Molecular identification of protozoal and bacterial organisms in domestic animals and their infesting ticks from north-eastern Algeria

Rima Sadeddine (1, 2) , Adama Zan Diarra (1, 3) , Maureen Laroche (1) , Oleg Mediannikov (4, 3) , Souad Righi (2) , Ahmed Benakhla (1) , Handi Dahmana (4) , Didier Raoult (4, 3) , Philippe Parola (1, 3)

1 VITROME - Vecteurs - Infections tropicales et méditerranéennes
2 University Chadli Bendjedid El Tarf
3 IHU Marseille - Institut Hospitalier Universitaire Méditerranée Infection
4 MEPHI - Microbes évolution phylogénie et infections

A molecular survey was undertaken to determine the presence of protozoal and bacterial organisms in 120 ticks and 87 blood samples collected from mammals in northeastern Algeria. Eight tick species were morphologically identified including 70 Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus, 23 Rhipicephalus bursa, five Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato, 11 Hyalomma impeltatum, five Hyalomma scupense, two Hyalommma marginatum, one Hyalomma anatolicum and three Ixodes ricinus. Quantitative PCR screening of the ticks showed that Theileria annulata, "Candidatus Ehrlichia urmitei", Theileria buffeli and Anaplasma platys were detected in Rh. annulatus. Rickettsia massiliae and Anaplasma ovis were detected in Rh. sanguineus s.l. and Rh. bursa. Rickettsia aeschlimannii was detected in Hy. marginatum, Hy. scupense and Hy. impeltatum. Finally, "Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae" was detected in Rh. bursa. In the screening blood samples, Theileria equi, T.annulata, T. buffeli, Babesia bovis, Anaplasma marginale, A. ovis and Borrelia spp. were detected in cattle. Theileria ovis, T. annulata, and A. ovis were detected in sheep. In addition, A. ovis and T. equi were detected in goats and equidea respectively. In this study, T. equi and "Candidatus Rickettsia barbariae" were identified for the first time in Algeria as well as potential new species of Ehrlichia and Anaplasma. Although molecular detection does not indicate vector/reservoir competence when investigating ticks removed from animals, this study expands the knowledge of the microorganisms detected in ticks in northeast of Algeria.

Domaines: Bactériologie; Virologie; Parasitologie; Cardiologie et système cardiovasculaire; Maladies émergentes; Maladies infectieuses

Rima Sadeddine, Adama Zan Diarra, Maureen Laroche, Oleg Mediannikov, Souad Righi, et al.. Molecular identification of protozoal and bacterial organisms in domestic animals and their infesting ticks from north-eastern Algeria. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 2020, 11 (2), pp.101330. ⟨10.1016/j.ttbdis.2019.101330⟩. ⟨hal-02465283⟩