Coxiella burnetii in Tunisian dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius): Seroprevalence, associated risk factors and seasonal dynamics

Selmi, Rachid; Mamlouk, Aymen; Yahia, Houcine Ben; Abdelaali, Hedi; Saïd, Mourad Ben; Sellami, Khalil; Dâaloul-Jedidi, Monia; Jemli, M. H.; Messadi, Lilia

doi:10.1016/j.actatropica.2018.09.008

Cited by 27 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The seroprevalence of anti-C. burnetii in humans and many different animals have been detected in Iraq's neighboring countries such as Saudi Arabia (10), Iran (11), Turkey (16), and Kuwait (17). Our findings are primarily in line with many studies reported in other countries such as Selimand Ali (8), who detected that the seroprevalence rate was 22% in camel in Egypt; however, our results were lower than detected 71.2% in Algeria (18), 44% in Tunisia (19) and 40.7% in Egypt (20).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

First serodetection and molecular phylogenetic documentation of Coxiella burnetii isolates from female camels in Wasit governorate, Iraq

Al-Graibawi¹,

Yousif²,

Gharban³

et al. 2021

IJVS

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This study aims to detect Coxiella burnetii in one-humped female camels (Camelus dromedarius) using ELISA and confirmation of infection by PCR with the phylogenetic analysis of local isolates. The 91 adult female camels were selected for clinical examination and blood sampling from different areas in Badra and Al-Numaniyah districts in Wasit governorate, Iraq, from February to April 2019. The prevalence of Coxiella (C.) burnetii was 19.8% and 4.4% by ELISA and PCR, respectively. Targeting 16S rRNA genes from three positive samples were documented in the Genbank-NCBI under accession numbers of MN900579.1, MN900580.1, and MN900581.1. Clinical evaluation revealed insignificant variation in temperature, pulse, respiratory rates, and lymph node enlargement among the positive and negative animals. The findings also showed that camels of the Badra regions have positive signs. burnetii compared to other regions, and the infection was increased significantly in April and March. In conclusion, our findings confirmed the prevalence of C. burneth among Iraqi female camels, suggesting that these animals might be a source of the pathogen for humans and other animal species. Therefore, further studies are necessary to provide more detailed data about the prevalence of C. burnetiito to improve effective control measures.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

First serodetection and molecular phylogenetic documentation of Coxiella burnetii isolates from female camels in Wasit governorate, Iraq

Al-Graibawi¹,

Yousif²,

Gharban³

et al. 2021

IJVS

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“…In different studies, the correlation between coxiellosis and the abundance of ticks as a risk factor was examined. Predominantly, no significant correlation was found (165)(166)(167), whereas other investigations concluded an association between tick infestation and seroprevalence (168,169).…”

Section: Experimental Studies Are Needed To Assess the Vector Competence Of Further Tick Speciesmentioning

confidence: 75%

The Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Hard Ticks in Europe and Their Role in Q Fever Transmission Revisited—A Systematic Review

et al. 2021

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The zoonosis Q fever is caused by the obligate intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Besides the main transmission route via inhalation of contaminated aerosols, ticks are discussed as vectors since the first isolation of the pathogen from a Dermacentor andersonii tick. The rare detection of C. burnetii in ticks and the difficult differentiation of C. burnetii from Coxiella-like endosymbionts (CLEs) are questioning the relevance of ticks in the epidemiology of Q fever. In this review, literature databases were systematically searched for recent prevalence studies concerning C. burnetii in ticks in Europe and experimental studies evaluating the vector competence of tick species. A total of 72 prevalence studies were included and evaluated regarding DNA detection methods and collection methods, country, and tested tick species. Specimens of more than 25 different tick species were collected in 23 European countries. Overall, an average prevalence of 4.8% was determined. However, in half of the studies, no Coxiella-DNA was detected. In Southern European countries, a significantly higher prevalence was observed, possibly related to the abundance of different tick species here, namely Hyalomma spp. and Rhipicephalus spp. In comparison, a similar proportion of studies used ticks sampled by flagging and dragging or tick collection from animals, under 30% of the total tick samples derived from the latter. There was no significant difference in the various target genes used for the molecular test. In most of the studies, no distinction was made between C. burnetii and CLEs. The application of specific detection methods and the confirmation of positive results are crucial to determine the role of ticks in Q fever transmission. Only two studies were available, which assessed the vector competence of ticks for C. burnetii in the last 20 years, demonstrating the need for further research.

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“…In this context, we hypothesize that A. algirus hedgehogs in Tunisia could be an efficient wild reservoir for C. burnetii and could participate in its enzootic cycle, which involves ticks and fleas enhancing the exposure of domestic animals and humans to this zoonotic and pathogenic agent. In addition, Coxiella burnetii infection has recently been reported in dromedary camels in Tunisia [ 49 ], and the bacterium infests Hyalomma dromedarii and Hy. impeltatum ticks [ 50 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atelerix algirus, the North African Hedgehog: Suitable Wild Host for Infected Ticks and Fleas and Reservoir of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia

et al. 2021

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Small wild mammals are an important element in the emergence and transmission of vector-borne pathogens (VBPs). Among these species, hedgehogs have been found to be a reservoir of VBPs and host of arthropod vectors. Surveillance of VBPs in wildlife and their arthropods are crucial in a one health context. We conducted an exploratory study to screen Atelerix algirus hedgehogs and their infesting ticks and fleas for VBPs using a high throughput microfluidic real-time PCR system. Tested biopsies from hedgehogs were found to be naturally infected by Theileria youngi, Hepatozoon sp., Ehrlichia ewingii, Coxiella burnetii, and Candidatus Ehrlichia shimanensis. Similarly, Haemaphysalis erinacei and Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick species were infected by Ehrlichia ewingii, Rickettsia spp., Rickettsia massiliae, Borrelia sp., Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia lusitaniae and Anaplasma sp. Archaeopsylla erinacei fleas were infected by Rickettsia asembonensis, Coxiella burnetii, and Rickettsia massiliae. Co-infections by two and three pathogens were detected in hedgehogs and infesting ticks and fleas. The microfluidic real-time PCR system enabled us not only to detect new and unexpected pathogens, but also to identify co-infections in hedgehogs, ticks, and fleas. We suggest that hedgehogs may play a reservoir role for VBPs in Tunisia and contribute to maintaining enzootic pathogen cycles via arthropod vectors.

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Coxiella burnetii in Tunisian dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius): Seroprevalence, associated risk factors and seasonal dynamics

Cited by 27 publications

References 36 publications

First serodetection and molecular phylogenetic documentation of Coxiella burnetii isolates from female camels in Wasit governorate, Iraq

First serodetection and molecular phylogenetic documentation of Coxiella burnetii isolates from female camels in Wasit governorate, Iraq

The Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii in Hard Ticks in Europe and Their Role in Q Fever Transmission Revisited—A Systematic Review

Atelerix algirus, the North African Hedgehog: Suitable Wild Host for Infected Ticks and Fleas and Reservoir of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia

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