Pathophysiological Investigations on Brucellosis in She-Camels

The present study was carried out on two groups of she-camels in different localities in El-khurma and Taraba governorates, KSA. Serum samples were obtained from 165 she-camels kept in close contact with small ruminant (1st group) and 95 she-camels kept in closed farm (2nd group). These samples were subjected to different serological tests for detection of antibody against Brucella. Also, samples were subjected to biochemical analysis. Lymph nodes, spleen, mammary gland and uterus were collected from serologically positive animal for bacteriological, histopathological and immunopathological examinations. The sero-prevalence in 1group (camel kept in close contact with small ruminant) were 7.88, 8.48, 6.67, 6.67 and 6.67% by using Rose Bengal Test (RBT), Buffered Acidified Plate Antigen Test (BAPA), Tube Agglutination Test (TAT), Rivanol Test (Riv. T) and Complement Fixation Test (CFT), respectively. Regarding to 2nd group (kept in closed farm) only one sample (1.05%) was positive to RBT, BAPA and TAT as well as one sample was suspicious to TAT. Biochemical analysis of serum samples taken from Brucella positive she camels showed elevation in liver enzymes (AST and ALT) and blood glucose, urea, uric acid and creatinine levels. Bacteriological examination showed that all Brucella strains detected in tissue specimens of reactor animals were typed as Brucella melitensis biovar 3. The pathological study revealed individual variation with respect to organ affected, severity and extension of lesion. Histopathological studies of lymph node revealed granuloma like structure infiltrated by inflammatoiy cells. Spleen showed depletion in lymphoid follicle with proliferation of fibrous tissue. Mammary gland, showed granuloma from mononuclear cells mainly macrophages and plasma cells. While uterus showed partial destruction and fibrosis in mucosal epithelial lining as well as atrophy in underlying uterine glands. Immunopathological examination showed intense brown granules inside inflammatory cells in lymph node, spleen and uterus. It was concluded that Immunohistochemisteiy can be applied in case of biopsy samples from mammary lymph node tissue of she-camel for detection of brucellosis.