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Prevalence of camel trypanosomosis (surra) and associated risk factors in Borena zone, southern Ethiopia

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Abstract

A study was made to determine the prevalence of camel trypanosomosis (surra) and its associated risk factors in Borena zone, southern Ethiopia during 2013–2014. A total of 2400 blood samples were collected and examined by the buffy coat and thin blood film laboratory methods, and data were analyzed using the SPSS statistical software. The overall prevalence of camel trypanosomosis in the area was found to be 2.33 %. Prevalence was significantly different among the surveyed districts (P = 0.000), the pastoral associations (F = 6.408, P = 0.000), altitudinal divisions (P = 0.000), age groups (P = 0.034), and between animals possessing packed cell volume (PCV) values greater than 25 % and less than 25 % (P = 0.000); whereas, prevalence of the disease was not statistically significantly different between the sexes (P = 0.311) and among the body condition score groups (P = 0.739). The PCV of trypanosome positive and trypanosome negative camels differ significantly (P = 0.001), and prevalence of trypanosomosis was seen to be negatively correlated with packed cell volume (r = −0.069, P = 0.000) revealing the effect of camel trypanosomosis on anemia state of parasitized animals. In conclusion, camel trypanosomosis is a serious and economically important disease hampering camel production and productivity in southern Ethiopia. Further studies involving more sensitive molecular techniques to reveal the precise magnitude of the disease and to identify the vector species of the parasite are recommended.

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Acknowledgments

The Authors are grateful to the National Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Investigation and Control Center (NTTICC) for providing the required budget and logistics for this study. The cooperations of Borena zone Agricultural development office and camel herd owners of the study area are highly acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Parasitology, National Animal Health Diagnostic and Investigation Center (NAHDIC), P.O. Box 04, Sebeta, Ethiopia

    Abebe Olani

  2. National Institute for Tsetse and Trypanosomosis Control and Eradication, P. O. Box 19917, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Yitbarek Habtamu

  3. Aklilu Lemma Institute of Pathobiology, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 1176, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Teklu Wegayehu

  4. College of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture, Addis Ababa University, P. O. Box 34, Debrezeit, Ethiopia

    Manyazewal Anberber

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  1. Abebe Olani
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  2. Yitbarek Habtamu
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  3. Teklu Wegayehu
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  4. Manyazewal Anberber
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Correspondence to Manyazewal Anberber.

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Olani, A., Habtamu, Y., Wegayehu, T. et al. Prevalence of camel trypanosomosis (surra) and associated risk factors in Borena zone, southern Ethiopia. Parasitol Res 115, 1141–1147 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4845-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-015-4845-9

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