Damage to Camel Meat by Onchocerca Fasciata Nodules in Jordan

Like other livestock camels are exposed to and affected by a range of Onchocerca species. Of particular regional importance to camels are the Onchocerca fasciata causing worm nests in the ligamentum nuchae and subcutaneous tissues of the body. Onchocerciasis also infects human but the caused species reported is Onchocerca volvulus that has been reported mainly in Africa, with additional foci in Latin America and the Middle East. Symptoms include severe itching, bumps under the skin, and blindness. The parasite worm is spread by the bites of a black fly of the Simulium type. To study the prevalence of the damage in camel meat by Onchocerca fasciata infection a total of 97 camels slaughtered at Ramtha slaughterhouse of Jordan were studied. After slaughtering the skin is removed and gross examination was performed on the subcutaneous tissues, muscles, ligamentum nuchae, blood vessels and internal organs. The presence of cutaneous nodules was carefully examined and then opened. Living parasites were removed and sent to the Department of Parasitology for diagnosis. The gross damage to the local tissue was described and photographed. Selectively tissue samples were collected, preserved in buffered 10% formalin solution and processed by standard histopathological techniques and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E).