Prévalence et typage génétique de l’Echinococcose kystique dans la wilaya de Sétif et essais de lutte

Abstract

Cystic echinococcosis is a chronic parasitic zoonosis, worldwide in scope but neglected. It is particularly endemic in Algeria, where it causes significant socio-economic problems. To date, no effective control measures have been implemented, and research, particularly in the molecular field, remains very limited. For many years, traditional control programs have been in place, but these have proven to be largely ineffective against the disease, which continues to be a real scourge. A multidisciplinary approach was employed in this study, encompassing epidemiological investigations in humans and ruminants. Findings indicated a higher prevalence among females for hydatidosis. In ruminants, lungs were the primary site of hydatid cysts in ruminants. Human cysts exhibited the highest fertility and viability rates (95.6%), followed by sheep (76.7 % and 71.8%) and cattle (25% and 19.6 % respectively). Finally, a considerable prevalence of cases is recorded in ruminants (cattle and sheep). Molecular analysis involved genotyping hydatid cyst isolates by sequencing the mitochondrial gene, identifying all sequences from cattle, sheep, and humans as Echinococcus granulosus sensu stricto. Furthermore, in vitro tests were conducted on hydatid cyst protoscoleces using essential oils from Lavandula angustifolia and Artemisia herba alba, both tested at equivalent concentrations and exposure times to compare their scolicidal activity. Results showed scolicidal effects of Lavandula angustifolia and Artemisia herba alba essential oil’s starting at 0.1% concentration and 15 minutes exposure time, with increasing lethality observed with higher essential oil doses and longer exposure times. These experiments yielded promising results in terms of finding natural alternatives that are less toxic and more effective than chemical treatments, thus potentially contributing significantly to the control of cystic echinococcosis