Prevalence and pathology of dermatophilosis in camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Iran

Gross and histopathologic lesions of the integumentary system were studied in 103 camels (Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered in Yazd Province of Iran. Dermatophilosis was diagnosed in 14 (13.6%) of the studied camels. Grossly, patchy thickening of the skin with dark brown scabs or crusts were observed on the rump, flanks, abdomen, shoulders, and neck. A heavy infestation with brown hard ticks was present on the lesions in almost all of the affected camels. On parasitology examination, all the ticks were identified as Hyalomma spp. Histopathologic examination of the affected skins revealed prominent superficial thickening of the epidermis as orthokeratotic and parakeratotic hyperkeratosis, degenerating neutrophils, serous fluid, and bacterial filaments. A lot of keratinaceous debris associated with an exudate rich in neutrophils were seen as remarkable features of the lesions on the superficial epidermis. Dermal inflammation was mild with infiltration of mononuclear inflammatory cells, particularly lymphocytes, around superficial vessels. A Gram-positive filamentous organism which was divided into parallel rows of cocci was observed in the crusts by Brown and Brenn Gram stain. This is the first report of the occurrence of dermatophilosis in the camels of Iran. With regard to infestation of the lesions by Hyalomma spp., it seems that this tick may have an important role in the pathogenesis of dermatophilosis in the camels of this region.     

Pharmacokinetics of progesterone in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarim)

The effect of ovariectomy or administration of progesterone (P4) on the disposition kinetics of P4 was determined in dromedary camels. The disappearance of P4 from peripheral circulation of the camel following ovariectomy or after a single intravenous (I.V.) injection of 1 mg kg(-1) body weight followed a bioexponential curve. Both curves were parallel indicating that the disappearance of injected P4 behaved similarly to endogenous P4. The mean (+/- SD) half-life calculated from the slower component of this decline, was 26.0 +/- 2.0 min after I.V. injection of P4 and 28.0 +/- 2.1 min after ovariectomy. The apparent volume of distribution (1370 ml kg(-1)) exceeded total body water suggesting extensive tissue penetration.     

The normal anatomical, radiographical and ultrasonographic appearance of the carpal region of one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The macroscopic, radiographic and ultrasonographic anatomy of the carpal region of eight clinically normal camels (Camelus dromedarius) was determined with the help of a 7.5-MHz linear transducer. At the dorsal aspect of the carpus and distal radius, the extensor carpi radialis, extensor digitorum communis and extensor digitorum lateralis tendons were easily identified. The ulnaris lateralis tendon was observed laterally. The extensor carpi obliqus tendon was identified with difficulty. At the palmar aspect, the flexor carpi radialis, the flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor digitorum profundus tendons were observed. Other soft structures examined include the lateral collateral ligament and the medial collateral ligament. Ultrasonographic findings correlated with gross anatomy in the dissected limbs. The results of the present study serve as reference data for ultrasonographic investigation of disorders of camel carpus.     

Prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Saudi Arabian camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Serum samples from 227 Saudi Arabian camels were examined for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies by the indirect haemagglutination test, using a microtitre technique. Agglutinations (greater than 2+) occurring at 1:64 dilution were considered positive. A total of 36 (16%) camels were serologically positive for toxoplasmosis, giving titres ranging between 1:64 and 1:8192. The prevalence was much higher in female compared to male camels and in adults compared to young individuals.     

The haematological and biochemical effects of the gastrointestinal nematodes prevalent in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in central Saudi Arabia

Coprological examinations on 1200 Najdi camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the Gassim region of central Saudi Arabia between October 1992 and September 1993 revealed the presence of strongyletype, Nematodirus and Strongyloides eggs. In addition, examination of the gastrointestinal tracts of 240 camels slaughtered in different abattoirs in the Gassim region from March to August 1994 revealed 11 species of helminths. Infection with gastrointestinal trichostronglyes resulted in normocytic, normochromic anaemia. Adult infected camels showed leukocytosis, a decrease in total serum protein concentration and increases in blood urea concentration and in serum creatine phosphokinase activity.Abbreviations ALP alkaline phosphatase - AST aspartate aminotransferase - CPK creatine phosphokinase; epg, eggs per gram - GGT gamma-glutamyl transferase - Hb haemoglobin - MCV mean corpuscular volume - MCHC mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration - PCV packed cell volume - RBC red blood cell     

Ultrasonographic measurement of gastrointestinal wall thickness and the ultrasonographic appearance of the ileocolic region in healthy cats

