Parasites in stray and owned dogs in Algiers

Naouelle, A., Petit, E., Gandoin, C., Bouillin, C., Ghalmi, F., Haddad, N., & Boulouis, H. J. (2015). Prevalence of select vector-borne pathogens in stray and client-owned dogs from Algiers. Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases.

Data on the prevalence of vector-borne diseases agents infecting canines in Algeria is currently lacking. The purpose of this study is to assess by serological and molecular methods the prevalence of select arthropod borne-bacterial infections in client-owned and stray dogs. Antibodies to Anaplasma phagocytophilum were the most prevalent at 47.7%, followed by Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. at 37.6%, Ehrlichia canis at 30.0%, Bartonella henselae at 32.4% and Bartonella vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii at 27%. Seroprevalence was statistically significantly higher in stray dogs than those owned by clients. Seropositivity was not associated with health status, except for Ehrlichia canis. Molecular evaluation indicates that 17.8% of the 213 analysed dogs were positive for Ehrlichia and Anaplasma with a prevalence of 4.2% for Ehrlichia canis, 14.1% for Anaplama platys and 0% for A. phagocytophilum. Seven (7.1%) of the tested dogs were positive for Bartonella spp. with two characterized as Bartonella rochalimae, four as B. henselae and one as B. v. subsp. berkhoffii.

Parity and age related to toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Rabat, Morocco

Laboudi, M., El Mansouri, B., & Rhajaoui, M. (2014). The role of the parity and the age in acquisition of Toxoplasmosis among pregnant women in Rabat-Morocco. International Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, 6 (3): 488-492

Objectives: This retrospective study was undertaken between 2008 and 2009 to assess the seroprevalence of Toxoplasmosis among pregnant women and the role of the parity, the age and the abortion presence or absence in acquisition of infection pregnant women at the National Institute of health in Rabat in Morocco. 

Methods: Specific T. gondii IgG and IgM were measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). Datation of the infection was carried out by avidity test. All existing data for every pregnant woman were collected from medical report. 

Results: Among 1169 pregnant women of different age diagnosed, 47% were found to be IgG seropositive including 1,5 % of IgM seropositive. The use of IgG avidity test allowed to exclude recent infection among 72,2 % of IgM positive sera. The result of bivariate analysis revealed that the age and parity influenced significantly the seroprevalence rate, whilst the existence of previous spontaneous abortion did not have any significant statistical correlation with the positivity of toxoplasmosis. 

Conclusion: This study showed that 53 % pregnant women were susceptible to T. gondii and considered to be at high risk for toxoplasmosis during pregnancy. However, the follow-up of pregnancy and Counselling of pregnant women remains essential of the prevention of congenital toxoplasmosis. 

First trials of oral vaccination against rabies in Morocco

Darkaoui, S., Boué, F., Demerson, J. M., Fassi Fihri, O., Yahia, K. I. S., & Cliquet, F. (2014). First trials of oral vaccination with rabies SAG2 dog baits in Morocco. Clinical and Experimental Vaccine Research, 3(2), 220-226.

Purpose

Canine rabies is a serious health problem in Morocco and about 22 human deaths are reported yearly. Following the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, Moroccan authorities evaluated oral rabies vaccine baits specially designed for dogs.

Materials and Methods

The study was performed in Tiflet area. The vaccine strain was SAG2, a modified live oral rabies vaccine strain. Each bait contained an aluminium/PVC capsule filled with a liquid. Two kinds of baits were used: placebo baits containing methylene blue as a topical marker and vaccine baits containing vaccine suspension. The study was performed according to recommended WHO strategies, i.e., door to door model (DDDM), hand-out and wildlife immunization model (WIM). The DDDM was performed in the rural area of Tiflet on 60 owned dogs. The hand-out strategy was tested on 15 stray dogs. The WIM was performed on 4 transects lines near Tiflet slaughterhouse and near the weekly traditional market location.

Results

Using the DDDM, 100% of owned dogs were attracted by the baits and 77% ate the bait. Using the hand-out model, 100% of dogs showed interest in baits and 46.7% took the baits. Using the WIM in stray dogs, up to 73% of baits disappeared and 68% of the capsules containing the SAG2 vaccine were found pierced, depending on the sites of distribution.

Conclusion

This pilot study showed that baits have a good palatability and that oral vaccination of both owned and stray dogs is feasible with baits specifically developed for dogs and with adapted strategy of distribution.

Human rabies in Morocco

Bennani Mechita, N. (2014). Human rabies cases in Morocco, Period 2003-2012. In The 20th IEA World Congress of Epidemiology (17-21 August 2014, Anchorage, AK). WCE.

INTRODUCTION:
Rabies is a zoonotic disease, affecting more than 150 countries and territories, present in all continents except Antarctica. Man is accidentally reached after a rabid animal’s bite, Rabies almost always leads to rapid death.In Morocco, rabies is a notifiable disease. A multisectoral national program against rabies was established in 1986, and its stakeholders are the Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Interior. The objectives of this program is to fight against stray dogs, to reduce rabies in human in a short term and to eliminate it in a long term. The objective of this study is to discribe rubies in human in morocco.

