Seasonal prevalence of Onchocerca-like microfilaria in camels in Kuwait

Infection of the camel (Camelus dromedarius) with Onchocerca-like microfilaria is recorded for the first time in Kuwait. Throughout a period of 14 months, the blood of 284 camels were examined, of these 32 (11%) were found infected with the microfilaria. Infections were recorded in all months except during summer, July to September, and in February. The highest monthly incidence (27%) was detected in June at the end of spring. It is suggested that harsh environmental conditions in Kuwait during summer either arrest development of microfilariae or influence their diurnal distribution in tissues of the camel.