Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences

College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner Department of Veterinary pathology

Masters Synopsis Seminar

By- Sanjay Kumar

Occurrence and Pathology of Various Conditions of Intestine in Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

Objectives
To find out the occurrence of various pathological conditions of intestine in camel. To study the gross and histopthology of various pathological conditions of camel intestine with reference to the type, pattern and morphology. To assess the significance of different etiological agents in relation to gross and histopathological manifestations, wherever possible.

Introduction
The camel (Camelius dromedarius) is an important animal component of the fragile desert eco-system. With its unique bio-physiological characteristics, the camel has become an icon of adaptation to challenging ways of living in arid and semi-arid regions. The proverbial Ship of the desert earned its epithet on account of its indispensability as a mode of transportation and draught power in desert but the utilities are many and are subject to continuous social and economic changes. The camel

has played a significant role in civil law and order, defense and battles from the ancient times till date (NRCC, VISION 2030). The camel is used for several purposes for which its role is essential. It is used as a beast of burden for transporting goods and people as well as for providing milk. Milk is often the only regular food source for its owners. The camel's meat, wool and leather are also widely utilized. Camel is used in agriculture in India as well as it is also used by border security forces for guarding the frontiers

of our country. The single hump camel (Camelus dromedarius) is distributed over the semiarid and tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Asia. World Camel population is estimated to be around 25.89 million spread across 47 countries. About 85% of the camel population inhabits mainly eastern and northern Africa and rest in Indian subcontinent and Middle East counties (NRCC, VISION 2030). India stands tenth in the world ranking with 0.51 million camels (FAOSTAT, 2011). The majority of world's camel

population is of dromedary type except small population of Bactrian camels in central Asia. Around 80% possessed by Rajasthan (0.421million). Rest camel population found in Gujarat, Haryana and U.P. (Indian livestock census 2007). The diseases of gastro-intestinal system are one of the important aspects that envisage challenge to the veterinarian to arrive at a definite diagnosis of a particular problem. The intestine has great importance in clinicalpathological alteration of gastro-intestinal tract. The

major etiological agent which are responsible for the cellular and vascular damage are- physical, chemical, bacterial, viral, fungal and parasitic agents, the severity varying with nature of their lesion. Certain lesions that affect the intestine comprises some of the most frequently encountered diseases in clinical practice for instance infarcts, haemorrhage etc. In addition, intestinal coccidiosis (kinne et al. 2002), inflammatory disorders, Tuberculosis (Basha et al. 1994), Para tuberculosis (Alharbi et al. 2012),

non-specific enteritis, multicentric fibromyxoid Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor (Tafti and Khordadmeher, 2011) etc. are common. Although, some of the work had been done on the intestine of dog, cattle, buffalo and goat, but since the pathological condition of intestine in camel has not so far been studied. The present investigation has been planned to be undertaken.

Review of literature
Bihari et al (1980) in his results of a 12-month survey of slaughtered camels concerning the identity of helminth parasites present and the seasonal fluctuations of faecal egg concentration reported. Chineme et al (1980) in his studies found that post mortem examination shows lesions in the small intestine which has swollen mucosa on which are numerous whitish-grey foci. Histologically, giant schizonts in various developmental stages were seen in the lamina

propria of the jejunum. Fassi-fehri (1987) told that gastro-intestinal helminthoses, mange and trypanosomiasis are by far the most widespread diseases. Their economic impact is considerable because they result in high morbidity. Dubey et al (1990) studied on toxoplasma infection in camel and told that the intestinal lesions were characterized by necrosis of lamina propria and many tachyzoites were present

in cells of the lamina propria; a few tachyzoites were also seen in enterocytes. El-Khouly et al (1992) stated that haemorrhages occurred more variably in abdominal organs and on the omasal and abomasal mucosa of a camel affected with Aspergillosis. Abu-Damir et al (1993) administered Copper sulphate by the oral or intravenous route to five dromedary camels. He noted that the main lesions were fatty change and necrosis of the liver cells, dilatation and necrosis of kidney tubules,

