Document Type : Original Articles
Authors
1
Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran
2
Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Zabol, Zabol, Iran.
3
Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA
4
Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
10.22092/ari.2026.372196.4048
Abstract
Abstract
Introduction: Understanding Plasmodium infections in camels is of great importance for animal health and for assessing potential zoonotic transmission risks. Hence, the present study aims to explore the prevalence of Plasmodium infection in camels in the province of Sistan and Baluchestan in Iran.
Material and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2022 to July 2024. A total of 270 camels (111 samples in spring, 93 in summer, 41 in autumn, and 25 in winter) were randomly selected from Sistan and Baluchestan province, and 5 ml of jugular vein blood was collected from each. Furthermore, Nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene of Plasmodium was performed on the same samples using DW2/DW4 primers (primary reaction), followed by NCYBINF/NCYBINR primers (nested reaction). Moreover, risk factors associated with infection, including age, sex, geographic location, season, and environmental factors, were evaluated.
Results: No Plasmodium-like parasites or other hemoparasites were observed in any smear. All erythrocytes appeared morphologically normal, with no ring forms, trophozoites, schizonts, or gametocytes detected. Neither the first-round nor the nested amplification yielded any detectable cytochrome b gene of Plasmodium.
Conclusion: This study revealed no evidence of Plasmodium infection in dromedary camels in Sistan and Baluchestan province, Iran, as neither microscopic examination nor nested PCR targeting the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene detected any parasite DNA or blood-stage forms.
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