Ultrasound evaluation was performed on 11 healthy cats to determine wall thickness measurements for the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, ileum, and colon and to characterize the appearance of the ileocolic region. The terminal ileum had a characteristic "wagon wheel" appearance on cross-sectional images. Gastrointestinal wall thickness measurements were as follows: gastric fundus (mean, 2.0 mm; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.7 to 2.2 mm), pylorus (mean, 2.1 mm; 95% CI, 1.9 to 2.4 mm), duodenum (mean, 2.2 mm; 95% CI, 2.0 to 2.4 mm), jejunum (mean, 2.3 mm; 95% CI, 2.1 to 2.5 mm), ileum (mean, 2.8 mm; 95% CI, 2.5 to 3.2 mm), and colon (mean, 1.5 mm; 95% CI, 1.4 to 1.7 mm).     

Disseminated Rhodococcus equi infection in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Rhodococcus (R). equi, a recognized pathogen in horses, is emerging as a human opportunistic pathogen, especially in immunocompromized people. It affects also New World camelids, but there are no reports of R. equi infection in Old World camelids yet. Four cases of disseminated R. equi infection in adult breeding dromedaries occurred at one camel farm near Dubai within 16 months of each other. At necropsy the lungs were diffusely consolidated with large caseous areas. Histology revealed severe suppurative to necrotising pneumonia with multiple encapsulated abscesses. Immunohistochemistry enabled the detection of 15- to 17-kDa antigens (VapA) of R. equi in the lung sections. High numbers of R. equi were isolated from the lung lesions as well as from liver, spleen and mediastinal lymph nodes, indicative of septicaemia. The isolated strains were PCR-positive for the specific virulence plasmid (VapA-Gen) of R. equi, indicating virulent strains and containing an 85-kb type I plasmid. This is the first report of disseminated R. equi infection in Old World camelids. Since adult camels in general do not suffer from bacterial caused pneumonia (except tuberculosis), this is a new emerging disease for camels.     

Mycoplasma detection and isolation from one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius)

In scientific literature, a small amount of information is found concerning mycoplasmosis in camel species. Mycoplasma (M.) arginini, Acholeplasma (A.) laidlawii, and Acholeplasma oculi have been reported to be isolated from these host species. Serologically positive results have been reported for Mycoplasma mycoides subsp. mycoides SC type, Mycoplasma capricolum subsp. capripneumoniae, and M. mycoides subsp. capri. The aims of this study were to detect, isolate, and identify mycoplasmas from camels (Camelus dromedarius). Initially, saliva and ear smears plus conjunctival and vaginal secretions were taken from five female animals, but only conjunctival secretions in three male animals, all belonging to the same farm. An unknown mycoplasma was isolated from one of the vagina samples. Additionally, another unknown and uncultured mycoplasma was detected with molecular biology in the same sample. In the second stage, 23 vaginal secretions were taken from the same farm plus another secretion from a different one. Ten isolates of the same unknown and previously isolated mycoplasma were detected, nine of them recovered from the vagina of female camels. Some mycoplasmas have been related to reproductive disorders; however, there is no evidence that the isolated mycoplasmas are related to such disorders.     

Evidence of Onchocerca fasciata (Filarioidea: Onchocercidae) in camels (Camelus dromedarius): I-prevalence, nodular lesions appearance and parasite morphology

Examination of 3376 imported and 200 local Egyptian camels was carried out during the period extending between September 1997 and August, 1998. These animals were carefully examined for the presence of Onchocerca fasciata nodules and subsequently for O. fasciata adult parasites. Results of this study revealed that imported camels had the higher infection rate (2.75%), while those of local origin showed no palpable or detected Onchocerca nodules. Distribution of these nodules was mainly on the two sides of abdomen, hind limbs (concentrated in thigh region) and fore limbs particularly on the shoulders and nuchal ligament. This distribution varied according to the degree of infection. Searches for microfilariae were also performed using either blood samples, or in the subcutis and fascial sheath near or around the detected nodules.     

