PCR: a sensitive diagnostic tool for Trypanosoma evansi in camels in Egypt

Abstract

Camel Trypanosomiasis, or Surra, or El Debab as better known, caused by Trypanosoma evansi constitutes an economically important disease that affects the health and production of camels. Two-hundred and ninety-five samples from camels of different ages and sexes were collected from five geographic locations in Egypt (Behera, Cairo, South Sinai, Matrouh, Halayeb and Shalateen). Giemsa-stained smears that were prepared from blood samples were examined microscopically, while PCR coupled with DNA sequencing was applied for molecular detection and phylogenetic analysis. Microscopic and molecular findings revealed a prevalence of 0.34% and 50.51% in the examined camels through stained blood smears and PCR techniques, respectively. T. evansi is enzootic in Egypt, and the PCR technique could preferably be applied in surveillance studies as a more sensitive detection method.