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At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

Changes in classical pathway complement activity in dromedary camels experimentally infected with Trypanosoma evansi.

The complement system is known to have important effector functions in immune responses. However, its role in camel trypanosomosis has not been determined. The present study was undertaken to evaluate haemolytic complement activity in Trypanosoma evansi-infected and uninfected camels. Five dromedary camels were experimentally infected with T. evansi and classical pathway haemolytic complement activity was assayed. Parasitaemia and packed cell volume were also monitored. Following infection, classical pathway haemolytic complement showed a slight initial increase (7%) in all the camels. The amounts later dropped as the infection progressed and correlated negatively with parasitaemia. Haemolytic complement recovered following elimination of trypanosomes by treatment with melarsomine. Treatment of uninfected camels had no effect on complement. This study has demonstrated that complement concentration increases in the initial phase of infection followed by a drop as the infection progresses towards chronicity. In addition, the study has shown that activation of the classical complement pathway occurs in camels infected with T. evansi. Complement could therefore be involved in the in vivo control of parasitaemia in dromedary camels infected with T. evansi. Decreased complement levels in this species could lead to immunosuppression, widely reported in animal trypanosomosis.

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Streptococcal peritonitis in a young dromedary camel.

A male dromedary camel was presented for a primary Streptococcal zooepidemicus septic peritonitis. An underlying gross lesion was not identified during abdominal exploratory surgery. The camel responded to peritoneal lavage, peritoneal drainage and systemic antibiotic therapy. Thrombophlebitis of the left jugular vein was diagnosed 14 days after surgery. The camel died of an unknown cause 24 days after surgery.

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Uterine prolapse in 2 dromedary camels.

Two cases of uterine prolapse in dromedary camels in a herd with concomitant cases of white muscle disease are described. Serum selenium and glutathione peroxidase in whole blood were investigated in both patients and showed statistical difference compared with a control group. Results suggest that selenium deficiency could promote uterine prolapse in dromedary camels.

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Investigation of factors affecting pregnancy rate after embryo transfer in the dromedary camel.

The uteri of 36 adult dromedary camels were flushed non-surgically three times each with 90-120 mL of embryo flushing medium 7 days after ovulation. A total of 242 embryos were recovered, of which 139 were transferred non-surgically to recipient camels that were either at different levels of synchrony with respect to the Day 7 donor (+1 to -3 days; n = 58), or were at Day 6 after ovulation, but received one of the following treatments: (i) none (controls, n = 15); (ii) 150 mg progesterone-in-oil injected intramuscularly once daily during Days 5-20 after ovulation inclusive (n = 16); (iii) 500 mg flunixin meglumine given intravenously 15 min before transfer of the embryo (n = 6); (iv) 20 microg of the gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) analogue buserelin given on Day 5 after ovulation (n = 12); or (v) the embryo was cooled to 4 degrees C and held at this temperature in an insulated container for 24 h before being transferred (n = 32). Jugular vein blood samples, taken daily from all the recipient camels during Days 0-20 after ovulation, were assayed for progesterone concentration and closely timed serial samples taken from the camels receiving flunixin meglumine or GnRH were assayed for 13,14-dihydro-15-keto prostaglandin F2alpha (PGFM) or oestradiol concentrations. The pregnancy rate increased to a maximum of 67% when ovulation in the recipient was negatively synchronized to have occurred 1 day behind that in the donor, and it fell dramatically when the level of asynchrony between recipient and donor increased to +1 (9%) or -3 (10%) days. It was not improved by daily injections of progesterone (44%), flunixin meglumine given before transfer (16%), or GnRH given on Day 5 (33%). Of the 32 embryos that were cooled to 4 degrees C before being transferred to Day 6 recipients, 20 resulted in pregnancies (63%) to give a success rate similar to that attained with the control fresh embryos (67%). Serum progesterone concentrations in the recipients increased to a mean +/- SEM of 2.6 +/- 0.8 ng mL(-1) by Day 8 after ovulation and, in those that were pregnant, levels remained elevated at 3-5 ng mL(-1) for the remainder of the sampling period; in non-pregnant recipients the concentrations declined to <1 ng mL(-1) by Day 11. Plasma PGFM concentrations in the flunixin meglumine-treated camels remained low (40-90 pg mL(-1)) compared with those in the untreated control camels, in which peak values of around 180 pg mL(-1) were reached within 10 min after transfer after which a steady decline occurred until resting concentrations of 90-100 pg mL(-1) were reached by 110 min after transfer. Treatment with GnRH on Day 5 after ovulation produced a transitory increase in serum oestradiol-17beta concentrations for 24 h. However, from Day 8, oestradiol concentrations in both the GnRH-treated and the untreated camels increased steadily to reach 2.5-3.5 pg mL(-1) by Day 12.