Comparison of body weight estimation equations for camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The objective of the present study was to evaluate the accuracy of six different equations for weight estimation of camels using body measurements as chest girth, height at withers, and hump girth in order to identify the most reliable equation for use in the field. The prediction equations that were compared were those of Boué Revue d’Élevage et de Médecine vétérinaire des Pays tropicaux 3 (1), 13–16, 1949; Graber Revue d’Élevage et de Médecine vétérinaire des Pays tropicaux, 19, 527–543, 1966; Wilson Tropical Animal Health and Production, 10, 19–25, 1978; Field Proceedings of the Khartoum workshop on camels V1, 209–230, 1979; Bucci et al. Indian Veterinary Journal, 61, 26–30, 1984; and Yagil A Handbook for Camel Breeding, 1994 noticed as BW1, BW2, BW3, BW4, BW5, and BW6, respectively. The dataset used for this evaluation is the one published by Boué Revue d’Élevage et de Médecine vétérinaire des Pays tropicaux 3 (1), 13–16, 1949. Range observed in predicted weight, mean prediction error (MPE), residual mean square (MSE), mean square prediction error (MSPE), coefficient of determination (CD), and concordance correlation coefficient (CCC) were used to assess the different body weight prediction equations. Moreover, paired t tests were applied to compare the true weight and each of the six predicted weights. From the six prediction equations, range observed in predicted weights varied from 193 to 237 kg, MSE from 335.5 to 806.1, MPE from ??129.8 to 24.7 kg, MSPE from 329.4 to 17,617.1, CD from 0.753 to 0.867, and CCC from 0.162 to 0.928. BW4 presented the best prediction results, showing a low MSE, high CD and CCC, whereas BW3 yielded the least accurate estimate of body weight and had weak statistics. The study concluded that BW4 is the most reliable of all equations to estimate camel’s body weight, whereas BW3 is less reliable and its use must be discontinued.

     

Ultrasonographic evaluation of abdominal distension in 52 camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The purpose of this study was to assess the diagnostic value of ultrasonography in the evaluation of abdominal distension in 52 camels (Camelus dromedarius). The conditions included trypanosomiasis (n=35), intestinal obstruction (n=12) and ruptured urinary bladder (n=5). Fifteen clinically normal camels were included as controls. Transabdominal and transrectal ultrasonography was carried out on all camels. In animals with trypanosomiasis, ultrasonographic findings included accumulation of massive amounts of hypoechoic abdominal fluids where liver, intestine, kidney, spleen and urinary bladder were imaged floating. Except in two cases of bile duct calcification and one of hepatic abscessation, no detectable abnormal sonographic lesions were detected while imaging the hepatic and renal parenchyma, and the heart and its valves and major blood vessels. In camels with intestinal obstruction, ultrasonographic findings included distended intestinal loops with markedly reduced or absent motility. In one camel, the intestinal lumen contained localised hyperechoic material that was consistent with a foreign body. Hypoechoic fluid with or without fibrin was seen between intestinal loops. In camels with ruptured urinary bladder, ultrasonographic findings included collapsed and perforated bladder, echogenic blood clots within the urinary bladder and peritoneal cavity, increased thickness of the bladder wall, floating intestines in hypoechogenic fluid and echogenic calculi within the urethra. Ultrasonography was considered a useful tool for the evaluation of dromedary camels with abdominal distension.     

Antimicrobial resistance pattern of Salmonella serotypes isolated from apparently healthy slaughtered camels (Camelus dromedarius) in eastern Ethiopia

A total of 714 samples consisting of faeces, mesenteric lymph nodes, liver, spleen, abdominal and diaphragmatic muscles (each 119) were collected from November 2001 to April 2002 from apparently healthy slaughtered camels (Camelus dromedarius) in eastern Ethiopia. One hundred sixteen (16.2%) Salmonella strains belonging to 16 different serovars were isolated. All Salmonella strains isolated were examined for antimicrobial resistance to 17 selected antimicrobials. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values were determined by the microdilution broth test. Fifty-two (44.8%) of the Salmonella isolates were resistant to one or more antimicrobials. Thirty-nine of the 52 (75%) resistant Salmonella serovars exhibited multiple resistance to up to eight different antimicrobials. Among the serovars tested, S. Typhimurium, S. Heidelberg, S. Braenderup and S. Hadar displayed multiple resistance mainly to streptomycin (35.3%), spectinomycin (28.4%), sulfamethoxazole (25.0%), ampicillin (24.1%), trimethoprim (22.4%), trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (18.9%), tetracycline (12.9%) and colistin (11.2%). All Salmonella strains tested were susceptible to ciprofloxacin, nalidixic acid, gentamicin, kanamycin and neomycin. The present study showed the importance of camels as a potential source of single and multiple resistant Salmonella strains to different antimicrobials that are also used in the public health sector for the treatment of different bacterial diseases in Ethiopia.