A Molecular and Histological Diagnosis of Eimeria spp. (Camelus dromedaries) at AL-Najaf AL-Ashraf Provinces
Eman Abdulzahra Mahdi Alatrash *
Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon 51013, Iraq.
Safaa M. Al–Bermani
Department of Parasitology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Al-Qasim Green University, Babylon 51013, Iraq.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: Many countries rely heavily on Old World camels for their economies, utilizing them in transportation, food production (meat and milk), and racing. Eimeria affects a wide variety of domestics including camels and wild animals. The aim of this research was to study the distribution and histological effects of Eimeria spp. camels (Camelus dromedaries) using molecular diagnosis and histological studies.
Methods: A total of one hundred (100) fecal samples from camels (Camelus dromedaries) were examined by conventional PCR from different reigns at AL-Najaf AL-Ashraf province of Iraq, from Novmber 2023 up to April 2024. A total of 20 samples collected from small intestine of slaughtered camels were collected.
Results: A total infections rate with Eimeria spp was 57% (57/100). The male camels recorded higher than female 63.2%(24/38).The age group of male (<5 years) show the higher rate of infection 76.7%(23/30) while the female (10 years ≥ ) recorded 80.8%(9/11) in age as a higher infection rate district Al- Manathera was recorded 71.4% (12/29) with significant differences at (P≤0.05 ) compared with district of AL-Najaf AL-Ashraf provinces. Histopathological analysis of the infected tissues revealed granulomatous, hemorrhagic, and chronic enteritis; in some cases, the intestinal glands have a rose-shaped appearance, while in other cases, there is a severe infiltration of chronic inflammatory cells with no intestinal gland structure; hypereosinophilia and various developmental stages of Eimeria are also present.
Conclusion: In conclusion, This is the first molecular study in Iraq to identify and characterize Eimeria species in camels, three species of Eimeria have been detected using traditional methods (morphological characterization) E. cameli, E. dromedarii and Eimeria rajasthani, Eimeria rajasthani was the most common species identification in camles.
Keywords: Camelus dromedarie, eimeria, food, histopathological, infection, molecular diagnosis