Prevalence of Gastrointestinal Parasitic Infestations with Hematobiochemical Disorders in Dromedary Camel

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Biochemistry Department, Veterinary Medicine Directorate, Kafr El-Sheikh, Egypt,

Abstract

However, lacking scientific research on internal parasitic infestation in dromedary camels, the current study was designed to look into the prevalence and identification of gastrointestinal parasites in dromedary camels in Saudi Arabia's Al-Qassim, Riyadh, and Taif, as well as their relationship to blood components.  A total of 352 fresh fecal samples from Al-Qassim, 440 samples from Riyadh and 585 samples from Taif were processed and examined microscopically after direct smear, flotation, and sedimentation techniques. In addition, using modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining for microscopic examination for Cryptosporidium spp < /em>. and Lugol’s iodine staining for the detection of Giardia cysts. Overall, the prevalence of gastrointestinal infection was 81.82%, 56.81% and 44.44% in Al-Qassim, Riyadh and Taif, respectively. The single infection was the highest, up to 90.91% in Riyadh, and concurrent mixed infections were with two (36.36%) or three infections (2.22%). Gastrointestinal parasites identified in camels belonged to nematodes; Nematodirus spp., Strongylus spp., Marshallagia, and Trichuris, as well as cestodes; Moniezia and protozoa such as Eimeria spp., Giardia, Cryptosporidium, Entamoeba histolytica, and Blantidium coli. We discovered that the gastrointestinal parasite infections detected in our study were extremely diverse. Therefore, camel owners should apply health management and preventive protocols to their herds.

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