<i>Atelerix algirus,</i> the North African Hedgehog: Suitable Wild Host for Infected Ticks and Fleas and Reservoir of Vector-Borne Pathogens in Tunisia
Ghofrane Balti,
Clemence Galon,
Moufida Derghal,
Hejer Souguir,
Souheila Guerbouj,
Adel Rhim,
Jomâa Chemkhi,
Ikram Guizani,
Ali Bouattour,
Sara Moutailler,
Youmna M’ghirbi
Affiliations
Ghofrane Balti
Laboratory of Viruses, Vectors and Hosts, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, 13, Place Pasteur, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Clemence Galon
Unité Mixte de Recherche de Biologie Moléculaire et d’Immunologie Parasitaires, Animal Health Laboratory, Agence Nationale de sécurité Sanitaire de l’Alimentation, de l’Environnement et du Travail, National Veterinary School of Alfort, Paris-Est University, Maisons-Alfort, 94700 Paris, France
Moufida Derghal
Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Hejer Souguir
Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Souheila Guerbouj
Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Adel Rhim
Laboratory of Viruses, Vectors and Hosts, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, 13, Place Pasteur, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Jomâa Chemkhi
Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Ikram Guizani
Laboratory of Molecular Epidemiology and Experimental Pathology, LR16IPT04, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Ali Bouattour
Laboratory of Viruses, Vectors and Hosts, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, 13, Place Pasteur, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Sara Moutailler
Unité Mixte de Recherche de Biologie Moléculaire et d’Immunologie Parasitaires, Animal Health Laboratory, Agence Nationale de sécurité Sanitaire de l’Alimentation, de l’Environnement et du Travail, National Veterinary School of Alfort, Paris-Est University, Maisons-Alfort, 94700 Paris, France
Youmna M’ghirbi
Laboratory of Viruses, Vectors and Hosts, LR20IPT02, Institut Pasteur de Tunis, Université Tunis El Manar, 13, Place Pasteur, Tunis 1002, Tunisia
Small wild mammals are an important element in the emergence and transmission of vector-borne pathogens (VBPs). Among these species, hedgehogs have been found to be a reservoir of VBPs and host of arthropod vectors. Surveillance of VBPs in wildlife and their arthropods are crucial in a one health context. We conducted an exploratory study to screen Atelerix algirus hedgehogs and their infesting ticks and fleas for VBPs using a high throughput microfluidic real-time PCR system. Tested biopsies from hedgehogs were found to be naturally infected by Theileria youngi, Hepatozoon sp., Ehrlichia ewingii, Coxiella burnetii, and Candidatus Ehrlichia shimanensis. Similarly, Haemaphysalis erinacei and Rhipicephalus sanguineus tick species were infected by Ehrlichia ewingii, Rickettsia spp., Rickettsia massiliae, Borrelia sp., Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia lusitaniae and Anaplasma sp. Archaeopsylla erinacei fleas were infected by Rickettsia asembonensis, Coxiella burnetii, and Rickettsia massiliae. Co-infections by two and three pathogens were detected in hedgehogs and infesting ticks and fleas. The microfluidic real-time PCR system enabled us not only to detect new and unexpected pathogens, but also to identify co-infections in hedgehogs, ticks, and fleas. We suggest that hedgehogs may play a reservoir role for VBPs in Tunisia and contribute to maintaining enzootic pathogen cycles via arthropod vectors.
