Rachid Kaidi

Subclinical mastitis in cattle in Algeria: Frequency of occurrence and bacteriological isolates

The present study was carried out to determine the prevalence of subclinical mastitis in cattle in eighteen herds in the center region of Algeria. Milk samples were collected from 560 quarters of 140 cows free of clinical mastitis. The samples were subjected to California Mastitis Test (CMT) and the positive samples were analysed by bacteriological culture and Speed Mam® Color. The overall quarter prevalence was 28.77% whilst animal prevalence was 28.57%.Bacteriological analysis showed that there was a wide range of bacteria that cause these infections. Staphylococcus aureus (40%) was found to be the most prevalent organism followed by Streptococcus spp. (12.5%), Enterobacteriaceae (2.5%), Pseudomonas spp. (2.5%), Staphylococcus aureus + Streptococcus spp. (12.5%), Streptococcus spp.+ Escherichia coli (7.5%), S. aureus + Mycoplasma spp.(7.5%), and S. aureus +Streptococcus spp.+ E. coli (5%).

Antibiotic susceptibility and molecular identification of antibiotic resistance genes of staphylococci isolated from bovine mastitis in Algeria.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of GeneXpert assay for the detection of rifampicin resistance in mycobacterium tuberculosis using conventional drug susceptibility testing as gold standard. METHODS This cross-sectional study was conducted at Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, / Allama Iqbal Medical College, Lahore, Pakistan, from January 2012 to December 2014, and comprised clinically and radiologically diagnosed tuberculosis suspected cases. Pulmonary and extra-pulmonary specimens were collected from strong tuberculosis suspects. All specimens were processed for Ziehl Neelsen staining, Lowenstein-Jensen culture and GeneXpert assay. All mycobacterium tuberculosis positive cases on Lowenstein-Jensen culture were further processed for drug susceptibility testing. RESULTS Of the 2,200 cases, 840(49.46%) were positive for mycobacterium tuberculosis on GeneXpert assay. Of them, 134(15.6%) cases showed rifampicin resistance on GeneXpert assay. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of GeneXpert assay for rifampicin resistance were 127(98.3%), 704(99.1%), 127(94.7%) and 704(99.4%), respectively, by comparing the results with drug susceptibility testing. CONCLUSIONS GeneXpert assay was an extremely helpful diagnostic tool for the detection of rifampicin resistance in tuberculosis suspects with fairly high sensitivity and specificity along with short turnout time.ARTICLE INFO Food contaminated with multiple antibiotic-resistant S. aureus can be a major threat to the public health. The purpose of this study was to isolate S. aureus from different food sources, determine their antimicrobial susceptibility as well as detection of mecA gene among some resistant isolates. Out of 125 from food of animal origin samples, 19 S. aureus isolates were recovered, and the antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed a high resistance against kanamycin, penicillin G, oxacillin, erythromycin and tetracycline. All the tested isolates were multiple drug resistant (MDR). Eight out of 19 (15.2%) isolates were phenotypically resistant to oxacillin as well as they were carriers for mecA gene. Article history:The study aimed to investigate the phenotypic and genotypic identification of in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility of 21 Staphylococci (10 Staphylococcus aureus and 11 Coagulase Negative Staphylococci) isolated from bovine mastitis to 12 antimicrobial drugs frequently using in veterinary medicine in Algeria. Isolates of staphylococci from bovine mastitis were tested for antibiotics with disc-diffusion method according to the National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards guidelines in the Mueller-Hinton agar, and resistant genes mecA, blaZ, aac-aph, ermA, ermC, tetK and tetM were detected by PCR. Staphylococci isolates showed high resistance to penicillin (95.23%), oxacillin (80.95%), clindamycine (80.95%), and erythromycin (76.19%) but, no resistance in all these strains was detected for gentamicin. Among 21 isolates of Staphylococci, 20 were found to be methicillin and multidrug resistant. Multidrug resistant strains exhibited several antibiogram patterns (antibiotic I to XIII). The distribution of antibiotic-resistant genes was mecA (100%) and tetM (100) followed by blaZ (42.85%). In the present study, the significant determination was the high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococci, which were resistant to multiple antibiotics. The finding of methicillin-resistant staphylococci from bovine mastitis is the first report in Algeria and revealed the status of resistant isolates in herd that might be helpful in treatment, controlling of resistant strains and for deciding culling of cows.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Coxiella burnetii , the causative agent of Q fever in the dromedary camel ( Camelus dromedarius ) population in Algeria

