Congenital ocular anomalies and ventricular septal defect in a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius).

A 5-wk-old female dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) was clinically diagnosed with bilateral corneal dermoids, incomplete congenital cataracts, a left persistent hyaloid artery (PHA), and a ventricular septal defect (VSD). The corneal dermoids were removed by lamellar keratectomy, and vision improved in the left eye. Thirteen months after dermoid surgery, the calf was presented for enlargement of the right eye. Glaucoma was confirmed in the right eye, and corneal fibrosis and cataract were noted in the left eye. Persistence of the VSD was confirmed by cardiac ultrasonography. The calf was euthanized, and necropsy findings confirmed VSD. Histopathologic examination revealed bilateral corneal thinning and fibrosis, cataracts with retrolental fibroplasia, and retinal dysplasia. Additional changes in the right globe were anterior segment dysgenesis, ruptured lens capsule, chronic phacoclastic uveitis, and retinal separation. The PHA was confirmed in the left eye.     

Pythiosis in a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius).

A 4.5-yr-old male dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) was evaluated for a mass on the right side of the face. A complete blood count and blood chemistry revealed anemia and hypoproteinemia. Radiographs did not reveal bony involvement. The mass was resected and Pythium insidiosum was cultured. The camel was treated with an experimental immunotherapeutic vaccine and with sodium iodide and ceftiofur. The camel began to lose weight postoperatively and died 6 mo later. At necropsy, the camel was found to have gastritis of the third compartment of the stomach with intralesional hyphae of this oomycete pathogen.     

Multicentric t-cell lymphoma in a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius).

A 7-yr-old female dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) was evaluated for inappetence, weight loss, polyuria, and polydipsia. The animal did not respond to antibiotic and supportive therapy, became recumbent, and died. Gross examination revealed nodules in the liver, mesenteric and perirenal lymph nodes, and both kidneys, with segmental thickening of the small intestine. Histopathologic examination revealed multifocal lymphoma with moderate mitotic activity. Immunohistochemical staining of neoplastic cells was uniformly CD3-positive, indicating a T-cell lymphoma.     

Cutaneous periocular Habronema infection in a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)

A 6‐year‐old castrated dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) presented with a non‐healing, severely pruritic, ulcerative fibrotic plaque located at the medial canthus. Histological examination of surgical biopsies identified degenerating nematode larvae within eosinophilic granulomas. Treatment involved repeated debridement of the lesion, injectable ivermectin and anti‐inflammatory therapies, and injectable and topical antibiotics . A specially constructed mask with goggles to prevent the camel from continuing to self‐traumatize the eye and lesion was also placed. Full recovery occurred approximately 1 month after diagnosis. Because of the location of the lesion, time of year, the gross and microscopic characteristics of the lesion, the presence of a likely nematode larva and the response to treatment, a diagnosis of cutaneous habronemiasis was made.     

Fibrous osteodystrophy in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius).

Fibrous osteodystrophy of the facial and long bones was diagnosed in four dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). None of the animals responded to treatment with antiinflammatory medications or calcium supplements. The lesions were probably caused by multiple factors, including inappropriate diet and gastrointestinal parasitism. A critical factor in lesion formation may have been vitamin D deficiency secondary to gastrointestinal malabsorption and inadequate winter exposure to ultraviolet light.     

Enteric coronavirus infection in a juvenile dromedary (Camelus dromedarius).

A case of an enteric coronavirus infection in a 6-week-old dromedary calf is described. The animal had diarrhea for 5 days and died despite symptomatic treatment. Numerous viral particles, approximately 140 nm in diameter, with club-like projections were detected in the feces by electron microscopy. These characteristics were consistent with a coronavirus. Immunohistochemical reactivity with 2 antigenic group II coronavirus-specific antibodies confirmed the presence of viral antigen in colonic epithelial cells. The death of the animal was attributed to a neutrophilic and emphysematous colitis that likely was caused by an infection with a Clostridium sp.     

