ABSTRACT
This chapter reviews the history, bibliography, taxonomy, life cycles, and biology of coccidiosis and coccidia in camels and argues that there are three valid species of Eimeria, E. cameli, E. dromedarii, and E. rajasthani, and one species of Cystoisospora, C. orlovi. Fecal examination and histopathology can aid diagnosis. Of the three common species of Eimeria, in camel feces, E. cameli, E. rajasthani, and E. dromedarii are morphologically distinctive. Oocysts of C. orlovi are often excreted sporulated, and they contain two sporocysts, compared with four sporocysts in Eimeria species. In some cases of cystoisosporosis, calves die before oocysts are detectable in feces. C. orlovi stages are found in the large intestine. Scrapings of intestinal mucosa can reveal numerous coccidian stages. Little is known regarding the treatment of coccidiosis in Old World camels.
