Prevalence, Risk Factors and Molecular Confirmation of Eimeria Spp. In One-Humped Camels (Algeria)

This study had for objective to investigate by molecular tools the intestinal Eimeria infection in slaughtered dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) from two abattoirs in Southern Algeria. In all 89 paraffin-embedded intestinal samples were analysed, and the DNA was extracted with a commercial kit. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was done after optimising the method, and correlations between the DNA concentrations and PCR results were assessed. Of the 85 DNA extracts tested, 12 (14.1%) were PCR-positive for Eimeria. Higher infection rates were observed in Sahraoui camels compared with the Targui breed, and in older animals compared with adults. A strong positive correlation was observed between DNA concentration and the success of PCR amplification. This work provides one of the first molecular confirmations of Eimeria infection in Algerian dromedaries. Further research is needed to identify Eimeria species and construct a phylogenetic tree to support epidemiological control strategies.