A Survey of the Literature (1995–1999) on the Kinetics of Drugs in Camels (Camelus dromedarius)

Recent publications dealing mainly with the kinetics of antiparasitic and antibacterial agents, NSAIDs, and other drugs in camels are briefly reviewed. The kinetic data for most of these drugs indicated that they have longer absorption and elimination half-lives and slower systemic clearance in the camel compared to other animals. This corroborates earlier reports that suggested that the activities of drug-metabolizing enzymes and the capacity to biotransform and eliminate xenobiotics is lower in camels than in other ruminants. There is a clear need to establish basic kinetic data for the camel in order to avoid extrapolation of drug dosage regimens and withdrawal times from data for other animals, as this may result in irrational use of drugs in camels.     

Studies on the Respiratory Disease ‘Sonbobe’ in Camels in the Eastern Lowlands of Ethiopia

New epidemics of respiratory disease have caused 29.6 morbidity and 6.4% mortality in camels in the Somalia region of Ethiopia. The major clinical signs observed were fever of 40–41.5°C, depression, cough, loss of appetite and a watery nasal discharge that became mucopurulent at a later stage. Finally, the camel became recumbent and extended its neck straight along the ground. Some of the animals died within 8–9 days. The major post-mortem lesions were hydrothorax, adhesion of the lung to the thorax, red and grey hepatization, emphysema, hydropericardium and fibrinous pericarditis. A treatment trial indicated that oxytetracycline was more effective than a combination of penicillin and streptomycin, the results showing a significant difference (p>0.05) between the treated and control groups. The bacteria isolated from lung, thoracic fluid and whole blood were Pasteurella haemolytica. Further studies on the epidemiology of this disease, the identification of the serotypes involved, and the demonstration of any primary viral initiating agent are recommended to allow the development of preventive methods.     

Detection of Subclinical Mastitis in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius) using Somatic Cell Counts and the N-Acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase Test

Somatic cell counts, N-acetyl--D-glucosaminidase (NAGase) activity and the infection status of the udder were determined in quarter milk samples (n = 86) from 22 multiparous, clinically healthy camels, traditionally managed by Bedouin nomads in the Negev desert, Israel. Seventy (81.4%) of the 86 samples examined contained bacteria, of which 35 (40.7%) gave mixed isolations of two or more bacteria, suggesting the existence of subclinical mastitis in the camel herds studied. Sixteen samples (18.6%) yielded no growth of bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, Micrococcus spp., Bacillus spp., Streptococcus dysgalactiae and Escherichia coli were the main organisms isolated. The somatic cell count (SCC) ranged from 1.01×10⁵ to 11.78×10⁶ cells/ml. NAGase values were between 41.4 and 372 NAGase units. Quarter milk samples that contained bacteria had significantly (p<0.01) higher mean values for SCC but the mean NAGase levels were not significantly different for the bacteriologically negative and positive samples. There was a low correlation coefficient (r ² = 0.097) between the SCC and NAGase in the quarter milk samples from which bacteria were not isolated (n = 16) and a low negative correlation (r ² = –0.038) with the samples that contained bacteria (n = 70). The type of bacteria had a significant effect (p<0.01) on the SCC but not on the NAGase activity. Quarter samples from which Staphylococcus aureus (coagulase positive) was isolated showed the highest mean SCC and this organism is therefore suspected to be the underlying cause of the subclinical mastitis. The SCC gave a better indication of the presence of pathogenic microorganisms in milk samples than did NAGase.     

The effect of fibre source on the numbers of some fibre-degrading bacteria of Arabian camel’s (Camelus dromedarius) foregut origin

The total bacterial community of Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens in fibre-enriched culture of the foregut contents of 12 adult feral camels (Camelus dromedaries) fed on native vegetation in Australia was investigated using quantitative PCR. Foregut contents were collected postmortem, pooled and filtered before divided into two fractions. One fraction was used for extraction of DNA, while the other fraction was inoculated straight away into BM 10 contained filter paper (FP), cotton thread (CT) or neutral detergent fibre (NDF) as the sole carbohydrate sources in Hungate tubes. The tubes were incubated anaerobically at 39 °C for 1 week. After a near complete degradation of the FP and CT and extensive turbidity in the NDF, media subculturing was carried out into fresh media tubes. This was repeated twice before genomic DNA was extracted and used for quantification of bacteria. Using an absolute quantification method, the numbers of cells in 1 ml of each sample ranged from 4.07?×?10⁶ to 2.73?×?10⁹ for total bacteria, 1.34?×?10³ to 2.17?×?10⁵ for F. succinogenes and 5.78?×?10¹ to 3.53?×?10⁴ for R. flavefaciens. The mean cell number of F. succinogenes was highest in the FP enrichment medium at approximately 107-fold, whereas for the R. flavefaciens targeted primer, the NDF enrichment media had the highest mean cell number at approximately 4-fold when compared to the rumen content. The data presented here provide evidence of fibre type preference by the two main fibre-degrading bacteria and would help us understand the interaction between fibre type and fibre-degrading microorganisms, which has ramification on camel nutrition at different seasons and environments.     

