title: Molecular evidence of vector-borne pathogens in dogs and cats and their ectoparasites in Algiers, Algeria.
abstract: In Algeria, only limited information is currently available on the prevalence of emergent canine and feline vector-borne diseases. The aim of the present work was to detect by qPCR vector-associated bacteria in stray dogs and cats and their ectoparasites from Algiers. 18/117 (15.38%) dogs and 2/107 (1.87%) cats were positive for at least one vector-borne agent. Coxiella burnetii and Bartonella henselae were identified in 1/117 (0.85%) dog individually. Ehrlichia canis DNA was detected in 17/117 (14.52%) dogs. 1/107 (0.93%) cat was positive to C. burnetii and another 1/107 (0.93%) to B. henselae. DNA of Rickettsia massiliae, Rickettsia conorii and E. canis was detected in Rhipicephalus sanguineus. Cat fleas were infected with Rickettsia felis, B. henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae. B. vinsonii subsp. berkhoffii was identified in Xenopsylla cheopis collected from dogs. The findings of this study indicate that dogs and cats from Algeria are exposed to multiple tick and flea-borne pathogens.
authors.affiliation: Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire, Alger 16000, Algeria; Université Amar Telidji de Laghouat, 03000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Amina
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bessas
authors.affiliation: Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire, Alger 16000, Algeria; Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Hamza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Leulmi
authors.affiliation: Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire, Alger 16000, Algeria; Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Marseille, France; Université de Bab Ezzouar, Laboratoire d'Ecologie et Environnement, Alger 16000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Idir
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bitam
authors.affiliation: Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire, Alger 16000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zaidi
authors.affiliation: Ecole Nationale Supérieure Vétérinaire, Alger 16000, Algeria.
authors.forename: Khatima
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Ait-Oudhia
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Marseille, France.
authors.forename: Didier
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Raoult
authors.affiliation: Aix Marseille Université, Unité de Recherche en Maladies Infectieuses et Tropicales Emergentes (URMITE), UM63, CNRS 7278, IRD 198 (Dakar), Inserm 1095, Marseille, France. Electronic address: philippe.parola@univ-amu.fr.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Parola
mesh_terms: D000462:Algeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D020561:Alphaproteobacteria / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000818:Animals; D001473:Bartonella / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D001898:Borrelia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D002415:Cats; D016997:Coxiella burnetii / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004197:Disease Reservoirs / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D004199:Disease Vectors; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D004285:Dogs; D004478:Ectoparasitic Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D041061:Ehrlichia canis / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D058267:Flea Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012281:Rickettsia / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D005423:Siphonaptera / Q000382:microbiology*; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary; D017282:Tick-Borne Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000662:veterinary; D013987:Ticks / Q000382:microbiology*
keywords: Algeria; Bartonella spp.; Cat; Coxiella burnetii; Dog; Ehrlichia canis; Flea; Rickettsia spp.; Tick; qPCR