Evidence of natural infections with Trypanosoma, Anaplasma and Babesia spp. in military livestock from Tunisia.
Abstract: Livestock constitute habitual hosts and carriers for several infectious pathogens which may represent a serious public health concern affecting the readiness of military forces and lead to wide economic losses. The present report aimed to investigate the prevalence of some haemopathogens infecting military livestock, particularly, dromedaries, sheep and horses using Giemsa-stained blood smears. A total of 300 animals (100 from each species) were selected, clinically examined and sampled. Trypanosoma spp. (22.0%), Anaplasma spp. (17.0%) and Babesia spp. (1.0%) were identified in camels' blood. Six dromedaries were found to be co-infected by Trypanosoma and Anaplasma organisms (6.0%). Camels of female gender, infested by ticks and showing clinical signs were statistically more infected by Trypanosoma spp., compared to those of male gender, free of ticks and apparently healthy (P= 0.027, 0.000 and 0.004, respectively). Babesia spp. infection (1.0%) was identified, for the first time in Tunisia, in one adult female camel that presented abortion and anemia. Anaplasma spp. was the only haemopathogen identified in examined sheep (6.0%) and horses (17.0%). Horses infested by Hippobosca equina flies and sheep infested by Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks were more infected by Anaplasma spp. than other non-infested animals (P=0.046 and 0.042, respectively). Hyalomma dromedarii, H. impeltatum and H. excavatum were the most prevalent diagnosed ticks removed from camels with an intensity of infestation of 1.2 ticks per animal. However, in sheep, only R. turanicus was identified. H. equina and Tabanus spp. were the potential hematophagous flies found in dromedaries and horses herds. This useful data must be taken into consideration during animal treatment and vectors' control programs in Tunisian military farms which help to limit the diffusion of vector-borne diseases, keep our livestock healthy and reduce economic losses.
Publication Date: 2019-09-01 PubMed ID: 33597496
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- Journal Article
- Diagnosis
- Disease control
- Disease Diagnosis
- Disease Management
- Disease Outbreaks
- Disease Prevalence
- Disease Transmission
- Disease Treatment
- Equine Diseases
- Equine Health
- Horses
- Infection
- Infectious Disease
- Livestock
- Parasites
- Public Health
- Vector-borne disease
- Veterinary Medicine
- Veterinary Research
- Veterinary Science
- Zoonotic Diseases
Summary
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The research investigates the prevalence of blood pathogens in military livestock in Tunisia, with a primary focus on camels, sheep, and horses. The study found that Trypanosoma, Anaplasma, and Babesia species were present, particularly in camels, potentially posing significant public health risks and economic impacts.
Research Objective
- The main aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of blood pathogens, specifically Trypanosoma spp., Anaplasma spp., and Babesia spp., in different species of military livestock in Tunisia.
Research Methodology
- 300 animals were selected for the study, equally divided among camels, sheep, and horses.
- The researchers conducted clinical examinations and sampling by using Giemsa-stained blood smears.
Key Findings
- Trypanosoma spp., Anaplasma spp., and Babesia spp. were found in the camels’ blood with prevalence rates of 22.0%, 17.0%, and 1.0% respectively.
- Six camels were co-infected by both Trypanosoma and Anaplasma, accounting for 6.0% of the tested dromedaries.
- Female camels infested by ticks and showing clinical signs were more infected by Trypanosoma spp., compared to male camels, those without ticks, and those appearing to be healthy.
- Babesia spp. infection, at 1.0%, was detected in a female camel showing signs of abortion and anemia. This was the first such discovery in Tunisia.
- Anaplasma spp. was the only blood pathogen detected in the examined sheep (6.0%) and horses (17.0%).
- Horses infested by Hippobosca equina flies and sheep infested by Rhipicephalus turanicus ticks were more likely to be infected with Anaplasma spp.
- In terms of prevalent ticks, identified species included Hyalomma dromedarii, H. impeltatum, and H. excavatum in camels, and R. turanicus in sheep. Flies, specifically H. equina and Tabanus spp., were found in herds of dromedaries and horses.
Implications of the Findings
- The findings suggest the potential for wide-ranging impacts on public health and economic stability due to these infections in military livestock.
