Toxoplasma gondii in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt: a comparative seroepidemiological study in Upper and Lower Egypt

Toxoplasmosis remains a prevalent parasitic zoonosis worldwide, raising public health concerns. The global information available regarding the role of camels in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii is still limited. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of T. gondii in dromedary camels (Cam...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy, Nady Khairy Elbarbary, David Cano-Terriza, Tomás Fajardo, Nada Oudah Albalawi, Débora Jiménez-Martín, Marwa M. I. Ghallab, Ahmed Gareh, Refaat Ras, Isabelle Villena, Sabry A. S. Sadek, Hajar AlQadeeb, Hind Alzaylaee, Sonia Almería, Ignacio García-Bocanegra
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-01-01
Series:Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1508496/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1832593944875106304
author Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
Nady Khairy Elbarbary
David Cano-Terriza
David Cano-Terriza
Tomás Fajardo
Nada Oudah Albalawi
Débora Jiménez-Martín
Marwa M. I. Ghallab
Ahmed Gareh
Refaat Ras
Refaat Ras
Isabelle Villena
Sabry A. S. Sadek
Hajar AlQadeeb
Hind Alzaylaee
Sonia Almería
Ignacio García-Bocanegra
Ignacio García-Bocanegra
author_facet Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
Nady Khairy Elbarbary
David Cano-Terriza
David Cano-Terriza
Tomás Fajardo
Nada Oudah Albalawi
Débora Jiménez-Martín
Marwa M. I. Ghallab
Ahmed Gareh
Refaat Ras
Refaat Ras
Isabelle Villena
Sabry A. S. Sadek
Hajar AlQadeeb
Hind Alzaylaee
Sonia Almería
Ignacio García-Bocanegra
Ignacio García-Bocanegra
author_sort Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
collection DOAJ
description Toxoplasmosis remains a prevalent parasitic zoonosis worldwide, raising public health concerns. The global information available regarding the role of camels in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii is still limited. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of T. gondii in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) from northern and southern Egypt. A total of 513 serum samples were obtained from camels across Cairo (Lower Egypt) and Aswan (Upper Egypt) governorates. The Modified Agglutination Test (MAT) was performed to screen for anti-T. gondii antibodies. The overall seroprevalence was 13.84% (71/513; 95CI%:10.85–16.83). The bivariate analysis showed that animals aged 4–8 years (13.84%, 36/260) and older than 8 years (18.45%, 31/168) showed significantly higher seropositivity compared to those young individuals (≤ 4 years old) (p = 0.011). Additionally, the multiple logistic regression analysis highlighted the geographic region as a potential risk factor for T. gondii exposure. Thus, camels from Lower Egypt had significantly higher seroprevalence of T. gondii (19.92%, 51/256) compared to those from Upper Egypt (7.78%; 20/257; p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR] = 2.94; 95% CI: 1.70–5.10). Our results provide evidence of moderate, widespread, and heterogeneous spatial distribution of T. gondii among camel populations in Egypt, which might have important implications for animal and public health in that country. Surveillance and control programs should be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure of T. gondii in camels.
format Article
id doaj-art-91a19fb1aeac4b059ab40ba18c779b48
institution Kabale University
issn 2297-1769
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Veterinary Science
spelling doaj-art-91a19fb1aeac4b059ab40ba18c779b482025-01-20T07:19:48ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Veterinary Science2297-17692025-01-011110.3389/fvets.2024.15084961508496Toxoplasma gondii in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt: a comparative seroepidemiological study in Upper and Lower EgyptEhab Kotb Elmahallawy0Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy1Nady Khairy Elbarbary2David Cano-Terriza3David Cano-Terriza4Tomás Fajardo5Nada Oudah Albalawi6Débora Jiménez-Martín7Marwa M. I. Ghallab8Ahmed Gareh9Refaat Ras10Refaat Ras11Isabelle Villena12Sabry A. S. Sadek13Hajar AlQadeeb14Hind Alzaylaee15Sonia Almería16Ignacio García-Bocanegra17Ignacio García-Bocanegra18Departamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, SpainDepartment of Zoonoses, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Sohag University, Sohag, EgyptDepartment of Food Hygiene, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, EgyptDepartamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, SpainCIBERINFEC, ISCIII CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, SpainDepartamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, SpainDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Taibah University, Alula, Saudi ArabiaDepartamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, SpainDepartment of Medical Parasitology, Faculty of Medicine, Kafrelsheikh University, Kafr El Sheikh, EgyptDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, EgyptDepartment of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Zagazig University, Zagazig, EgyptDepartment of Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Egypt0University of Reims Champagne-Ardenne, UR 7510, National Reference Centre for Toxoplasmosis, Laboratory of Parasitology, Reims Hospital, Reims, France1Department of Zoonotic Diseases, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt2Department