Serosurvey for Zoonotic Viral and Bacterial Pathogens Among Slaughtered Livestock in Egypt

Abstract

Introduction Zoonotic diseases are an important cause of human morbidity and mortality. Animal populations at locations with high risk of transmission of zoonotic pathogens offer an opportunity to study viral and bacterial pathogens of veterinary and public health concern. Methods Blood samples were collected from domestic and imported livestock slaughtered at the Muneeb abattoir in central Egypt in 2009. Samples were collected from cattle (n = 161), buffalo (n = 153), sheep (n = 174), and camels (n = 10). Samples were tested for antibodies against Leptospira spp. by a microscopy agglutination test, Coxiella burnetii by enzyme immunoassay, Brucella spp. by standard tube agglutination, and Rift Valley Fever virus (RVFV), Crimean–Congo hemorrhagic fever virus (CCHFV), sandfly fever Sicilian virus (SFSV), and sandfly fever Naples virus (SFNV) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results Antibodies against Leptospira spp. were identified in 64 (40%) cattle, 45 (29%) buffalo, 71 (41%) sheep, and five (50%) camels; antibodies against C. burnetii in six (4%) buffalo, 14 (8%) sheep, and seven (70%) camels; and antibodies against Brucella spp. in 12 (8%) cattle, one (1%) buffalo, seven (4%) sheep, and one (10%) camel. Antibodies against RVFV were detected in two (1%) cattle and five (3%) buffalo, and antibodies against CCHFV in one (1%) cow. No antibodies against SFSV or SFNV were detected in any species. Discussion Results indicate that livestock have been exposed to a number of pathogens, although care must be taken with interpretation. It is not possible to determine whether antibodies against Leptospira spp. and RVFV in cattle and buffalo are due to prior vaccination or natural exposure. Similarly, antibodies identified in animals less than 6 months of age may be maternal antibodies transferred through colostrum rather than evidence of prior exposure. Results provide baseline evidence to indicate that surveillance within animal populations may be a useful tool to monitor the circulation of pathogens of veterinary and public health concern in Egypt.

Seroprevalence of Rift Valley fever virus in livestock during inter-epidemic period in Egypt, 2014/15

“…This finding corresponds to results obtained from Horton in 2009 [35], which included 153 buffaloes from the Muneeb abattoir in central Egypt, who reported a prevalence of 3% and also to the results from Marawan, 2012, [28] who obtained a prevalence of 9.8% in 102 buffalo sera. Interestingly, there was a striking difference of the prevalence levels for different holding systems: it ranged from 0% in buffalo on the farm compared to animals owned by small holders (12.5%).…”

“…Ramadan, [27] found in 2009 a prevalence of 19.9% ( n  = 183 sheep samples from Dakahlia governorate) and also the results of Marawan, [28] in year 2012 indicated a considerably higher positivity of 12.3% ( n  = 70 sheep samples from the same governorate). Further studies in additional Nile Delta governorates showed likewise higher prevalence levels (a total of 17.6% in Qalyubia, Sharkia and Kafr el Sheikh in 2012; 21.4% in El Monofia, Beheira and Kafr el Sheikh in 2009/2010 [28, 35]). Deviating prevalence levels in small ruminants examined in 2009 and 2012 as compared to our data for sheep in 2015 indicate that the more recent virus circulation was negligible.…”

“…Therefore it could not be ruled out, that those animals were previously imported. Previous studies in Egyptian camels during the present inter-epidemic period are conducted in 2009/2010 with 10 camel sera from an abattoir [35] and in 2012 encompassing 100 camels from Qalyubia governorate [28]. Likewise no further information about the origin of the animals is given in these reports.…”

Systematic Review of Important Viral Diseases in Africa in Light of the ‘One Health’ Concept

“…The disease was first reported in Egypt in 1976 in camels and sheep [209]. In a more recent sero-surveillance in 2009, one cow was found to be positive for the antibodies of CCHFV out of the 161 cattle that were sampled, while 2 cattle and 5 buffaloes were found to be positive for the RVFV antibodies [210]. In this investigation, blood samples were collected from imported as well as domestic animals that were getting slaughtered at an abattoir.…”

A Review of Zoonotic Pathogens of Dromedary Camels

“…Other viruses that were found in camels include Alkhurma hemorrhagic fever (AHF) virus n = 1, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus n = 4, rotavirus n = 2, camel contagious ecthyma n = 2, torque teno virus n = 1, and Dera Ghazi Khan virus n = 1 ( Moallin and Zessin 1988;Khan et al 1997;Al-Moslih et al 2007;Bazargani et al 2010;Carletti 2010;Ghosh et al 2011;Horton et al 2014;Jere et al 2014;Champour et al 2016;Walker et al 2016).…”