catarrhal abomasitis, enteritis and congestion of the blood vessels of the heart. Sanousi et al (1993) told that the main pathological findings were those of acute catarrhal enteritis and acute myocardial degeneration in case of enterotoxemia in camel. Basha et al (1994) studied on pathology of Camel Tuberculosis and Molecular Characterization of Its Causative Agents in Pastoral Regions of Ethiopia. He revealed that the frequency and

severity of the lesions were higher in the mesenteric lymph nodes than the thoracic lymph nodes. Alhendi et al (2000) studied on five neonatal calves with diarrhea. Main clinical signs and results of faecal examination revealed E. Coli infection. Eerdunchaolu et al (2001) studied on the distribution of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the camel (Camelus bactrianus). Fundamentally the distribution

pattern of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the camel is similar to that of cattle. The distribution and frequency of endocrine cells in the glandular sac region are the same as those of the cardiac gland. Tafti et al (2001) indicated in his study that Diagnostic histo pathological lesions in Eimeria infection included presence of developmental stages of Eimeria in epithelium of mucosa and glands in crypts of lieberkuhn along with eosinophilic enteritis, lymphoid hyperplasia,

 congestion and edema of sub mucosa. Caecum and colon affected with balantidiasis showed necrosis of the epithelium and penetration of trophozoites of Balantidia into the mucosa. In Besnoitiosis, small to large cysts of Besnoitia with or without inflammatory reaction were seen in mucosa of small intestine. Bekele et al (2002) observed microscopic lesions were sloughing of epithelium, necrosis of glands, atrophy and loss of villi, haemorrhages and cellular infiltration mainly of eosinophiles and

lymphocytes in gastrointestinal infestation in camel. Kinne et al (2002) saw a severe diphtheroid-tohemorrhagic colitis in eight 4 to 8 weeks old camels. Massive numbers of small coccidian stages and some eosinophilic granulocyte were detected in the lamina properia by histopathological studies. This was the first report of an isosporan parasite associated with hemorrhagic enteritis in the large intestine of any animal.

 Wunschmann et al (2002) studied on enteric coronavirus infection in a juvenile dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) and found that the death of the animal was attributed to a neutrophilic and emphysematous colitis that likely was caused by an infection with a Clostridium sp. Khalafalla et al (2004) reported the main post-mortem findings include lung congestion and consolidation, paleness and fragility of liver, enlarged lymph nodes and congestion and hemorrhage of small intestine and stomach in a camel died of peste des petits ruminants (PPR).

 Ali et al (2005) found a correlation between seropositivity and the clinical status of camel calf diarrhoea. The highest percentage of seropositivity was found in clinically healthy camel calves (69.7%). The resuls show highest prevalence of camel calf diarrhoes and the major role of Rota virus in the disease in Sudan.

 Ali et al (2007) postulated that Immunoreactive cells like 5HT, CCK-8, and SOM showed peak density in the villi and crypts of the small intestine and in the colonic glands of the large intestine, while cells containing SP were discerned predominately in the crypts. 5-HT, CCK-8 and SOM cells were mainly flask-shaped and of the open-variety, while PYY and SP immunoreactive cells were mainly rounded or

 basket-shaped and of the closed variety. Basically the distribution pattern of the endocrine cells in the duodenum, jejunum and colon of the onehumped camel is similar to that of other mammals. Hammad et al (2007) reported about Organophosphate and Carbamate Insecticides poisoning in the Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius) in North Kordofan State,Sudan. After his postmortem findings he revealed Intestine showing necrosis of epithelial cells,

congestion, hemorrhage and infiltration of inflammatory cells. Al-Zghoul et al (2008) in his study demonstrated the presence and cross-reactivity of tryptase in the camel small intestine using a specific mouse anti-human tryptase antibody. Mast cells were detected in all histological layers of the camel small intestine (mucosal, submucosal, muscularis externa and serosa). Among all locations examined in the duodenum, ileum and jejunum, no significant difference was observed in

