Control of cystic echinococcosis in the Middle Atlas, Morocco: Field evaluation of the EG95 vaccine in sheep and cesticide treatment in dogs.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is an important cause of human morbidity and mortality worldwide, particularly in Morocco and other North African countries.

Methodology/principal Findings: We investigated the potential of three strategies to reduce Echinococcus granulosus transmission: (1) 4-monthly treatment of dogs with praziquantel, (2) vaccination of sheep with the EG95 vaccine and (3) a combination of both measures. These measures were implemented during four consecutive years in different areas of the Middle Atlas Mountains in Morocco.

Stakeholder analysis to improve the national control program of cystic echinococcosis in Morocco.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a major zoonosis in Morocco. Despite a national hydatidosis control programme (NHCP) established in 2005, CE burden is still high nationwide. The aim of this study was to carry out an NHCP stakeholders' analysis to identify weak points and propose improvement strategies.

The socio-economic burden of cystic echinococcosis in Morocco: A combination of estimation method.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a major zoonosis in Morocco despite the launch of a national control programme in 2005. As its economic consequences have not been studied yet in Morocco, this study estimated CE impact in terms of monetary losses, disability-adjusted life years (DALY), and DALY for zoonotic diseases (zDALY) in the entire country and in specific regions for the 2011 to 2014 period. The direct monetary losses were related to organ seizure from infected animal in slaughterhouses, and to healthcare expenses as well as lost wages for infected humans.

Cystic Echinococcosis in Three Locations in the Middle Atlas, Morocco: Estimation of the Infection Rate in the Dog Reservoir.

A longitudinal study was carried out in Middle atlas, Morocco (locality of Had Oued Ifrane) in a population of 255 dogs from three localities, including two categories of dogs (owned and stray dogs). The dogs were investigated three times over a period ranging from 4 to 8 months between December and August. At each investigation, dogs were treated with arecoline, inducing defecation and allowing feces collection.

Leishmaniasis in Northern Morocco: Predominance of Compared to .

In Morocco, species is the main causative agents of visceral leishmaniasis (VL). However, cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) due to has been reported sporadically. Moreover, the recent geographical expansion of in the Mediterranean subregion leads us to suggest whether the nonsporadic cases of CL due to this species are present.

Community perception and knowledge of cystic echinococcosis in the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco.

Background: Cystic echinococcosis (CE), a neglected zoonosis caused by the larval stage of the tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus, remains a public health issue in many developing countries that practice extensive sheep breeding. Control of CE is difficult and requires a community-based integrated approach. We assessed the communities' knowledge and perception of CE, its animal hosts, and its control in a CE endemic area of the High Atlas Mountains, Morocco.

"Candidatus anaplasma camelii" in one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Morocco: a novel and emerging anaplasma species?

Background: There has been a growing interest in camel anaplasmosis due to its recent emergence in this reservoir species and concerns for its zoonotic potential. The epidemiology of anaplasmosis in camels therefore remains poorly understood mostly because camels belong to marginalised poor and often transhumant populations whose interests are largely neglected. Most studies of anaplasmosis in camels have relied on microscopy and serology for diagnosis and only three studies, undertaken in Tunisia, Saudia Arabia and China, have used molecular diagnostics.

New epidemiological aspects of visceral and cutaneous leishmaniasis in Taza, Morocco.

Background: Leishmaniasis is considered among the main endemic diseases in Morocco. However, further knowledge about epidemiological aspects of this disease is needed in several provinces to plan control and preventive strategies to tackle the disease. The present study aims to determine the epidemiological aspect of cutaneous and visceral leishmaniasis in Taza Province from 2007-2014 and to identify the circulating species in this province.

High Prevalence of Anaplasma spp. in Small Ruminants in Morocco.

The prevalence of infection by Anaplasma spp. (including Anaplasma phagocytophilum) was determined using blood smear microscopy and PCR through screening of small ruminant blood samples collected from seven regions of Morocco. Co-infections of Anaplasma spp.

Molecular and serological prevalence of Anaplasma marginale in cattle of North Central Morocco.

A cross sectional study was conducted to investigate the epidemiological distribution of Anaplasma marginale in North Central Morocco. Blood samples from five provinces of Morocco were collected from apparently healthy cattle (n=668) and simultaneously analyzed by a nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) assay and competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA). The overall prevalence of A.

Validation of a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibodies against Babesia bovis.

A previously developed competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) based on a species-specific, broadly conserved, and tandemly repeated B-cell epitope within the C terminus of rhoptry-associated protein 1 of Babesia bovis was refined and validated for use internationally. Receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed an assay with a specificity and positive predictive value of 100% and a sensitivity of 91.1%, with various negative predictive values depending on the level of disease prevalence.

Western blot analysis of Leishmania infantum antigens using sera from pentamidine-treated dogs.

Pentamidine treatment has been used successfully to establish immune cellular responses in recovered dogs. In this paper, we examined the appearance and disappearance of antibodies over time against crude Leishmania antigens and purified gp63 or gp70 proteins in sera from cured dogs using a Western blotting technique. Following the treatment, a pattern of antibody specificities to parasite antigens was observed in the sera of cured dogs.

