Prevalence and Effects of Theileria Spp. on Hematological Parameters in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Northeastern Libya

• Farg M. Masry

  Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya

  Author

• Radya Mustafa

  Department of PreventiveVeterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, OmarAl-Mukhtar University, Libya

  Author

• Radya A.A. Mustafa

  Department of PreventiveVeterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, OmarAl-Mukhtar University, Libya.

  Author

• Mohamed S.M. Elgther

  Department of Microbiologyand Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya.

  Translator

• Nawara Eissa

  Department of Clinical Veterinary Medical& Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya

  Author

• Almahdi akraiem

  Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya.

  Author

  Theileriosis is a hemoprotozoan infection spread by ticks and caused by Theileria spp., representing a serious health concern for dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) across Africa and the Middle East. However, its prevalence and hematological impacts in northeastern Libya remain poorly understood. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of Theileria spp. infection in dromedary camels in northeastern Libya also to evaluate its effects on hematological parameters.
 Blood samples were collected randomly from 160 dromedary camels across diffrent localities in northeastern Libya between February 2021 and January 2022. Diagnosis was performed using microscopic examination of Giemsa-stained thin blood smears. Hematological analysis was conducted using an automated hematology analyzer (MEK-6510K, Nihon Kohden, Japan). Statistical differences between infected and non-infected  were evaluated using t-test and ANOVA.
The overall prevalence of Theileria spp. infection was 85% (136/160). Parasites appeared within erythrocytes in ring, comma, oval forms, and schizonts were observed as blue bodies within lymphocytes. Infected camels exhibited macrocytic anemia characterized by a significant decrease in red blood cell count ( RBC: 4.83 ± 0.21 × 10⁶/µL) and hemoglobin concentration ( Hb: 10.58 ± 0.22 g/dL), alongside a marked increase in mean corpuscular volume ( MCV: 78.01 ± 5.34 fL). Leukocytosis was also observed ( WBC: 17.95 ± 0.99 × 10³/µL), driven primarily by neutrophilia.
Conclusions: Theileriosis is highly endemic in northeastern Libya and significantly impairs the health status of dromedary camels. Urgent interventions including tick control programs and routine hematological monitoring are recommended. Molecular identification of circulating Theileria species is warranted in future studies.

1. Farg M. Masry, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya

   Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya

2. Radya A.A. Mustafa, Department of PreventiveVeterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, OmarAl-Mukhtar University, Libya.

   Department of PreventiveVeterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, OmarAl-Mukhtar University, Libya.

3. Mohamed S.M. Elgther, Department of Microbiologyand Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya.

    

    Department of Microbiologyand Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya.

4. Nawara Eissa, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medical& Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya

    Department of Clinical Veterinary Medical& Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya

5. Almahdi akraiem, Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya.

   Department of Clinical Veterinary Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Libya.

    

Abdelwahab, G. E., Tigani-Asil, E., Yusof, M. F., Abdullah, Z. S., Rifat, J. F., Al Hosani, M. A., ... & Khalafalla, A. I. (2019). Salmonella enterica and Theileria co-infection in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in UAE. Open Veterinary Journal, 9(3), 263-268. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/ovj.v9i3.12

Al Malki, J. S., & Ahmed Hussien, N. (2022). Microscopic, serological and molecular screening of Theileria annulata in camels (Camelus dromedarius) of Saudi Arabia. Journal of Camel Practice and Research, 29(1), 61-66. DOI: https://doi.org/10.5958/2277-8934.2022.00008.X

Al-Harire, H. E. (2026). Spinal vs. General Anesthesia in Elective Cesarean Section: A Study of Preferences and Outcomes. Derna Academy Journal for Applied Sciences, 6(1), 65-87.

Aslam, F., Saleem, G., Ashraf, K., Hafeez, M. A., & Saqib, M. (2023). Identification and molecular characterization of Theileria annulata with associated risk factors in naturally infected camels from selected districts in Punjab, Pakistan. Pakistan Veterinary Journal, 43(1), 79-84.

Bennasir, A. H., Alokaly, M. A., Mahfouz, H. R., & Eldressi, A. A. (2025). Over the Counter Opioid Containing Antitussives in Derna, Libya: A Cross sectional Survey of Pharmacy Sales and Misuse Indicators. Derna Academy Journal for Applied Sciences, 5(2), 121-127. DOI: https://doi.org/10.71147/1z5pnh05

El-Alfy, E. S., Abbas, I., Saleh, S., Elseadawy, R., Fereig, R. M., Rizk, M. A., & Xuan, X. (2024). Tick-borne pathogens in camels: A systematic review and meta-analysis of the prevalence in dromedaries. Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases, 15(1), 102268. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2023.102268

EL-Maghrbi, A. A., & Hosni, M. (2009). Detection of Theileria infection in dromedary camels. Veterinary Medical Journal (Giza), 57(1), 53-58. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/vmjg.2011.367491

Faye, B. (2020). How many large camelids in the world? A re-evaluation of the global camel population. Journal of Camel Practice and Research, 27(2), 103–114. https://doi.org/10.5958/2277-8934.2020.00015.2.

Ismael, A. B., Swelum, A. A., Khalaf, A. F., & Abouheif, M. A. (2014). Clinical, hematological, and biochemical alterations associated with an outbreak of theileriosis in dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius) in Saudi Arabia. Pakistan Veterinary Journal, 34(2), 209-213.

Kachhawa, J. P., Kumar, S., Sharma, A., Singh, A. P., & Ahuja, A. (2016). Studies on alterations of clinical and hemato-biochemical parameters before and after treatment in calves naturally infected with theileriosis. Veterinary World, 9(12), 1381–1386. https://doi.org/10.1402/vetworld.2016.1381-1386. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2016.1381-1385

Mahran, O. M. (2004). Some studies on blood parasites in camels (Camelus dromedarius) at Shalatin City, Red Sea Governorate. Assiut Veterinary Medical Journal, 50(102), 172-184. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/avmj.2004.178964

Osman, F., Nagieb, M. A., & Gaadee, H. I. (2014). Some studies on prevalence and effect of Thieleria infection on erythrocytes profile in camel in some localities at New-Valley, Governorate, Egypt. Zagazig Veterinary Journal, 42(1), 11-18. DOI: https://doi.org/10.21608/zvjz.2014.59464

Sazmand, A., Joachim, A., & Otranto, D. (2019a). Zoonotic parasites of dromedary camels: so important, so ignored. Parasites & Vectors, 12(1), 610. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-019-3863-3

.

Selim, A., Alshammari, A., Marzok, M., Salem, M., Al-Jabr, O. A., & Gattan, H. S. (2023). Molecular prevalence and associated risk factors of Theileria annulata infections in dromedary camels in Egypt. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 55(5), 335. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-023-03767-1

Youssef, S. Y., Yasien, S., Mousa, W. M. A., Nasr, S. M., El-Kelesh, E. A. M., Mahran, K. M., & Abd-El-Rahman, A. H. (2015). Vector identification and clinical, hematological, biochemical, and parasitological characteristics of camel (Camelus dromedarius) theileriosis in Egypt. Tropical Animal Health and Production, 47(4), 649-656. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-015-0771-1

Theileria spp; Camelus Dromedarius; Prevalence; Hematology; Anemia; Tick-Borne Disease; Libya

• pdf

Copyright (c) 2026 Radya Mustafa, Farg M. Masry, Radya A.A. Mustafa (Author); Mohamed S.M. Elgther (Translator); Nawara Eissa, Almahdi akraiem (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.