Investigation of internal and external parasites of the camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Algeria.

Parasitic diseases are one of the dominant pathological entities with significant consequences on camel productivity. This survey was carried out to determine the prevalence of camel infection with internal and external parasites in two regions in southern Algeria, between January and December 2015. The investigation of external parasites was carried out in Oued Souf and concerned 406 camels. For internal parasites, two studies were conducted; the first was realized at the slaughterhouse in the Ouargla and concerned 273 camels and the second study was realized in Oued Souf region which aimed to search for digestive parasites; therefore, 64 samples of camel faeces were taken. The results showed that 232/406 (57.14%), 114/406 (28%) and 67/406 (16.5%) camels were infested with ticks, scabies and ringworms, respectively. Camels were significantly more infested with ticks than scabies and ringworms (p<0.001). The identification of ticks revealed Hyalomma dromedarii (83.98%), Hyalomma impeltatum (10.58%), Amblyomma variegatum (5.12%) and Rhipicephalus sanguineus (0.32%). Camels were more infested with H. dromedarii (p<0.001). For internal parasites, 22/64 (34.37%) camels were found infected with digestive strongyles of which 8/64 (12.5%) were infected with Nematodirus sp. At the Ouargla slaughterhouse, 23/273 (8.42%) camels were revealed infected with hydatid cyst. Camels appear to be highly parasitized in Algeria and its cohabitation with other animal species increases the risk of its contamination. Therefore, it is important to take into consideration the parasitism of the camel in Algeria and appropriate control measures are recommended in order to improve camel productivity.

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.