of Medical Laboratory, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, AlKharj, Saudi Arabia3Department of Biology, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia4Virology and Parasitology Branch, Division of Food and Environmental Safety, Office of Applied Microbiology and Technology (OAMT), Office of Laboratory Operations and Applied Sciences (OLOAS), Food and Drug Administration, Department of Health and Human Services, Laurel, MD, United StatesDepartamento de Sanidad Animal, Grupo de Investigación en Sanidad Animal y Zoonosis (GISAZ), Universidad de Córdoba, Córdoba, SpainCIBERINFEC, ISCIII CIBER de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, SpainToxoplasmosis remains a prevalent parasitic zoonosis worldwide, raising public health concerns. The global information available regarding the role of camels in the epidemiology of Toxoplasma gondii is still limited. This study aimed to assess the seroprevalence of T. gondii in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) from northern and southern Egypt. A total of 513 serum samples were obtained from camels across Cairo (Lower Egypt) and Aswan (Upper Egypt) governorates. The Modified Agglutination Test (MAT) was performed to screen for anti-T. gondii antibodies. The overall seroprevalence was 13.84% (71/513; 95CI%:10.85–16.83). The bivariate analysis showed that animals aged 4–8 years (13.84%, 36/260) and older than 8 years (18.45%, 31/168) showed significantly higher seropositivity compared to those young individuals (≤ 4 years old) (p = 0.011). Additionally, the multiple logistic regression analysis highlighted the geographic region as a potential risk factor for T. gondii exposure. Thus, camels from Lower Egypt had significantly higher seroprevalence of T. gondii (19.92%, 51/256) compared to those from Upper Egypt (7.78%; 20/257; p < 0.001; odds ratio [OR] = 2.94; 95% CI: 1.70–5.10). Our results provide evidence of moderate, widespread, and heterogeneous spatial distribution of T. gondii among camel populations in Egypt, which might have important implications for animal and public health in that country. Surveillance and control programs should be implemented to reduce the risk of exposure of T. gondii in camels.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1508496/fullToxoplasma gondiicamelsserosurveymodified agglutination testEgypt
spellingShingle Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
Ehab Kotb Elmahallawy
Nady Khairy Elbarbary
David Cano-Terriza
David Cano-Terriza
Tomás Fajardo
Nada Oudah Albalawi
Débora Jiménez-Martín
Marwa M. I. Ghallab
Ahmed Gareh
Refaat Ras
Refaat Ras
Isabelle Villena
Sabry A. S. Sadek
Hajar AlQadeeb
Hind Alzaylaee
Sonia Almería
Ignacio García-Bocanegra
Ignacio García-Bocanegra
Toxoplasma gondii in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt: a comparative seroepidemiological study in Upper and Lower Egypt
Frontiers in Veterinary Science
Toxoplasma gondii
camels
serosurvey
modified agglutination test
Egypt
title Toxoplasma gondii in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt: a comparative seroepidemiological study in Upper and Lower Egypt
title_full Toxoplasma gondii in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt: a comparative seroepidemiological study in Upper and Lower Egypt
title_fullStr Toxoplasma gondii in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt: a comparative seroepidemiological study in Upper and Lower Egypt
title_full_unstemmed Toxoplasma gondii in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt: a comparative seroepidemiological study in Upper and Lower Egypt
title_short Toxoplasma gondii in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Egypt: a comparative seroepidemiological study in Upper and Lower Egypt
title_sort toxoplasma gondii in dromedary camels camelus dromedarius in egypt a comparative seroepidemiological study in upper and lower egypt
topic Toxoplasma gondii
camels
serosurvey
modified agglutination test
Egypt
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fvets.2024.1508496/full
work_keys_str_mv AT ehabkotbelmahallawy toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT ehabkotbelmahallawy toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT nadykhairyelbarbary toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT davidcanoterriza toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT davidcanoterriza toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT tomasfajardo toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT nadaoudahalbalawi toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT deborajimenezmartin toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT marwamighallab toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT ahmedgareh toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT refaatras toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT refaatras toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT isabellevillena toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT sabryassadek toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT hajaralqadeeb toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT hindalzaylaee toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT soniaalmeria toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT ignaciogarciabocanegra toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt
AT ignaciogarciabocanegra toxoplasmagondiiindromedarycamelscamelusdromedariusinegyptacomparativeseroepidemiologicalstudyinupperandloweregypt