SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALveterinary medicine, animal science

cross-sectional·veterinary medicine, animal science, parasitology, reproductive biology·PMC10763322

Camel filariasis (Dipetalonema evansi) and its association with clinical balanoposthitis with reference to prominent changes in clinical findings, serum testosterone, semen analysis, and testicular histopathology

BMC Veterinary Research · 8 authors, 8 centres

AI SUMMARY

POPULATION250 mature male dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius), aged 6–10 years, from private farms in Assiut and Aswan governorates, Egypt

INTERVENTIONClinical examination, hematological and biochemical analysis, semen analysis, skin scraping for ticks, and testicular histopathology

COMPARISONHealthy control group (Cont^gr^; n=30) vs. only balanoposthitis without filariasis group (OnlyBp^gr^; n=210) vs. balanoposthitis-filariasis infected group (BpFl^gr^; n=10)

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TL;DR

This study of 250 male camels found that balanoposthitis with filariasis (BpFl^gr^) caused more severe clinical, hematological, and hormonal changes than balanoposthitis alone (OnlyBp^gr^). Testicular histopathology was superior to blood smear for diagnosing adult filaria, as all filariasis cases were negative for microfilaria on diurnal blood smear. Strong correlations were observed between serum testosterone, cortisol, and semen quality, with higher testosterone linked to better sperm vitality and lower abnormalities.

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**Background:** Camel filariasis caused by Dipetalonema evansi is a significant parasitic disease in dromedary camels, leading to various clinical syndromes including fever, lethargy, dermal lesions, and reproductive issues such as orchitis and balanoposthitis. The study aimed to clarify the diagnostic value of clinical findings, serum testosterone, semen analysis, blood smear, and testicular histopathology in differentiating between male camels with only balanoposthitis (OnlyBp^gr^) and those with balanoposthitis associated with filariasis (BpFl^gr^). Additionally, the association between tick infestation severity and the occurrence of these conditions was investigated.

**Methods:** A total of 250 mature male camels (aged 6–10 years, body weight 650–740 kg) from private farms in Assiut and Aswan, Egypt, were studied during the breeding season (December to March). Based on clinical, laboratory, and histopathological findings, camels were classified into three groups: healthy control (Cont^gr^; n=30), only balanoposthitis without filariasis (OnlyBp^gr^; n=210), and balanoposthitis with filariasis (BpFl^gr^; n=10). Clinical parameters (temperature, pulse, respiration, rumen movements, appetite score, rumen filling score [RFS], manure digestion score [MDS], manure condition score [MCS]) were assessed. Complete blood picture indices (RBCs, Hb, PCV, TLC, DLC) were measured. Serum testosterone and cortisol were analyzed using ELISA and radioimmunoassay, respectively. Epididymal sperm were collected to assess sperm vitality (eosin-nigrosin stain) and morphological abnormalities. Skin scrapings were examined for live ticks, graded as + (1–10), ++ (10–100), or +++ (>100). Testicular histopathology was performed on all balanoposthitis-affected camels (n=220) and 10 controls. Blood smears (wet, thin, thick, and Knott's concentration technique) were examined for microfilaria. Statistical analysis used ANOVA and Pearson correlation (p<0.05).

