19 / 26
Page 58
conferenceseries
.com
Volume 5, Issue 7 (Suppl)
J Infect Dis Ther, an open access journal
ISSN: 2332-0877
Infection Prevention 2017
December 14-15, 2017
December 14-15, 2017 | Rome, Italy
13
th
World Congress on
INFECTION PREVENTION AND CONTROL
Rickettsia
e in human and in blood feeding arthropods in Northern Tunisia
Fatma Khrouf
1
, Saba Zouari
1
, Youma M’Ghirbi
1
, Souha Boughatef
2
, Nisaf Ben Alaya
2
, Lamia Ammari
3
and
Lilia Messadi
4
1
IPT, Tunisia
2
ONMNE, Tunisia
3
LaRabta, Tunisia
4
ENMV, Tunisia
Statement of the Problem:
Rickettsioses are considered as emerging infectious diseases. These affections are classically
transmitted to humans via arthropods vector bites. In Tunisia, about 200 cases were registered every year. Despite medical
importance and longstanding presence of this disease, relationship between
Rickettsia
species and potential arthropod vectors
has been poorly investigated. Based on the epidemiological understood and the control of emerging diseases spread in
Mediterranean region, a survey of
rickettsia
l diseases was carried out to have an overview about the circulation of these diseases
in Northern Tunisia. Nevertheless, this data is necessary in order to target surveillance and control of this vector-borne disease
nationwide.
Methodology &Theoretical Orientation:
A total of 2452 ectoparasites (ticks and fleas) infesting domestic animals (dogs, sheep
and goats) were collected in five studied cities in which sera and blood of patients, suspected to have
rickettsia
l infection on the
basis of clinical criteria, were tested serologically (IFI) and molecularly. Extracted DNA was subject to
Rickettsia
identification
using qPCR. To confirm our findings, some amplified positive samples from vectors and humans were sequenced.
Findings:
During our survey (March-November 2015), the seroprevalence of 40 suspected patients was 54%. Three positive
biopsies were identified infected by R. conorii. The global prevalence of infected ticks and fleas by
Rickettsia
was 46% and 63%
respectively. Specific qPCR showed the infection of 92% of positive fleas by R. felis. The molecular sequencing, using 3 target
specific genes
(gltA, ompA, OmpB)
, allows the identification of
R. massiliae in Rh. turanicus, R. helvetica in Ixodes ricinus and
R. aeschlimannii in Hyalomma marginatum and Hy. excavatum.
Conclusion & Significance:
In terms of public health, this study gives a global vision of the distribution of
Rickettsia
in
human and vectors in endemic regions. Ticks and fleas, both abundant arthropods, seem to be the most significant
Arthropoda
species carrying
Rickettsia
agents and may play an important role in maintaining
rickettsia
l infections and their transmission
to human. Further investigations in humans and animals are needed to confirm these data.
kfatmamail@yahoo.frJ Infect Dis Ther 2017, 5:7(Suppl)
DOI: 10.4172/2332-0877-C1-036