METHODS:
This study was conducted at the Department of Epidemiology and Disease Control, in charge of epidemiological surveillance of the population and programs of disease control.We conducted a retrospective descriptive study concerning all cases of rabies reported to the department of Epidemiology and Disease Control during the period from January 2003 to December 2012

RESULTS:
An accumulation of 212 cases of human rabies were notified from 2003 until 2012. The maximum number of cases was observed in 2007 (31 cases).The cases came from all regions of the kingdom, except two regions (Oued Eddahab et Laayoun-Boujdour-Sakia lhamra) with a predominance of cases in rural areas (75.5%).

The most affected age group was from 0 to 15 years (34%), with a predominance of male gender (81.6%).The most frequent vector was the dog (85.4%).The sites for the majority of bites were the upper limb (43.9%).The majority of cases didn’t receive vaccination (67.5%) neither serum therapy (72.6%).The median incubation period was 34 days [21; 58 days], This period was shorter when the bite was localized at the upper limb (p <0.001) or when the case didn’t benefit from serum therapy or vaccination (p <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS:

 To reduce the incidence of rubies in human, we have to concentrate our activity in the rural area and to educate the population and the professional of health in the interest of the vaccination.

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Annaba, Algeria

Messerer, L., Bouzbid, S., Gourbdji, E., Mansouri, R., & Bachi, F. (2014). Séroprévalence de la toxoplasmose chez les femmes enceintes dans la wilaya d’Annaba, Algérie. Revue d'Épidémiologie et de Santé Publique.

Seroprevalence of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in Annaba, Algeria

Background
The aim of the study was to estimate the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in pregnant women in the department of Annaba, Algeria.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional study with analytical purposes. The study was collaboration between the laboratory of Parasitology-Mycology, Faculty of Medicine of Annaba and Parasite Biology Department at the Pasteur Institute of Algeria. A total of 1028 pregnant women who underwent prenatal diagnosis/visit were included over a period of 4 years from January 2006 to December 2009. Immunoglobulin G and M were assayed, using the microparticle enzyme method. The avidity test was used to determine the date of contamination according to age of pregnancy. Search for the parasite was made by inoculation of the placenta and cord blood in white mice. The study compared mother-to-child serological profiles using Western Blot (WB) IgG and IgM. Direct (not well-cooked meat) and indirect (presence of cat, gardening) indicators were recorded to search for parasite exposure.

ResultsSeroprevalence was 47.8 % (95 % CI: 44.8 to 51.0) and the rate of active toxoplasmosis was 1.1 % (95 % CI 0.6 to 1.8). According to their immune status, this was the first serology for 41 % (CI95 %: 38.0–44.0) of women; 12 % (CI95 %: 10.5–14.6) of primiparous women had only one serology test during their entire pregnancy. Major risk factors were consumption of poorly-cooked meat and exposure to cats.

Conclusion
Toxoplasmosis during pregnancy is a serious issue and an effective prevention program is needed.

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Position du problème
Le but de l’étude est d’estimer la séroprévalence de la toxoplasmose chez la femme enceinte dans la wilaya d’Annaba et d’identifier les facteurs de risque liés à la contamination.

MéthodesIl s’agit d’une étude transversale à visée analytique. L’étude a été réalisée entre le laboratoire de parasitologie mycologie de la faculté de médecine d’Annaba et le service de biologie parasitaire de l’institut Pasteur d’Algérie, sur une période de quatre ans et a porté sur un échantillon représentatif de 1028 gestantes qui se sont présentées dans le cadre d’un bilan prénatal. La sérologie a été mesurée par la recherche d’immunoglobulines G et M, par la méthode de microparticule enzym assay. La datation de la contamination toxoplasmique par rapport à l’âge de la grossesse a été réalisée par le test d’avidité. La recherche du parasite a été faite par inoculation du placenta et le sang du cordon à la souris blanche. L’étude des profils sérologiques comparés mère-enfant a été faite par Western Blot(WB), IgG et IgM. La recherche des facteurs de risques liés à la contamination a été faite par l’analyse des indicateurs directes (viande mal cuite) et indirectes (présence de chat dans l’entourage, notion de jardinage) d’exposition au parasite.

Résultats
Les examens sérologiques ont permis de trouver une séroprévalence de 47,8 % (IC 95 % : 44,8–51,0) de gestantes immunisées et 1,1 % (IC 95 % : 0,6–1,8) de toxoplasmose évolutive. Selon le statut immunitaire, 41 % des femmes (IC 95 % : 38,0–44,0) ont bénéficié d’un examen sérologique pour la première fois. La proportion des femmes primipares qui a bénéficié d’un seul examen sérologique au cours de toute la grossesse était de 12 % (IC 95 % : 10,5–14,6). Les facteurs de risque identifiés étaient la consommation de viande mal cuite et la présence de chat dans l’entourage.

Conclusion
La toxoplasmose reste une affection particulièrement grave quand elle survient au cours de la grossesse ce qui impose la mise en place d’un programme de prévention basé sur la surveillance sérologique des femmes enceintes à risque et la sensibilisation sur le respect des règles hygiéno-diététiques.