A scanning electron microscopy study of Argulus vittatus (Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1814) (Crustacea: Branchiura) from Algerian coast

A study of the Algerian Branchiura, Argulus vittatus (Rafinesque-Schmaltz, 1814) was conducted using the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). New morphological features are reported for the first time (mouth con, first maxilla, second maxilla, structures and ornamentation of thoracic segments, structure of semen papillae, etc.). The morphology of small and large female specimens was compared. Two new hosts, Pagellus erythrinus L. and Sparus aurata L., are reported for this species. Until now, six host species were reported for A. vittatus, and stenoxenic specificity for Sparid fishes was observed for Algerian specimens. The biogeographical distribution of this species seems to be restricted to the eastern coast of Algeria. Additional information about the host specificity, ecology, and life cycle of this parasitic species were given.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Caligus uranoscopi</Emphasis> Vaissière, 1955 (Copepoda,Caligidae), a rare parasitic copepod from Algeria

Caligus uranoscopi Vaissière, 1955 (Copepoda, Caligidae) is redescribed based on specimens collected from the gill arches of red mullet, Mullus barbatus barbatus L., 1758, caught off the Algerian coast. Caligus uranoscopi is reported for the first time from the east coast of Algeria and M. barbatus barbatus is a newly recorded host for this parasite. The parasite is uncommon and may be restricted to Algerian coasts. Some remarks are given on the species of Caligidae known from Algeria.     

Genetic characterization of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fasciola hepatica</Emphasis> from Tunisia and Algeria based on mitochondrial and nuclear DNA sequences

Fasciolosis caused by Fasciola spp. (Platyhelminthes: Trematoda: Digenea) is considered the most important helminth infection of ruminants in tropical countries, causing considerable socioeconomic problems. In the present study, samples identified morphologically as Fasciola hepatica from sheep and cattle from different geographical locations of Tunisia and Algeria were genetically characterised by sequences of the first (ITS-1), the 5.8S and second (ITS-2) Internal Transcribed Spacers (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and mitochondrial Cytochrome c Oxidase subunit I (COI) gene. Comparison of the ITS and COI sequences of the North African samples with sequences of Fasciola spp. from GenBank confirmed that all samples from Tunisia and Algeria samples belong to a single species, namely F. hepatica. Several specimens from Tunisia and Algeria showed a substitution C/T in position 859 in the ITS-2 sequences, previously reported from Spain, suggesting that the above mentioned variant may have a common origin and spread recently throughout the three countries because of movement of infected animals. This is the first molecular characterization of F. hepatica in North Africa which provides a foundation for further studies on Fasciola spp. in Tunisia and Algeria.     

First occurrence of native cymothoids parasites on introduced rabbitfishes in the Mediterranean Sea

This paper presents the first record of two native Mediterranean cymothoid species caught attached to introduced Lessepsian rabbitfishes. This is also the first record of cymothoids from the coastal waters of Libya. Anilocra physodes was collected from Siganus luridus while Nerocila bivittata was found on both Siganus rivulatus and S. luridus. Rabbitfishes in the southern central Mediterranean have acquired native Mediterranean cymothoids but do not seem to be infested along the Levantine coast.     

Tinea capitis at the University Hospital of Tizi-Ouzou,Algeria, and first isolation of Trichophyton tonsurans

Tinea capitis, which are fungal infections caused by some dermatophyte species, are common in developing countries, such as Algeria, where they represent a public health concern. In order to define the epidemiological, clinical and diagnostic features of these infections, a prospective study was conducting from September 2018 to May 2019, at the University Hospital of Tizi-Ouzou (Algeria).PatientsAll patients addressed to the Laboratory of Parasitology–Mycology of the University Hospital of Tizi-Ouzou for a suspected Tinea capitis, were included in this study.Materials and methodsBefore sampling, contact with animals or soil, presence of similar lesions in the family circle, and previous antifungal or corticosteroid treatment were searched. Mycological examination included direct microscopic examination of the samples, and culture on Sabouraud agar slants at 27 °C for up to 4 weeks.ResultsOut of the 87 samples examined, 46 allowed us to confirm the diagnosis of Tinea capitis, representing a positivity rate of 52.9%. The sex ratio was 1.09 (52.2% males vs. 47.8% females among the infected patients), and the infection mainly involved children of 4–6 years (43.3%). Thirty-four strains of dermatophytes were isolated. Microsporum canis was the most frequent species identified (44.1%), followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (38.2%). During this study, Trichophyton tonsurans, an unusual dermatophyte species in Algeria, was identified for the first time in our hospital.ConclusionTinea capitis are still common in Algeria, mainly affecting school-aged children and preschool children. Microsporum canis and T. mentagrophytes are the major causative agents, in agreement with previous studies showing a decrease in frequency of anthropophilic species, in favour of zoophilic species.     

