Prevalence of tick-vectors of thelleria annulata infesting the one-humped camels in Giza, Egypt

الملخص EN

Theileria are obligate intracellular protozoan parasites transmitted by hard ticks that cause severe and mild infections in their vertebrate hosts.

The objective of the present study was to identify’ the possible tick vector of Theileria spp.

and to determine the prevalence of camel theileriosis in Birqash market.

Giza.

Egypt.

These camels are previously imported from Su- dan and Somalia.

A total of 298 nomadic one - humped camels in the study area were select-ed by simple random sampling technique during the period from December 2014 to Novem-ber 2015.

A total of 1540 ticks wrere collected, four ixodid tick species; Hyalomma dromedar- ii, Ambtyomma lepidum, Amblyomma variegation, and Rhipicephalus pulchellus were found on camels.

It was observed that H dromedarii recorded the highest prevalence (69%).

fol- lowed by A.

lepidum (8%), A.

variegatum (3%) and R.

pulchellus (2%).

Using light micro- scope Hy alomma dromedarii was the most tick carrier of Theileria spp.

which recorded 1.3% (20/1540) Theileria infection.

The highly prevalence rates for all ticks were monitored during the summer season.

The molecular detection of Theileria annulata in Geimsa-stain positive H dromedarii ticks was performed by the PCR using primer set N516/N517 derived from the gene encoding the 30 kDa major merozoite surface antigen.

This primer set amplified T.

annulata in H.

dromedarii at 750 bp.

Thus the presence of H dromedarii on camels in the field have dangerous inclusive for animal health and to some extent humans.

To reduce these dangerous effects, strategic control methods could be used in the control of ticks.