Morphological and Molecular Study of Blood Parasites in Camels in South Khorasan Province, 2020

Camel breeding is common in East of Iran due to its semi-arid climate and desert conditions. It transmits some diseases to other ruminants and humans due to carrying common blood parasites between humans and animals. This work aimed at studying the presence of Trypanosoma and Piroplasmida (Babesia and Theileria) species in camels in South Khorasan province using parasitological and molecular methods.

In this study, blood samples were taken from 200 camels in South Khorasan that were randomly selected in 2020. Then, thick and thin smear were prepared from the samples and stained with Giemsa staining technique and examined under a light microscope. For molecular detection of Trypanosoma, Theileria and Babesia, specific primers of each genus were used.

Microscopic examination showed that out of 200 blood samples, 8 samples (4%) were infected with Trypanosoma and no samples were infected with Theileria and Babesia. According to molecular experiments, six samples (3%) had DNA of Trypanosoma evansi and five samples (2.5%) were found with Trypanosoma brucei DNA. But the DNA of Theileria and Babesia were not observed. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the sample isolated in the present study had a high genetic affinity with genotype A of Trypanosoma evansi.

To the best of our knowledge, this was the first study to investigate the prevalence of Surra in South Khorasan province. The presence of Trypanosoma in the blood of camels in this region signifies the need for a careful monitoring system and evaluation studies as a prerequisite for controlling blood parasitic diseases in camels in South Khorasan.