Pathological studies on Campylobacter jejuni and C. coli isolated from diarrheic camel - calves

A total of 200 internal organs [intestine, liver, spleen and mesenteric lymph node] were collected from slaughtered camel-calves aged 14-18 months at slaughtered houses in Cairo and Giza; diarrheic camel-calves [150] and apparently healthy camel-calves [50]. All samples were investigated bacteriologically to detected Campylobacter species. The positive samples were examined histopathalogically. The results of bacteriological studies were recovered, 37 [20%] were positive for the infection with C. jejuni and C. coli, while 10 [5%] were positive for the apparent healthy cases. The isolation rate of C. jejuni in the diarrheic calves was [15.33%] and [14%] from apparently healthy cases, while the rates of isolated C. coli were 7[4.66%] and 3[6%] respectively. No isolation can be detected for both microorganisms in the mesenteric lymph node, meanwhile, the higher rate of C. jejuni and C. coli isolate was from the intestine 18[30%], 5[8.33%], then 7[23.33%], 2[6.66%] from the liver of diarrheic and apparently healthy cases. The isolate rate of C. jejuni was 5[16.66%], 2[20%] from the spleen of diarrheic and apparently healthy calves. The histopathalogical examination revealed cryptitis, destruction and degeneration of intestinal covering in the cases which affected with C. coli. Necrosis of intestinal glands, surfac erosion and proliferation of cryptal enterocytes with the presence of bacteria in the apical destructed cells at the tip of epithelial covering were detected from C. jejuni affected cases, while a marked hyperplasia of enterocytes, resulting in distortion of normal architecture of tightly packed proliferating enterocytes were noticed in C. jejuni and C. coli infected cases. The liver revealed hepatic necrosis with inflammatory cell aggregations, also the spleen showed a pronounced follicular depletion with necrosis in the cases which suffered a mixed infection of both bacteria. Finally, this study indicated that camel-calves are reservoir of human infection with Campylobacter infection. This study can provide a basis for the development of specific needs of public health inspection involved in protecting and promoting food safety