The effect of tick infestation on the serum concentrations of the cardiac biomarker troponin I, acid–base balance and haematobiochemical profiles in camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the serum concentration of cardiac troponin I (cTnI) in camels with tick infestation as a marker of potential myocardial injury and its prognostication. The effects of acid–base and electrolyte balance and haematobiochemical profiles were also investigated. Twenty-three camels (Camelus dromedarius) with tick infestation and suffering from anorexia, incoordination of movement, unsteady gait, recumbency, opisthotonus, anaemia and reduced production were examined. Ticks were visible, deeply embedded in the skin over the whole body, especially under the neck and around the udder or testis. Of the camels, 15 recovered after treatment and 8 did not. Blood samples were collected from the diseased camels on the day of admission to our clinic. Blood samples were also collected from 12 healthy camels and were used as controls. The mean serum concentration of cTnI in the camels with tick infestation was 1.7?±?1.6 ng/ml compared to 0.03?±?0.02 ng/ml in the controls. The mean serum concentration of cTnI in those camels that recovered was 0.36?±?0.53 ng/ml compared to 3.0?±?1.1 ng/ml in the camels that did not. Venous blood gas alterations included an increase in partial pressure of carbon dioxide and decreases in partial pressure of oxygen and oxygen saturation. Haematological parameters involved decreases of red blood cells, haemoglobin and haematocrit and increases in the mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration. Biochemical parameters included significant elevations in the serum activity of aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase and alkaline phosphates. Other biochemical alterations observed were decreases in total protein and albumin and increases in globulin and glucose concentrations. In conclusion, the data of this study suggest the possibility of using cTnI as a biomarker for cardiac injury in camels with tick infestation and for the prognosis of the outcome in the treated animals. Generally, values above 1.0 ng/ml were considered bad prognostic indicators.     

Clinical, ultrasonographic, and pathologic findings in 70 camels (Camelus dromedarius) with Johne��s disease

This study evaluated the use of ultrasonography for the diagnosis of Johne’s disease in camels (Camelus dromedarius). Seventy camels with confirmed Johne’s disease were examined by ultrasonography and subsequent necropsy; 15 healthy camels were included as controls. The most outstanding findings were visible enlargement of the mesenteric lymph nodes in 52 (74%) camels. Lesions had either echogenic (26%; n = 18) or anechoic (69%; n = 48) capsule and the contents were either anechoic (21%; n = 15), echogenic (27%; n = 19), or heterogeneous (46%; n = 32). Clumps of echogenic tissue interspersed with fluid pockets were imaged between the intestinal loops in 9 (13%) camels. There was mild, moderate, or severe thickening and corrugation of the intestinal wall, excessive anechoic fluid in the abdominal cavity in 18 (26%) camels, increased hepatic brightness in 30 (43%) camels, and pericardial and pleural effusions in 22 (31%) camels. Sensitivity values for detecting intestinal lesions and enlarged mesenteric lymph nodes were 95% and 84%, respectively.     

Cloning and phylogenetic analysis of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) from Indian dromedaries (Camelus dromedarius)

The cDNAs of two proinflammatory cytokines viz., IL-6 and TNF-α from dromedarian camels were amplified by PCR using bactrian camel sequences and subsequently cloned for sequence analysis. Relationship based on amino acid revealed that dromedarian camel IL-6 shared 99.5% identity both at nucleotide and amino acid level with bactrian camel IL-6 and in case of TNF-α, the identity of dromedarian camel was 99.4% and 99.1% at nucleotide and amino acid level, respectively with that of bactrian camel. Phylogenetic analysis based on their amino acid sequences indicated the close relationship in these cytokine genes between dromedarian camel and other members of camelids.     