Megakaryocytes and platelets in the spleen of the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius)

This study was carried out on spleens of clinically healthy camels (n = 35) of both sexes (0.5-15 years) by routine histology, electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry using 12 anti-bovine platelet antibodies. Megakaryocytes were observed in the red pulp. Their number decreased with age: they were found in the spleens of all camels under 8 years old but only in 57% of camels over 8 years old. Only two antibodies (IVA37 and IVA38) cross-reacted with camel platelets. A large number of platelets were found in the splenic cords and the marginal zone. Ultrastructurally, the platelets were oval in shape surrounded by a plasma membrane, and their cytoplasm was rich in glycogen and contained less dense granules. Microtubules and microfilaments were found at their periphery. Several platelets were observed in the red pulp. There are similarities in some surface antigens of bovine and camel platelets. The presence of megakaryocytes in the camel spleen indicates a thrombopoietic function of the spleen until adulthood but that this decreases with age thereafter.     

Surgical correction of polydactyly in a camel (Camelus dromedarius).

A 2-mo-old, 90-kg, intact male camel (Camelus dromedarius) was admitted for surgical removal of a supernumerary digit associated with the medial aspect of the right carpus and metacarpus. Radiographic views of the carpus and metacarpus revealed the supernumerary digit articulating with the middle carpal joint via an extra carpal bone. The supernumerary digit consisted of three bones. Surgical removal of the supernumerary digit was recommended to restore normal limb conformation, limit the possibility of future lameness, and improve the cosmetic appearance of the limb. Complete surgical removal of the digit was performed by disarticulating the extra carpal bone from its attachments to the second and radial carpal bones. One year after surgery, the leg appeared grossly normal and the camel showed no sign of lameness.     

Isospora orlovi infection in suckling dromedary camel calves (Camelus dromedarius) in Kenya

Outbreaks of isosporosis in young suckling dromedary camel calves (Camelus dromedarius) in Dubai, UAE and in Kenya were recently described. In the former outbreak the pathogen was shown to be Isospora orlovi by morphological features and was later characterized molecularly. In the present study, we have made a longitudinal investigation of 159 suckling dromedary calves < or =12 weeks of age belonging to 8 ranched camel herds (M1) in Northern Kenya. The study was carried out during 18 months. In three of the herds frequent samples were taken irregularly every 1-6 weeks. All calves < or =12 weeks of age present in the respective herds were sampled during the visits. In addition, 91 calves of the same age group but belonging to 42 pastoral herds (M2) in Northern Kenya were point sampled at convenience. Faecal samples from each calf were taken and the faeces were investigated for coccidia. Samples found with coccidian oocysts were suspended in a 2% potassium dichromate solution. Isospora sp. was identified and samples with relatively high numbers of Isospora sp. were analysed molecularly. The SSU rRNA gene and internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) were amplified with primers complementary to conserved regions of the SSU rRNA gene in eukaryotes as well as a conserved part of the 5.8S rRNA gene of Eimeria. A relatively high number of the calves exhibited diarrhoea, 30.2% and 41.8% in the M1 and M2 herds, respectively. Isospora sp. was only found in diarrhoeic calves or in calves convalescent from recent scouring periods. No calf >8 weeks of age was found to be excreting Isospora sp. The parasite was only found in calves < or =4 weeks of age in the M1 herds and in the M2 herds in calves <8 weeks of age. Of the M1 and M2 calves exhibiting diarrhoea, 20.8% and 26.3% excreted Isospora sp., respectively. Morphologically the Isospora sp. was similar to I. orlovi and sequence analysis of the SSU rRNA gene from four Kenyan isolates (unfortunately only from the pastoral herds, M2) and ITS 1 segments from three of the isolates from Kenya and one from Dubai, confirmed that the Isospora isolates belonged to the species I. orlovi, and that the sequences were similar to the Dubai isolates.     

Rapid diagnosis of tuberculosis in dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) using lateral flow assay-based kit

Accurate early antemortem diagnosis of tuberculosis in dromedary camels is difficult due to the lack of reliable diagnostic test. The present study aimed to evaluate a lateral flow assay-based kit (rapid assay kit) in tuberculosis diagnosis that employs immuno-chromatographic detection of antibodies in serum, plasma, or whole blood. In a dromedary camel herd comprising 337 animals located at Bikaner, Rajasthan, India, 50 adult weak camels (11 males and 39 females) were tested by applying a single intradermal tuberculin test (SIDT) and rapid assay kit. A total of 14 animals (2 males, 12 females) were found positive in rapid assay. In SIDT, four animals revealed a positive reaction in the neck region and seven animals in the tail base. Another male animal was found SIDT positive but negative in rapid assay; it died after 12 months. Nine rapid assay positive animals died asymptomatically in 1- to 11-month period revealing postmortem tuberculosis lesions that were confirmed by Ziehl-Neelsen staining and histopathology. No tuberculous lesion was evident in the animal found positive in SIDT alone. Results of the present study indicated that serological tests like rapid assay kit can serve as a reliable test for antemortem diagnosis of tuberculosis in dromedary camel.

