Seasonal fluctuation of trypanosomiasis in camels in North-West Egypt and effect of age, sex, location, health status and vector abundance on the prevalence

Follow-up surveys of the blood parasites of the livestock and their possible vectors are recommended to assess their distribution and infection rates in different areas in Egypt and to plan control measures against their vectors. By this study, the authors have completed a comprehensive survey of the extent of Trypanosoma evansi infection in North-West Egypt from November 2014 to October 2015, using blood film examination and RoTat1.2 PCR-based assay. The present study was carried out in the frame of PROCAMED project, supported by the European Union (ENPI-Joint operational Programme of the Mediterranean Basin-IEVP-CT). Historical data of our previous and the present survey have shown that trypanosomiasis in this particular area is constant and not subject to change over time. In addition, the present study has clarified that T. evansi is endemic in this area due to the interaction of a wide range of factors and features of the host which determine patterns of trypanosomiasis, and its distribution coincides with the distribution of vectors.