**Key Results:** Clinical findings: BpFl^gr^ showed significantly higher rectal temperature (40.16±0.74°C), pulse (44.77±3.08 beats/min), and respiration (33.07±4.02 breaths/min) compared to OnlyBp^gr^ (38.78±0.61°C, 40.62±4.11 beats/min, 24.88±3.29 breaths/min) and Cont^gr^ (37.37±0.43°C, 33.18±3.44 beats/min, 13.33±2.67 breaths/min) (p<0.05). Rumen movements, appetite score, RFS, MDS, and MCS were significantly lower in both diseased groups vs. control, but not different between OnlyBp^gr^ and BpFl^gr^. All diseased camels had orchitis and balanoposthitis. Hematology: BpFl^gr^ had significantly lower RBCs (6.61±1.34 x10^12/L), Hb (82.28±4.11 g/L), and PCV (0.32±0.02 L/L) vs. Cont^gr^ and OnlyBp^gr^ (p<0.05). Eosinophilia (12.51±3.29%) was present only in BpFl^gr^. TLC was elevated in both diseased groups vs. control. Microfilaria were not detected in any blood smear (0% prevalence). Hormones: Serum testosterone was significantly lower in OnlyBp^gr^ (2.80±0.49 ng/ml) and BpFl^gr^ (2.78±0.45 ng/ml) vs. Cont^gr^ (4.14±0.26 ng/ml) (p<0.05). Serum cortisol was significantly higher in BpFl^gr^ (68.79±7.41 nmol/L) vs. Cont^gr^ (35.97±4.55 nmol/L) and OnlyBp^gr^ (49.27±6.28 nmol/L) (p<0.05). Semen: Sperm vitality was significantly lower in OnlyBp^gr^ (40.70±5.14%) and BpFl^gr^ (38.82±4.38%) vs. Cont^gr^ (58.45±5.11%) (p<0.05). Sperm abnormalities were significantly higher in OnlyBp^gr^ (25.85±3.76%) and BpFl^gr^ (27.55±4.13%) vs. Cont^gr^ (17.23±2.4%) (p<0.05). Tick infestation: Cont^gr^ had no ticks; OnlyBp^gr^ had moderate infestation (++: 87±13 live ticks); BpFl^gr^ had severe infestation (+++: 188±42 live ticks) (p<0.05). Histopathology: In BpFl^gr^, adult D. evansi nematodes were detected in testicular arteries, with marked seminiferous tubule reduction, degenerating cells, interstitial edema, and inflammatory infiltration. OnlyBp^gr^ showed necrosis, atrophy, and incomplete spermatogenesis. Correlations: Serum testosterone was positively correlated with sperm vitality (r=0.75, p=5.30×10^-8) and negatively correlated with serum cortisol (r=-0.62, p=3.21×10^-5) and sperm abnormalities (r=-0.66, p=6.98×10^-6). Serum cortisol was positively correlated with sperm abnormalities (r=0.56, p=2.45×10^-4) and negatively with sperm vitality (r=-0.63, p=2.49×10^-5). Sperm vitality and abnormalities were negatively correlated (r=-0.71, p=7.25×10^-7).

**Clinical Implications:** This study demonstrates that balanoposthitis associated with D. evansi filariasis leads to more severe clinical, hematological, and hormonal alterations than balanoposthitis alone, including pronounced fever, tachycardia, anemia, eosinophilia, elevated cortisol, and reduced testosterone. Testicular histopathology is a superior diagnostic tool for detecting adult filaria compared to diurnal blood smear, which failed to identify any microfilaria. The strong correlations between testosterone, cortisol, and semen parameters highlight the impact of filariasis on male fertility. The higher tick infestation in filariasis-positive camels suggests ticks may play a role in transmission or disease severity. These findings underscore the need for histopathological examination in diagnosing camel filariasis and the importance of managing tick infestations to reduce disease burden.

PICO

PPOPULATION

250 mature male dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius), aged 6–10 years, from private farms in Assiut and Aswan governorates, Egypt

IINTERVENTION

Clinical examination, hematological and biochemical analysis, semen analysis, skin scraping for ticks, and testicular histopathology

OOUTCOME

Clinical findings (temperature, pulse, respiration, rumen movements, appetite score, RFS, MDS, MCS), complete blood picture, serum testosterone and cortisol, sperm vitality and abnormalities, tick infestation severity, and histopathological detection of adult filaria

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

veterinary medicine

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10763322

Camel filariasis (Dipetalonema evansi) and its association with clinical balanoposthitis with reference to prominent changes in clinical findings, serum testosterone, semen analysis, and testicular histopathology

