Gastro-intestinal parasites of camels (Camelus dromedarius) - a review

Domesticated camels (Camelus dromedarius) play a crucial role in the livelihood of people inhabiting arid and semi-arid regions of the world. Despite their adaptation to harsh desert environments, camels harbor a wide diversity of gastrointestinal parasites, including protozoa, helminths, and cestodes, many of which significantly affect animal health, productivity, and public health. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the gastrointestinal parasites of dromedary camels, with emphasis on their prevalence, epidemiology, pathogenicity, zoonotic importance, and control strategies. Gastrointestinal helminths such as Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Strongyloides, Trichuris, and Fasciola spp. are widely reported, with Haemonchus longistipes being among the most pathogenic, causing severe anemia and economic losses. Gastrointestinal protozoan infections of camels include mainly coccidiosis (Eimeria spp.), cryptosporidiosis (Cryptosporidium spp.) and cystoisosporosis (Cystoisospora orlovi).Toxoplasmosis (Toxoplasma gondii), and sarcocystosis (Sarcocystis spp.) are orally transmitted although they do not cause gastrointestinal infections in camels. Protozoan infections can be important due to their impact on young camels and productivity losses, while infections such as cryptosporidiosis and toxoplasmosis additionally have zoonotic significance. Epidemiological studies from different geographical regions reveal wide variations in prevalence, influenced by age, sex, climatic conditions, husbandry practices, and diagnostic methods. Increasing reports of anthelmintic resistance further complicate parasite control in camels. Advances in diagnostic approaches, including molecular techniques, have improved parasite detection and identification, particularly for zoonotic species. Effective control requires an integrated approach combining strategic chemotherapy, improved management practices, hygiene, awareness among camel owners, and exploration of alternative therapies such as medicinal plants. Further research is essential to better understand the epidemiology, economic impact, and public health significance of gastrointestinal parasitic infections in camels.