Serological Evidence of Glanders and Brucellosis in Equines in The North-East of Algeria

Burkholderia mallei and Brucella spp. are two bacteria of non-Gram-stained bacilli, non-sporulated, uncapsulated and which are responsible for glanders and brucellosis respectively. In addition, equines could play an important epidemiological role in the dissemination of these diseases. In 2016, a study was undertaken in clinically healthy donkeys (n = 120) and horses (n = 119) in 3 departments in the North-East of Algeria, in order to determine the seroprevalence of glanders and brucellosis. The Complement Fixation Test was used to detect specific antibodies against Burkholderia mallei and in association with Rose Bengal Plate Test (RBPT) for specific antibodies against Brucella spp. No positive cases were observed for glanders; concerning brucellosis, an individual seroprevalence was estimated at 0% in donkeys and 0.8 (± 2.5)% in horses with only one positive case found in the department of El Taref. This first serological study in Algerian equines has shown the absence of glanders and a very low seropositive distribution of brucellosis through study area. However, further investigations are needed with much more samples in other regions to better understand these diseases and establish an adequate prophylaxis program adapted to the algerian epidemiological situation.