Validation of a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for diagnosing Babesia equi infections of Moroccan origin and its use in determining the seroprevalence of B. equi in Morocco.

A highly specific and sensitive competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of specific antibody to Babesia equi in serum from equids was validated for use in Morocco. The assay is based on the specific inhibition of binding of a monoclonal antibody to a conserved epitope within a recombinant parasite peptide by serum from infected animals. The assay was compared to an established indirect immunofluorescence assay, with a concordance of 91%.

Serological, clinical and histopathological changes in naturally infected dogs with Leishmania infantum in the Khemisset province, Morocco.

Canine leishmaniasis (canL) is widespread in the north of Morocco and the Leishmania infantum local strains are highly virulent. An epidemiological survey was carried out in 1993-1995 in the Khemisset province. In this region, the severity of the disease was assessed during regular visits to the identified foci by clinical examination of 323 dogs.

Female tick Hyalomma marginatum marginatum salivary glands: preliminary study on protein changes during feeding process and antigens recognized by repeatedly infested cattle.

Proteins extracted from salivary glands of unfed, three days and five days fed adult Hyalomma marginatum marginatum were analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). We have noticed changes during the three feeding steps. Some proteins disappeared during feeding process (23, 38, 39, 40 to 50, 95 and 112 kDa), they might be proteins which were converted in other substances and are secreted.

Immune responses in vaccinated dogs with autoclaved Leishmania major promastigotes.

A comparative study was undertaken on the immunogen power of autoclaved Leishmania major promastigotes (ALM) vaccines given simultaneously with either BCG or saponin against canine leishmaniasis. The humoral immune response was assessed by ELISA and western blotting. The cellular immune response was evaluated by the lymphocyte transformation test.

Analysis of immune responses in dogs with canine visceral leishmaniasis before, and after, drug treatment.

The incidence of canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL) is increasing in the Mediterranean region. Many drugs have been tested for treatment of CVL, but little is known regarding their effect on test immune responses. In our study, three dogs naturally infected with Leishmania infantum and five dogs experimentally infected with the same strain, were treated with dimethasulfonate pentamidine (Lomidine) and the immune response evaluated before, and after, treatment.

Immune response against Leishmania antigens in dogs naturally and experimentally infected with Leishmania infantum.

Cell-mediated and humoral immune response in naturally and experimentally infected dogs was studied using crude and pure antigens. Both types of infections induced severe signs of visceral disease, but the symptoms observed in natural infections were more pronounced than in experimental infections. In addition, asymptomatic infections were not observed in experimentally infected animals.

Comparison of effects of low and high tick infestations on acquired cattle tick resistance: Hyalomma marginatum marginatum.

Three Holstein calves were infested with low numbers of ticks, two or three pairs of adults Hyalomma marginatum marginatum in cloth bag daily for 21 days. Infestation was carried out during tick proliferation periods. Two months later, cattle leads were challenged with 100 pairs of ticks.

Bovine babesiosis. Seroprevalence and ticks associated with cattle from two different regions of Morocco.

A total of 475 bovine sera collected in 1995-1996 from 10 areas belonging to two different bioclimatic strata were tested for antibody activity to Babesia bigemina and Babesia bovis using indirect immunofluorescence (IIF). In the Gharb, the B. bovis seroprevalence was 21.

Bronchoalveolar cellular responses of goats following infections with Muellerius capillaris (Protostrongylidae, Nematoda).

The development of Muellerius capillaris in the lung of goats was associated with marked tissue damage and pronounced a cellular reaction. Using broncho-alveolar lavage, the time course of the cellular responses was studied following primary and secondary infection. During the primary infection, there was a biphasic increase in total broncho-alveolar leucocytes (an average of 294.

Short report: Leishmania tropica: etiologic agent of a case of canine visceral leishmaniasis in northern Morocco.

The domestic dog has been previously demonstrated to be the reservoir of Leishmania infantum, the etiologic agent of human visceral leishmaniasis around the Mediterranean Basin. It can also be infected with L. tropica, the etiologic agent of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis in Morocco.

Epidemiology of human visceral leishmaniasis in Taounate, a northern province of Morocco.

We report the preliminary results of an epidemiological survey carried out in the locality of Ouled Hcein, province of Taounate (North Morocco) around one visceral leishmaniasis infant case. The strain isolated from the child was characterized by three methods as Leishmania infantum and its isoenzyme pattern was indistinguishable from zymodeme MON-1. The human survey in the locality of origin of the index case did not show any additional case and the serology was negative for the whole people sampled.

Hyalomma ticks: bovine resistance under field conditions as related to host age and breed.

Field collection of ticks from two breeds of cattle [Native breed (local) and purebred [Friesian)], showed that the number of ticks was higher on purebred than on native cattle. The susceptibility seemed to increase with the age of the animals. Furthermore, breed appeared to exert more influence than age.