Recent Advances in Dromedary Camels and Their Products

Dromedary camels or, more specifically, one-humped camels (Camelus dromedarius), are described as having a high productive potential, and for centuries, they have been used by people (namely nomads) in arid and hot regions as multipurpose animals for physical labor, transport, the production of milk, meat, wool, hair, and skin, and for racing and tourism [...]

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus infection in camelids

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is the cause of a severe respiratory disease with a high case fatality rate in humans. Since its emergence in mid-2012, 2578 laboratory-confirmed cases in 27 countries have been reported by the World Health Organization, leading to 888 known deaths due to the disease and related complications. Dromedary camels are considered the major reservoir host for this virus leading to zoonotic infection in humans. Dromedary camels, llamas, and alpacas are susceptible to MERS-CoV, developing a mild-to-moderate upper respiratory tract infection characterized by epithelial hyperplasia as well as infiltration of neutrophils, lymphocytes, and some macrophages within epithelium, lamina propria, in association with abundant viral antigen. The very mild lesions in the lower respiratory tract of these camelids correlate with absence of overt illness following MERS-CoV infection. Unfortunately, there is no approved antiviral treatment or vaccine for MERS-CoV infection in humans. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop intervention strategies in camelids, such as vaccination, to minimize virus spillover to humans. Therefore, the development of camelid models of MERS-CoV infection is key not only to assess vaccine prototypes but also to understand the biologic mechanisms by which the infection can be naturally controlled in these reservoir species. This review summarizes information on virus-induced pathological changes, pathogenesis, viral epidemiology, and control strategies in camelids, as the intermediate hosts and primary source of MERS-CoV infection in humans.

Homogeneity of Arabian Peninsula dromedary camel populations with signals of geographic distinction based on whole genome sequence data

Dromedary camels in the Arabian Peninsula distribute along different geographical and ecological locations, e.g. desert, mountains and coasts. Here, we are aiming to explore the whole genome sequence data of ten dromedary populations from the Arabian Peninsula to assess their genetic structure, admixture levels, diversity and similarity indices. Upon including reference dromedary and Bactrian camel populations from Iran and Kazakhstan, we characterise inter-species and geographic genetic distinction between the dromedary and the Bactrian camels. Individual-based alpha genetic diversity profiles are found to be generally higher in Bactrian camels than dromedary populations, with the exception of five autosomes (NC_044525.1, NC_044534.1, NC_044540.1, NC_044542.1, NC_044544.1) at diversity orders (q ≥ 2). The Arabian Peninsula camels are generally homogenous, with a small degree of genetic distinction correlating with three geographic groups: North, Central and West; Southwest; and Southeast of the Arabian Peninsula. No significant variation in diversity or similarity indices are observed among the different Arabian Peninsula dromedary populations. This study contributes to our understanding of the genetic diversity of Arabian Peninsula dromedary camels. It will help conserve the genetic stock of this species and support the design of breeding programmes for genetic improvement of favorable traits.

Influence of new feeding technology of milk dromedary camels on their dairy productivity

The research aims to determine the influence of the new technology of feeding dromedary female camels on their dairy productivity. Milk camels of the I control group were kept in conditions of pasture with supplementary feeding of 3 kg of wheat bran, milk camels of the II experimental group, in addition to the main diet - pasture forage, received additional feeding with 3 kg of concentrated feed, consisting (wt.%): a mixture of grain waste - 50, cotton husk - 10, wheat - 25 and barley - 15 with a total nutritional value of 1.0 feed units, 9.46 megajoule of metabolizable energy and 90.5 g of digestible protein. Studies have shown that the dairy productivity of experimental groups of milk female camels gradually increases from the beginning of the lactation period. For 12 months of the lactation period, the dairy productivity of dairy camels in the control group was 2995.3 liters, in the II experimental group - 3236.2 liters in the III experimental group - 3467.9 liters. The average fat content of camel milk from sucking dromedary female camels, depending on the level of feeding, averages 4.22-4.39%.

Antibodies to Bluetongue, Akabane and Schmallenberg viruses in native dromedary camels in Turkey

Sera from 86 Turkish native camels from seven provinces in Turkey were collected and tested for specific antibodies to Bluetongue virus (BTV), Akabane virus (AKAV) and Schmallenberg virus (SBV) using ELISA. The BTV, AKAV and SBV antibodies were found in 53.5%, 51.2% and 15.1%, respectively. Furthermore, the seropositivity for multiple infection was the highest for dual infection with AKAV and BTV (25.6%), followed by triple seropositivity (9.3%). These findings indicated that BTV, AKAV and SBV circulate in camels in Turkey at a relatively high rate, and that an active surveillance program is needed for the management and tracing the dynamics of these infections in the Turkish camel population.