Prevalencija roda Cryptosporidium u ljudi i jednogrbih deva (Camelus dromedarius) u Alžiru

Cryptosporidium is one of the most important gastrointestinal parasites of a wide range of animals and humans. A study was conducted between January and March 2011 to investigate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in dromedaries and humans in Oued Souf in southern Algeria. Stool samples of humans (n=110) and dromedaries (n=40) were collected. Cryptosporidium infection was diagnosed in human samples by the Heine staining method and by amplification of the 18S rRNA gene using polymerase chain reaction, and in dromedaries by the direct immunofluorescent antibody test. The overall prevalence of Cryptosporidium infection in dromedaries was 10% and none of these Cryptosporidium-infected animals showed diarrhoea. No significant difference was observed between males (10.52%) and females (9.52%). The number of oocysts calculated per gram of faeces varied between 100 and 450 oocysts/g. In humans, no positive cases were detected using the Heine staining method or 18S rRNA gene amplification. This finding highlighted the presence of Cryptosporidium in dromedaries in Oued Souf, Algeria for the first time. Further molecular epidemiology studies including a higher number of dromedaries and different parts of the country are recommended to establish the distribution and national impact of the disease. More efforts are required to isolate and to characterise by PCR the Cryptosporidium species in humans in Algeria.Kriptosporidij je jedan od najčešćih gastrointestinalnih parazita za ljude i veliki broj životinjskih vrsta. Studiju smo provedili od siječnja do ožujka 2011. godine za istraživanje prevalencije infekcije kriptosporidijem u ljudi i jednogrbih deva u mjestu Oued Souf, južni Alžir. Prikupljeni su uzorci ljudskih fecesa (n=110) i fecesa jednogrbih deva (n=40). Infekcija kriptosporidijem dijagnosticirana je u ljudskim uzorcima pomoću metode bojanja po Heineu te lančanom reakcijom polimerazom, amplifikacijom 18S rRNK gena, a u jednogrbih deva putem direktnog imunofluorescentnog testa za otkrivanje antitijela. Cjelokupna prevalencija infekcije kriptosporidijem u jednogrbih deva bila je 10 %, a niti jedna od životinja zaraženih kriptosporidijem nije pokazivala znakove proljeva; nije zamijećena značajna razlika između mužjaka (10,52 %) i ženki (9,52 %). Broj oocista izračunat po gramu fecesa varirao je od 100 do 450 oocista/g. U ljudi, metoda bojanja po Heineu i 18S rRNK gen nije otkrila pozitivne slučajeve. Ovi nalazi pokazali su, po prvi put u mjestu Oued Souf, Alžir, prisutnost kriptosporidija u jednogrbih deva. Preporučuju se dodatne molekularne epidemiološke studije koje će pokriti veći broj jednogrbih deva i različite dijelove zemlje za utvrđivanje raspodjele vrste i nacionalnog utjecaja bolesti. Potrebno je i više napora za izoliranje i karakterizaciju roda Cryptosporidium putem PCR-a u ljudi u Alžiru

Multivariate characterization of phenotypic traits of arabia, the main algerian goat breed

In Algeria, goats, in spite of their economic importance, are largely neglected. Goat management is traditional and indiscriminate cross-breeding is current. The phenotypic variability of the main breed, the Arabia (commonly called Arbia by breeders), was investigated for the first time, using multivariate discriminant analysis. The sampling was designed in order to take into account the three ecotypes encountered in the breeding area of the Arabia. A total of 558 females and 133 males were phenotyped in a large area including the cradle of the breed, with 23 quantitative measures and 10 qualitative traits. This study defined finely the breed phenotypically. The informations reported in this study are the first step of the conservation and selection programs for this breed showing an untapped potential with a live weight of 36.6 ± 0.3 kg (fem.) and 47.0 ± 0.9 kg (males) and a withers height of 70.3 ± 0.2 cm (fem.) and 75.1 ± 0.5 cm (males) for example. The Compact Index indicated that Arabia was more suited for meat production and the Foreleg Length index indicated animals with relatively long legs, and hence more adapted to plains and long treks. Our results suggest a large intra breed phenotypic homogeneity in spite of the diversity of the production environments, probably induced by economical exchanges. They are in favor of poor intra-genetic variations for this breed, and indicate that measures have to be taken for the breed preservation

Serological and histopathological investigation of brucellosis in cattle in Medea region, Northern Algeria

Aim: This study was performed to determine the prevalence of bovine brucellosis in Medea region, Northern Algeria. Materials and Methods: The study was carried out on 495 non-vaccinated cattle, of which 280 (30 males and 250 females) belonged to 57 cattle farms and 215 cows were sampled at abattoirs of Medea. Sera collected from the cattle were tested using the Rose Bengal test and confirmed by histopathological analysis. Results: Serological examination revealed that 7/57 farms (12.28%) were infected, of which 7/280 (2.5%) cattle were seropositive. The prevalence in females and males was 2.4% (6/250) and 3.33% (1/30), respectively. No significant difference has been observed between females and males. Older animals (≥8 years) were infected more. The prevalence of infection was 9.1%. Seroprevalence of Brucella infection in cows that have already had abortion was higher compared with non-aborted cows (4.34% and 2.20%, respectively). In abattoirs, a total of 25 (11.62%) seropositive cows were detected, and the histopathological analysis was positive in all these cows. Conclusion: The study indicates that brucellosis indeed exists in cattle in Medea and shows that the meat of slaughtered cattle tested positive for brucellosis may constitute a real risk of transmission to both butchery personnel and consumers, which requires that the meat of infected animals should be analyzed before being marketed