BMC Veterinary Research

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ABSTRACT

Background Camel filariasis induced variable clinical syndromes characterized by fever, lethargy, localized dermal lesions, loss of condition, and testicular and scrotal swelling. The objective of the present work focused on clarifying the diagnostic importance of clinical findings, serum testosterone, and semen analysis as well as blood smear and testicular histopathology as a differential tool between only balanoposthitis without filariasis male camels group (OnlyBp gr ) and balanoposthitis-filariasis infected male camels group (BpFl gr ). The study also monitored the associations between the severity of ticks’ infestations in investigated male camels and the occurrence of balanoposthitis only or balanoposthitis with filariasis. Results and conclusions The study reported significant correlation between serum testosterone, serum cortisol, and sperm vitality and abnormalities percentages. The study included male camels ( n = 250) classified into three groups: healthy control group (Cont gr ; n = 30), OnlyBp gr ( n = 210), and BpFl gr ( n = 10). These male camels were clinically and laboratory examined, and skin scraping tests and testicular histopathology were conducted. The study confirmed the association of the changes in clinical findings, whole blood picture, serum testosterone, serum cortisol, and semen analysis, with OnlyBp gr and BpFl gr . These changes were more prominent in BpFl gr than in OnlyBp gr . Skin scraping test results revealed a higher severity of live ticks’ infestation in BpFl gr than in OnlyBp gr because, unlike OnlyBp gr , all camels in BpFl gr ( n = 10) were suffering from live ticks’ infestation. It also concluded the higher efficacy of histopathology of testicular tissues in male camels as a diagnostic tool for adult filaria in balanoposthitis-affected male camels than blood smear because all cases of camel filariasis in the current work were negative for microfilaria on microscopic examination of diurnal blood smear as well as testicular histopathology revealed detection of adult filaria in all camel filariasis associated with balanoposthitis. Strong correlation relationships were demonstrated between serum testosterone, serum cortisol, and semen analysis results. Positive correlations were reported between serum testosterone levels and sperm vitality percentages. However, negative correlations were stated between serum testosterone and each of serum cortisol and sperm abnormalities either in Cont gr , OnlyBp gr, or BpFl gr .

CITATION EXPORT

Arafat Khalphallah, Taher Al-Daek, Mahmoud Abdelhamid et al.. Camel filariasis (Dipetalonema evansi) and its association with clinical balanoposthitis with reference to prominent changes in clinical findings, serum testosterone, semen analysis, and testicular histopathology. BMC Veterinary Research. (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-023-03844-5

AUTHORS

8 · 8 CENTRES

Arafat Khalphallah, Taher Al-Daek, Mahmoud Abdelhamid, Enas Elmeligy, Sayed Fathi El-Hawari, Khaled A. Khesruf, Heba A. Nasr, Ragab H. Mohamed

1https://ror.org/01jaj8n65grid.252487.e0000 0000 8632 679XDivision of Internal Medicine, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526 Egypt
2https://ror.org/01wykm490grid.442523.60000 0004 4649 2039Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Omar Al-Mukhtar University, Al-bayda, 919 Libya
3https://ror.org/048qnr849grid.417764.70000 0004 4699 3028Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, 81528 Egypt
4https://ror.org/01jaj8n65grid.252487.e0000 0000 8632 679XVeterinary Teaching Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526 Egypt
5https://ror.org/00dn43547grid.412140.20000 0004 1755 9687Department of clinical studies, Collage of Veterinary Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
6https://ror.org/03mzvxz96grid.42269.3b0000 0001 1203 7853Department of Animal Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria
7https://ror.org/01jaj8n65grid.252487.e0000 0000 8632 679XDivision of Clinical Laboratory Diagnosis, Department of Animal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Assiut University, Assiut, 71526 Egypt
8https://ror.org/048qnr849grid.417764.70000 0004 4699 3028Department of Theriogenology, Obstetrics, and Artificial Insemination, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Aswan University, Aswan, 81528 Egypt