Studies on Blood and Enteric Protozoans Infecting Camels At Behera Province, Egypt

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the prevalence of blood and enteric protozoan parasites in freshly slaughtered camels at Behera Province, during the years of 2014 and 2015. 120 (66 male and 54 female) freshly slaughtered camels were examined, 94 (46 males and 48 females) (78.3%) were found to be infected with enteric protozoa, while 63 camels (24 males and 39 females) (52.5%) were found to be infected with blood protozoa. Concerning enteric protozoa, the highest rate was recorded for Diplodinium spp. (58%), followed by Cryptosporidium parvum. (24.16%), then Eimeria spp (13.33%). Eimaria spp. were E.camili (50%), E. dromedarii (31.25%) and, E. pellerdyi (18.75%). Giardia intestinalis, (5%) and Balantidium coli (4.16%). The prevalence of blood protozoa revealed that the highest rate was for Theileria spp., then Anaplasma marginale and Trypanosoma evansi 45.82, 15.8 and 1.66%, respectively. Regarding, seasonal dynamics of enteric protozoan parasites, Cryptosporidium parvum, Eimeria spp and Diplodinium spp showed their highest incidence during Winter, while Balantidium coli recorded the highest rate during Spring. Summer had the highest rate for Theileria spp. but there were abundance of Anaplasma marginale during spring and Autumn. Finally, Trypanosoma evansi were only found during winter and autumn.