Clinical and laboratory findings associated with naturally occurring babesiosis in dromedary camels

Abstract

Clinical, haematological, and biochemical changes induced by naturally occurring babesiosis in dromedary camels were described. Of 258 dromedary camels studied, 34 camels suffered from fever, appetite loss, weakness, depression, and reluctant movement; abortion and/or infertility were also observed. Parasitological blood examinations were performed using Giemsastained blood smears. The clinically affected animals were diagnosed with babesiosis, with 13.17% overall morbidity. Camels that suffered from babesiosis were subjected to haematological and biochemical analyses and the affected group was compared with a control group containing 34 healthy camels. The affected animals showed a highly significant (P<0.001) reduction of the total red blood cell (RBC) count, haemoglobin (HGB) concentration, and mean corpuscular volume (MCV) as well as a highly significant reduction (P<0.01) of haematocrit (HCT) and a significant reduction of (P<0.05) mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH). Additional, highly significant increases (P<0.01) in white blood cell (WBC) count and plateletcrit (PCT) percentage were detected. However, other haematological parameters were not significantly altered. There was a very significant reduction (P<0.001) of the blood iron level and a very significant increase (P<0.001) in blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the affected camels. Additionally, significant increases in total protein, albumin, γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin were observed in the affected camels. It was concluded that babesiosis highly affects the haematobiochemical parameters of dromedary camels, including the liver, kidney, and muscle functions. These results represent novel findings concerning natural babesiosis in camels.

Microscopic and Molecular Detection of Camel Piroplasmosis in Gadarif State, Sudan

“…The prevalence of camel piroplasmosis using microscopical examination in this study was higher than that reported in KSA [11], Egypt [5], and Iraq [6]. This could be attributed to the higher prevalence rate of ticks and biting flies infesting camel in the investigated area of the Sudan [2] (Hassan, and Salih 2009).…”

“…However, no pathognomonic clinical signs of piroplasmosis (e.g., haemoglobin-urea) were recorded during sampling. Swelum et al [11] reported some clinical, haematological, and biochemical changes due to natural infection of babesiosis in dromedary camels in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). Camel is known to be tolerant to many diseases.…”

“…Clinical, haematological, and biochemical changes induced by naturally occurring babesiosis in dromedary camels were described by [11] in Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).…”

Comparison between the Effects of Adding Vitamins, Trace Elements, and Nanoparticles to SHOTOR Extender on the Cryopreservation of Dromedary Camel Epididymal Spermatozoa

“…Compared to other farm animals, studies on camel reproductive physiology are lacking because of the many complex genetic and environmental factors that contribute to the declined fertility in camels. In recent years, the number of studies on the camelid family, in terms of science and research, has greatly increased [3]. There are several ways to improve the productivity and reproductive performance of the Arabian camel [4][5][6][7][8], such as artificial insemination (AI).…”

Blood Parasites in Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Northern West Coast of Egypt

“…Camel is an important multipurpose animal and since the old times, it has been used for transportation and produce milk, wool and meat in arid and semi-arid areas of the world [1]. Although camels are hardy animals and can tolerate the harsh conditions of arid regions because of their unique adaptive physiological characteristics, these animals face a wide variety of diseases [2,3]. Gastrointestinal and blood parasites are known to affect the health of camels leading to anemia, wasting and death in heavy infection [4].…”