Detection of Intestinal Protozoa in Camels and their Breeders in Najef, Iraq

Abstract

The prevalence of intestinal parasites in camels was studied in the Riyadh region, central Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The study was carried out over a population of 240 animals which examined their feces by coprological methods. Out of 240 samples of feces examined, 143 cases (59.6%) were positive for intestinal parasites of whom 82 were male (34.2%) and 61 were female (25.4%). There was a significant difference between male and female (p<0.05). The infection rates in different age groups (Calves<1 year, 1-2 year old and adult) were 9.6, 15.8 and 34.2%, respectively. The single infection (29.2%) was the highest and concurrent infections were with two (18.3%) and three or more (12.1%). Intestinal parasites which detected in camels feces were belong to nematoda: Trichostrongylus spp. (15.4%), Haemonchus spp. (10.4%), Trichuris spp. (8.8%), Nematodirus spp. (5%), Osrtertagia spp. (2.9%) and cestoda: Moniezia expansa (6.7%), Stilesia spp. (3.3%) coccidia: Eimeria cameli (7.1%). The high prevalence of intestinal parasites among camels reported during summer season.