Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Four Enteric Protozoa in Dromedary Camels (Camelus Dromedarius)

Enteric protozoa are major causes of economic losses in dromedary camels due to clinical and subclinical diseases. The study investigated the prevalence of enteric protozoal parasites in dromedary camels using parasitological and molecular techniques. Besides, the molecular characterization of selected enteric protozoa was performed by nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. One hundred and twenty-one fecal samples were collected from dis-eased (49) and apparently healthy (72) dromedary camels during December 2020 - November 2021. Overall, 57.02% of the fecal samples were positive for enteric protozoa with the B. coli, Eimeria spp., Giardia spp., Cryptosporidium spp. were detected in 32.23%, 8.26%, 2.48%,3.30% fecal samples, respectively, while 10.74% samples had mixed infection. While the PCR technique revealed the overall prevalence of 69.56%, 13.04% and 10.14% for the B. coli, Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp., respectively in the study areas. Phylogenetic analysis based on the partial nucleotide sequences of the small subunit ribosomal RNA, B beta giardin (bg) and Cryptosporidium parvum precursor of oocyst wall protein (COWP) genes of B. coli, Giardia spp. and Cryptosporidium spp., respectively revealed that the enteric proto-zoa from camels had high genetic similarities with strains detected from other animals and humans in Egypt and different parts of the world. This study suggests that the camels may act a potential source of infection of the studied enteric protozoa for other livestock and humans.