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. 2014;4(2):118-23.
Epub 2014 Dec 12.

Liver abscesses in dromedary camels: Pathological characteristics and aerobic bacterial aetiology

M A Aljameel  1 , M O Halima  2 , A E ElTigani-Asil  3 , A S Abdalla  4 , M M Abdellatif  5
Affiliations

Liver abscesses in dromedary camels: Pathological characteristics and aerobic bacterial aetiology

M A Aljameel et al. Open Vet J. 2014.

Abstract

The study was carried out at Nyala abattoirs, South Darfur State, Sudan during a period from 2009 to 2011. Slaughtered camels (822) were examined for pathological changes of liver abscesses and identification of the involved aerobic bacteria. Grossly, a total of 111 (13.5%) liver abscesses were recorded in different camel ages; 90 (81.1%) were less than seven years old and 21 (18.9%) were more than seven years old. Histopathology of sectioned tissues revealed necrotic abscesses with infiltration of inflammatory cells, hydropic degeneration with swelling of hepatocytes comprising the sinusoid and different size of vacuoles in the hepatic cells. Proliferation of bile ducts with fibrous tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells was also recorded. Investigation of bacteria revealed 90 aerobic isolates; they were identified to 52 (57.8%) gram positive cocci, 20 (22.2%) gram positive rods and 18 (20.0%) gram negative rods. Staphylococcus spp. (41.1%), Corynebacterium spp. (17.9%) and Streptococcus spp. (13.3%) were the most frequently identified bacteria involved in liver abscesses of camels in the region. Further studies are required to assess the pathogenicity of bacterial isolates from camel livers. This is particularly important from a public health perspective, since some people of Sudan are known to consume raw camel liver.

Keywords: Aerobic bacterial; Dromedary camels; Liver abscesses; Pathology; Sudan.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Gross appearance of a liver showing encapsulated abscess with a thick capsule.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Gross appearance of surface of liver showing multiple calcified encapsulated abscesses.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A cut section in liver showing onion shape abscess (Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis was isolated).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
A cut section in a large liver abscess showing white creamy pus and a thick capsule.
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
Histopathological section of liver abscess showing central necrotic area and infiltration of inflammatory cells surrounded by fibrous capsule. H&Ex40.
Fig. 6
Fig. 6
Histopathological section of liver abscess showing hydropic degeneration with swelling hepatocytes comprising the sinusoid. H&Ex40.
Fig. 7
Fig. 7
Histopathological section of liver abscess showing proliferation of bile duct with fibrous connective tissue and infiltration of inflammatory cells. H&Ex40.
Fig. 8
Fig. 8
Histopathological section of liver abscess showing different size of vacuoles in the hepatic cells. H&Ex40.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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