Labib Sharif

Prevalence of Anaplasma sp. in goats and sheep in Cyprus.

A seroprevalence study of Anaplasma infection was conducted in a stratified random sample of goats and sheep in Cyprus in which the sample locations were recorded using a geographical information system (GIS). The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and other Anaplasma species in sheep and goats, and to identify high-risk regions. A total of 689 serum samples (343 from sheep and 346 from goats) were randomly collected and tested for the detection of antibodies against A. phagocytophilum antigen using an indirect immunofluorescent assay. The polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing analysis was used for the detection and molecular characterization of Anaplasma sp DNA in the blood samples. The prevalence of IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum antigen was 18% for goats, and 31% for sheep. Six new genotypes were detected in goats and sheep; by sequence analysis one was identified as A. phagocytophilum, one as Anaplasma platys and the remaining four as Anaplasma species. The results provide evidence for the presence of A. phagocytophilum and Anaplasma species in sheep and goats in Cyprus.

Prevalence of haemoglobinopathies in school children in Jordan Valley.

Blood samples were drawn from 456 healthy children, 6-10 years old, to explore the prevalences of haemoglobinopathies in Northern Jordan Valley. The children were selected by the multi-stage random sampling technique. Complete blood count, haemoglobin electrophoresis and haemoglobin A2 (HbA2) estimations were carried out on all the samples. The prevalences of beta-thalassaemia minor, alpha-thalassaemia trait, sickle cell trait, and hereditary elliptocytosis were 15(3.3%), 16(3.5%), 2(0.44%) and 4(0.89%), respectively.

Efficacy of closantel plus albendazole liquid suspension against natural infection of gastrointestinal parasites in camels

Oral administration of closantel in a dose of 10 mg/kg plus albendazole in a dose of 5 mg/kg liquid suspension was studied in 75 camels naturally infected with various types of gastrointestinal parasites. The camels involved were 15 pregnant she-camels, 20 non-pregnant she-camels and 40 male camels of various ages. Each camel received a single oral dose of closantel (10 mg/kg) plus albendazole (5 mg/kg) orally. Two weeks later, 20 camels of this group were re-dosed again with the same dose of the anthelmintic. Fecal samples were collected per rectum from all camels at the time of treatment and again 14 and 42 days post treatment. Fecal egg counts and generic determination of third stage larvae was performed. Results indicated that six different species of gastrointestinal tract parasites were identified in camels. Single treatment of closantel plus albendazole mixture reduced egg counts in camels by 100%, 100%, 98% and 77% for Haemonchus longistipes, Ascaris spp., Monezia expansa and Fasciola hepatica, respectively. However, administration of the drug twice on the base of 2 weeks apart significantly raised the efficacy of the drug for clearance of the parasites from 92.5% to 100% in camels infected with various parasites. Camels were not adversely affected by treatment.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase isozymes in Jordan Valley.

The mean levels of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G-6-PD), its deficiency prevalence, and its isozyme type distribution were estimated and compared in five-to-ten-year-old normal school children in two populations of Jordan: the North Jordan Valley (90% black) and Irbid (not black). The prevalences of G-6-PD deficiency in North Jordan and Irbid were 5.5% and 4.62% respectively, and were statistically not different (P>0.05). However, the mean levels of G-6-PD in North Jordan Valley and Irbid were 119.4 IU/10(9) RBC and 128.4 IU/10(9) RBC respectively, and were statistically different (P<0.05). The distribution of G-6-PD isozyme type A (the African types) and type B in North Jordan Valley were 21.5% and 78.5% respectively, and the corresponding rates in Irbid were 5.4% for type A and 94.6% for type B. There was an association between the isozyme type and the region (P<0.05). The high prevalence of the African type of G-6-PD isozyme in Jordan is discussed.