Trypanosoma evansi infection and major risk factors for Iranian one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Trypanosoma evansi is a cosmopolitan protozoan which affects camelids and may cause illness and economic losses. The present study was aimed to determine the prevalence and geographic distribution of T. evansi in Iranian one-humped camels of South East Iran. A total of 369 camels were randomly examined from three parts of southeastern Iran from March to September 2015. Blood samples were taken from jugular vein and examined by using thin blood smear and mercuric chloride test. Ninety-five out of 369 examined camels (25.75%) with clinical signs (15.8%, 58/369) were found to be infected with T. evansi. The prevalence was significantly higher in camels more than 4 years-old (23.3%) with clinical signs (8.8%) than the other ones. There was no significant difference between the prevalence and sex (6.23% male and 19.51% female). Trypanosoma evansi infection was geographically found in all investigated regions with the highest prevalence in North (17.61%). The results indicated that T. evansi infection was prevalent in Iranian one-humped camels which could be useful finding to lunch control programs in the region.