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Surgical repair of a ruptured cranial cruciate ligament in a dromedary camel.

A 14-year-old dromedary camel was examined because of lameness of the left hind limb of 3.5 months'duration. The camel injured the stifle joint when it slipped while reclining into sternal recumbency. Radiography did not reveal major abnormalities that could account for the lameness, but nuclear scintigraphy revealed increased radionuclide uptake in the left stifle joint. Intra-articular injection of anesthetic further localized the injury to the area of the left stifle joints, and arthroscopy of that joint revealed rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament. Surgical repair of the ligament was attempted, using an autogenous graft obtained from the tensor fascia lata muscle. Outcome for the camel initially was considered good on the basis of a substantial improvement in attitude, apparent increase in comfort, and decrease in lameness. The tendency for the camel to remain in sternal recumbency after surgery increased the number and severity of postoperative complications. The camel was doing well 9 months after surgery; however, it was euthanatized 16 months after surgery because of a 4-month episode of lameness. Necropsy revealed chronic osteoarthritis and bilateral rupture of the cranial cruciate ligaments.

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Characterization of Streptococcus bovis from the rumen of the dromedary camel and Rusa deer.

AIMS: Isolation and characterization of Streptococcus bovis from the dromedary camel and Rusa deer. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bacteria were isolated from the rumen contents of four camels and two deer fed lucerne hay by culturing on the semi-selective medium MRS agar. Based on Gram morphology and RFLP analysis seven isolates, MPR1, MPR2, MPR3, MPR4, MPR5, RD09 and RD11 were selected and putatively identified as Streptococcus. The identity of these isolates was later confirmed by comparative DNA sequence analysis of the 16S rRNA gene with the homologous sequence from S. bovis strains, JB1, C14b1, NCFB2476, SbR1, SbR7 and Sb5, from cattle and sheep, and the Streptococcus equinus strain NCD01037T. The percentage similarity amongst all strains was >99%, confirming the identification of the camel isolates as S. bovis. The strains were further characterized by their ability to utilize a range of carbohydrates, the production of volatile fatty acids (VFA) and lactate and the determination of the doubling time in basal medium 10 supplemented with glucose. All the isolates produced l-lactate as a major fermentation end product, while four of five camel isolates produced VFA. The range of carbohydrates utilized by all the strains tested, including those from cattle and sheep were identical, except that all camel isolates and the deer isolate RD11 were additionally able to utilize arabinose. CONCLUSIONS: Streptococcus bovis was successfully isolated from the rumen of camels and deer, and shown by molecular and biochemical characterization to be almost identical to S. bovis isolates from cattle and sheep. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: Streptococcus bovis is considered a key lactic acid producing bacterium from the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants, and has been implicated as a causative agent of lactic acidosis. This study is the first report of the isolation and characterization of S. bovis from the dromedary camel and Rusa deer, and suggests a major contributive role of this bacterium to fermentative acidosis.

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Syncope associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a dromedary camel.

A case of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in a dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) is described for the first time. The patient, a castrated 9-year-old animal, presented with a 6-month history of several episodes of syncope after moderate exercise and later at rest. The syncope had a sudden onset and a duration of 30 to 45 seconds. After clinical, electrocardiographical and echocardiographical examination, a tentative diagnosis of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy was made. At necropsy, the heart had a globose shape and was firm on palpation. The left ventricular free wall and the interventricular septum were thickened in cross-section and the left ventricular lumen was small. The clinical diagnosis was confirmed by histologic examination of heart tissue that demonstrated hypertrophy of myocardial fibres with vesicular nuclei and the presence of diffuse interstitial fibrosis.

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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.

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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.

