Molecular detection of vector-borne bacterial pathogens in dromedary camels from Algeria

Abstract

Background: In Algeria, little focus was placed on camels as hosts of tick-borne bacterial diseases. Recent studies showed a high prevalence of tick infestation in dromedaries. Transmission of various pathogenic micro organisms to camels by ticks imposes considerable economic losses to livestock and greatly impact on human and animal health. The aim of our study was to investigate the occurrence of vector-borne zoonotic bacteria in camels from Algeria.
 Methodology: Blood samples were collected from 80 randomly selected camels in Laghouat province, southern Algeria. The samples were screened for Anaplasma spp, Bartonella spp, Rickettsia spp and Coxiella burnetii by qPCR. All positive samples were confirmed by standard PCR followed by sequencing. Data on age, sex, tick infestation and location of the camels were analyzed using the SPSS version 17.0 and association of these with vector-borne bacterial pathogens was determined using Chi-square (χ2) test. P value lower than 0.05 wasconsidered as indicative of significance.
 Results: Twenty five of the 80 (31.3%) camels were positive to at least one vector-borne bacterial pathogen with Anaplasma phagocytophilum (22.5%, 18/80) being the most prevalent species, followed by Anaplasma platys (7.5%, 6/80) and Bartonella dromedarii (2.5%, 2/80). Only one camel was co-infected with two pathogens. All samples tested negative for Rickettsia spp and Coxiella burnetii. None of the factors (age, sex, tick infestation and study sites) was significantly associated with prevalence of vector-borne bacteria in the camels (p>0.05).
 Conclusion: The present study is the first report of anaplasmosis and bartonellosis in "Camelus dromedaries" from Algeria. Our results highlighted the need for further investigations on tickborne pathogens of camels.

Bartonella species in dromedaries and ruminants from Lower Shabelle and Benadir regions, Somalia

“…in ruminants (8.5% goats, 6.6% sheep, 3.1% cattle) and dromedary (1.9%) from Somalia. Previous studies conducted in dromedaries from Tunisia and Algeria also reported lower prevalence rates of 3.6% % (Selmi et al., 2020) and 2.6% (Bessas et al., 2022), respectively. On the other hand, a prevalence of 17% was found in dromedaries from Iran (Ghaemi et al., 2019).…”

“…In contrast, studies conducted in Iran (Bahari et al., 2021) and Palestine (Ereqat et al., 2016) recorded negative results among dromedaries. Herein, while B. henselae was detected in a dromedary, ‘ Candidatus B. dromedarii’ was documented in dromedary from Algeria (Bessas et al., 2022) and Iran (Ghaemi et al., 2019). B. henselae has already been detected in dromedary from Tunisia (Selmi et al., 2020).…”

“…infections have been reported in both wildlife and domestic animals. Notable instances include B. henselae in African lions, cats, dogs, and cheetahs (Gundi et al., 2004; Molia et al., 2004; Trataris et al., 2012), Bartonella clarridgeiae in dogs (Gundi et al., 2004), B. bovis in cattle (Boularias et al., 2020; Dahmani et al., 2017; Raoult et al., 2005), and African wild buffaloes ( Syncerus caffer ) (Gonçalves et al., 2018), ‘ Candidatus B. dromedarii’ in dromedary (Bessas et al., 2022; Selmi et al., 2020), and a putative novel genotype of Bartonella spp. in African wild buffaloes (Gonçalves et al., 2018).…”

Tissue-specific localization of tick-borne pathogens in ticks collected from camels in Kenya: insights into vector competence

“…(i.e., A. marginale, A. platys , and A. ovis ) were detected in apparently healthy camels. Anaplasma spp., including A. phagocytophilum , have previously been detected in camels from Saudi Arabi ( Alanazi et al., 2020 ), Algeria ( Bessas et al., 2022 ), and the United Arab Emirates ( El Tigani-Asil et al., 2021 ). Further, in Ben Said et al.…”