Cloning and sequence analysis of IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ from Indian Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius)

The cDNAs of three cytokines, viz., IL-2, IL-4 and IFN-γ from Dromedary camels were amplified by PCR using Bactrian camel sequences and subsequently cloned for sequence analysis. Relationship based on amino acid sequences revealed that Dromedary camel IL-2 shared 99.5% and 99.3% identity at the nucleotide and amino acid levels with Bactrian camel IL-2. In the case of IL-4, the identity of Dromedary camel was 99.7% and 99.2% at the nucleotide and amino acid levels, respectively with that of Bactrian camel. The Dromedary camel IFN-γ shared 100% identity both at nucleotide and amino acid levels with Bactrian camel IFN-γ. Phylogenetic analysis based on amino acid sequences indicated the close relationship in these cytokine genes between the Dromedary camel and other camelids.     

Effects of Wheat and Fermented Sesame Meal on Growth Performance，Meat Quality and Serum Biochemical Indexes in Broilers

This study was to investigate the effects of different proportions of wheat and fermented sesame meal on growth performance,meat quality and serum biochemical indexes in broilers under the condition of adding exogenous enzymes in the diet.A total of 520 21-day-old broilers （fast）with an average body weight of （330±10）g were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 4 replicates in each group and each replicate contained 26 broilers. Broilers in the 5 groups were fed experimental diets containing 0 (control group),20% wheat +5% fermented sesame meal （group Ⅰ）,40% wheat +10% fermented sesame meal （group Ⅱ）,20% wheat + soybean meal （group Ⅲ） and 40% wheat + soybean meal （group Ⅳ）,respectively.The pre-test period lasted for 3 days and the trial period lasted for 34 days.The results showed that compared with the control group,the ADG in groups Ⅰ,Ⅱ,Ⅲ and Ⅳ was significantly decreased by 9.40%,7.15%,8.87%,5.46% （P＜0.05）,respectively,while the ADFI and F/G showed no significant differences （P＞0.05）.There were no significant differences on meat quality among all experimental groups（P＞0.05）, respectively, but group Ⅱ had better meat quality than others.Compared with the control group,the content of alanine aminotransferase in serum in groups Ⅲ, Ⅳ was significantly decreased by 30.10%,25.36% （P＜0.05）,but there were no significant differences in the contents of total protein,urea nitrogen and aspartate aminotransferase in serum in all experimental groups（P＞0.05）.In conclusion,under the experimental conditions,adding appropriate proportions of wheat and sesame meal could replace part of the corn and soybean meal in the diet,and the better supplementation level of wheat and fermented sesame meal was 40% and 10%,respectively.     

First Report on the Occurrence of ‘Helicobacter heilmannii’ in the Stomach of Rabbits

Gastric Helicobacter spp. have been described in a wide range of animal species, including dogs, cats, primates, swine, cattle and rodents. However, in lagomorphs--more specifically rabbits--gastric Helicobacter infections have never been reported. Biopsy specimens were collected from different stomach regions of 23 rabbits, including 10 pet rabbits, 10 industrial animals and 3 research animals. These were subjected to a PCR assay for the detection of Helicobacter DNA. Identification up to the species level was based on 16S rRNA sequence analysis and a recently developed multiplex PCR. Seven rabbits (four pet, one research animal and two industrial animals) tested positive in the Helicobacter genus-specific PCR in the stomach, with the corpus being predominantly positive. H. felis and H. salomonis, hitherto presumed to be naturally hosted by cats and dogs, were detected in three animals and one animal, respectively. One of these animals had been completely devoid of any form of contact with cats or dogs. A H. pullorum/H. rappini-like organism (96% 16S rDNA sequence similarity) was found in an industrially held rabbit. The helicobacters of the two remaining rabbits could not be identified up to the species level. To conclude, this is the first report on the occurrence of Helicobacter spp. in the stomach of rabbits. In view of the fact that H. felis and H. salomonis are put forward as having zoonotic potential, further research is necessary to investigate the implications of these findings not only for the rabbit but also for human health.     

Quantitative Histology Studies on the Test in Hybrid Bull of Wild and Domestic Yak

The testicular tissue of three types of yak bull (1/2 wild yak,cross 1/2 wild yak and domestic yak) were studied quantitatively at 6,12,18 and 24 months old. The results showed that the average values changed from breed to breed at the same age. But there were no significant difference. The volume density and the height of seminiferous tubule and epithelium increased with the age and testicular weight. The capacity rate of the testicular seminiferous tubule in three types were 78.71% ,75.78% and 78.58% respectively, which nearly reached the level of mature bull.     