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Molecular identification and immunohistochemical localization of atrial natriuretic peptide in the heart of the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Atrial and B-type natriuretic peptide (ANP and BNP) are cardiac hormones synthesized and secreted by the myoendocrine cells of the heart. They exert potent actions on body fluid balance. Since various body organs including the heart are under high physiological stress during water and food deprivation in the desert nomads, we intended to perform molecular biological and histological studies of ANP in the heart of the dromedary camel Camelus dromedarius. Initially, we isolated cDNAs encoding ANP from the atrium and BNP from the atrium and ventricle of the dromedary camel. Putative mature ANP, deduced from the cDNA sequence, was identical to that of human and pig ANP, but the putative mature BNP was more diverse and was most similar to pig BNP (94% identity). Thus, we used antisera raised against human ANP that did not cross-react with pig BNP in the subsequent immunohistochemical studies. The ANP-expressing myoendocrine cells are most concentrated in the right atrium, to a lesser extent in the left atrium, and almost absent in the left ventricle. The immuno-positive cells are scattered uniformly in each region and are characterized by the presence of immunoreactive granular deposits around the nucleus. The left atrium comprises some ramifications of conductive cells (Purkinje fibers), some of which also contained ANP-immunoreactive granules. At the electron microscopic level, myoendocrine cells possessed secretory granules primarily in the perinuclear zone and a well-developed Golgi apparatus. The present study is the first comprehensive report dealing with the molecular cloning and immunohistochemical localization of ANP in the heart of a desert dwelling mammal.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

Toxoplasma gondii IgG seroprevalence in Mauritanian dromedary camels: First multi-regional survey.

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed zoonotic parasite, and dromedary camels are important intermediate hosts in arid and semi-arid regions. However, information on T. gondii exposure in camels is lacking in Mauritania, which harbors one of the largest camel populations in West Africa. This study reports the first multi-regional seroepidemiological survey to estimate T. gondii seroprevalence and identify associated risk factors in Mauritanian dromedaries. Between 2023 and 2024, serum samples were collected from 953 camels across eight climatically distinct regions. Anti-T. gondii IgG antibodies were detected using the Modified Agglutination Test (MAT; cutoff&#x2265;1:20). Risk factors investigated included geographical region, sex, age group, and season of sampling, using multivariable logistic regression and a mixed-effects linear probability model accounting for regional clustering. The overall seroprevalence was 15.0% (143/953). Exposure varied markedly across regions, ranging from 0% in the hyper-arid northern regions of Adrar and Tagant to 41.7% in the southern Sahelian region of Guidimakha. This pronounced spatial gradient is consistent with contrasting climatic and ecological conditions, as higher rainfall and humidity in the south are hypothesized to favor environmental oocyst survival compared to the extreme aridity of the north. Geographical region and age were independent predictors of seropositivity. Compared with camels from Nouakchott, those from Guidimakha had higher odds of exposure (aOR = 2.63), whereas camels from Trarza had a markedly lower risk (aOR = 0.09). Camels older than 6 years were more than twice as likely to be seropositive as those aged 3-5 years, whereas sex and season were not associated with seropositivity. These findings indicate that T. gondii exposure is widespread in Mauritanian dromedaries and that ecological conditions may influence exposure patterns. The marked spatial heterogeneity supports targeted surveillance and One Health interventions to reduce the potential zoonotic risk associated with camel-derived food products.

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Assessment of blood glutathione peroxidase activity in the dromedary camel.

Blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) levels in 709 normal dromedary camels (442 females and 267 males) were assessed in the Canary Islands. All animals were intensively reared, and three different nutritional systems were evaluated, depending on selenium content of the diet. Mean GSH-Px level in the total population was 288.5+/-157.2 IU x g(-1) Hb. Reference ranges were estimated and enzymatic activities below 51 IU x g(-1) Hb were considered inadequate. GSH-Px activities obtained in females (298.1+/-155.7 IU x g(-1) Hb) were significantly (P = 0.037) higher than in males (272.6+/-157.2 IU x g(-1) Hb). When age groups were compared, only males between 6 and 12 months old exhibited significantly lower mean GSH-Px (P = 0.006) than females. A high correlation (r = 0.88) between serum selenium concentration and blood GSH-Px activity was estimated, and the regression equation was y = 2.5101x + 42.423. Selenium content of the diet above 0.1 mg x kg(-1) DM seems to supply adequate selenium requirements for dromedaries under intensive husbandry.

