Molecular detection of Ehrlichia canisand Anaplasma platys in dogs in Southern Brazil

The aims of this study were to determine the occurrence of Anaplasma platys and Ehrlichia canis infection in dogs in Porto Alegre, Southern Brazil; and to investigate their association with hematological abnormalities. Serum samples from 196 dogs were first tested using dot-ELISA for antibodies against Anaplasma spp. and Ehrlichia canis. Peripheral blood samples from 199 dogs were subjected to 16S rRNA nested PCR (nPCR) for A. platys and E. canis, followed by DNA sequencing to ensure pathogen identity. A total of 19/196 samples (9.69%) were positive for Anaplasma spp. using ELISA and 28/199 (14.07%) samples were positive for A. platys by nested PCR. All the dog samples were negative for E. canis, both in anti-E. canis antibody tests and in nested PCR. There were no significant differences in hematological parameters between A. platys-PCR positive and negative dogs and Anaplasma spp. serologically positive dogs, except for basophil counts, which were higher in nPCR-positive dogs. This is the first report showing A. platys presence in dogs in Southern Brazil. In conclusion, hematological parameters may not be sufficient to diagnose A. platys infection in dogs in Southern Brazil, probably due either to low pathogenicity or to chronic infection. On the other hand, E. canis may either have very low occurrence or be absent in dogs in Porto Alegre.O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar a ocorrência de Anaplasma platys e Ehrlichia canis em cães de Porto Alegre, sul do Brasil, sua detecção molecular e associação com anormalidades hematológicas. Amostras séricas de 196 cães foram inicialmente triadas por dot-ELISA para a presença de anticorpos contra Anaplasma spp. e Ehrlichia canis. Amostras de sangue periférico de 199 cães foram submetidas à nested PCR (16S rRNA) para A. platys e E. canis, seguido de sequenciamento do DNA para confirmar a identidade do agente. Do total, 19/196 (9,69%) amostras foram positivas para Anaplasma spp. por dot-ELISA e 28/199 (14,07%) por nPCR. Todas as amostras dos cães foram negativas para E. canis no teste sorológico anti-E. canis e também na nPCR. Não houve diferença significativa nos parâmetros hematológicos, exceto a contagem de basófilos, que apresentou valores mais altos em cães positivos na nPCR para A. platys. Este é o primeiro relato da presença de A. platys no Rio Grande do Sul, e a primeira detecção molecular do agente no sul do Brasil. Em conclusão, parâmetros hematológicos não são suficientes para diagnosticar a infecção por A. platys em cães, provavelmente devido sua baixa patogenicidade ou infecção crônica. Por outro lado, E. canis parece ter ocorrência baixa ou mesmo nula em cães de Porto Alegre

First detection of<i>Babesia occultans</i>in<i>Hyalomma</i>ticks from Tunisia

SUMMARYDescriptions ofBabesia occultanshave previously been restricted to sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we report the finding, for the first time, of this low or non-pathogenic bovineBabesiaspecies in Tunisia, northern Africa.B. occultansDNA was detected by molecular methods inHyalomma marginatumunfed ticks collected in 3 bioclimatic regions of Tunisia. The near-full-length 18S rRNA gene was sequenced and compared with related sequences retrieved from GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that other sequences deposited asBabesiasp. could also correspond toB. occultans, suggesting that this species may have a wide distribution in Mediterranean and Asiatic regions, and not only in sub-Saharan Africa as previously described. AB. occultans-specific Reverse Line Blot (RLB) oligonucleotide probe was designed for future epidemiological studies that would help to clarify this possibility.</jats:p

Anaplasma phagocytophilum in horses and ticks in Tunisia.

