Seroprevalence and risk factors for Trypanosoma evansi, the causative agent of surra, in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) population in Southeastern Algeria

Surra, caused by Trypanosoma evansi, is a re-emerging animal trypanosomosis, which is of special concern for camel-rearing regions of Africa and Asia. Surra decreases milk yield, lessens animal body condition score and reduces market value of exported animals resulting in substantial economic losses...

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Published in:Onderstepoort journal of veterinary research 2020-12, Vol.87 (1), p.e1-e9
Main Authors: Benaissa, Mohammed H, Mimoune, Nora, Bentria, Younes, Kernif, Tahar, Boukhelkhal, Abdelaziz, Youngs, Curtis R, Kaidi, Rachid, Faye, Bernard, Halis, Youcef
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abortion
Age
Agglutination
algeria
Animal husbandry
Animals
Antibodies
Beef cattle
Behavior
Camelidae
camels
Camelus dromedarius
Epidemiology
Health aspects
Infection
Life Sciences
Medical research
Medicine, Experimental
Microbiology and Parasitology
Milk production
Original Research
Parasitology
Questionnaires
Risk factors
Sample size
Santé publique et épidémiologie
Serology
seroprevalence
Surra
Trypanosoma evansi
Trypanosomiasis
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Summary:Surra, caused by Trypanosoma evansi, is a re-emerging animal trypanosomosis, which is of special concern for camel-rearing regions of Africa and Asia. Surra decreases milk yield, lessens animal body condition score and reduces market value of exported animals resulting in substantial economic losses. A cross-sectional seroprevalence study of dromedary camels was conducted in Algeria, and major risk factors associated with infection were identified by collecting data on animal characteristics and herd management practices. The seroprevalence of T. evansi infection was determined in sera of 865 camels from 82 herds located in eastern Algeria using an antibody test (card agglutination test for Trypanosomiasis - CATT/T. evansi). Individual and herd seroprevalence were 49.5% and 73.2%, respectively, indicating substantial exposure of camels to T. evansi in the four districts studied. Five significant risk factors for T. evansi hemoparasite infection were identified: geographical area, herd size, husbandry system, accessibility to natural water sources and type of watering. There was no association between breed, sex or age with T. evansi infection. Results of this study provide baseline information that will be useful for launching control programmes in the region and potentially elsewhere.
ISSN:0030-2465
2219-0635
DOI:10.4102/ojvr.v87i1.1891