- These results can provide valuable information for treatment planning and control programs for vectors in Tunisian military farms, thereby helping to limit the spread of vector-borne diseases, maintain the health of livestock, and minimize economic losses.
Cite This Article
APA
Selmi R, Dhibi M, Ben Said M, Ben Yahia H, Abdelaali H, Ameur H, Baccouche S, Gritli A, Mhadhbi M.
(2019).
Evidence of natural infections with Trypanosoma, Anaplasma and Babesia spp. in military livestock from Tunisia.
Trop Biomed, 36(3), 742-757.
Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Ministère de la Défense Nationale, Direction Générale de la Santé Militaire. Service Vétérinaire, Tunis, Tunisia.
- Service de Microbiologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet. Université de la Manouba, Tunisia.
- Institut Nationale Agronomique de Tunis. Université de Carthage, Tunisia.
- Service de Parasitologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet. Université de la Manouba, Tunisia.
- Service de Microbiologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet. Université de la Manouba, Tunisia.
- Ministère de la Défense Nationale, Direction Générale de la Santé Militaire. Service Vétérinaire, Tunis, Tunisia.
- Ministère de la Défense Nationale, Direction Générale de la Santé Militaire. Service Vétérinaire, Tunis, Tunisia.
- Ministère de la Défense Nationale, Direction Générale de la Santé Militaire. Service Vétérinaire, Tunis, Tunisia.
- Ministère de la Défense Nationale, Direction Générale de la Santé Militaire. Service Vétérinaire, Tunis, Tunisia.
- Ministère de la Défense Nationale, Direction Générale de la Santé Militaire. Service Vétérinaire, Tunis, Tunisia.
- Service de Parasitologie, Ecole Nationale de Médecine Vétérinaire de Sidi Thabet. Université de la Manouba, Tunisia.
MeSH Terms
- Anaplasmosis / epidemiology
- Animals
- Babesiosis / epidemiology
- Camelus / parasitology
- Diptera / parasitology
- Female
- Horses / parasitology
- Livestock / parasitology
- Male
- Military Facilities
- Sheep, Domestic / parasitology
- Tick Infestations / parasitology
- Tick Infestations / veterinary
- Trypanosomiasis / epidemiology
- Trypanosomiasis / veterinary
- Tunisia / epidemiology
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Maślanko W, Szwaj E, Gazda M, Bartosik K. Hippobosca equina L. (Hippoboscidae: Hippobosca)-An Old Enemy as an Emerging Threat in the Palearctic Zone. Int J Environ Res Public Health 2022 Dec 17;19(24).
- Defaye B, Moutailler S, Pasqualini V, Quilichini Y. Distribution of Tick-Borne Pathogens in Domestic Animals and Their Ticks in the Countries of the Mediterranean Basin between 2000 and 2021: A Systematic Review. Microorganisms 2022 Jun 16;10(6).
- Andreani A, Belcari A, Sacchetti P, Romani R. Antennal Morphology and Fine Structure of Flagellar Sensilla in Hippoboscid Flies with Special Reference to Lipoptena fortisetosa (Diptera: Hippoboscidae). Insects 2022 Feb 27;13(3).
- Al-Nabati E, Alajmi R, Metwally DM, Al-Turaiki IM, Tellez-Isaias G, Abdel-Gaber R. Molecular Detection of Tick-Borne Rickettsial Pathogens Associated with the Arabian Camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Riyadh and the Eastern Region, Saudi Arabia. Acta Parasitol 2022 Jun;67(2):794-801.
- Sana K, Monia L, Ameni BS, Haikel H, Imed BS, Walid C, Boꯞlla H, Bassem BHM, Hafedh D, Samed B, Makram O, Atef BH, Mohsen B, Taib K, Ammar J, Chedia S, Habib JM. Serological survey and associated risk factors' analysis of Trypanosomiasis in camels from Southern Tunisia. Parasite Epidemiol Control 2022 Feb;16:e00231.
- Gharbi M, Kamoun M, Khamassi M, Rekik S, Ben Smida B, Fekih Ahmed J, Boubaker C, Cecchi G, Gimonneau G, Desquesnes M. Trypanosoma evansi infection in Tunisia: current situation. Parasite 2025;32:65.
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