cell counts among the lamina propria, muscularis mucosae, muscularis externa and the serosa. Shahawy et al (2009) told about Incidence of Campylobacter and anaerobic bacteria among apparently healthy and diarrheic camel calves. The microscopic picture of small intestine revealed duodenal hemorrhagic mucosa, degenerated glands, and cellular infiltration in both mucosa and submucosa. The same alterations reported in the Campylobacter jejuni with submucosal depletion in the intestinal tonsil.

 Borji et al (2010) carried out a survey to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes. The pathological lesions in the affected abomassum, as well as small and large intestine were hyperemic and thickened mucosa with haemorrhagic focci. Histopathological examination of the collected samples revealed inflammatory reaction in the abomasum, flattened mucosa and villous atrophy with inflammatory reactions composed of eosinophils and lymphocytes in the intestines.

 Mohammadzadeh et al (2010) studied on Septicemic salmonellosis in a two-humped camel calf (Camelus bactrianus). In his Histopathological examination he found lesions consisted of hyperemia and hemorrhage in all serosal and

mucosal surfaces, gastroenteritis, and purulent ascites, associated with suppurative omphalitis. The abomasal and intestinal mucosa were hemorrhagic and erosive. Yakhchalim et al (2010) found that the overall prevalence of Eimeria spp. was 12.8%. Five Eimeria species were identified in both camels: the highest rate belonged to the E. bactriani (42.2%), followed by E. rajasthani (only in dromedary camels, 26.7%), E. pellerdyi (only in

dromedary camels, 26.7%), E. pellerdyi (only in bactrian camels, 15.6%), E. cameli (11.1%) and E. dromedarii (4.4%). All 12.8% of infected camels had mixed infections with at least three species. Shan et al (2011) in his study indicated that payer patches of Bacterian camel not only have a particular anatomical location and distinct appearance but also change with age. Tajik et al (2011) told about Occurrence of gastrointestinal helminthes in Bactrian camel in Iran.

 Alharbi et al (2012) did Postmortem examination of 8 camels died because of paratuberculosis. It showed thickened and corrugated intestinal mucosa, enlarged granulomatous mesenteric lymph nodes, miliary and diffuse granulomas in the liver (in four camels), generalized lymph node granulomas (in one camel), splenic granuloma (in one camel) and mediastinal lymph node granuloma (in two camels). Histopathological examination showed diffuse infiltration of macrophages in all organs showing lesions.

 Althnaian et al (2012) found that the duodenum of camel has distinctive characteristics immunohistochemically. Anisimova et al (2012) examined a total of 47 Camelus dromedarius in September and October 2012 and found that infections rate for Moniezia were high in female (30.55%) than male (18.18%) and rate of infection increases with age. Kheirandish et al (2012) studied on prevalence and pathologic study of Eimeria cameli in slaughtered camels. Microscopic examination

revealed eosinophilic enteritis and existence of developmental stages of the parasite such as giant schizonts, microgamont, macrogametocytes, and oocysts in the lacteals of lamina propria and in the epithelium of Lieberkuhn glands.

Proposed plan of work

For the proposed investigation approximately 100 samples of the intestine of camel (Camelus dromedarius) will be collected from Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Barmer and adjoin areas of these districts of Rajasthan. The tissue specimens will also be collected from the carcasses of camel submitted to the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner for postmortem examination.

Gross examination of the specimen will be done on fresh basis as well as 10% formalin preserved tissues. The histopathological examination will be done after processing the tissue. After that, paraffin embedding by acetone and benzene technique (Lillie, 1965) will be done. The section of 4-6 micron thickness will be cut and stained with routine staining method by hematoxylin and eosin. According to need special stains will be used wherever necessary.

Facilities existing
All the facilities are available in the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner.