Studies on ‘zinc deficiency syndrome’ in Black Bengal goats (Capra hircus) fed with fodder (Andropogon gayanus) grown on soil treated with an excess of calcium and phosphorus fertilizer

Overliming and excessive application of superphosphate caused a zinc deficiency in the soil and so reduced the uptake of zinc by fodder plants. Bucks reared on such fodder had significantly (p<0.01) less zinc in their hair compared with controls and suffered from conditioned zinc deficiency syndrome with a significant (p<0.01) loss of body weight, stunted growth, alopecia, lethargy, abnormal (kyphotic) gait, anorexia, digestive and respiratory problems. Oral supplementation with zinc sulphate very rapidly improved these conditions to near normality. Histological examination of samples of skin and testis from the zinc-deficient bucks revealed formation of excessive keratin, retention of nuclei in the stratum corneum and reduction in the width of the stratum granulosum in the skin, while samples of testis indicated degenerative changes, including atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, hyperplasia of the germinal epithelium and thickening of the walls of blood ve ssels.     

Evaluation of ‘best practice’ (SCOPS) guidelines for nematode control on commercial sheep farms in England and Wales

Parasitic diseases are a major constraint to optimum livestock production and are the major cause of economic loss in UK sheep flocks, with farmers remaining dependant on anthelmintics for control. In the UK, research and evidence based, “best practice” guidelines for sustainable control of parasites in sheep (SCOPS) were first produced in 2004 and have been regularly updated since. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of these best practice guidelines for worm control on lamb production and infection levels, compared with more traditional management. Sixteen farms were selected based on a 2 cube factorial design with 3 factors known to affect worm epidemiology: control regimen; farm type; and climatic region. A formalised plan for worm control using 7 potential resistance-delaying practices was prepared for each of the 8 best practice (SCOPS) farms, in conjunction with the farms veterinarians. The 8 farms in the traditional management group (CONTROL farms) were selected based on ongoing evidence of them using worm control strategies deemed to be “higher-risk”. A cohort of 40–50 study lambs at each farm was monitored from birth to finishing, allowing evaluation of lamb productivity, worm infection levels and for comparison of numbers of anthelmintic treatments. Birth and mid-season weights were used to calculate daily live-weight gain. Birth and finish dates were used to calculate time to finish and finish weights were also compared. Faecal egg counts, larval culture and species differentiation were undertaken throughout the year to assess the impact of the control strategies on worm burdens. There was no significant difference in results for any of the 3 production responses when comparing predicted means accounting for the differences in birth weight. In fact SCOPS farms had, on average, a higher daily weight gain and finish weight than CONTROL farms when comparing observed means. Statistical analysis of infection levels clearly showed no significant effect according to farm type (p = 0.71) or treatment (p = 0.81). In contrast the effect of region (p = 0.08), although not significant, had a much larger effect size (standardised mean difference) with lower parasite burdens based on faecal egg counts on Northern farms compared to Southern farms. For both ewes and lambs, significantly fewer treatments were carried out on the SCOPS farms. The data collected from this study suggests that farms implementing SCOPS principles use less anthelmintic than other farms, without loss of animal performance or increased worm burden.     

Effects of Dietary Tributyrin on Growth Performance,Serum Biochemical Indices,Immune Function and Antioxidant Capacity of Juvenile Yellow Catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco)北大核心CSCD

This experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary tributyrin on growth performance, serum biochemical indices, immunity function and antioxidant capacity of juvenile yellow catfish (Pelteobagrus fulvidraco). A total of 480 juvenile yellow catfish with an initial body weight of (5.53±0.02) g were selected and randomly divided into 4 groups with 3 replicates in each group, and 40 fish in each replicate. Four isonitrogenous and isolipid experimental diets were fed with 0 (G0), 500 (G1), 1 000 (G2) and 2 000 mg/kg (G3) triglyceride, respectively. The experiment lasted for 56 days. The results showed as follows: 1) weight gain rate and feed efficiency rate in G2 group were significantly higher than those in other groups (P<0.05). The fatness in G1 group was significantly lower than that in G0 and G3 groups (P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between G1 group and G2 group (P>0.05). 2) The serum glucose content in G3 group was significantly higher than that in G1 and G2 groups (P<0.05), and there were no significant differences in the serum contents of total protein, albumin, globulin, triglyceride, urea nitrogen and the activities of alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase among all groups (P>0.05). 3) Compared with G0 group, serum lysozyme activity in G1, G2 and G3 groups was significantly increased (P<0.05), serum alkaline phosphatase activity in G1 and G2 groups was significantly increased (P<0.05), and serum immunoglobulin M content in G2 group was significantly higher than that in G3 group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in serum complement C3 content among all groups (P>0.05). 4) Compared with G0 group, serum total antioxidant capacity in G1 group was significantly increased (P<0.05), and serum super-oxide dismutase activity in G1, G2 and G3 groups was significantly increased (P<0.05). The serum catalase activity in G3 group was significantly higher than that in G0, G1 and G2 groups (P<0.05), but there were no significant differences in serum glutathione peroxidase activity, glutathione and malondialdehyde contents among all groups (P>0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of 500 to 2 000 mg/kg triglyceride can significantly improve non-specific immune and antioxidant capacity of yellow catfish, and dietary supplementation of 1 000 mg/kg triglyceride can significantly improve weight gain rate and feed efficiency of yellow catfish. Combined with the comprehensive evaluation of growth performance, serum immunity and antioxidant indexes, the optimal supplemental level of triglyceride in yellow catfish diet is 1 000 mg/kg. © 2023 Authors. All rights reserved.     

Prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in broilers and workers at ‘pluck shops’ in Trinidad

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Livestock-associated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (LA-MRSA) is a cause of zoonotic infections in many countries. People with occupational...     

Effects of Lactic Acid Bacteria and Fructooligosaccharides on Growth Performance,Nutrient Digestibility and Serum Biochemical Indices of Arctic Foxes (Alopex lagopus) during Early Growth Period北大核心CSCD

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of dietary lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) on growth performance, nutrient digestibility and serum biochemical indices of Arctic foxes (Alopex lagopus) during early growth period. Sixty male post-litter Arctic foxes with the average body weight of (1.16±0.15) kg and at the age of (45±3) days were randomly assigned to 4 groups with 3 replicates per group and 5 foxes per replicate. The foxes were fed the following diets, respectively: basal diet (control group), basal diet+3×109 CFU / kg LAB (LAB group), basal diet+5 g / kg FOS (FOS group) and basal diet+3×109 CFU / kg LAB+5 g / kg FOS (LAB+FOS group). The experiment lasted for 30 days. The results showed as follows: 1) on the days 1 to 15, the diarrhea rate of foxes in the LAB group and LAB+FOS group was significantly lower than that in the control group and FOS group (P<0.05). On the days 16 to 30, the average daily gain of foxes in the LAB+FOS group was significantly higher than that in the control group and FOS group (P<0.05), but had no significant difference with LAB group (P>0.05); the diarrhea rate of foxes in the LAB+FOS group was significantly lower than that in the control group and FOS group (P<0.05), but had no significant difference with LAB group (P>0.05); compared with the FOS group, the feed to gain ratio of foxes in the LAB+FOS group was significantly decreased (P<0.05). 2) The dry matter digestibility of foxes in the LAB + FOS group was significantly higher than that in the control group and FOS group (P < 0.05), but had no significant difference with LAB group (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in nitrogen intake, fecal nitrogen, urine nitrogen, nitrogen deposition, net protein utilization and protein biological value among all groups (P>0.05). 3) Serum total protein (TP) content of foxes in the LAB+FOS group was significantly higher than that in the FOS group (P<0.05), but had no significant difference with control group and LAB group (P>0.05). Serum albumin (ALB) content of foxes in the LAB group was significantly higher than that in the control group and FOS group (P<0.05), but had no significant difference with LAB+ FOS group (P>0.05). Serum urea nitrogen (UN) content of foxes in the LAB+FOS group was significantly decreased compared with the control group (P < 0. 05). In conclusion, the combined supplementation of 3 × 109 CFU / kg LAB and 5 g / kg FOS in the diet is beneficial to reduce diarrhea rate, improve dry matter digestibility, improve body immune level, and promote the growth of Arctic foxes during early growth period. © 2023 Chinese Journal of Urology. All rights reserved.     

The Concentrations of LH,FSH, Oestradiol-17β and Progesterone in the Blood Plasma of the Female Bactrian Camel (Camelus bactrianus) before and after Intramuscular Injection of Seminal Plasma

The concentrations of LH, FSH, oestradiol-17beta and progesterone in the blood plasma of the female Bactrian camel (Camelus bactrianus) before and after intramuscular injection of seminal plasma.