Mawsonascaris parva sp. nov. (Nematoda: Ascaridida) from the Arabian whipray Himantura randalli Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto et Moore (Rajiformes: Dasyatidae) off the coast of Iraq

Mawsonascaris parva sp. nov. collected from the Arabian whipray Himantura randalli Last, Manjaji-Matsumoto et Moore (Rajiformes: Dasyatidae) off the coast of Iraq is described and illustrated using light and scanning electron microscopy. The new species differs from its congeners by its small body size (8.11?C18.2 mm long), the absence of an intestinal caecum, the slightly unequal spicules (left and right spicule 1.08?C2.50 mm and 0.98?C2.01 mm long, respectively, representing 12.1?C13.7% and 10.1?C12.1% of body length), the number and arrangement of male caudal papillae (13?C14 pairs in total, arranged as: 7?C8 pairs of precloacal, 1 pair of double paracloacal and 5 pairs of postcloacal) and the presence of a single, median precloacal papilla. Thus, a total of six species of Mawsonascaris are now known and this is the first species of this genus recorded from species of Himantura.     

Nerocila species (Crustacea, Isopoda, Cymothoidae) from Indian marine fishes

Eleven Nerocila species are recorded from 22 marine fishes belonging to 15 families. Three, Nerocila arres, Nerocila depressa, and Nerocila loveni, are new for the Indian fauna. N. arres and Nerocila sigani, previously synonymized, are redescribed and their individuality is restored. Nerocila exocoeti, until now inadequately identified, is described and distinctly characterized. A neotype is designated. New hosts were identified for N. depressa, N. loveni, Nerocila phaiopleura, Nerocila serra, and Nerocila sundaica. Host–parasite relationships were considered. The parasitologic indexes were calculated. The site of attachment of the parasites on their hosts was also observed. A checklist of the nominal Nerocila species until now reported from Indian marine fishes was compiled.     

Philometroides acanthopagri sp. nov., a new philometrid (Nematoda, Philometridae) from the musculature of Acanthopagrus latus (Sparidae) from marine waters of Iraq

A new nematode species, Philometroides acanthopagri sp. nov. (Philometridae), is described from gravid and subgravid specimens found in the musculature near pectoral fins and in nasal cavity of the yellowfin seabream Acanthopagrus latus (Houttuyn) (Sparidae, Perciformes) from marine waters off the coast of southern Iraq. Based on light and scanning electron microscopical examination, the new species differs from its congeners in a combination of morphological and biometrical features. It is the first species of Philometroides reported from a sparid fish and the first representative of this genus recorded from fishes in the Arabian Gulf. A key to Philometroides species parasitizing marine and brackish-water fishes is provided.     

Associations of common SNPs in the SORT1, GCKR,LPL, APOA1, CETP,LDLR, APOE genes with lipid trait levels in an Algerian population sample

Genome-wide association studies have identified many lipid-associated loci primarily in European and Asian populations. In view of the differences between ethnic groups in terms of the frequency and impact of these variants, our objective was to evaluate the relationships between eight lipid-associated variants (considered individually and in combination) and fasting serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, HDL- and LDL-cholesterol levels in an Algerian population sample (ISOR study, n = 751). Three SNPs (in SORT1, CETP and GCKR) were individually associated with lipid level variations. Moreover, the risk allele scores for total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C levels (encompassing between three and six SNPs) were associated with their corresponding lipid traits. Our study is the first to show that some of the lipid-associated loci in European populations are associated with lipid traits in Algerians. Although our results will have to be confirmed in other North African populations, this study contributes to a better understanding of genetic susceptibility to lipid traits in Algeria.     

