First identification of camel prion disease in Tataouine, Tunisia: an emerging animal prion disease in North Africa

 First identification of camel prion disease in Tataouine, Tunisia: an emerging animal prion disease in North Africa

Abdelkader Amara, Michele Angelo Di Bari, Kéfia Elmehatli, Rosalia Bruno, Rihab Andolsi, Barbara Chiappini, Ilaria Vanni, Elena Esposito, Geraldina Riccardi, Obaid Allah Ben Abid, Stefano Marcon, Atef Malek, Boubaker Ben Smida, Haykel Kessa, Walid Chandoul, Mariem Handous, Roukaya Khorchani, Romolo Nonno, Malek Zrelli, Umberto Agrimi, Gabriele Vaccari, Laura Pirisinu

doi: https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.09.17.675824

This article is a preprint and has not been certified by peer review [what does this mean?]. AbstractFull TextInfo/HistoryMetrics Preview PDF

Abstract

Prion diseases are fatal neurodegenerative disorders affecting humans and animals. Among these, camel prion disease (CPrD) was recently identified in Algeria as a novel disease. In this study, we report six CPrD cases in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Tunisia, providing further evidence of its occurrence in North Africa. Affected animals exhibited neurological signs and showed PrPSc accumulation in both brain and lymphoid tissues. Molecular and pathological analyses revealed features consistent with Algerian CPrD cases and distinct from classical scrapie and bovine spongiform encephalopathy. The detection of PrPSc in lymphoid organs, together with the relatively young age of some affected individuals, suggests the possibility of a contagious etiology, including potential vertical or early-life transmission mechanisms, as observed in scrapie and chronic wasting disease affecting small ruminants and cervids, respectively. These findings underscore the need for continued surveillance and further investigation into the epidemiology, transmission mechanisms and potential public health implications of CPrD.

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We recently reported the first confirmed case of classical scrapie in sheep in Tunisia (13), in the same geographic area where CPrD cases were identified.

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Taken together, the data from Algeria and Tunisia suggest that CPrD may be endemic in certain areas.

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A transmissible prion disease in this species could lead to significant economic losses due to premature death, culling and reduced productivity in terms of milk and meat. The identification of CPrD in regions where camels play a central role in food production and local economies highlights the need for a thorough understanding of the disease’s epidemiology, transmission mechanisms and long-term impact on animal health.

The emergence of a new prion disease in animals also raises concerns for public health.

see;

https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.09.17.675824v1.full  

Camel prion disease: a possible emerging disease in dromedary camel populations?

Proceedings of the Prion 2025 - Advancing the understanding and treatment of prion diseases

ISBN: 978-65-80968-48-0

Identification of Camel Prion Disease in Tunisia: evidence of an emerging prion disease in North Africa

Amara, Abdelkader 1Bari, Michele Angelo Di 2Andolsi, Rihab 1Elmhatli, Kéfia 3Malek, Atef 1Bruno, Rosalia 4Chiappini, Barbara 5Vanni, Ilaria 6Esposito, Elena 5Riccardi, Geraldina 5Smida, Boubaker Ben 7Kessa, Haykel 8Chandoul, Walid 9Zrelli, Malek 10Abid, Obaid Allah Ben 5Marcon, Stefano 5Nonno, Romolo 5Agrimi, Umberto 5Vaccari, Gabriele 6Pirisinu, Laura 6 Vol 1, 2025 - 329818

Abstract Prion 2025

Abstract

Introduction: Camel prion disease (CPrD), a recently identified prion disease in dromedary camels from Algeria, has raised concerns regarding its potential spread in North Africa and possible implications for animal and public health.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the presence of CPrD in Tunisia by investigating clinically suspect dromedary camels and characterizing the pathological and biochemical features of the disease.

Methods: Brain and lymph nodes from eight dromedary camels showing neurological and behavioral signs were sampled from the Tataouine and Sousse governorates. Samples were analysed by Western blot, immunohistochemistry, and histopathology techniques. PrP gene sequencing was also performed.

Results and Discussion: PrPSc accumulation was detected in six out of eight animals, with positivity confirmed in brain and, when available, lymph nodes. They showed molecular and neuropathological features closely resembling Algerian CPrD, clearly distinct from classical scrapie and BSE. All genotyped animals were homozygous for the wild-type PRNP allele. The detection of PrPSc in lymphoid organs, together with the relatively young age of some affected individuals, suggests the possibility of a contagious nature and early-life exposure.

Conclusion: This study provides the first identification of CPrD in Tunisia and underscores the importance of ongoing surveillance and the need to better understand the epidemiology, transmission dynamics, and zoonotic potential of this emerging prion disease.

Funding: This work was supported by grants: Bando Ricerca Indipendente ISS 2020-2022 (ID ISS20-97e1d82bda5a) by Istituto Superiore di Sanità; Bando “Dottorati di Ricerca Italia-Africa 2023” (DB04-id: 5165) by Università La Sapienza di Roma and Istituto Superiore di Sanità.

https://proceedings.science/prion-2025/papers?prod_proceedings_papers%5BrefinementList%5D%5Btrack.title.en%5D%5B0%5D=Animal%20prion%20diseases

Identification of Camel Prion Disease in Tunisia: evidence of an emerging prion disease in North Africa

The detection of PrPSc in lymphoid organs, together with the relatively young age of some affected individuals, suggests the possibility of a contagious nature and early-life exposure.

https://proceedings.science/prion-2025/papers?prod_proceedings_papers%5BrefinementList%5D%5Btrack.title.en%5D%5B0%5D=Animal%20prion%20diseases

OIE Camel Prion Disease Bulletin

https://bulletin.woah.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/OIE-News-December-2019-Camel-prion-disease.pdf

https://camelusprp.blogspot.com/2026/02/

https://camelusprp.blogspot.com/2026/

https://camelusprp.blogspot.com/

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