title: Human Exposure to Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Two Cities of Northwestern Morocco.
abstract: Anaplasma phagocytophilum is an emerging tick-borne zoonosis with extensive increased interest. Epidemiological data are available in several regions of the USA, Europe and Asia in contrast to other parts of the world such as North Africa. Blood samples of 261 healthy individuals divided in two groups i.e., dog handlers and blood donors were analysed. Indirect immunofluorescent assay using a commercial kit was performed to detect specific A. phagocytophilum IgG. Two dilutions were used to assess the prevalence of seroreactive samples. Demographic variables were assessed as potential risk factors using exact logistic regression. Seropositivity rates reached 37% and 27% in dog handlers and 36% and 22% in blood donors. No statistically significant differences were found in the prevalence rates between the two groups. Analysis of risk factors such as gender, age groups, outdoor activities, self-reported previous exposure to ticks, or contact with domestic animals (dogs, cats, ruminants and horses) did not shown any significant difference. A. phagocytophilum exposure was common in both high-risk population and blood donors in Morocco.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Heath, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco.|Department of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Elhamiani Khatat
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology and Veterinary Public Heath, Institut Agronomique et Vétérinaire Hassan II, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sahibi
authors.affiliation: National Reference Laboratory for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Laboratory of Clinical Biology, Queen Astrid Military Hospital, Brussels, Belgium.
authors.forename: Mony
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hing
authors.affiliation: Central Health Services of the Royal Gendarmery, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Alaoui Moustain
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of the Royal Gendarmery, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: El Amri
authors.affiliation: Regional Transfusion Center, Rabat, Morocco.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Benajiba
authors.affiliation: College of Veterinary Medicine, Western University of Health Sciences, Pomona, California, United States of America.
authors.forename: Malika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kachani
authors.affiliation: Department of Comparative Physiology and Biometrics, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Luc
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Duchateau
authors.affiliation: Department of Companion Animals, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Merelbeke, Belgium.
authors.forename: Sylvie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daminet
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D041081:Anaplasma phagocytophilum / Q000276:immunology / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D000818:Animals; D000829:Animals, Domestic; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001782:Blood Donors; D002947:Cities; D004285:Dogs; D016873:Ehrlichiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D055815:Young Adult; D015047:Zoonoses / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000635:transmission
chemical_list: D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D007074:Immunoglobulin G