Detection of Trypanosoma evansi in camel abortions (Camelus dromedarius) in Iran using polymerase chain reaction

Authors: MOHAMMADREZA NAZEM, MARYAM KARIMIDEHKORDI, MEHRAN FARHOODI MOGHADAM

Abstract: Trypanosoma evansi is a blood parasite protozoan that causes trypanosomiasis or surra in a variety of economically valued animals such as cattle and camels. This infection causes abortion in camels. The present study was conducted to evaluate the presence of Trypanosoma evansi in aborted fetuses of Iranian camels (Camelus dromedarius) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method. In this study, 244 abomasal contents of aborted fetuses were collected from an Iranian camel herd in the east of Iran. The results showed that 41 of 244 (16.8%) aborted fetuses were infected with Trypanosoma evansi DNA. The results showed that a high percentage of abortions in Iranian camel herds were due to Trypanosoma evansi infection. There was a significant difference in positive Trypanosoma evansi DNA in aborted fetuses between sampling locations (P < 0.05).

Keywords: Trypanosoma evansi, abortion, camel, Iran, polymerase chain reaction

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