Seasonal distribution of Rickettsia spp. in ticks in northeast Algeria.

This article discusses research conducted on the sampling of two tick species: Ixodes ricinus and Rhipicephalus bursa. Ticks were collected in northern Algeria (El Tarf) in 2014 and studied for differences in abundance and seasonal distribution of population dynamics, as well as tested by PCR for the presence of Rickettsia spp. By molecular tools, four Rickettsia pathogens agents were detected: R. helvetica, R. monacensis, R. raoultii and R. massiliae.

Molecular evidence of Rickettsia slovaca in spleen of wild boars in northeastern Algeria.

Using molecular assays, Rickettsia slovaca, the agent of a spotted fever group rickettsiosis resulting in scalp eschar and neck lymphadenopathy after tick bite, was assessed in 92 spleens recovered from 117 wild boars hunted in the far northeast of Algeria. Rickettsia slovaca was detected in 5.4% of tested wild boar spleens. The presence of R. slovaca DNA in boar spleens questions the relationship that may exist between this bacterium and Sus scrofa algira, and its role in human infections.

Antifungal activity of essential oils extract from Origanum floribundum Munby, Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Thymus ciliatus Desf. against Candida albicans isolated from bovine clinical mastitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to limit the antibiotic use in mastitis treatment and to find other alternatives. The antifungal activity of the essential oils from Origanum floribundum Munby., Rosmarinus officinalis L. and Thymus ciliatus Desf. is studied in the present work against a Candida albicans reference strain and ten C. albicans isolated strains from bovine clinical mastitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Essential oils were extracted by hydrodistillation technique using Clevenger apparatus. Their chromatographic analysis was performed with a Gas Chromatograph/Mass Spectrometer (GC/MS). Antifungal activities of essential oils were investigated by macrobroth method of dilution in tubes to determine the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MIC 80%). RESULTS: Analysis of the essential oil showed chemical profile dominated by thymol (50.47 and 62.41%) and P-cymene (24.22 and 15.51%) in the oregano and the thyme respectively, 1, 8-cineol (31.50%) and α-pinene (18.33%) in Rosemary. The three essential oils revealed highly effective anticandidal activity, with an MIC of 80% values ranged from 15.02 to 31.08µg/mL. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that essential oils studied can be real alternatives in the control of mastitis fungi but deserving studies more in-depth and detailed on their application in vivo.

Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in Galba truncatula detected by Multiplex PCR in the province of El Tarf (Algeria).

The prevalence of Fasciola hepatica infection in the snail Galba truncatula was studied for the first time in Algeria using Multiplex PCR. A total of 722 individuals were collected from 11 typical habitats (temporary ponds, road ditches and puddles) distributed in five localities of the El Tarf province, known for endemicity of fascioliasis. Snails were divided in 75 groups and DNA extraction was performed using Chelex® (Biorad, Nazareth Eke). Two primers were used, the first is specific for 124 bp DNA fragment of Fasciola sp and the second one represents the ITS-2 lymnaeids sequence (500-600 bp). The prevalence of the infection was estimated to be 46.66% for pools (35/75 were positive). The bursting out of the pools show that 75 snails were carriers of F. hepatica which gives an overall infection rate of about 10.74%. The results of snails infection according to their sizes showed significant differences in the studied size classes, thus snails of big sizes were the most infected. Based on these data, epidemiological implication of Multiplex PCR as a fully reliable technique to highlight high risks periods of fasciolosis will be of a great interest.

Prevalence of Fasciola hepatica in Galba truncatula detected by Multiplex PCR in the province of El Tarf (Algeria)

The prevalence of Fasciola hepatica infection in the snail Galba truncatula was studied for the first time in Algeria using Multiplex PCR. A total of 722 individuals were collected from 11 typical habitats (temporary ponds, road ditches and puddles) distributed in five localities of the El Tarf province, known for endemicity of fascioliasis. Snails were divided in 75 groups and DNA extraction was performed using Chelex® (Biorad, Nazareth Eke). Two primers were used, the first is specific for 124 bp DNA fragment of Fasciola sp and the second one represents the ITS-2 lymnaeids sequence (500–600 bp). The prevalence of the infection was estimated to be 46.66% for pools (35/75 were positive). The bursting out of the pools show that 75 snails were carriers of F. hepatica which gives an overall infection rate of about 10.74%. The results of snails infection according to their sizes showed significant differences in the studied size classes, thus snails of big sizes were the most infected. Based on these data, epidemiological implication of Multiplex PCR as a fully reliable technique to highlight high risks periods of fasciolosis will be of a great interest.

The proportion of liver excised in Algerian abattoirs is not a good indicator of Fasciola hepatica infections in local cattle breeds.

Clinical and serological investigations on 175 cattle were carried out in 1999 at the slaughterhouse of Jijel, northeastern Algeria, to verify if partial ablation of a liver infected with Fasciola hepatica represents a good epidemiological indicator in the case of fasciolosis, as partial excision of the liver is widespread throughout North African countries. This study was also performed to determine if there is a direct relationship between the quantity of liver confiscated for fasciolosis and the serological response of slaughtered animals. A significant relationship between highly infected livers and positive serological titres was noted. However, two groups of results were conflicting: the presence of macroscopically healthy, undamaged livers with a positive serology (8.3% of 120 cattle), or the existence of highly damaged livers with a negative serology (13.0% of 31 cattle). These results indicate that partial removal of the liver in the case of fasciolosis is unreliable, so this method does not represent a good tool to establish epidemiological data on this disease.

