1.Evidence of natural infections with Trypanosoma, Anaplasma and Babesia spp. in military livestock from Tunisia
Selmi, R. ; Dhibi, M. ; Ben Said, M. ; Ben Yahia, H. ; Abdelaali, H. ; Ameur, H. ; Baccouche, S. ; Gritli, A. ; Mhadhbi, M.
Tropical Biomedicine 2019;36(3):742-757
Livestock constitute habitual hosts and carriers for several infectious pathogens
which may represent a serious public health concern affecting the readiness of military
forces and lead to wide economic losses. The present report aimed to investigate the prevalence
of some haemopathogens infecting military livestock, particularly, dromedaries, sheep and
horses using Giemsa-stained blood smears. A total of 300 animals (100 from each species)
were selected, clinically examined and sampled. Trypanosoma spp. (22.0%), Anaplasma spp.
(17.0%) and Babesia spp. (1.0%) were identified in camels’ blood. Six dromedaries were found
to be co-infected by Trypanosoma and Anaplasma organisms (6.0%). Camels of female
gender, infested by ticks and showing clinical signs were statistically more infected by
Trypanosoma spp., compared to those of male gender, free of ticks and apparently healthy
(P= 0.027, 0.000 and 0.004, respectively). Babesia spp. infection (1.0%) was identified, for the
first time in Tunisia, in one adult female camel that presented abortion and anemia. Anaplasma
spp. was the only haemopathogen identified in examined sheep (6.0%) and horses (17.0%).
Horses infested by Hippobosca equina flies and sheep infested by Rhipicephalus turanicus
ticks were more infected by Anaplasma spp. than other non-infested animals (P=0.046 and
0.042, respectively). Hyalomma dromedarii, H. impeltatum and H. excavatum were the
most prevalent diagnosed ticks removed from camels with an intensity of infestation of 1.2
ticks per animal. However, in sheep, only R. turanicus was identified. H. equina and Tabanus
spp. were the potential hematophagous flies found in dromedaries and horses herds. This
useful data must be taken into consideration during animal treatment and vectors’ control
programs in Tunisian military farms which help to limit the diffusion of vector-borne diseases,
keep our livestock healthy and reduce economic losses.