Preliminary studies on the prevalences of natural fasciolosis in cattle, sheep, and the host snail ( Galba truncatula ) in north-eastern Algeria

Abstract

Three series of investigations on natural infections with Fasciola hepatica were carried out in north-eastern Algeria): (1) on different samples from cattle and sheep slaughtered at Constantine and Jijel from 1994 to 1996, (2) from 31 cattle- and sheep-breeding farms from 1999 to 2001, using serology on blood samples, and (3) on overwintering Galba truncatula from four populations, in 2002 and 2003. Significantly higher prevalences of fasciolosis were found in the cattle and sheep from Jijel (27.0% in slaughtered cattle and 27.3% in cattle from farms, compared to 9.1% and 6.3%, respectively, in cattle from Constantine). No significant differences in the prevalences were recorded between 1994 and 1996 and 1999 and 2001 for each species of ruminant, whatever the department considered. The infection rates for overwintering snails were also higher in the two populations from Jijel compared with those from the department of Constantine (a mean of 4.6-5.9% instead of 2.6-3.1%)). These results may be explained by the climatic conditions in the department of Jijel (an annual rainfall of 750-900 mm instead of 350 mm at Constantine), and the mode of anthelminthic treatment (the periods of treatment would be inappropriate in the case of Jijel).

Genetic characterization of Fasciola hepatica from Tunisia and Algeria based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences

“…Previous studies in Africa have shown that F. gigantica mainly occurs in Burkina Faso, Senegal, Kenya, Zambia and Mali (Tembely et al 1995;Mungube et al 2006;Periago et al 2006;Phiri et al 2007), while F. hepatica has been reported from Morocco (Khallaayoune et al 1991), and both species have been observed from Egypt and Niger (Haridy et al 2007;Lotfy et al 2008). From Tunisia and Algeria, the presence of F. hepatica was detected in domestic ruminants using serology: Tunisia, 14.3% of cattle, 35-55% of sheep and 68% of goats (Jemli et al 1991;Hammami et al 2007) and Algeria, 6.3-27.3% of cattle (Mekroud et al 2004). …”

“…The infection with Fasciola spp. represents a major human health problem in diverse parts of Africa such as Egypt, Zambia, Kenya, Algeria, Zimbabwe, Tanzania and Nigeria (Haseeb et al 2002;Lotfy et al 2002;Mekroud et al 2004;Keyyu et al 2006;Mungube et al 2006;Pfukenyi et al 2006;Phiri et al 2007;Ali et al 2008), and recently, human infection cases with F. hepatica have been documented from southwest Tunisia, with prevalence infection of 6.6% (Hammami et al 2007). (Hammami and Ayadi 2008;Hamed et al 2009;Hammami et al 2007;Mekroud et al 2004;Khallaayoune et al 1991), F. gigantica on G. truncatula from Egypt and Lymnaea natalensis from Mali (Dar et al 2003;Tembely et al 1995).…”

Epidemiological studies onFasciola hepaticain Gafsa oases (South West of Tunisia)

“…This is in accordance with the results found in Tozeur oases (Ayadi et al, 1997). The infection rate of ovine was lower in Algeria (6.4 % in Constantine and 23 % in Jijel) (Mekroud et al, 2004);7.3 % in Iran (Moghaddam et al, 2004). But the rate was more important in cows in Bolivia (100 %) (Mas-Coma et al, 1999) and in Ethiopia (51.2 %) (Yilma & Mesfin, 2000).…”

“…This result is similar to that found in the middle of France with two infection periods: from June to July and from September to October. However, in the middle of Mexico, the infection of G. truncatula occurred only in August and November (Mendoza et al, 2005); in Florida from February to April (Kaplan et al, 1997) and in the north-east of Algeria from January to April in Constantine and from December to May in Jijel (Mekroud et al, 2004). …”

Occurrence of endoparasites in heifers imported to Poland from the Netherlands (Short Communication)

“…Parasitoses belong to the most common diseases of ungulates (DISTL 2001, GÓRSKI et al 2004a, 2004b, AGNEESSENS et al 2000, BORGSTEEDE et al 1998, MEKROUD et al 2004, PILARCZYK et al 2002, HILGENSTOCK et al 2006 and result in high losses caused mainly by reduced condition, productivity, and resistance of the affected animals. Parasitic diseases proceed usually subclinically, for which reason they very often go undetected by breeders and veterinarians alike.…”