Molecular prevalence and associated infection risk factors of tick-borne protozoan and rickettsial blood pathogens in small ruminants.

BACKGROUND: Tick-borne blood pathogens cause highly pathogenic diseases, which are associated with substantial economic losses in ruminants. Despite this, epidemiological research on these pathogens remains neglected in many countries. This study initiated a regional epidemiological survey that included the detection of molecular prevalence, associated risk factors, and gene sequencing, combined with phylogenetic analysis, targeting the two main tick-borne blood protozoan and rickettsial pathogens of Babesia, Theileria, and Anaplasma that infect small ruminants. One hundred blood samples were collected from 76 sheep and 24 goats. RESULTS: Microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained blood films revealed that 73% of the samples were infected with at least one species of the three blood pathogenic organisms. Molecular diagnosis based on the 18 S rRNA for Babesia and Theileria species and the major surface protein 4 (msp4) for Anaplasma species, revealed that 43% of the small ruminants were infected with at least one of these pathogens. The animal's sex was the most significant associated risk factor, with 49.4% of female animals infected compared with only 4% of male animals (P < 0.05). The open breeding system recorded the highest infection rate for tick-borne blood pathogens. Homology-based and phylogenetic analyses indicated that the specific isolate species were Babesia ovis (B. ovis), Theileria ovis (T. ovis), and Anaplasma ovis (A. ovis), with sequences showing significant identities with isolates from sheep, goats, and other animal species, and geographically diverse countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe, in addition to Egypt. CONCLUSION: This was the first molecular evidence of B. ovis, T. ovis, and A. ovis infections in sheep and goat populations in the North Coast region of Egypt. More extensive studies are required to develop an epidemiological map of blood pathogenic organisms, while more effective control strategies are required to reduce the burden of tick-borne pathogens on small ruminants.

Epidemiological perspective associated with principal risk factors of Trichinella spiralis infection in pigs and humans in Egypt.

Background and Aim: In Egypt, there is a scarcity of recent data on trichinellosis in pigs and humans. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the epidemiological profile and risk factors associated with Trichinella spiralis infection as well as to assess the effectiveness of the trichinoscope and digestion technique in diagnosing trichinellosis. Materials and Methods: Data were collected on 33812 pigs slaughtered during a year at the Al-Basateen abattoir, Cairo Governorate, Egypt. The slaughtered pigs had already been examined by trichinoscope in the abattoir. The diagnostic effectiveness technique was randomly conducted on 170 pork muscle samples, which were examined using the digestion technique. Furthermore, 90 serum samples from high-risk individuals in Qena and Sohag Governorates, Upper Egypt, were analyzed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: The investigation revealed that the overall prevalence was 1.06% in pigs by trichinoscope. Of the examined 170 samples, 2.35% and 3.35% were found to harbor Trichinella by trichinoscope and artificial digestion, respectively. Trichinella was identified as T. spiralis using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. A significant relationship was affirmed between the prevalence of trichinellosis and the sex and age of the examined pigs. Likewise, for the first time, there was a considerable seasonal trend in the prevalence of Trichinella with the maximum infection, which was observed during Autumn (1.18%). The prevalence of trichinellosis in humans was 10%, with a significant association with age. Conclusion: Our findings are intended to serve as a starting point for developing effective preventive and control measures for trichinellosis (as application of Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP) in pig farms, stop feeding pigs on garbage as well as, preventing illegal slaughter of pigs outside the slaughterhouses). It also fortifies the establishment of the digestion technique because of its high specificity and sensitivity, although it is difficult to apply to a large number of samples.