[Les rickettsioses des ruminants domestiques transmises par les tiques: elements taxonomiques et diagnostic de laboratoire]

Tick-borne rickettsioses are diseases which remain comparatively unknown to field veterinarians. The authors present a literature review, focusing on taxonomic aspects and on laboratory diagnosis

[Diagnostic microscopique des maladies transmises par les tiques au Maghreb]

Direct microscopic examination of smears, carried out in the farm, in combination with the clinical symptoms, is in general the quickest and cheapest way to diagnose tick-borne diseases. It is however not always sufficiently specific, as different species of a parasite genus may ressemble each other morphologically. Also, it is not suitable for epidemiological studies. On the other hand, serological and molecular methods may be more sensitive and/or specific, but are not suitable for diagnosing the cause of disease in an individual animal and in any case are not sufficiently rapid. The focus of the paper is on practical details and pitfalls to be avoided in sample taking, smear preparation, fixing and staining, microscopic examination and interpretation of the results