Abstract
This paper describes the clinical, haematological, biochemical and pathological findings in 60 camels (Camelus dromedarius) affected with Mycobacterium paratuberculosis. The clinical findings were long-standing diarrhoea (sometimes intermittent), weight loss and poor condition. Haematological abnormalities included decreased haematocrit value, decreased haemoglobin concentration and leukocytosis. Analysis of serum revealed hypoproteinemia, hypoalbuminemia and hyperglobulinemia. Other serum abnormalities included hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia and elevated serum activities of aspartate aminotransferase. The activities of gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase as well as the concentrations of total bilirubin, urea nitrogen, creatinine, phosphorus and glucose were normal. Antemortem diagnosis of Johne's disease in the camels depended on the clinical as well as the results of Ziehl-Neelsen staining of rectal smears and detection of acid-fast bacilli. Postmortem examination showed highly thickened intestinal mucous membranes that form folds. Granulomatous lesions were seen in the mesenteric, hepatic and mediastinal lymph nodes. Histopathological examination showed intense infiltration of epithelioid cells in the mucosa and submucosa of the intestine. These cells also infiltrated the lymph node, which also showed abscess with liquefactive necrosis. Acid-fast bacilli were also seen inside the epithelioid cells in the intestine and lymph nodes. Other pathological changes included congestion and fatty changes in the liver and degeneration of the renal tubular epithelium in the kidney.