Query (Q) fever is a globally distributed zoonotic disease caused by Coxiella burnetii, a bacterial agent for which ruminants are the most prevalent natural reservoir. Data regarding Q fever infection in camels in Algeria are limited. Therefore, a survey to detect seroprevalence of C. burnetii antibodies was conducted among healthy camel populations in a vast area in southeastern Algeria to determine distribution of the Q fever causative organism and to identify risk factors associated with infection. Between January and March 2016, blood samples were collected from 184 camels and serum samples were subsequently analysed using a commercial Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) kit. At the time of blood collection, a questionnaire investigating 13 potential predisposing factors associated with C. burnetii seropositivity was completed for every dromedary camel and herd. Results were analysed by a chi-square (χ2) test and multivariate logistic regression. The seroprevalence of C. burnetii at the animal level was 71.2% (95% CI: 65.2–78.3) and 85.3% (95% CI: 72.8–97.8) at the herd level. At the animal level, differences in seroprevalence were observed because of herd size, animal age, animal sex, presence of ticks and contact with other herds. A multivariable logistic regression model identified three main risk factors associated with individual seropositivity: (1) age class > 11 years (OR = 8.81, 95% CI: 2.55–30.41), (2) herd size > 50 head (OR = 4.46, 95% CI: 1.01–19.59) and (3) infestation with ticks (OR 2.2; 95% CI: 1.1–4.5). This study of seroprevalence of C. burnetii infection in camels in Algeria revealed a high seroprevalence of Q fever in camel populations in southeastern Algeria and provided strong evidence that Q fever represents an economic, public health and veterinary concern. Appropriate measures should be taken to prevent the spread of C. burnetii and to reduce the risk of Q fever in farm animals and humans in this agro-ecologically and strategically important region of North Africa.

Effect of equilibration time on the motility and functional integrity of canine spermatozoa frozen in three different extenders

The present work aimed to assess the effect of equilibration time on post-thaw motility parameters of canine sperm frozen in three extenders: 6% low-density lipoproteins (LDL), 6% liposomes (LIPO), and 40% egg yolk plasma (EYP). A second experiment is aimed at evaluating the functional integrity of canine spermatozoa frozen in the three extenders at the best equilibration time found in the experiment one. In the first experiment, 20 ejaculates harvested from 7 dogs, were frozen in three extenders (LDL, LIPO, and EYP) after four equilibration times (30min, 1h, 3h, and 6h). The semen was evaluated after thawing using an image analyser (HT-IVOS 14.0). The 6h equilibration time gave better results of motility and progressive motility in the three studied extenders. (LDL: 58.9% vs. 42.7%; LIPO: 54.4% vs. 31.9%; EYP: 55.4% vs 40.5% for motility 6 vs. 1h). In the second experiment, 10 ejaculates taken from 6 dogs were frozen under the same conditions as the previous experiment, after 6h equilibration time. The integrity parameters of the spermatozoal membrane (hypo-osmotic swelling test, and SYBR14/propidium Iodide staining), acrosome (FITC-Pisium sativum Aglutinin staining), and DNA (acridine orange staining) were evaluated at three different stages: post-dilution (T0), post-equilibration, and post-thawing. Post-thaw results were as follows: membrane integrity (HOSt: 62;6% vs 58% vs 64.4%; SYBR14/IP: 63.6% vs 57.9% vs 64.8%); acrosome integrity (FITC-PSA: 79.4% vs 74% vs 76.2%) and DNA integrity (Acridine-orange: 98.9% vs 98.5% vs 98.7%) respectively for LDL vs. LIPO vs. EYP. No significant difference existed between the extenders tested; thus 6%LIPO and 40%EYP could be good candidates for replacement of 6%LDL in the protection of canine sperm during the freeze-thaw process without altering motility and integrity parameters.

