Blood Parasites of Camels from Central Regions of Iran: Comparative Evaluation of Various Detection Techniques and Serum Protein Components

Abstract

The 227 blood samples of camels (male: 130, female: 97) were examined from different regions of central areas of Iran between March 2011 and April 2012. Of the examined samples, 4.85% were found to be infected by two species of blood parasites (Trypanosoma evansi, Dipetalonema evansi). Comparison of various techniques, viz., formal gel, mercuric chloride, wet smears and thin smears for detection of T. evansi showed the sensitivity and specificity 44- 100%, 100- 93%, 88- 100%, 88- 100% respectively, where the hematocrit centrifuge test was used as a gold standard. The results of all techniques used for detection of microfilaria were similar. Statistical analysis did not show any signif- icant relation between blood parasite infection and variables such as age, gender and season (p >0.05) but comparison of serum protein components in infected camels with T. evansi showed significant difference except α2-globulin and β-globulin (p <0.05). Keywords