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Prevalence of bovine theileriosis in North Central region of Algeria by real-time polymerase chain reaction with a note on its distribution

Tropical Animal Health and Production volume 47, pages 787–796 (2015)Cite this article

Abstract

To determine the presence and distribution of bovine theileriosis in the North Central region of Algeria, 358 DNA samples and 359 blood smears were analyzed from nine provinces. Theileria DNA extracted from cattle blood was amplified by fluorescence resonance energy transfer polymerase chain reaction (FRET-PCR). Blood smears were examined for Theileria piroplasms by microscopical examination (ME) of Giemsa-stained slides. While microscopical identification revealed only 42 animals being infected with Theileria piroplasms, PCR-positive amplification using Theileria genus-specific primers was obtained from 132 Theileria spp. (P < 0.0001). Among the 132 positives, 108 animals (81.8 %) were found positive of Theileria annulata, while 24 (18.2 %) were found positive for Theileria sp. (P < 0.0001). However, melting curve analysis of these latter samples revealed the presence of two different peaks, 51.5 ± 0.5 °C corresponding to Theileria sp1 and 52.5 ± 0.5 °C for Theileria sp2. Cloning and sequencing of Theileria sp1 and Theileria sp2 using the Cox primers indicated that these species are very closely related to Theileria buffeli. There is a highly significant difference in the distribution of theileriosis between different provinces (P < 0.0001). This disparity between provinces is probably due to differences in tick contact, influenced by the subhumid bioclimatic gradient and differences in agricultural land use.

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Acknowledgments

This work received financial support from the Algerian Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. We are grateful to the following veterinary practitioners: Drs A. Addi, D. Chenouf, Kh. Benada, A. Belharat, M. Hamdi, A. Djouahria, B. Haddouche, and M. Keddar for their help in collection of samples, to Mrs. J. Dewitte, S. Kaci-Moussa, F. Jansens, and Dr. M. Djerbal, the head of the Regional Veterinary Laboratory of Draa Ben Kheda for technical assistance. We are grateful to the Veterinary Department of the Ministry of Agriculture as well as those of Algiers, Ain Defla, Bejaia, Blida, Bouira, Boumerdes, Medea, Tipaza, and Tizi Ouzou for their support of this work.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Affiliations

  1. Institute of Veterinary Sciences, Saad Dahlab University, BP 270, Ouled Yaich, 9000, Blida, Algeria

    Hocine Ziam & Rabah Kelanamer

  2. High National Veterinary School of El Harrach, BP 161, El Harrach, Algiers, Algeria

    Miriem Aissi

  3. Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, 11 Chemin Doudou Mokhtar, Ben Aknoun, Algiers, Algeria

    Assia Ababou

  4. Institute of Tropical Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Nationalestraat 155, 2000, Antwerp, Belgium

    Dirk Berkvens & Dirk Geysen

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  1. Hocine Ziam
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  2. Rabah Kelanamer
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  3. Miriem Aissi
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  4. Assia Ababou
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Correspondence to Dirk Geysen.

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Ziam, H., Kelanamer, R., Aissi, M. et al. Prevalence of bovine theileriosis in North Central region of Algeria by real-time polymerase chain reaction with a note on its distribution. Trop Anim Health Prod 47, 787–796 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-015-0772-0

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Keywords

  • Theileria annulata
  • Theileria sp
  • Bovine
  • FRET-PCR
  • Prevalence
  • Distribution
  • Algeria