PREVALENCE OF SARCOCYSTOSIS IN DROMEDARY CAMELS FROM INDIA

Abstract

Sarcocystis species are intracellular protozoan parasites with a requisite 2 host life cycle based on a prey-predator (intermediate- definitive) host relationship (Fayer, 2004). The disease is zoonotic and has been reported worldwide (Hamidinejat et al, 2013). Sarcocystis cameli is the only species of sarcocysts reported from camel for which the dog remains the final host (Boid et al, 1985). The Sarcocystis infections in livestock are usually self-limiting, of short duration, and often asymptomatic. However, acute infections can result in loss of weight, anaemia, haemorrhages in skeletal and heart muscles and abortion (Dubey et al, 1989). Studies in India point to a vast reservoir of infection with high prevalence rates in cattle and other livestock species (Chhabra and Samantaray, 2013). However, Sarcocystis infection in camels has remained totally unexplored so far in India.