FATAL INVASIVE ASPERGILLOSIS IN CAMELS IN SAUDI ARABIA Naif A. M. Al-gabri Veterinary Medicine And Animal Resources Abstract
Results
The present study was carried out on the summer of 2012. The field problem was mortality among camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Hardd region in KSA. Clinical signs were anorexia, depression, nasal discharges, lacrimation and enlargement of submandibular lymph nodes. Moreover, there was bloody diarrhea. Out Of 150 camels at least 70 animals were affected with the disease and about 19 of them were died within three days after the onset of the first clinical signs. Consistent necropsy findings were haemorrhagic abomasal folds, massive haemorrhage within small intestine associated with severely congested mesenteric lymph nodes. Epicardial and subendocardial haemorrhages were also observed. The pharyngeal and laryngeal areas were congested and contained serosanguinous fluid. Aspergillus fumigatus was cultured and isolated from trachea, lung, omasum and intestine. No other potential microorganisms or toxic agents has been identified.
Mycology finding Cultured samples from nasal cavity, trachea, lung, omasum and intestine showed rapidly growing colonies within 1 to 3 days. Colonies appeared granular to cottony, velvety, or powdery; white at first then green to dark later. Microscopically examination showed the typical growth of A. fumigatus as described by Pickett et. al. (1985). HISTOPATHOLOGY
POSTMORTEM
Introduction / Review Aspergillosis spp., particularly A. fumigatus, are associated with infections of the respiratory system in livestock but may also cause rumenitis. Moldy litter and feed are often suspected as sources of infection of Aspergillosis. Aspergillosis is an opportunistic fungal infection and has been reported in alpacas and dromedaries (Bhatia et al., 1983; Pickett et al., 1985; Severo et al., 1989; Gareis and Wernery, 1994). A disease syndrome of camels (Camelus dromedarius) characterized by a spectrum of clinical signs and hemorrhages at a necropsy has been observed by El-Khouly et al., (1992).
Congested and haemorrhagic laryngeal and pharyngeal mucosa.
Lung showing congested blood vessels and perivascular cuffing.
Sampling Lung histopathology Blood
Nasal Swabs and smears
Frothy exudate in trachea and bronchi
Massive areas of haemorrhage.
Discussion Feedstuffs for aflatoxin
Omasum, abomasum and intestine histopathology
Liver histopathology
Clinical signs Pyrexia, increase in heart rate Dyspnea, dullness and sternal recumbency. Congested oral mucous membrane. Ocular discharges Nasal and ocular discharges Swelling of sub mandibular lymph Swelling of sub mandibular lymph nodes .nodes . bloody diarrhea in sever cases. Clinical & Differential Diagnosis
According to history and previous signs we suspected the following:Invasive Aspergillosis Aflatoxicosis Clostridium infection Results Haematological & Biochemical findings Revealed Neutropenia and increase in AST.
The same syndrome of camels (Camelus dromedarius) characterized by a spectrum of clinical signs and hemorrhages at a necropsy has been observed in United Arab Emirates by El-Khouly et al., (1992). Aspergillosis is an opportunistic fungal infection and has been reported in alpacas and dromedaries. (Bhatia et al., 1983; Pickett et al., 1985; Severo et al., 1989; Gareis and Wernery, 1994).
Conclusions A. fumigatus is a potential organism incriminated in this problem. Recommendations The bad uses of antibiotics and corticosteroids may result in neutropenia which enhance the growth and spread of A. fumigatus.
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