Cross-sectional study of ticks in the vulnerable free-living spur-thighed tortoise<i>Testudo graeca</i>(Testudines: Testudinidae) from Morocco

Laghzaoui, El-Mustapha; Bouazza, Abdellah; Abbad, Abdelaziz; Mouden, El Hassan El

doi:10.1080/01647954.2021.2024595

Cited by 3 publications

(1 citation statement)

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“…Moreover, other zoonotic pathogens associated to reptiles (e.g., Anaplasma , Borrelia , Rickettsia ) are transmitted by vectors (i.e., mosquitoes, ticks, and sand flies) [ 10 ]. Previous studies in Moroccan herpetofauna have addressed Salmonella [ 12 ], and ticks [ 13 ] from tortoises, as well as herpetophilic sand flies’ species and their potential role in the transmission of leishmaniases [ 14 ]. In addition, ecological studies have been performed on the prevalence and distribution of hemoparasites, such as Hepatozoon spp.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Snakes and Souks: Zoonotic pathogens associated to reptiles in the Marrakech markets, Morocco

Mendoza-Roldan,

Noll Louzada-Flores,

Lekouch

et al. 2023

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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The world-famous markets of Marrakech, also known in Arabic as souks, harbor a vast diversity of reptiles that are sold for medicinal/magic/pet purposes or used for snake charming. This unique epidemiological context has never been studied considering the interactions of humans, reptiles, and zoonotic pathogens. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the parasites and pathogens present in blood and feces associated with handled reptiles in the markets of Marrakech to assess the risk of zoonotic transmission within the reptile-human interface. Privately owned reptiles (n = 118), coming from vendors or snake charmers, were examined and blood and feces sampled. DNA was extracted and molecular screening (cPCR, nPCR, qPCR, dqPCR) was performed aiming to identify potentially zoonotic pathogens (i.e., Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Coxiella burnetii, Babesia/Theileria spp., Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia spp., Leishmania spp., Cestoda). Overall, 28.9% (34/118) of reptiles were positive for at least one pathogen. In blood, Anaplasma spp. were detected in four snakes, with two Montpellier snakes positive for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, while Rickettsia spp. were detected in one Mediterranean chameleon and four puff adders. Leishmania tarentolae was molecularly detected in a Mediterranean chameleon and a Montpellier snake. In feces, the cox1 gene generated a myriad of sequences for nematodes, cestodes, fungi and bacteria. Importantly, Proteus vulgaris was identified from a Mediterranean chameleon. Cryptosporidium spp. nPCR yielded a positive sample (i.e., Cryptosporidium sp. apodemus genotype I) from a Moroccan worm lizard, as well as for bacteria such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa in an Egyptian cobra, and Morganella morganii from a puff adder. Results from this study demonstrated the risk of zoonotic transmission of microorganisms and parasites present in blood and feces from reptiles that are brought to the souks in Marrakech, Morocco, to be sold for medicinal purposes or used for snake charming, being in direct and straight contact with humans.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Snakes and Souks: Zoonotic pathogens associated to reptiles in the Marrakech markets, Morocco

Mendoza-Roldan,

Noll Louzada-Flores,

Lekouch

et al. 2023

PLoS Negl Trop Dis

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Tick infestation in spur-thighed tortoise population: a pilot study for unraveling epidemiological patterns and demographic consequences

Segura,

Rafael,

Vaz-Rodrigues

et al. 2023

Exp Appl Acarol

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Ectoparasites, such as ticks, modulate host population dynamics by impacting demographic traits. They transmit infectious agents among their hosts, posing a critical threat to animal and public health. This study aimed to characterize and analyze the Hyalomma aegyptium infestation on one of its main hosts, the spur-thighed tortoise, its effects on demographic traits, and to determine the diversity of infectious agents present in both ticks and tortoises in the Maamora forest (northwestern Morocco). Our results show that 100% of the tortoises were parasitized by adult ticks in spring, an infestation intensity of 4 ticks/tortoise (5.1 and 3.6 ticks/tortoise in males and females, respectively; 4.2 and 3.3 ticks/tortoise in gravid and non-gravid females, respectively) and an abundance ranging from 1 to 12. Although without significant differences, male tortoises had higher tick abundances than females. The interaction of tortoise sex and body condition was significantly related to tick abundance, male body condition decreased with higher tick abundance in contrast to females. Nevertheless, the interaction of body condition and reproductive stage of females was not significantly related to tick abundance. Gravid females were significantly associated with tick abundance, showing a slightly higher infestation than non-gravid females. Molecular analysis of pooled tick samples revealed the presence of Ehrlichia ewingii, Candidatus Midichloria mitochondrii, and Rickettsia africae, with a minimum infection rate of 0.61 to 1.84%. However, blood sample analysis of the tortoises was infectious agent-free, pinpointing a lack of significant health problems. Given the possible effect on the transmission of zoonotic diseases by spur-thighed tortoises associated with their frequent collection as pets, it should be surveyed to control possible human health problems. In conservation terms, as a long-lived species, the role of tick infestation in demographic traits might be included in the management and conservation programs of spur-thighed tortoises.

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Tick Infestation of the Mediterranean Spur-Thighed Tortoises (Testudo graeca, Linnaeus, 1758) from Western Regions of Algeria

Ammar,

Mokhtaria,

Ammar

et al. 2024

Folia Veterinaria

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The Spur-thighed tortoise has a large geographic distribution and can be infested by several tick species, mainly Hyalomma aegyptium. This tick has recently been confirmed as a natural carrier of numerous pathogenic, including zoonotic agents. The purpose of this study was to estimate the level of hard tick infestation in Mediterranean tortoises living in some regions of the west of Algeria (Oran, Mostaganem, and Tiaret) during the spring and summer of the year 2019. Among 39 turtles collected from the different study regions, 22 tested positive, which represents an infestation rate of 56.41 %. A total of 224 adult ticks and one nymph were collected, which can display a tick infestation intensity of 10.23 %. All of these ticks belong to a single species, which is Hyalomma aegyptium. In terms of abundance, this study showed 5.78 ticks/tortoise. Regarding sex, we have collected 198 male and 26 female ticks with a sex ratio of 7.62. The preferred attachment sites of Hyalomma aegyptium ticks were the inguinal, the limbs, and to a lesser degree, the neck. A few rare cases have been collected from the carapace. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of the intensity of H. aegyptium infestation on the tortoise’s health status and to assess the potential transmission of zoonotic pathogens.

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Cross-sectional study of ticks in the vulnerable free-living spur-thighed tortoiseTestudo graeca(Testudines: Testudinidae) from Morocco

Cited by 3 publications

References 65 publications

Snakes and Souks: Zoonotic pathogens associated to reptiles in the Marrakech markets, Morocco

Snakes and Souks: Zoonotic pathogens associated to reptiles in the Marrakech markets, Morocco

Tick infestation in spur-thighed tortoise population: a pilot study for unraveling epidemiological patterns and demographic consequences

Tick Infestation of the Mediterranean Spur-Thighed Tortoises (Testudo graeca, Linnaeus, 1758) from Western Regions of Algeria

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