3. Protozoal diseases of camels

Abstract

The present paper reviews the current state of knowledge of the effects of protozoan parasites on the health of camels, and the diagnosis and treatment of infection. The most important protozoan parasite of the camel is Trypanosoma evansi, which causes severe disease throughout Africa and Asia. Control of the disease depends on the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment of infected animals. Parasitological techniques for detection of trypanosomes in the blood are not always effective but a number of simple, sensitive techniques have been introduced. Serological tests such as enzymeimmunoassays and fluorescent antibody tests have been shown to be specific and sensitive but have not been widely applied in the field. Efficient chemotherapy is hampered by the small number of trypanocidal drugs currently available for use in the camel. Fortunately the development of drug resistance has not been widely reported but in the absence of effective alternative drugs it remains a potential hazard to successful disease control. A number of other protozoan parasites, including Theileria, Eimeria and Toxoplasma have been reported to occur in camels but their economic impact appears to be small. None of these parasites has been implicated in causing severe clinical disease but possible changes in camel husbandry practices leading to intensification of production could lead to an increase in the prevalence of infections with gut-dwelling protozoa such as Eimeria.