     

Fibrous osteodystrophy in a dromedary camel

A 6-y-old female dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius L.) was presented for assessment of firm, bilateral swellings rostral and ventral to the eyes. Serum biochemistry revealed hyperglycemia (28.5 mmol/L), hypocalcemia (1.27 mmol/L), hyperphosphatemia (3.39 mmol/L), hypoproteinemia (total protein 50 g/L), and hypoalbuminemia (20 g/L). Based on the poor prognosis associated with the presumptive diagnosis of fibrous osteodystrophy, the camel was euthanized. Gross postmortem findings revealed expanded fibrous tissue replacing the maxilla and mandible, and bilaterally prominent parathyroid glands. Histology of the maxilla revealed proliferative loose fibrous tissue with widely scattered, regularly spaced, small spicules of mineralized bone. The parathyroid glands were prominent bilaterally; the internal and external parathyroid glands were composed of plump cells with abundant pale basophilic cytoplasm and open nuclei. The pathologic findings were consistent with the antemortem diagnosis of fibrous osteodystrophy. The camel’s diet, which was not specifically balanced for a camel, included grass hay, sweet feed, and alfalfa pellets. The camel’s caregivers reported feeding her treats of cookies. A feed analysis was not available. The biochemistry abnormalities and clinical and postmortem findings, along with a diet that was not balanced for a camel, are consistent with a diagnosis of nutritional secondary hyperparathyroidism.     

Prevalence of gastro-intestinal nematode infection in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) in the Butana plains, Sudan.

The prevalence and intensity of gastro-intestinal nematode infection in their relation to season and rainfall were investigated from 429 female dromedary camels at Tambul market in the Butana plains (Sudan), during 1985-1986. The investigation revealed a similar seasonal pattern in the prevalence as well as the intensity of egg output. The seasonality is mainly brought about by Haemonchus spp. and Impalaia spp. while Trichostrongylus spp. seem to be present as adults throughout the year. There is a good correlation between high egg counts and rainfall ensuring optimal development of preparasitic stages.     

First report of Chlamydophila abortus infection in the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) population in eastern Algeria

Chlamydiosis is caused by an obligate intracellular gram-negative bacterium of the genus Chlamydophila which is a zoonotic pathogen. The objectives of the study were to identify the seroprevalence of antibodies against Chlamydophila abortus in dromedary camel herds from four districts in eastern Algeria, as well as to estimate the association between seroprevalence and certain factors present at the animal and herd levels. Blood samples were collected from a random sample of animals within each of 82 camel herds. Serum samples were subjected to a C. abortus ELISA test, and association between the presence of antibodies and potential risk factors was estimated. Animal and herd seroprevalence were 2.5 % and 15.8 %, respectively, indicating substantial exposure of camels to C. abortus in the four districts studied. Age, breed, and sex did not influence seroprevalence in tested animals. Based on the univariate analysis, contact with sheep and goats, contact with other camel herds, and histories of abortion were major risk factors for infection. By using multivariate analysis, contact of camels with sheep and goats and with others camel herds, through shared grazing or watering points, were important factors for transmission of chlamydiosis with an odds ratio of 3.3 and 9.4, respectively. At the herd level the introduction of purchased animals was the major risk factor. This baseline information will be highly useful for launching C. abortus control programs in the region and potentially elsewhere.     

Actinomycosis in a one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius)

An actinomycotic granuloma caused by Actinomyces viscosus is reported in a dromedary camel. Two hard, cutaneous, large granulamatous nodules were present on both sides of the postero-ventral side of the mandible exhibiting exudation and necrosis. After radical excision of the lesion, the daily treatment with penicillin-streptomycin combination was continued for 4 weeks. About 8 and 24 weeks from the initial treatment, no new nodules were noticed.