Location of area of field work

The entire work will be carried out in the Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner. The tissue specimens of Intestine of camel will be collected from Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Barmer and adjoin areas of these districts of Rajasthan.

Literature cited
Abu-Damir H.; Eldirdiri N. I.; Adam S. E.; Howarth J. A.; Salih Y. M. and Idris O. F. (1993) Experimental copper poisoning in the camel (Camelus dromedariu s) J Comp Pathol. Feb;108(2):191-208. Alharbi K. B.; Al-Swailem A.; Al-Dubaib M. A.; AlYamani E.; Al-Naeem A.; Shehata M.; Hashad M. E. and Albusadah K. A.; Mahmoud O. M. (2012) Pathology and molecular diagnosis of

paratuberculosis of camels. Trop Anim Health Prod. Jan;44(1):173-7. doi: 10.1007/s11250-0119905-2. Alhendi A. A. B. B. (2000) Priliminary observations on Eshcheria coli infection in neonatal calf in eastern province of Saudi Arabia. Pak. Vet. Journal, 20(1). Ali M. A.; Nyberg F.; Chandranath S. I.; Dhanasekaran S.; Tariq S.; Petroianu G. and Hasan M. Y.; Adeghate E.A.; Adem A. (2007) Distribution

of neuroendocrine cells in the small and large intestines of the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius) Neuropeptides. PubMed.;41:293 299. Bottom of Form Ali Y. H.; Khalafalla A. I. and Amin M. A. El (2005) Epidemiology of Camel Calf Diarrhoea in Sudan: Seroprevalence of Camel Rotavirus Infection. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances. Vol. 4, 3, 393-397.

 Althnaian T.; Alkhodair K.M.; Albokhadaim I. F.; Ramdan R.O. and Ali A.M. (2012) Gross Anatomical Studies on Duodenum of one Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius). International Journal of Zoological Research, 8: 90-97. Al-Zghoul M. B.; Al-Rukibat R. K.; Alghadi M.; Caceci T. and Bani Ismail Z. (2008) Distribution and density of mast cells in camel

small intestine and influence of fixation techniques. Eur J Histochem. Oct-Dec;52(4):237-41. Anisimova E. I, and Al-Fatlawi M. A. A. (2012) Moniezia expansa in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in central Iraq. Veterinary Medical Sciences Vol. (3) no (2) 111-116. Basha E.S.M.; Abd-El-Azeem W.; El-Morsi S.; Yadem Z. and Bareedy M. H.; (1994) Microscopical study on the post-natal duodenum

of the camel, Camelus dromedarius. Zagazig Vet. Journal. v. 22(4) p. 148-162 Bekele T. (2002) Epidemiological studies on gastrointestinal helminths of dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) in semi-arid lands of eastern Ethiopia. Vet. Parasitol. 105: 139-152. Bihari S. E. and Kawasmeh Z. A. (1980) Occurrence and seasonal variation of some gastrointestinal helminths of the dromedary, Camelus dromedarius, in Saudi Arabia.

 Borji H.; Razmi G.; Movassaghi A. R.; Naghibi A. G. and Maleki M. (2010). A study on gastrointestinal helminths of camels in Mashhad abattoir Iran. Iran J Vet Res 11(2):174179 Chineme C. N.; Wildl J. Dis. (1980) A case report of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria cameli in a camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Nigeria. Jul;16(3):37780. Dubey J.P.; Hagemoser W.A. and Thompson J.R. (1990) Acute toxoplasmosis in a camel J Am Vet

