Studies on Coccidial Parasites in Camels

The current study was conducted on 748 camel samples (420faecal samples, 228 muscle samples and 100 blood samples) atZagazig and Belbais markets and abattoirs, Sharkia Province, Egyptfrom the period extended from January 2010 till December 2011 forinvestigating coccidial parasites infecting camels by studying theprevalence rate, morphology of the detected parasites through lightand electron microscope as well as studying its molecular structuresby polymerase chain reaction test for thin walled sarcocysts ofSarcocystis cameli.This result showed that 254 out of 748 examined camelsharboured coccidial parasites (33.96%). Sarcocystis species(48.68%), Eimeria species (24.29%), Cryptosporidium species(9.05%) and Toxoplasma gondii (3%).Out of 228 examined camel muscle samples, 111 werepositive for microscopic sarcocysts (48.68%). Thin walledsarcocysts of Sarcocystis cameli were detected in 19 camel musclesamples (17.l2%) while thick walled sarcocysts of Sarcocystiscameli-canis were detected in 27 camel muscle samples (24.32%)and both types present in mixed infection in 65 camel musclesamples (58.56). Macroscopic cysts were not observed in examinedcamels. Sarcocysits were detected in oesophageal muscles(48.68%), tongue muscles (43.42%) followed by diaphragmaticmuscles (39.91 %) and skeletal muscles (18.42%).Out of the 420 examined fecal samples, 102 were positive forEimeria species (24.29%). Five Eimeria species were identified,