Multiple vector-borne pathogens of domestic animals in Egypt

PLoS Negl Trop Dis. 2021 Sep 29;15(9):e0009767. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0009767. eCollection 2021 Sep.

Abstract

Vector Borne Diseases (VBDs) are considered emerging and re-emerging diseases that represent a global burden. The aim of this study was to explore and characterize vector-borne pathogens in different domestic animal hosts in Egypt. A total of 557 blood samples were collected from different animals using a convenience sampling strategy (203 dogs, 149 camels, 88 cattle, 26 buffaloes, 58 sheep and 33 goats). All samples were tested for multiple pathogens using quantitative PCR and standard PCR coupled with sequencing. We identified Theileria annulata and Babesia bigemina in cattle (15.9 and 1.1%, respectively), T. ovis in sheep and buffaloes (8.6 and 7.7%, respectively) and Ba. canis in dogs (0.5%) as well as Anaplasma marginale in cattle, sheep and camels (20.4, 3.4 and 0.7%, respectively) and Coxiella burnetii in sheep and goats (1.7 and 3%; respectively). New genotypes of An. centrale, An. ovis, An. platys-like and Borrelia theileri were found in cattle (1.1,3.4, 3.4 and 3.4%, respectively), An. platys-like in buffaloes (7.7%), An. marginale, An. ovis, An. platys-like and Bo. theileri in sheep (3.4, 1.7, 1.7 and 3.4%, respectively), An. platys, An. platys-like and Setaria digitata in camels (0.7, 5.4 and 0.7%, respectively) and Rickettsia africae-like, An. platys, Dirofilaria repens and Acanthocheilonema reconditum in dogs (1.5, 3.4, 1 and 0.5%, respectively). Co-infections were found in cattle, sheep and dogs (5.7, 1.7, 0.5%, respectively). For the first time, we have demonstrated the presence of several vector-borne zoonoses in the blood of domestic animals in Egypt. Dogs and ruminants seem to play a significant role in the epidemiological cycle of VBDs.

Publication types

  • Observational Study, Veterinary
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Animals, Domestic*
  • Babesia / genetics
  • Babesia / isolation & purification*
  • Bacteria / genetics
  • Bacteria / isolation & purification*
  • Bacterial Infections / blood
  • Bacterial Infections / epidemiology
  • Bacterial Infections / veterinary
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Egypt / epidemiology
  • Filariasis / epidemiology
  • Filariasis / parasitology
  • Filariasis / veterinary
  • Filarioidea / isolation & purification*
  • Phyllachorales
  • Prevalence
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / blood
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / epidemiology
  • Protozoan Infections, Animal / parasitology
  • Vector Borne Diseases / blood
  • Vector Borne Diseases / epidemiology
  • Vector Borne Diseases / veterinary*

Supplementary concepts

  • Telimena aequatoriensis

Grants and funding

This study was supported by the Institut Hospitalo-Universitaire (IHU) Méditerranée Infection, the National Research Agency under the program “Investissements d'avenir”, reference ANR-10-IAHU-03, the Région Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur and European funding FEDER PRIMI. The authors acknowledge funding from the Science and Technology Development Fund (STDF) and Institut Francais d’Egypte (IFE) (ID: 30652) for the support of this research. The funders just supported the study through chemicals availability. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.