Prevalence of Trypanosoma evansi in Maghrabi Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Northern-West Coast, Egypt using Molecular and Parasitological Methods

Abstract

In Egypt, two local strains of dromedaries' camels (Sudanese and Maghrabi) are different from each other in some morphological, physiological properties and their origin. Trypanosoma evansi was well studied in imported and local Sudanese camels. No published studies exist on trypanosomosis in Maghrabi camels originating from North Africa, despite serious epidemics which have occurred in recent years. For the first time, an epidemiological survey was carried out from May 2012 to July 2013 in Northern-West Coast, Egypt to assess prevalence of T. evansi infection in Maghrabi dromedary camels. Some mainly parasite-related epidemiological factors that may play a role in the distribution and impact of trypanosomiasis were determined with special attention to the specific epidemiological situation found in the study area. Blood film examination (B. film) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using two specific primers (RoTat 1.2 and TBR1.2) based assays optimized for the detection of T. evansi were evaluated. Out of 249 camels examined for trypanosomiasis: 52 (20.9%), 164 (65.9 %) and 186 (74.7%) were positive by B. film, PCR based RoTat 1.2 and PCR based TBR 1.2, respectively. PCR based TBR 1.2 showed the highest sensitivity values, whereas PCR based RoTat 1.2 was the most specific tool. Age and sex are likely to be risk factors for trypanosomiasis in camels. The majority of trypanosomiasis in Maghrabi camel is apparently caused by a single T. evansi infection in the study area. It is concluded that T. evansi was prevalent in all districts sampled at high levels regardless of the test used. Our findings coincide with our previous suggestion of the presence of T. brucei and T. equiperdum infections at the borders of Egypt. T. evansi reveals a big problem that needed to be re-evaluated.