Cross-sectional analysis of Piroplasma species-infecting camel (Camelus dromedaries) in Egypt using a multipronged molecular diagnostic approach

• DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2023.1178511
• Publication Date: 2023-04-28T05:38:21Z
• Authors: Olfat A. Mahdy; Ahmed M. Nassar; Bassma S. M. Elsawy; Heba F. Alzan; Omnia M. Kandil; Mona S. Mahmoud; Carlos E. Suarez
• Keywords: Theileria; Amplicon; Tick-borne disease; Babesia bovis; Babesia bigemina

Camel piroplasmosis is a tick-borne disease (TBD) caused by hemoprotozoan parasites. Hereby, we describe cross-sectional study aiming at identifying Piroplasma spp.-infecting camels in Egypt using multipronged molecular diagnostic approach. A total of 531 blood samples from (Camelus dromedarius) were collected slaughterhouses different governorates for analysis during the period June 2018 to May 2019. spp. was identified microscopical examination and several sequential polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays targeting 18S rRNA genes. The overall prevalence analyses 11% (58/531) 38% (203/531), respectively. Further discriminative multiplex PCR gene applied on all spp.-positive allowed detection Theileria equi (41%), Babesia caballi (5.4%), bigemina (0.5%), bovis (4%). Additionally, blast nested (n) PCR, V4 region, amplicon sequences resulted identification B. vulpes (22%), sp. (9%), (3%). Overall, results this confirmed high TBDs types piroplasm hemoparasites camel suggests need future interventions aimed improving control these potentially debilitating diseases that may be t-hreatening important economic resources food security Egypt.