J Am Vet Med Assoc. Jan 15;196(2):347. Eerdunchaolu D.V.; Takehan K.; Kobayashi A.; Yamada J.; Ueda H.; Baiyin Cao G.F. and ABE M. (2001) Immuno-histochemical study of the distribution of endocrine cells in the gastrointestinal tract of the camel (Camelus bactrianus). Eur. J.Morphol., 39, 57-63. El-Khouly A. B.; Gadir F. A.; Cluer D. D.; and Manefield G. W. (1992). Aspergillosis in camels affected with a specific respiratory and enteric

syndrome. Australian Veterinary Journal 69: 182 186. FAOSTAT (2011), a statistical report from FAO Fassi-fehri M.M. (1987) Diseases of camels, Rev. sci. tech. Off. int. Epiz., 6 (2), 337-354. Hammad H.; Fayza A. O.; Shamat, A. M.; Hussein, K. S. M.; Ishraga G. I. and Salwa M. A. K. (2007) Organophosphate and Carbamate Insecticides poisoning in the Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius) in North Kordofan State, Sudan

 Indian livestock census (2007): 18th Indian Livestock Census, All India Summary report. Government of India Khalafalla A.I.; Saeed I.K.; Ali Y.H.; Abdurrahman M. B.; Kwiatek O.; Libeauc G.; Obeida A. A. and Abbas Z. (2004) An outbreak of peste des petits ruminants (PPR) in camels in the Sudan; Nov 2010;116(2):161-5. Kheirandish R.; Saeid R.; Nourollahi-Fard and Faryabi Z.; (2012) Prevalence and pathologic study of Eimeria cameli in slaughtered camels

 Kinne J.; Ali M.; Wernery U. and Dubey J. P. (2002) Clinical large intestinal coccidiosis in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the United Arab Emirates: description of lesions, endogenous stages, and redescription of Isospora orlovi, Tsygankov, 1950 oocysts. J Parasitol. Jun;88(3):548-52. Lillie R.D. (1965) histopathological technique and practical histochemistry. 3rd edition. Newyork: Mcgraw-hill

 Mohammadzadeh N. F.; Seyed Z. B.; Hesaraki S.; Yadegari Z.; Alidadi N. and Tabrizi S. S. (2010). Septicemic salmonellosis in a two-humped camel calf (Camelus bactrianus). Tropical animal health and production 42:8 Dec pg 1601-4 NRCC, VISION 2011 a report Sanousi S. M. E. and Gameel A. A.; (1993) An outbreak of enterotoxaemia in suckling camels, Zentra lbl Veterinary med A. Sep;40(7):525-32.

 Shahawy H. S. E.; Mona M. S.; Sherein S. and ElGaied A. (2009) Incidence of Campylobacter and anaerobic bacteria among apparently healthy and diarrheic camel calves. Egypt. J. Comp. Path. & Clinic. Path. Vol. 22 No. 2; 250 268 Shan S. Q.; Wang W. H.; Gao Q.; Xu X. H.; He W. H.; Zhaxi Y. P.; Tai L. F. (2011) Age-related changes in the anatomical characteristics of Peyer's patches in small intestine of Bactrian camels

(Camelus bactrianus). Tropical Animal Health and Production, Volume 43, Number 6, pp. 1219-1223. Tafti A. K.; Maleki M. and Oryan A. (2001), Pathological study of intestines and mesenteric lymph nodes of camels (Camelus dromedarius) slaughtered in Iran. J. Camel Pract. Res., 8: 209213 Tafti K. and Khordadmehr M. (2011), Multicentric
Fibromyxoid Peripheral Nerve Sheath Tumor

(Multicentric Schwannoma) in a Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius). Veterinary Pathology, vol. 48 no. 6 1180-1184 Tajik J.; Moghaddar N.; Nikjou D. and Taleban Y. (2011) Occurrence of gastrointestinal helminths in Bactrian camel in Iran. Trop Biomed. Aug;28(2):362-5. Wunschmann A.; Frank R.; Pomeroy K. and Kapil S. (2002) Enteric coronavirus infection in a

juvenile dromedary (Camelus dromedarius). J. Vet Diagn Invest. Sep;14(5):441-4. Yakhchali M. and Athari S. (2010) A study on prevalence of Eimeria spp. infection in camels of Tabriz region. Archives of Razi Institute, Vol. 65, No. 2, 111-115.

Thank you