Despite control/eradication programs, brucellosis, major worldwide zoonosis due to the Brucella genus, is endemic in Northern Africa and remains a major public health problem in the Maghreb region (Algeria/Morocco/Tunisia). Brucella melitensis biovar 3 is mostly involved in human infections and infects mainly small ruminants. Human and animal brucellosis occurrence in the Maghreb seems still underestimated and its epidemiological situation remains hazy. This study summarizes official data, regarding Brucella melitensis infections in Algeria, from 1989 to 2012, with the purpose to provide appropriate insights concerning the epidemiological situation of human and small ruminant brucellosis in Maghreb. Algeria and Europe are closely linked for historical and economical reasons. These historical connections raise the question of their possible impact on the genetic variability of Brucella strains circulating in the Maghreb. Other purpose of this study was to assess the genetic diversity among Maghreb B. melitensis biovar 3 strains, and to investigate their possible epidemiological relationship with European strains, especially with French strains. A total of 90 B. melitensis biovar 3 Maghreb strains isolated over a 25 year-period (1989–2014), mainly from humans, were analysed by MLVA-16. The obtained results were compared with genotypes of European B. melitensis biovar 3 strains. Molecular assays showed that Algerian strains were mainly distributed into two distinct clusters, one Algerian cluster related to European sub-cluster. These results led to suggest the existence of a lineage resulting from socio-historical connections between Algeria and Europe that might have evolved distinctly from the Maghreb autochthonous group. This study provides insights regarding the epidemiological situation of human brucellosis in the Maghreb and is the first molecular investigation regarding B. melitensis biovar 3 strains circulating in the Maghreb.

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Brucellosis is an endemic disease in north African countries, including Algeria. To evaluate the infection of veterinarians by brucellosis in Algeria and to study the associated epidemiological factors, we created a survey consisting of 21 questions that were distributed in paper and digital versions. We collected responses from 100 veterinarians spread over 30 wilayas in the different regions of Algeria, i.e., East, Centre, West, and South. The survey revealed that 15% of veterinarians got infected with brucellosis during their practice. Almost half (47%) contracted the disease through direct contact with diseased animals and/or their products, mostly during intervention for the retained placenta. In addition, 20% became infected during vaccination campaigns against brucellosis due to unprotected hands, while 13% were infected by consuming raw milk. 74% of veterinarians agreed to work on farms with brucellosis. Factors such as the frequency of encountering brucellosis farms, negligence in wearing protective equipment, lack of training in handling the vaccine, and lack of work hygiene were reported by the surveyed professionals. Therefore, increasing awareness and educational programs are required among occupational in Algeria.