Serological evidence of Rift Valley fever viral infection among camels imported into Southern Algeria.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne viral zoonosis caused by the Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). The present work aims to investigate the epidemiological status and identify the risk factors associated with RVFV infection in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) from southern Algeria. A total of 269 sera of apparently healthy camels was collected and tested using a competitive Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Overall, 72 camels (26.7 %, 95 % CI: 21.4-32) were seropositive to RVFV. IgG antibodies were found to be most prevalent in camels from south-western areas, particularly in Tindouf wilaya (52.38 %, p < 0.0001), and in camels introduced from bordering Sahelian countries (35.8 %) (OR = 8.75, 95 %CI: 2.14-35.81). No anti-RVFV antibodies were detected in sera collected from local camels (0 %). Adult (5-10 years) and aged (>10 years) camels have a significantly higher risk of being infected by RVFV (OR = 2.15; 95 %CI = 1.21-3.81, OR = 2.05; 95 %CI = 1.03-4.11, respectively). This report indicated that dromedaries imported to the south-western areas are exposed to RVFV and may contribute to its spread in Algerian territories.

Host competence of Algerian Gerbillus amoenus for Leishmania major.

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is the most important neglected disease reported in North Africa, Algeria ranks second in the world with more than 5000 cases per year. In Algeria, two rodent species Psammomys obesus and Meriones shawi, are so far known as proven reservoirs of Leishmania major, however, they are absent in several endemic localities. In this study, we experimentally infected Gerbillus rodents trapped around human dwellings in Illizi, Algeria to assess their susceptibility to L. major. Seven gerbils, morphologically and molecularly identified as Gerbillus amoenus, were intradermally inoculated with 104 parasites derived from culture, monitored for six months and their infectiousness for sand flies was tested by xenodiagnosis. The study revealed that G. amoenus was susceptible to L. major and was able to maintain and transmit the parasites to sand flies tested six months after infection, suggesting the role of this gerbil as a potential reservoir for L. major.

First Isolation of Punique Virus from Sand Flies Collected in Northern Algeria.

In the last decade, several phleboviruses transmitted by sand flies were detected in the Mediterranean countries, with the health impact of some of them being unknown. From September to October 2020, a total of 3351 sand flies were captured in Kherrata (Bejaia, northern Algeria) and identified by sex, grouped in 62 pools, which were tested for the presence of phlebovirus RNA using endpoint RT-PCR. Two pools (male and female, respectively) were positive. The genome sequencing and phylogenetic analysis showed that the two phleboviruses detected were closely related to the Punique virus (PUNV) isolated in Tunisia and detected in Algeria. Both PUNV strains were isolated on VERO cells from positive pools. Morphological identification of 300 sand flies randomly selected, showed a clear dominance of Phlebotomus perniciosus (98.67%). The dominance of this species in the study area was confirmed by PCR targeting the mitochondrial DNA. Our result represents the first isolation of PUNV and the second report in Algeria from two distinct regions which confirm its large circulation in the country and more broadly in North Africa. Further studies are needed to measure the impact on public health through seroprevalence studies in humans as well as animals and to investigate its potential involvement in neurological viral diseases.