Assessing admixture by multivariate analyses of phenotypic differentiation in the Algerian goat livestock

International audienceIn Algeria, goat research has been largely neglected, in spite of the economic importance of this domestic species for rural livelihoods. Goat farming is traditional and cross-breeding practices are current. The phenotypic variability of the four main native breeds (Arabia, Makatia, M'zabite and Kabyle), and of two exotic breeds (Alpine and Saanen), was investigated for the first time, using multivariate discriminant analysis. A total of 892 females were sampled in a large area, including the cradle of the native breeds, and phenotyped with 23 quantitative measures and 10 qualitative traits. Our results suggested that cross-breeding practices have ever led to critical consequences, particularly for Makatia and M'zabite. The information reported in this study has to be carefully considered in order to establish governmental plan able to prevent the genetic dilution of the Algerian goat livestoc

DERMANYSSUS GALLINAE IN LAYING HENS FARMS IN ALGERIA: INFESTATION PREVALENCE AND MOLECULAR DETECTION OF SALMONELLA

Dermanyssus gallinae (Red mite) is the most important and common ectoparasite of laying hens and recognized as a vector of several pathogens. In order to estimate the infestation prevalence rate of Dermanyssus gallinae in layer housing and to evaluate its vectorial role in regard to salmonella. A study was carried out in 386 laying hen farms in four provinces located in north-eastern Algeria. A total of 32 pooled mite samples were examined for the presence of Salmonella enterica, Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enteritidis using PCR essay. Results showed that 14% of hen housing were infested by D. gallinae. Salmonella enterica DNA was detected in 8 samples (25%), including two Salmonella enteritidis (6.25%). These results indicate that D. gallinae can act as reservoir of Salmonella, allowing the propagation of this bacterium between successive bands and between different farms

Molecular detection of avian spirochete Borrelia anserina in Argas persicus ticks in Algeria

International audienc

Genetic homogeneity of North-African goats.

North Africa represents a rich and early reservoir of goat genetic diversity, from which the main African breeds have been derived. In this study, the genetic diversity of four indigenous Algerian goat breeds (i.e., Arabia, Makatia, M'Zabite and Kabyle, with n = 12 for each breed) has been investigated for the first time by genome-wide SNP genotyping; moreover in a broader context, genetic structuration of Algerian and Moroccan goats was explored (via FST, MDS, STRUCTURE, FineSTRUCTURE, BAPS, sPCA and DAPC analyses). At national level, the study revealed high level of genetic diversity and a significant phenomenon of admixture affecting all the Algerian breeds. At broader scale, clear global genetic homogeneity appeared considering both Algerian and Moroccan stocks. Indeed, genetic structuration was almost nonexistent among Arabia (from Algeria), Draa, Black and Nord (from Morocco), while the ancestral Kabyle and M'Zabite breeds, reared by Berber peoples, showed genetic distinctness. The study highlighted the threat to the Maghrebin stock, probably induced by unsupervised cross-breeding practices which have intensified in recent centuries. Moreover, it underlined the necessity to deepen our understanding of the genetic resources represented by the resilient North-African goat stock

Data from: Genetic homogeneity of North-African goats

North Africa represents a rich and early reservoir of goat genetic diversity, from which the main African breeds have been derived. In this study, the genetic diversity of four indigenous Algerian goat breeds (i.e., Arabia, Makatia, M’Zabite and Kabyle, with n = 12 for each breed) has been investigated for the first time by genome-wide SNP genotyping; moreover in a broader context, genetic structuration of Algerian and Moroccan goats was explored (via FST, MDS, STRUCTURE, FineSTRUCTURE, BAPS, sPCA and DAPC analyses). At national level, the study revealed high level of genetic diversity and a significant phenomenon of admixture affecting all the Algerian breeds. At broader scale, clear global genetic homogeneity appeared considering both Algerian and Moroccan stocks. Indeed, genetic structuration was almost nonexistent among Arabia (from Algeria), Draa, Black and Nord (from Morocco), while the ancestral Kabyle and M’Zabite breeds, reared by Berber peoples, showed genetic distinctness. The study highlighted the threat to the Maghrebin stock, probably induced by unsupervised cross-breeding practices which have intensified in recent centuries. Moreover, it underlined the necessity to deepen our understanding of the genetic resources represented by the resilient North-African goat stock

Algerian goat genotypes (.map file)

Genotypes obtained with the Illumina GoatSNP50K Genotyping BeadChip (markers files by chromosomes) for four Algerian goat breeds in a Plink format