Studies on Trypanosoma evansi in local Arabian camels [Camelus dromedarius] in Saudi Arabia: prevalence, haematological manifestations and effect on behavior

ABSTRACT

Natural infection with T. evansi was studied in a herd of 75 Arabian camels [camelus dromedarius] in the western Region of Saudi Arabia. The prevalence rate was 13.3% as revealed by thin blood smear examination and 26.6% as shown by animal inoculation. The infection was characterized by marked anaemia. Clinical manifestations indicative of chronic infection were observed in some of the infected camels e.g. emaciation, marked reduction of size of the hump, atrophy of the thigh muscles, corneal opacities, diarrhea, abortion, and / or inability to feed the youngs. Infected camels showed some changes in behaviour such as non social behaviour and loss of appetite