Actualité de la résistance aux antibiotiques chez les bacilles à Gram négatif en Algérie

Antibiotic resistance has become a major public health problem in Algeria. Indeed the past decade, we have seen a significant increase in resistance to antibiotics especially in Gram-negative bacilli. Resistance to β-lactams in enterobacteria is dominated by the production of ESBL CTX-M-3 and CTX-M-15. The strains producing these enzymes are often the cause of potentially serious infections in both hospital and community settings. Identified plasmid cephalosporinases are CMY-2, CMY-12 and DHA-1. The isolation of strains of Enterobacteriaceae and Pseudomonas aeruginosa producing carbapenemases is rare in Algeria. Some Enterobacteriaceae producing OXA-48 or VIM-19 have been reported; so far, only VIM-2 has been identified in P. aeruginosa. However, the situation regarding the strains of Acinetobacter baumannii resistant to carbapenemases seems to be more disturbing. The carbapenemase OXA-23 is the most common and seems to be endemic in the north. The carbapenemase NDM-1 has also been identified. Resistance to aminoglycosides is marked by the identification armA gene associated with bla_CTX-M genes in strains of Salmonella sp. Several other resistance genes have been identified sporadically in strains of Enterobacteriaceae, P. aeruginosa and A. baumannii. Resistance genes to fluoroquinolones are more recent identification in Algeria. The most common are the Qnr determinants followed by the bifunctional enzyme AAC[6’]-Ib-cr. Resistance to sulfonamides and trimethoprim was also reported in Enterobacteriaceae strains in the west of the country.     

Nematode parasites of Chelidae (Testudines) from Southern Brazil

The presence of helminths associated with freshwater turtles is rarely reported. There are no records of nematodes parasitizing Acanthochelys spixii, and for Hydromedusa tectifera, there is only the report of unidentified nematodes found in this species in Argentina. This is the first report of nematodes (Spiroxys contortus and Camallanus sp.) in A. spixii and the first record of Spiroxys contortus and Camallanus sp. in H. tectifera. This is the southernmost record of S . contortus because this nematode was previously recorded only in Mexico.     

Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec characterization of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated at the military hospital of Constantine/Algeria

Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec is a genetic mobile element that carries the gene mecA mediating the methicillin resistance in staphylococci. The aim of this study is to type the Staphylococcal cassette chromosome mec (SCCmec) in 64 non-redundant methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains recovered at the military hospital of Constantine (Algeria) between 2005 and 2007. Methicillin resistance was detected by oxacillin and cefoxitin discs and PBP2a test, and then confirmed by mecA PCR. The SCCmec complex types were determined by real time PCR. The analysis showed that 50 isolates were hospital acquired (HA-MRSA) and 14 were community-acquired (CA-MRSA). SCCmec type IV and V (traditionally attributed to CA-MRSA) were harbored by both HA-MRSA and CA-MRSA, while SCCmec type I, II and III were not recorded. These findings motivate more investigations to be carried on HA-MRSA in our hospital and other national health care centers.     

Quill mites of the subfamily Picobiinae (Acari: Syringophilidae) associated with woodpeckers (Aves: Piciformes: Picidae)

The paper contains a review of quill mites of the subfamily Picobiinae (Acari: Prostigmata: Syringophilidae) associated with woodpeckers (Aves: Piciformes: Picidae). Three new species are described: Picobia mentalis Skoracki et Unsoeld sp. nov. from Picus mentalis Temminck, Neopicobia ea Skoracki et Unsoeld sp. nov. from Celeus flavus (St. Mueller) (type host), C. elegans (St. Mueller), C. torquatus (Boddaert), and Neopicobia freya Skoracki et Unsoeld sp. nov. from Dryocopus galeatus (Temminck) (type host) and Piculus rubiginosus (Swainson). Additionally, six new host species for Picobia heeri Haller, 1878 and 12 new host species for Picobia dryobatis (Fritsch, 1956) are reported. A complete list of the picobiines parasitising birds of the family Picidae is presented in the tabular form.     

