perumahan di negeri Kelantan / Che Azhar Che Abdullah

Perumahan sering di perkatakan oleh setiap masyarakat kerana pembekalannya ke dalam pasaran tidak dapat memenuhi kehendak masyarakat yang memerlukannya. Lapuran Kajian Separuh Penggal RME menyatakan pencapaian pembinaan perumahan di peringkat nasionaL adalah kurang marauaskan atas sebab faktur permintaan dan penawaran. Adalah menjadi mat lamat perumahan nasional untuk menyediakan kemudahan perumahan yang mencukupi bagi semua rakyat di negara ini , terutama golongan berpendapatan rendah dengan kemudahan perumahan yang baik dan selesa. Kadar permintaan rendah di sebabkan oleh kemelesetan ekonomi, harga rumah dan kadar faedah yang tinggi. Penawarannya berkurangan oleh sebab kekurangan tapak bersesuaian dan kelewatan memperolehi kelulusan disamping sebab-sebab lain. Matlamat perumahan nasional ini juga dijalankan di- Negeri Kelantan di raana sebahagian besar projek perumahannya di laksanakan oleh Jabatan Perumahan Negara (JPN) dan Perbadanan Kemajuan Iktisad Negeri Kelantan (PKINK) d i samping sektor awam dan swasta yang lain . Didalam dissertasi ini , penyentuhan akan di buat tentang peranan PKINK dalam pembangunan perumahan di dalam menolong mencapai matlamat di atas. Di dalam mendapatkan maklumat serta penyelidikan untuk penyediaan dissertasi ini , kerjasama yang baik dan memuaskan hati telah diperolehi dari PKINK sendiri, JPN, Bahagian Perumahan Negeri* Jabatan Perangkaan, UPEN, Pejabat Tanah dan Galian, Majlis Perbandaran Kota Bharu serta Pejabat Perancang Bandar dan Desa Negeri Kelantan. Di samping itu , maklumat juga telah diperolehi daripada keratan-kerata n akhbar dan majalah majallah. Maklumat-maklumat yang terakhir tidak dapat diperolehi sepenuhnya kerana kebanyakan kertas-kertas kerja , lapuran serta rekod-rekod adalah di sediakan semasa untuk membuat lapuran bagi penyediaan Lapuran Kajian Separuh Penggal RME yang telah di bentangkan pada penghujung Mac, 1984. Hasil daripada kerjasama yang diberikan, dapatlah saya menyiapkan dissertasi ini dan saya rakamkan kalungan penghargaan keatas setiap pihak berkenaan dengan ucapan "terima kasih daun keladi "

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

The socio-economic burden of cystic echinococcosis in morocco:A combination of estimation method

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a major zoonosis in Morocco despite the launch of a national control programme in 2005. As its economic consequences have not been studied yet in Morocco, this study estimated CE impact in terms of monetary losses, disability-adjusted life years (DALY), and DALY for zoonotic diseases (zDALY) in the entire country and in specific regions for the 2011 to 2014 period. The direct monetary losses were related to organ seizure from infected animal in slaughterhouses, and to healthcare expenses as well as lost wages for infected humans. Animal production losses concerned milk yield, fertility, carcass weight, and wool production. Losses due to human infection were also composed of disability and productivity losses at work. Monte Carlo simulations were used to estimate monetary losses and zDALY values. Nationwide, the estimated DALY was 0.5 years per 100,000 persons per year, and the zDALY was 55 years per 100,000 persons per year. Total yearly losses were estimated at 73 million USD (54-92 million USD). However, losses differed significantly among regions. Most of the economic losses consisted of unperceived consequences, i.e. decreased animal production and reduced productivity of asymptomatic individuals. Future studies should determine the socioeconomic and epidemiological factors underlying the differences in economic losses among regions to develop better adapted control programmes. Author summary Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a major neglected zoonosis in Morocco, despite the launch of a national control programme in 2005. The first study on CE in Morocco dates back to 1924. However, no evaluation of economic losses was made until now. The present study estimated the economic losses caused by CE in Morocco, at the national and regional scale, by combining financial and non-financial methods. Estimation of the direct and indirect losses caused by CE infection in humans and livestock (sheep, cattle, goats and camels) highlighted the important disease burden nationwide, amounting to 0.07% of Morocco Gross Domestic Product. The combination of methods brought information on the different CE-linked economic losses, including the unperceived consequences. These results indicate that the national CE control strategy did not result in a decrease of the disease burden, which calls for its evaluation and improvement

Abondance saisonnière des tiques (Acari / Ixodidae) infestant le bétail dans quatre régions irriguées au Maroc

A study has been conducted between April 2007 and March 2008 to identify tick species infesting cattle in four irrigated regions in Morocco and to determine their abundance and phenology. The influence of climate, type of farm, age, sex and origin of the animals on the tick infestation was analyzed. 5,777 ticks have been collected and ten species identified, Hyalomma scupense 1,544 (26.7%), Hyalomma marginatum 1,489 (25.8%), Hyalomma lusitanicum 199 (3.4%), Hyalomma excavatum 554 (6.1%), Hyalomma dromedarii 59 (1.0%), Hyalomma impeltatum 26 (0.5%), Rhipicephalus sanguineus 266 (4.6%), Rhipicephalus turanicus 232 (4.0%), Rhipicephalus bursa 391 (10.2%) and Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus 1,017 (17.6%). The activity of most of the species was limited to spring and summer. According to the study, age and type of farm have a significant influence on the degree of infestation of cattle by ticks, whereas the origin and sex of the animals and climate had less influence. Key words: Ticks,  Ixodidae, Cattle, Irrigated areas, MoroccoUne étude a été menée entre Avril 2007 et Mars 2008 au niveau de quatre régions irriguées du Maroc dans le but d’identifier les espèces de tiques qui infestent les bovins et de déterminer leur abondance et leur phénologie. L'influence du climat, le type d’élevage, l'âge, le sexe et la race des bovins sur l'infestation des tiques ont été analysés. 5777 tiques ont été recueillies et dix espèces identifiées, Hyalomma scupense 1544 (26,7%), Hyalomma marginatum 1489 (25,8%), Hyalomma lusitanicum 199 (3,4%), Hyalomma excavatum 554 (6,1%), Hyalomma dromedarii 59 (1,0%), Hyalomma Impeltatum 26 (0,5 %), Rhipicephalus sanguineus 266 (4,6%), Rhipicephalus turanicus 232 (4,0%), Rhipicephalus bursa 391 (10,2%) et Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus 1017 (17,6%). L'activité de la plupart des espèces a été limitée au printemps et à l’été. Selon cette étude, l'âge et le type d'élevage ont une influence significative sur le degré d'infestation des bovins par les tiques, alors que l'origine et le sexe des bovins et du climat ont eu moins d'influence. Mots clés : Tiques, Ixodidae, Bovins, Zones irriguées, Maro