Multiplex PCR Assay Reveals Camels (Camelus dromedaries) Trypanosomes Multiple Species Co-Infection in Egypt

Trypanosomoses are parasitic diseases caused by flagellated protozoa called vector-borne trypanosomes. There are many species of trypanosome that infect a wide range of animal hosts. These Trypanosomes causes a disease that is often fatal, characterized by anemia, immunosuppression, and damage to the central nervous system. The economic losses associated with clinical cases, resulting in mortalities, neonatal deaths, abortions, cachexia, or drops in production, are significant. It mainly affects horses, buffalo, dromedaries, and Bactrian camels. Diagnosing these trypanosome species is challenging with a single test. In this study, two hundred and fifty blood samples were collected from camels: one hundred and fifty from Marsa Matrouh and one hundred from Aswan. Microscopic examination and multiplex-PCR were used to detect different species of trypanosomes. In addition to sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were performed to confirm Trypanosoma species in camels and compare them with Trypanosoma species in different hosts. The microscopic examination detected trypanosomes in only two samples, while multiplex PCR detected trypanosomes in thirty-five samples. Of the total collected samples, 25 (10%) were infected with Trypanosoma evansi, 4 (1.6%) were infected with Trypanosoma vivax, 4 (1.6%) were infected with Trypanosoma theileri, and 2 (0.8%) were infected with Trypanosoma simiae. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that all T. evansi isolates from camels were clustered together in a single branch. T. saimei sequences were clustered with those from sheep and goats. T. theileria sequences were clustered with those detected in cow. Finally, T. vivax sequences were clustered with those from goat in Gabon. This study reports the first incidence for the presence T. theileria and co-infection with other three trypanosome species in camels from Egypt.