Publications Scientifiques

Now showing 1 - 5 of 5

Molecular Surveillance of Yersinia pestis from Stray Dogs and Cats and their Fleas in Algiers
(Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, 2024) Zaidi, Sara; Bessas, Amina; Hezil, Djamila; Benseghir, H.; Bitam, Idir
In recent years, plague has re-emerged in several countries around the world and remains endemic in some regions. In a natural environment, and in contact with rodents and their fleas, stray carnivores are most at risk of catching the disease and maintaining the spread of the bacillus. The objective of this study is to demonstrate the presence or absence of Yersinia pestis in stray dogs and cats in the Algiers region by molecular methods and thus contribute their role in epidemiology of this disease. Molecular research of Yersinia pestis has also been conducted on fleas from these carnivores. Preliminary identification of ectoparasites to genus and species level was performed. Real-time polymerase chain reaction targeting Yersinia pestis pla gene was used to survey the plague agent in fleas and carnivores captured as stray animals in Algiers (Algeria). Positive qPCR results were tested by PCR sequencing using glpD gene. Among 327 fleas captured from 107 dogs and 365 fleas from 140 cats, prevalence of Ctenocephalides felis was higher in cats (86,96%), whereas that of Ctenocephalides canis and Xenopsylla cheopis was higher in dogs (90,57% and 92,63% respectively). While internal and external PCR positive controls were positive, none of the 107 dogs spleen and 140 cat spleens and none of the 256 analyzed fleas were positive for Y. pestis. These results suggest that stray cats and dogs are unlikely sources for plague in Algeria contrary to that has been reported in other plague-endemic countries. This observation illustrates that plague epidemiological chain varies from one region to another
Microorganisms associated with the North African hedgehog Atelerix algirus and its parasitizing arthropods in Algeria
(Elsevier, 2022) Aouadi, Nawal; Benkacimi, Linda; Zan Diarra, Adama; Laroche, MaureenLaroche; Bérenger, Jean-Michel; Bitam, Idir; Parola, Philippe
Hedgehogs are small mammals. They are potential reservoirs of various zoonotic agents. This study was conducted in Bouira, a north-central region of Algeria. A total of 21 Atelerix algirus corpses were picked up on roadsides and gardens. Hedgehog kidneys, spleens and ectoparasites were collected. Twelve hedgehogs were infested with ectoparasites, including Archaeopsylla erinacei, Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. and Haemaphysalis erinacei. Hedgehog organs and randomly selected arthropods were screened for microorganisms using molecular methods. Coxiella burnetii was detected in kidneys, spleens, A. erinacei, Hae. erinacei and Rh. sanguineus s.l. Leptospira interrogans was detected in kidneys. Rickettsia felis and Rickettsia massiliae were detected respectively in A. erinacei and in Rh. sanguineus s.l. DNA of an uncultivated Rickettsia spp. was found in Hae. erinacei. Wolbachia spp. DNA was detected in fleas. The DNA of potential new Bartonella and Ehrlichia species were found respectively in fleas and ticks. This study highlights the presence of DNA from a broad range of microorganisms in hedgehogs and their ectoparasites that may be responsible for zoonoses in Algeria
Human head lice and pubic lice reveal the presence of several Acinetobacter species in Algiers, Algeria
(Elsevier, 2017) Manaa, Nassima; Louni, Meriem; Parola, Philippe; Bitam, Idir
There are two majorspecies of medically important lice that parasitize humans: Phthirus pubis, found in pubic hair, and Pediculus humanus. Pediculus humanus consists of two eco types that live in specific niches on the human host: body lice (Pediculus humanus humanus), found on the human body and clothing, and head lice (Pediculus humanus capitis), found on the scalp. To date, only body lice are known to be vectors of human disease; however, it has recently been reported that the DNA of several bacterial agents has been detected in head lice, raising questions about their role in the transmission of pathogens. This issue caught our attention, in addition to the fact that the pathogenic bacteria associated with P. pubis and P. humanus capitis have never been investigated in Algeria. To investigate this,molecular techniques (real-time PCR) were used to screen for the presence of Acinetobacter spp., Bartonella spp., Borrelia spp. and Rickettsia prowazekii DNA from P. humanus capitis (64 lice) collected from schoolchildren,and P. pubis (4 lice),collected from one adultman living in Algiers. Positive samples for Acinetobacter spp.were identified by sequencing therpoBgene. Conventional PCR targeting the partial Cytb gene was used to determine the phylogenetic clade of the collected lice. Of the 64 samples collected, Acinetobacter spp. DNA was detected in 17/64 (27%) of head lice, identified as: A. baumannii (14%), A. johnsonii (11%) and A. variabilis (2%). Of the four P. pubissamples, 2(50%) were positive for A. johnsonii. The phylogenetic tree based on the Cytb gene revealed that P. humanus capitis were grouped into clades A and B. In this study, we report andidentify for the first time Acinetobacter spp.in Algerian P. pubis and P. humanus capitis. The detection of the genus Acinetobacter in lice should not be underestimated, especially in P. humanus capitis, which is distributed worldwide. However, additional epidemiological data are required to determine if human lice may act as an environmental reservoir and are actively involved in the propagation of these bacteria to humans
The white stork Ciconia ciconia in the northeast of Algeria, and its relation with climatic change between 1996 and 2014
(Elsevier, 2017) Mammeria, Aicha Beya; Triplet, Patrick; Bitam, Idir
First account of arthropods in the nest of the white stork, ciconia ciconia, in Algeria, including the flea ctenocephalides felis
(Societe Zoologique de France, 2014) Mammeria, Aicha Beya; Bitam, Idir; Kernif, Tahar

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