The taxonomic and phylogenetic status of Echinococcus granulosus strains are still controversial and under discussion. In the present study, we investigated the genetic polymorphism of E. granulosus isolates originating from three countries of Africa, including a region of Algeria, where the common G1 sheep and the camel G6 strains coexist sympatrically. Seventy-one hydatid cysts were collected from sheep, cattle, camels, and humans. Two mitochondrial markers (cox1 and nad1) were used for strain identification. Two nuclear markers (actII and hbx2) were used to study the possible occurrence of cross-fertilization. Despite the heterogeneity observed among the G1 isolates, they were all localized within one robust cluster. A second strong cluster was also observed containing all of the G6 isolates. Both strains appeared as two distinct groups, and no cases of interbreeding were found. Thus, the attribution of a species rank can be suggested. We also found the Tasmanian sheep G2 strain for the first time in Africa. Because of the slight variations observed between the common sheep and the Tasmanian sheep strains, further studies should be carried out to elucidate the epidemiological relevance of this genetic discrimination.

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Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a widespread and severe zoonotic disease caused by infection with the larval stage of the eucestode Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato. The polymorphism exhibited by nuclear and mitochondrial markers conventionally used for the genotyping of different parasite species and strains does not reach the level necessary for the identification of genetic variants linked to restricted geographical areas. EmsB is a tandemly repeated multilocus microsatellite that proved its usefulness for the study of genetic polymorphisms within the species E. multilocularis, the causative agent of alveolar echinococcosis. In the present study, EmsB was used to characterize E. granulosus sensu lato samples collected from different host species (sheep, cattle, dromedaries, dogs, and human patients) originating from six different countries (Algeria, Mauritania, Romania, Serbia, Brazil, and the People's Republic of China). The conventional mitochondrial cox1 and nad1 markers identified genotypes G1, G3, G5, G6, and G7, which are clustered into three groups corresponding to the species E. granulosus sensu stricto, E. ortleppi, and E. canadensis. With the same samples, EmsB provided a higher degree of genetic discrimination and identified variations that correlated with the relatively small-scale geographic origins of the samples. In addition, one of the Brazilian single hydatid cysts presented a hybrid genotypic profile that suggested genetic exchanges between E. granulosus sensu stricto and E. ortleppi. In summary, the EmsB microsatellite exhibits an interesting potential for the elaboration of a detailed map of the distribution of genetic variants and therefore for the determination and tracking of the source of CE.

The authors investigated biochemical and haematological parameters in 40 healthy and 40 tropical theileriosis () clinically infected cattle in El Eulma region (North East Algeria). The mean haematological and biochemical parameters including the number of erythrocytes, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration and mean corpuscular haemoglobin were estimated. The mean hematological and biochemical parameters including the number of leukocytes, erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, glucose, albumin, total proteins decreased significantly ( = 0.005; 0.008; 0.03 0.048; 0.002; 0.027 and 0.018; respectively) in Montbéliard breed clinically infected with . In all diseased animals, the concentration of total and direct bilirubin increased significantly ( < 0.001). In cross breed cattle, the erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit means decreased significantly ( = 0.027; 0.003 and <0.001, respectively). Two types of anemia were detected: a microcytic hypochromic anemia in Montbéliard breed clinically infected cattle and normocytic normochromic anemia in local and cross breed cattle. Tropical theileriosis induces severe biochemical and haematological alterations that should be taken into consideration by field veterinarians for both the diagnosis of the disease and its treatment.

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