Observation of a New Pattern of Mutations in gyrA and parC within Escherichia coli Exhibiting Fluroquinolone Resistance

Therapeutic options with quinolones are severely compromised in infections caused by members of Enterobacteriaceae family. Mutations in chromosomal region are one of the major reasons for bacterial resistance towards this group of antibiotic. The aim of the study is to detect the mutations in gyrA and parC responsible for quinolone resistance among clinical isolates of Escherichia coli. A total of 96 quinolone-resistant clinical isolates of E. coli were collected from a tertiary care hospital of North-east India during March 2015 to August 2015. All the quinolone-resistant E. coli strains were investigated for mutations in the topoisomerases genes gyrA and parC by amplifying and sequencing the quinolone resistance determining regions. Among the 96 E. coli isolates, 83.3% were resistant to nalidixic acid and 80.2%, 66.6%, 23.9% and 50% to ciprofloxacin, norfloxacin, levofloxacin and ofloxacin, respectively. Several alterations were detected in gyrA and parC genes. Three new patterns of amino acid substitution are reported in E. coli isolates. The findings of this study warrant a review in quinolone-based therapy in this region of the world to stop or slow down the irrational use this drug.     

Bacteremia Due to Cedecea neteri sp. nov

Three of four blood cultures from a patient with possible endocarditis were positive for a new species of Enterobacteriaceae which is named Cedecea neteri. This is the first reported case of bacteremia caused by a strain of Cedecea.     

Hepatic parasitosis in two wood mice,Apodemus sylvaticus (Rodentia: Muridae), due to Aonchotheca annulosa (Nematoda: Trichuridae), and Eucoleus bacillatus (Nematoda: Trichuridae). Erratic parasitism or post mortem migration?

Aonchotheca annulosa and Eucoleus bacillatus are two capillariin nematodes parasitizing the intestinal and stomach mucosa, respectively, of various rodent species, and two, among others, component species of the helminth fauna of the wood mouse, Apodemus sylvaticus. A capillariin each was found in the liver parenchyma of two wood mice in a post-fire regeneration enclave in Serra Calderona Natural Park (Valencian Community, Spain). Due to their location, the preliminary identification of the helminths corresponded to Calodium hepaticum, a hepatic capillariin with rodents as its main host. So far, this species had never been found in Serra Calderona. To verify the preliminary identification, a comparative morphometric study between the specimens from Serra Calderona and a preserved individual of C. hepaticum from another enclave was carried out. Morphometric analysis revealed that the adult helminth as well as the eggs found in the liver of the first mouse belonged to A. annulosa, whereas the second one was identified as a male E. bacillatus. Moreover, the liver from both hosts showed a visible pathology, being the consequence of aberrant migration of the parasites. This is the first evidence that A. annulosa and E. bacillatus may migrate erratically and thus produce ectopic foci in other organs.     

First entomological documentation of Aedes (Stegomyia) albopictus (Skuse, 1894) in Algeria

In August 2010, during an entomological programme targeting sandflies, in the region of Larbaa-Nath-Iraten, Wilaya of Tizi-Ouzou (Algeria), a female Aedes albopictus was trapped alive and partially engorged. To our knowledge, this is the first report of Ae. albopictus in Algeria and more widely in the Maghreb.     

Emerging Escherichia Pathogen

Escherichia hermannii was first identified as a new species in 1982. It has rarely been reported as a human pathogen. We report the first case of E. hermannii as the sole pathogen in a catheter-related bloodstream infection.     

Eimeria in Fowls: Immunity to Four Species of

Two or three graded infections with oocysts of Eimeria acervulina, E. tenella, E. necatrix and E. maxima produced a resistance to further infection with the immunizing species. The oocyst output after the second infection, in each case, was lower than that after the initial dose indicating the substantial immunizing effect of the initial infection. The species could be placed in a descending order of immunizing activity as follows: E. maxima, E. acervulina, E. tenella and E. necatrix. A solid immunity to the immunizing species in no way prevented the development of an additional infection, here referred to as `cross-infection', with any of the species studied.

Serum precipitins were produced in infections with all four species, the response to infection with E. necatrix being less marked than to the other species. A first challenge of immune fowls with the immunizing species produced some increase in precipitation in agar whereas a second challenge had no such effect; the significance of this lack of response is discussed. Usually, fowls immunized against one species and then infected with an additional one, produced serum precipitins which reacted only with the antigen of the additional species. But E. tenella immunized fowls, when given an additional infection with E. necatrix, produced precipitins that reacted with antigens of both species. The same was also true when E. necatrix immunized fowls were infected with E. tenella.