Gastrointestinal parasites of dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Algeria

Vet World Vol.13 August-2020 Article-21

Research Article

Veterinary World, 13(8): 1635-1640

https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2020.1635-1640

Messaoud Bouragba^1,2, AbdElkarim Laatamna², Fatima Elzahra Cheddad³, Djamel Baroudi⁴, Karim Houali¹, and Ahcène Hakem^2,5

1. Laboratory of Analytical Biochemistry and Biotechnology, Faculty of Biological and Agronomical Sciences, University of Mouloud Mammeri, Tizi-Ouzou, Algeria.
2. Laboratory of Exploration and Valorization of Steppic Ecosystems, Faculty of Nature and Life Sciences, University of Djelfa, Djelfa, Algeria.
3. Laboratory of Biomedical Analyses, Djelfa, Algeria.
4. Higher National Veterinary School, Issad Abbes Street, Algiers, Algeria.
5. Centre Research in Agro-Pastoralism, Djelfa, Algeria.

Background and Aim: The present study was designed to investigate the prevalence and identification of gastrointestinal parasites in feces samples of dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Algeria based on microscopic examination.

Materials and Methods: A total of 717 fresh fecal samples obtained from 28 farms at Steppe and Northern Sahara regions of Algeria were processed for microscopic examination after concentration by formalin-ether sedimentation and flotation techniques. In addition, microscopic examination of Cryptosporidium spp. was done by modified Ziehl-Neelsen staining and Lugol staining procedure was used for the detection of Giardia cysts.

Results: Microscopic examination indicated an infection rate of gastrointestinal parasites of 48.26% (346/717). Protozoan infections were recorded at 17.02% (122/717), whereas helminth infections were recorded at 23.71% (170/717). In addition, mixed infection (protozoans and helminths) was seen at 7.53% (54/717). No correlation was found between infection and age of the animals, nor the consistency of the stool samples; in addition, neither influence of sex nor breed of camels was observed. Eighteen genera of gastrointestinal parasites were revealed; including four genera of protozoa, 12 Nematoda, one Cestoda, and one Trematoda. Strongyloides spp. and Eimeria spp. showed the highest rate of parasitism, while Cooperia spp. was observed with the lowest prevalence. Cryptosporidium spp. was detected in 13 among 717 examined samples (1.81%).

Conclusion: The parasite fauna infecting the gastrointestinal tract of the Algerian dromedary is much diversified. The detected parasites in camels are similar to counterparts in other ruminants, posing serious challenge to animal farming. Future studies should be carried out to better understand the epidemiology of these parasitic diseases and their economic and public health impact. Keywords: Algeria, camel dromedary, helminths, prevalence, protozoans.

Keywords: Algeria, camel dromedary, helminths, prevalence, protozoans.

How to cite this article: Bouragba M, Laatamna AK, Cheddad FE, Baroudi D, Houali K, Hakem A (2020) Gastrointestinal parasites of dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Algeria, Veterinary World, 13(8): 1635-1640.

Received: 31-03-2020 Accepted: 29-06-2020 Published online: 19-08-2020

Corresponding author: Messaoud Bouragba E-mail: biomessaoud@gmail.com

DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2020.1635-1640

Copyright: Bouragba, et al. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.