Prevalence and pathology of camel filariasis in Iran

Abstract

A total of 1,070 camels of different ages and of both sexes slaughtered at Mashhad slaughterhouse were inspected for infection with Dipetalonema evansi. Microfilariae were found in peripheral blood smears of 221 (20.7%) camels (14% females and 23% males). In a second study, the testicles, epididymises, spermatic cords, and lungs of 197 male camels were examined, and 165 (83.7%) were infected with adult forms of D. evansi. Tissue sections from 30 infected and ten uninfected camels were collected and processed routinely for further histopathological studies. The arteries infected with D. evansi in the region of nodules in testis showed chronic reaction characterized by proliferative and hyperplastic changes of the endothelial and fibrous connective tissue layers, narrowing the lumen or occluding it. The testicles were either hypertrophic or atrophic and showed chronic orchitis with infiltration of lymphocytes, eosinophils, macrophages and fibroblasts, parenchymal degeneration, and necrosis and, in some cases, with hematoma and hydrocele formation. Necrosis of the alveolar walls, atelectasis, pulmonary edema, and fibrosis of the pulmonary parenchyma with chronic interstitial pneumonia and rarely mineralization of the wall of the blood vessels were also seen in some of the infected animals. D. evansi is highly endemic and constitutes an important health problem to camels in this area, resulting in high morbidity, impaired working capacity, and lowered productivity.

Small Ruminant Fasciolosis and its Direct Financial Loss in Dessie Municipal Abattoir North Eastern Ethiopia

“…This result was in agreement with Musa et al [7] but it was higher as compared with the result of Oryan et al [20] which shown the minimum and maximum numbers of C. titillator found per camel were 6 and 136 respectively with a mean of 23.2 larvae per camel in cold seasons and 3 and 74 with a mean of 14.4 for warm seasons, and according to Arabali and Amare the minimum and maximum numbers of C. titillator larvae counted were 5 and 70 respectively [16].…”

“…This finding agrees with Bekele, Shakerian et al, El-Rahman and Oryan et al who reported that the prevalence of C. titillator larvae infestation was lower in younger camels and significantly higher in older camels [19,20,22,23]. It was documented that older camels may be more tolerant of flies and allow the deposition of egg around the nostrils; while the younger camels actively seek to prevent the flies settling around the nostrils [23].…”

“…But it is higher than results of Regasa et al (68.2%) in Addis Ababa abattoir and Bekele [13], 2001 (71%) in Somali, and lower than the findings of Richard (100%) in Ethiopia [17] and Kassa (99.3%) in Dirre Dawa [18]. Furthermore, when it is compared with reports from other countries, the present prevalence was higher than the result of ElRahman, (79%) in Libya [19], Oryan et al (58.1%) in Iran [20] and lower than the results of Khallaayoune (85.7%) in Morocco [21]. This variation in the prevalence of C. titillator infestation might be attributed to the different management systems and environmental condition that exist among those study areas.…”

“…Moreover females are under continuous stress which may suppress their immunity [22]. On the other hand Regasa et al (males 72.6%; female 67.4%) [13], El-Rahman (males 65.0%; female 45.6%) [19] and Oryan et al (65% in male; female 45%) [20] have reported that the rate of larvae infestation was significantly higher in males than female camels. It is not clear why the male camels were more infected than females.…”

“…Normally the owners use the male camels in transportation. It happens that male camels make journeys of hundreds of kilometers and visit many new places and are easily exposed to new epidemic areas of C. titillator [20]. [16].…”