Age Factors↗

MERS-CoV in the Middle East and Africa: from surveillance gaps in humans and dromedary camels to One Health frameworks for spillover, prevention, research and response preparedness.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) remains a low-incidence but high-consequence zoonotic coronavirus threat. Since its identification in Saudi Arabia in 2012, more than 2600 laboratory-confirmed cases have been reported from 27 countries, most from the Arabian Peninsula; the reported case fatality ratio is high but probably overestimates infection fatality because mild and asymptomatic infections are under-detected. Dromedary camels across the Middle East, North Africa, East Africa, the Horn of Africa, and parts of the Sahel show extensive evidence of MERS-CoV infection or exposure, yet PCR-confirmed human disease has rarely been reported from Africa. This "Africa paradox" is one of the most important unresolved issues in MERS-CoV epidemiology. We propose a dromedary camel-centered One Health framework for the connected Middle East-Africa dromedary belt. The framework is organized around two linked barriers: an upstream barrier that detects and reduces zoonotic spillover at the camel-human interface, and a downstream healthcare barrier that prevents amplification after human infection occurs. Preparedness should include sentinel surveillance for severe acute respiratory infection and atypical pneumonia in camel-exposed populations, linked animal-human genomic surveillance, culturally respectful and occupationally practical risk reduction, rapid diagnostic pathways, healthcare infection prevention and control, mass-gathering and travel preparedness, and preapproved research platforms. A Middle East-Africa preparedness compact aligned with the International Health Regulations, One Health governance, and equitable pathogen access and benefit sharing could transform fragmented surveillance into a standing transregional system for early detection, prevention, and research-ready response.

Africa paradox↗

Vertebral osteoma in a dromedary camel.

A case of vertebral osteoma observed in a female 4-year-old dromedary camel is presented. The patient showed a progressive ataxia, incoordination and finally a permanent recumbence position. Treatment was unfruitful and the animal was humanely euthanized. Postmortem examination revealed an expansive growth at vertebral body of the 10th thoracic vertebra, which was histologically classified as an osteoma. To the author's knowledge, this would be the first description of an osteoma in a camelid species.

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Trypanosoma simiae in the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) and the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius).

Trypanosoma simiae was identified as the cause of a disease outbreak in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) introduced to Tsavo East National Park, confirming the susceptibility of camels to this pathogen. T. simiae was also isolated from a new host, the white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) through xenodiagnosis with a susceptible tsetse species (Glossina morsitans centralis). A white rhinoceros showed some evidence of anaemia and lymphopaenia when harbouring T. simiae, but did not suffer any long-term health effects.

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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.

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Developmental competence in vitro and in vivo of cryopreserved, hatched blastocysts from the dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius).

The present paper describes experiments designed to investigate methods for cryopreserving embryos from dromedary camels. Because preliminary studies had shown ethanediol to be the best cryoprotectant to use for camel embryos, the current experiments were performed to determine the minimum exposure time to 1.5 m ethanediol required to achieve cryoprotection. The uteri of 30 donor camels were flushed non-surgically 8 days after mating. Embryos were recovered and 158 were assigned to one of three groups, which were exposed to 1.5 m ethanediol for either 10 min (n = 67), 5 min (n = 51) or 1 min (n = 40). Embryos were subsequently thawed and rehydrated by expelling either directly into holding medium (HM; HEPES-buffered Tyrode's medium containing sodium lactate and 3 mg mL(-1) bovine serum albumin, 10% fetal calf serum, 100 IU mL(-1) penicillin G, 100 microg mL(-1) streptomycin and 25 microg mL(-1) amphotercin B) or initially into HM containing 0.2 m sucrose for 5 or 10 min. The survival rate of all embryos immediately post-thawing, as judged by the morphological appearance of the embryos, was high (91%), but was greatly reduced after 2 h culture (59%). Ninety-two embryos were transferred to recipient camels resulting in 18 viable fetuses (1 min ethanediol exposure, n = 1/15; 5 min ethanediol exposure, n = 3/34; 10 min ethanediol exposure, n = 14/43). Of the embryos rehydrated directly in HM, six of 65 resulted in viable fetuses and those rehydrated initially in 0.2 m sucrose for 5 or 10 min resulted in nine of 47 and three of 46 fetuses respectively. From these experiments, we conclude that camel embryos can be cryopreserved using ethanediol as a cryoprotectant when the embryos are cooled slowly (to 33 degrees C) before being plunged into liquid nitrogen for storage.

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