Reproductive abnormalities in female camel (Camelus dromedarius) in algeria: relationship with age, season, breed and body condition score

Reproductive tract abnormalities have a high impact on sexual activity and fertility. Knowledge of factors related to reproductive disorders is important towards understanding the variability prevalences and features of these anomalies. The relationship between season, age, breed, and the body condition score, and the prevalence of reproductive abnormalities in female dromedary camels were analysed in an observational study on 740 dromedary females. Data were obtained from 2 abattoirs in southeast Algeria from 2011 to 2013. The associations between reproductive abnormalities and the different factors were determined using a chi-square test. Various abnormalities with different degrees of severity were observed in 213 (28.8%) cases. Reproductive abnormalities were significantly associated with age group and season. The percentages of reproductive abnormalities recorded did not differ significantly among breeds and abattoir location. The findings indicated a significant relationship between reproductive disorders and the body condition score. The prevalence of overall reproductive abnormalities significantly varied between the wet and dry seasons. Abnormalities were significantly more frequent during the wet seasons (autumn, winter) than during the dry seasons (spring, summer). Based on these findings, the increased prevalence of reproductive disorders was associated with dry season, older age, and low body condition.

The benefits of liposomes for chilling canine sperm for 4 days at 4°C.

This study comprises 3 experiments exploring the possible benefits and mechanism of action of liposomes for chilling (4°C) canine sperm over a period of 4 days. In the first experiment, 20 ejaculates collected from 5 Beagle dogs were chilled in an extender containing 6% low density lipoproteins (LDL) (Control), or one of 7 extenders containing different concentrations (2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 15, 20%) of liposomes (LIPO). These ejaculates were chilled over 4 days and motility was assessed daily using a Hamilton Thorne analyzer (HTM-IVOS, 14.0). The 2% LIPO obtained the best results (p=0.038) after four days (72.55% motile spermatozoa and 31.4% progressive spermatozoa). In experiment 2, 10 ejaculates were collected from same 5 dogs and chilled in 6% LDL or 2% LIPO-based extenders. Sperm integrity characteristics were assessed prior to refrigeration and every 48h for four days (D0, D2, and D4). Acrosome integrity was assessed using the FITC-PSA test (Fluorescein IsoThiocyanate-Pisum Sativum Agglutinin), plasma membrane (PM) integrity using both the hypo-osmotic swelling test (HOSt) and SYBR14/Propidium Iodide test (SYBR14/PI), and DNA integrity using the Acridine-Orange test (AO). The 2% LIPO extender provided equivalent preservation of sperm integrity parameters to the reference extender (6% LDL). In experiment 3, a Langmuir-Blodgett trough was used to evaluate the mechanistic interactions between LDL, LIPO, prostatic fluid, and the canine spermatozoal membrane during chilling. Results indicate that LDL and LIPO interact differently with the biomimetic membrane. The most likely conclusion of these findings is that LDL and liposomes employ different protective mechanisms during the chilling (4°C) of canine spermatozoa.

Effect of the Reduction in the Frequency of Injections of Pituitary Extracts During a Superovulation on the Embryo Collection Results in Cows in Algeria

The aim of this study is to verify the efficacy of a superovulation treatment with 3 injections of pituitary extracts (Stimufol®) 24 hours apart and compare the results to a standard protocol (8 injections 12 hours apart), with a total dose of 500 μg. Twenty-three embryos collections were conducted after two superovulation protocols, the first with 8 injections 12 hours apart and decreasing doses (n = 11, group 1) and the second 3 injections at constant doses 24 hours of interval (n = 12, group 2). The average number of lutea corpora obtained is 9.1 per cow for group 1 and 10.4 in group 2. A total number of 140 embryos were collected with an average of 6.08 per cow. Among the embryos collected, 46 and 56 per cent were transferable respectively in group 1 and 2. A little quality gain was recorded in group 2 with an average transferable embryo of 3.8 against 2.2 for group1. In our study we observed the same efficacy for both treatments with a little quality improvement (almost one transferable embryo) when reducing the number of injections at the time of superovulation treatment, the same gain minimal in elite cows can have a significant economic impact.