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ARS Home » Northeast Area » Beltsville, Maryland (BARC) » Beltsville Agricultural Research Center » Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #359993
Research Project: Detection and Control of Foodborne Parasites for Food Safety

Location: Animal Parasitic Diseases Laboratory

Title: Prevalence of Eimeria species in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Egypt and diagnosis of Eimeria cameli oocysts

Author
item ABBAS, IBRAHIM - Mansoura University
item EL-ALFY, EL-SAYED - Mansoura University
item AL-ARABY, MOUSTAFA - Mansoura University
item AL-KAPPANY, YARA - Mansoura University
item EL-SEADAWY, RANA - Mansoura University
item Dubey, Jitender

Submitted to: Journal of Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 12/17/2019
Publication Date: 6/1/2019
Citation: Abbas, I., El-Alfy, E., Al-Araby, M., Al-Kappany, Y., El-Seadawy, R., Dubey, J.P. 2019. Prevalence of Eimeria species in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Egypt and diagnosis of Eimeria cameli oocysts. Journal of Parasitology. 105(3):395-400.

Interpretive Summary: Toxoplasma, Neospora, Sarcocystis, Eimeria, and Cystoisopora are related coccidian parasites that cause severe illness in livestock. The oocyst is the environmentally resistant stage passed in feces of the definitive hosts. While Toxoplasma and Neospora have wide host range, Eimeria are generally host specific. Coccidiosis is an important disease of camels, especially nursing camels. There are many uncertainties about the life cycles of coccidian parasites in camels. In the present paper the authors report on prevalence of Eimeria in Egypt and redescribe Eimeria cameli, the most prevalent species in camels. This paper will be of interest to parasitologists and veterinarians in diagnosis of coccidiosis in camels.

Technical Abstract: Coccidiosis is an important disease of camels and camels are important for the economy of Asia and the Arabian Peninsula. Little is known regarding prevalence of coccidian parasites in camels in Egypt. Fecal samples collected from the rectum of 200 camels at the Cairo slaughterhouse were processed usingthe sucrose flotation technique. Eimeria species oocysts were found in 38%. Three Eimeria species were identified: E. cameli-like 31%, E. rajasthani in 18% and E. dromedarii in 14%. The morphology of E. rajasthani and E. dromedarii oocysts was identical to that in literature. However, there was great variability in size and structure among E. cameli oocysts; oocysts were 70-100 µm long and truncate to ovoid. Four morphotypes (types 1 to 4) were recognized. Oocysts of types 1 and 2 had similar truncate ovoid shape and dark brown, but their shape indices were different. Both types could be easily distinguished from type 3 (elongate ovoid and light brown). All oocysts were enclosed in a transparent outer covering (capsule), although this capsule was barely seen in type 3 and 4. An extension from the capsule situated in front of the micropyle and named as polar cap-like structure (PCL), was characteristic for types 1 and 2. The PCL of type 1 resembled the crown, while in type 2 it looked like a small thickening with smooth top. The PCL was absent in oocysts of types 3 and 4. The later was found only in a single oocyst. Experimental infections with E. cameli oocysts and molecular studies are needed to resolve if the monotypes described here are different species or strain variation or both.