International audienceBACKGROUND: Anaplasma phagocytophilum , the causative agent of granulocytic anaplasmosis, affects several species of wild and domesticated mammals, including horses. We used direct and indirect methods to compare and evaluate exposure to A. phagocytophilum in horses in northern Tunisia. METHODS: Serum from 60 horses was tested by IFA for antibodies to A. phagocytophilum , and whole blood was tested for A. phagocytophilum 16S rRNA gene using a nested-PCR. To examine the risk of A. phagocytophilum transmission, 154 ticks that had been collected from horses were examined for the presence of A. phagocytophilum by nested-PCR targeting 16S rRNA gene. RESULTS: This is the first time that A. phagocytophilum has been detected in horses in Tunisia, with an overall seroprevalence of 40/60 (67%). Six of the seroreactive samples (10%) had an IFA titer of 1:80, 14 (23%) of 1:160, 8 (13%) of 1:320 and 12 (20%) a titer 1 ≥ 640. The seroprevalence revealed no significant regional and sex differences. In contrast, a significant difference was observed between breeds. Eight (13%) of the horses were positive for A. phagocytophilum in the PCR, with no significant breed and age differences. Hyalomma marginatum was a predominant tick species (130/154), and 3 were infected by A. phagocytophilum (a prevalence of 2.3%). The concordance rate of A. phagocytophilum detection between IFA and PCR had a k value of -0.07. CONCLUSIONS: The results presented in this study suggest that horses infested by ticks in Tunisia are exposed to A. phagocytophilum

Assessment of COVID-19 vaccine literacy among cancer patients: A cross sectional Tunisian study

Abstract Background In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, Vaccine literacy (VL) is considered as an important determinant of vaccine hesitancy and uptake. Cancer patients constitute a target group for COVID-19 vaccination. Thus, we aimed in this study to assess COVID-19 VL among cancer patients in Tunisia. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted, during the month of February 2021, in the Salah Azaiez institute of cancer including all inpatients aged ≥18 years. A standardized VL scale was used, composed of two dimensions: functional VL and interactive-critical VL, using a four point Likert scale. A global score was calculated for each scale (ranging from 1 to 4); A cutoff of 2.5 was defined according to the literature. The students' t and Anova tests were used for comparison of VL mean scores according to the studied characteristics. A p value &amp;lt;0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results A total of 200 patients were enrolled in this study with a mean age of 54.4±12.7 years. A low VL score (≤ 2.5) was observed among 27.5% and 81.0% participants for functional and interactive critical scales respectively. Higher functional VL score was associated with a higher educational level (3.7±0.5 among individuals with a university degree level vs 2.5±1.2 among illiterate, p &amp;lt; 0.001). Interactive critical VL significantly increased with educational level (p &amp;lt; 0.001) and was significantly higher among healthcare workers (2.5±1.3 vs 1.7± 0.9, p &amp;lt; 0.001), those who accepted to get the COVID-19 vaccine (2.0±0.9 vs 1.6±0.8, p = 0.002), who did not believe that vaccines are unsafe (1.9±0.9 vs 1.4±0.7, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and that there is no need to be vaccinated since natural immunity exists (2.1±1.0 vs 1.7±0.8,p=0.016). Conclusions Vaccine literacy among cancer patients included in this study is weak. Effective communication strategies about COVID-19 vaccination should build VL and consider the level of patient's health literacy to redress vaccine hesitancy and uptake. Key messages This study showed a low interactive-critical vaccine literacy score. Communication strategies in vaccination campaigns should be aligned with people’s vaccine literacy. </jats:sec

Detection and Identification of Ehrlichia spp. in Ticks Collected in Tunisia and Morocco

A broad-range 16S rRNA gene PCR assay followed by partial sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene was used for the detection of members of the family Anaplasmataceae in ticks in North Africa. A total of 418 questing Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in Tunisia and Morocco, as well as 188 Rhipicephalus ticks from dogs and 52 Hyalomma ticks from bovines in Tunisia, were included in this study. Of 324 adult I. ricinus ticks, 16.3% were positive for Ehrlichia spp., whereas only 3.4 and 2.8% of nymphs and larvae, respectively, were positive. A large heterogeneity was observed in the nucleotide sequences. Partial sequences identical to that of the agent of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) were detected in I. ricinus and Hyalomma detritum, whereas partial sequences identical to that of Anaplasma platys were detected in Rhipicephalus sanguineus. However, variants of Anaplasma, provisionally designated Anaplasma-like, were predominant in the I. ricinus tick population in Maghreb. Otherwise, two variants of the genus Ehrlichia were detected in I. ricinus and H. detritum. Surprisingly, a variant of Wolbachia pipientis was evidenced from I. ricinus in Morocco. These results emphasized the potential risk of tick bites for human and animal populations in North Africa

COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among Tunisian cancer patients in the Salah Azaeiz Institute of Cancer

Abstract Background Vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 is the most effective way to stop the pandemic and to avoid its related deaths. COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, represent now a major hurdle to achieve herd immunity. Cancer patients constitute a prioritized group for COVID-19 vaccination as they are particularly vulnerable to severe infection and death. The aim of this study was to assess vaccine hesitancy among cancer patients of the Salah Azaiez Institute (SAI) of cancer and to identify its knowledge and attitudes associated factors. Methods A cross sectional study was conducted among all inpatients aged above 18 years old during the month of February 2021. Participants were asked according to a well-structured questionnaire about knowledge (vaccine literacy) and attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine literacy was assed using two scales (functional and interactive-critical scales) for which a global score was calculated ranging from 1 to 4. A lower score corresponding to lower vaccine literacy. Chi square test and student's t test were used to identify knowledge and attitudes associated with COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy. A p value equal or less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results Two hundred cancer patients were included with a mean age of 54.4±12.7 and a gender ratio equal to 0.5. Sixty-five percent reported that they would not receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccine hesitancy was associated with lower interactive vaccine literacy score (1.6±0.8 vs 2.0, p = 0.002), skepticism regarding COVID-19 vaccine efficacy and safety (73.8% vs 38.5%, p &amp;lt; 0.001) and believing that health authorities will not be able to vaccinate the majority of the population (71,2% vs 55.7% p = 0.037). Conclusions The proportion of COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy among cancer patients is high. Mass media campaigns for vaccine promotion should be enhanced. Physicians and health care workers play a key role in increasing acceptance and uptake of COVID-19 vaccine among high risk patients. Key messages Majority of cancer patients were unwilling to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. Patient education about the benefits of vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 should be an integral part of oncology visits. </jats:sec

A molecular study of tick-borne haemoprotozoan parasites (Theileria and Babesia) in small ruminants in Northern Tunisia

International audienceIn this study, the frequency of Theileria and Babesia species in sheep and goats was assessed via reverse line blotting (RLB). A total of 263 apparently healthy sheep and goats, from 16 randomly selected flocks located in 9 localities situated in 3 bioclimatic zones in Tunisia, were investigated for the blood protozoans. RLB hybridization with polymerase chain reaction detected only Theileria ovis in sheep and goats, accounting for 22.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 17.6-27.1%) positive samples. The infection rate in sheep (28.1%; 95% CI: 23.8-32.3%) was higher than in goats (4.7%; 95% CI: -10.9 to 20.4%). Neither Babesia nor mixed infections were detected. Only two Ixodid tick species (Rhipicephalus turanicus and Rhipicephalus bursa) were collected from the examined sheep and goats in 5 localities. R. turanicus was the dominant species (95.5%) collected mainly in the humid zone, while apparently rare in the sub-humid zone. R. bursa was the only species collected in the semi-arid area. RLB analysis identified six different piroplasms in ticks, with an overall prevalence of 31.5% (95% CI: 28.1-34.9%). Twenty percent (95% CI: 14.4-25.5%) of the collected ticks tested positive for Theileria spp., 3% (95% CI: -5.6 to 11.6%) for Babesia spp. and 0.9% (95% CI: -8.1 to 9.9%) of the ticks harbored both genera; several of these species are not known to occur in small ruminants. This is the first report on the detection of Theileria and Babesia species DNA in small ruminants and ticks in Tunisia. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved