Diversity and prevalence of parasitic infestation with zoonotic potential in dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) and fat-tailed sheep (dhumba) in Bangladesh

Abstract

Objective: Parasitic infestation is a major cause of losses in livestock production in tropical regions. A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence of Gastro-intestinal (GI) parasites of dromedary camel ( Camelus dromedarius ) and fat-tailed sheep (dhumba), and the prevalence of hemoparasites in camel from Dhaka, Bangladesh. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 fecal samples (32 dhumba and 55 camel) and 55 camel blood samples were collected during September–October 2015. Fecal samples were examined by direct smear, sedimentation method, flotation technique, and McMaster technique for GI parasite. Giemsa stained blood smears were examined under microscope for hemoparasite detection. Results: 62% camel ( n = 34; 95% confidence interval (CI): 47.7–74.6) were infected with at least one genus of parasite. 15% camel were harboring more than one genus of parasite. The prevalence of GI parasite and hemoparasite in camel were recorded as Trichuris spp. ( n = 16; 29%; 95% CI: 17.6–42.9), Balantidium coli ( n = 12; 22%; 95% CI: 11.8–35.0), Trichostrongylus spp. ( n = 7; 13%; 95% CI: 5.3–24.5), Strongyloides spp. ( n = 5; 9%; 95% CI: 3.0–20.0), Anaplasma spp. ( n = 5; 9%; 95% CI: 3.02–20.0), Paragonimus spp. ( n = 1; 2%; 95% CI: 0.05–9.7), Schistosoma spp. ( n = 1; 2%; 95% CI: 0.05–9.7), Hymenolepis spp. ( n = 1; 2%; 95% CI: 0.05–9.7), Moniezia spp. ( n = 1; 2%; 95% CI: 0.05–9.7), and Babesia spp. ( n = 1; 2%; 95% CI: 0.05–9.7). Mean EPG feces of camel was 291.76 ± 42.03 with a range of 0–1,400. Total 59.4% dhumba ( n = 19; 95% CI: 41–76) were positive for GI parasite, including Trichostrongylus spp. ( n = 10; 31.3%; 95% CI: 16.1–50), Strongyloides spp. ( n = 9; 28%; 95% CI: 13.8–46.8), B. coli ( n = 5; 15.6%; 95% CI: 5.3–32.8), and Trichuris spp. ( n = 4; 12.5%; 95% CI: 3.5–28.9). Conclusions: High percentage of parasitic infestation in camel and dhumba in the present study refers to the necessity of use of anthelmintic for health and production improvement and to prevent zoonotic parasite transmission to animal handler and workers.

Presentation, Clinical Pathology Abnormalities, and Identification of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Camels (Camelus bactrianus and Camelus dromedarius) Presenting to Two North American Veterinary Teaching Hospitals. A Retrospective Study: 1980–2020

“…(27,28), but there is a paucity of information for these parasites. Other trematodes identified in camels include Schistosoma spp., which were not identified in this study (10). Trematodes have been reported in cattle in the southern eastern United States, including Fasciola hepatica (29).…”

“…Strongyloides by comparison was uncommon, as it was only reported in 2.60% (2/77) of fecal examinations. Prevalence of 9–11% has been reported in other regions, as high as 32.14% in UMR ( 9 , 10 , 21 ).…”

“…Speciation for strongyle-type parasites was not provided for species whose strongyle-type eggs are not morphologically distinct. Haemonchus and Trichostrongylus have been diagnosed in camels ( 10 , 21 ). Haemonchus contortus is a parasite of key concern in the Southeastern United States due to suitable environmental conditions, and is known to cause heavy parasitism in llamas and alpacas in the region ( 22 ).…”

“…appeared to be far more common in this study, found in 50.65% of fecal examinations, compared to other regions reported in the literature. Prevalence of Trichuris has been reported as 7.41% in Sokoto, and 29% in Bangladesh, respectively ( 10 , 11 ). Prevalence as low as 2.23% was reported in a large-scale review of camel fecal examinations in Algeria ( 9 ).…”

“…The literature identifies coccidia, Cestodes, and gastrointestinal nematodes (such as Strongyloides and Nematodirus spp.) as common parasites in camels; however, this information is reported from predominantly Indian and Middle Eastern (ME) camels from Iran, Egypt, and Algeria (8)(9)(10)(11). The objective of this study was to report the species of parasites found in camels presented to two US veterinary teaching hospitals, and to determine if there are regional differences in gastrointestinal parasites identified in fecal exam findings between the regions of the two veterinary hospitals.…”