Epidemiology of sheep infection by Oestrus ovis in Algeria.

313 sheep were examined in 1996 to assess the importance and seasonal evolution of Oestrus ovis infection in the Algerian region of El-Tarf. Prevalence was found to be 67.4%. The larval burden was 18 larvae by infected sheep. The prevalence was higher in older sheep than in lambs; intensity was similar. The different larval stages were found all along the year in sheep with prevalence ranging from 33.1 to 80.5% for L1, 9.7 to 43.9% for L2 and 8.4 to 23.0% for L3. The sheep were the least infected in winter (prevalence from 35.7 to 44% and intensity seven to ten larvae per sheep). The highest infection was found during the warm season (spring to autumn, prevalence from 62 to 90% and intensity ranging from 15 to 25). This larval evolution profile suggested the existence of one long cycle (November-April) and possibly two shorts cycles (May-October). This epidemiological pattern is similar to that in Morocco but was slightly different from the situation in Tunisia where the winter cycle was apparently of lesser importance.

Preliminary studies on the prevalences of natural fasciolosis in cattle, sheep, and the host snail (Galba truncatula) in north-eastern Algeria.

Three series of investigations on natural infections with Fasciola hepatica were carried out in north-eastern Algeria): (1) on different samples from cattle and sheep slaughtered at Constantine and Jijel from 1994 to 1996, (2) from 31 cattle- and sheep-breeding farms from 1999 to 2001, using serology on blood samples, and (3) on overwintering Galba truncatula from four populations, in 2002 and 2003. Significantly higher prevalences of fasciolosis were found in the cattle and sheep from Jijel (27.0% in slaughtered cattle and 27.3% in cattle from farms, compared to 9.1% and 6.3%, respectively, in cattle from Constantine). No significant differences in the prevalences were recorded between 1994 and 1996 and 1999 and 2001 for each species of ruminant, whatever the department considered. The infection rates for overwintering snails were also higher in the two populations from Jijel compared with those from the department of Constantine (a mean of 4.6-5.9% instead of 2.6-3.1%)). These results may be explained by the climatic conditions in the department of Jijel (an annual rainfall of 750-900 mm instead of 350 mm at Constantine), and the mode of anthelminthic treatment (the periods of treatment would be inappropriate in the case of Jijel).

[Bovine hypodermosis in north-eastern Algeria: prevalence and intensity of infestation]. / Hypodermose bovine dans le Nord-Est algérien: prévalence et intensité d'infestation.

Between 1989 and 1997 different factors related to warble fly infestation (prevalence, intensity, climate, breed) were studied in north-eastern Algeria. Mean prevalence during the period was 76%. This figure was obtained from a cattle market survey of four different regions (Jijel, Constantine, Guelma, and El Tarf). One-hundred percent of the herds were found to be infested in El Tarf and 61% of animals were infested. Within a herd, the intensity of infestation decreased with the age of the cattle. The mean number of warbles per animal decreased as reinfestations occurred. The peak of the emergence of warbles observed between January and March was progressively delayed in the older animals. Two species of Hypoderma were present in cattle in Algeria (H. bovis and H. lineatum) with a predominance of H. lineatum (63%) in the semi-arid area (Batna) and a majority of H. bovis (75%) in humid area (Jijel). Warbles appeared earlier in Batna (October) than in Jijel (November). The Prim'Holstein breed was more susceptible to the warble fly infestation than Montbeliard or local breeds. The implementation of a control programme for hypodermosis in Algeria is urgent. Control can be achieved through a mass treatment of cattle. This approach must take into account the factors described in this study which influence the epidemiology of the disease.

Comparative efficacy of different insecticides in the treatment of cattle hypodermosis in north-eastern Algeria.

The efficacy of different drugs (microdose of ivermectin, doramectin and moxidectin at the recommended doses and topically applied rotenone) against the first, second and third instar larvae of Hypoderma bovis and H. lineatum was studied in cattle in the El Tarf area (northeastern Algeria). Before performing the efficacy trials, the life cycle of the warble fly was studied at the slaughterhouse between July 1993 and June 1994. This survey revealed that both species of warble fly were present in this area: L1 larvae of H. lineatum were found around the oesophagus between August and January, whereas L1 larvae of H. bovis were observed around the spine from November until March. Warbles were present under the skin from the end of October until May. The nymphal phase took place between February and May. As a result of this study the authors recommend applying chemoprophylaxis (treatment against L1) in September. This work also confirmed the excellent efficacy of avermectins and milbemycins against the three instar larvae of Hypoderma sp. under the field conditions prevailing in Algeria. Rotenone has a lower efficacy (95%) which is limited to the second and third instar larvae. However, this drug appears useful in dairy cattle.