Gametogony of Eimeria cameli in the small intestine of one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Domesticated Old World camels (Camelus dromedarius and Camelus bactrianus) are important for the economy of several countries in Asia, Africa, and the Arabian Peninsula, and coccidiosis is an important disease in camels. There is confusion concerning the species of coccidian parasites in camels and their life cycles. Although five species of Eimeria (E. cameli, E. rajasthani, E. dromedarii, E. bactriani, and E. pellerdyi) were named from camels, E. cameli is considered the most pathogenic. Here, development of gametogonic stages and oocysts of E. cameli are described in the lamina propria of the small intestines of naturally infected camels. Only sexual stages have been confirmed.