A. Kassab

Computed Tomography and Cross-Sectional Anatomy of the Metatarsus and Digits of the One-humped Camel ( Camelus dromedarius) and Buffalo ( Bos bubalis)

The purpose of the present study was to provide a detailed computed tomography (CT) and cross‐sectional anatomic reference of the normal metatarsus and digits for the camel and buffalo, as well as to compare between metatarsus and digits in these animals to outstand a basis for diagnosis of their diseases. Advantages, including depiction of detailed cross‐sectional anatomy, improved contrast resolution and computer reformatting, make it a potentially valuable diagnostic technique. The hind limbs of 12 healthy adult camel and buffalo were used. Clinically relevant anatomic structures were identified and labelled at each level in the corresponding images (CT and anatomic slices). CT images were used to identify the bony and soft tissue structures of the metatarsus and digits. The knowledge of normal anatomy of the camel and buffalo metatarsus and digits would serve as initial reference to the evaluation of CT images in these species.

Morphology of Blood Cells, Liver and Spleen of the Desert Tortoise (Testudo graeca)

The morphological characteristics of peripheral blood cells, the anatomical structure of the liver and spleen were examined in desert tortoise. Forty healthy adult Testudo graeca tortoises, 20 females and 20 males were selected for this study. The tortoises were given thorough examination, and a blood sample was collected from the heart by cardiocentesis. The Wright staining method was used for classification of the blood cells. Seven different types of blood cells were determined: erythrocytes, heterophils, eosinophils, basophils, lymphocytes, monocytes and thrombocytes. Mature erythrocytes of captive Testudo graeca were nucleated ellipsoidal cells. Erythrocytes measurements for males were (length 18.76 ± 2.81 � mwidth 9.52 ± 2.23 � m) and for females were (length 19.19 ± 2.90 � mwidth 9.84 ± 2.50 � m). The heterophil contain large, eosinophilic, ovoid, cytoplasmic granules with eccentric nucleus. The eosinophil is distinguished by its round, eosinophilic cytoplasmic granules and the nucleus is round to oval, single or bi-lobed, and eccentrically placed within the cytoplasm. The basophil was easily identified by its deeply stained purple, large, round granules that remained tightly adhered to the centrally located nucleus. The lymphocyte contained a small amount of blue staining cytoplasm and a round nucleus with a fine reticular pattern. The monocyte contains a large amount of light blue- gray, finely granular or vacuolated cytoplasm, and an oval or indented nucleus. Thrombocytes were oval-shaped cells contained round, densely stained nucleus. The liver composed of two lobes, right and left which were connected with a narrow band of connective tissue. The parenchyma of the tortoise liver is seen to be composed of intersinusoidal cords of hepatocytes. The spleen grossly appeared as round or oval structure. The parenchyma (splenic pulp) formed of lymphoid tissue and is of two distinct types; white and red pulps. Overall, this study provides identification of the morphological characteristics of different peripheral blood cells of the tortoise Testudo graeca species as well as the anatomy of the liver and spleen, as a reference for future hematological studies of this species and may be used as a basis for comparison in clinical cases.

Occurrence of non-cerebral coenurosis in sheep

This study reports seven rare cases of non-cerebral coenurosis in sheep. The sheep were slaughtered in abattoirs of Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates) but originated from India, Iran, Oman and Sudan. The prevalence of infection with non-cerebral coenurosis was 0.008%. The locations of the cysts were the triceps brachii muscle, the diaphragm, the infraspinatus muscle of the shoulder, the muscles of the thigh and the abdomen, and the ommentum. The Coenurus cysts were surrounded by a fibrous, semi-opaque membrane, cloudy white in colour. Altogether, 12 cysts were recovered and all contained a single bladderworm. Cysts had a volume of 7.3 ± 1.30 cm3 (ml), with 7.3 ± 4.0 clusters of scolices, and an average number of scolices 75.3 ± 24.4. These features in sheep were similar to those reported for non-cerebral Coenurus cysts in goats. No cysts were found in the brain or spinal cord of any of the infected sheep. No clinical evidence of non-cerebral coenurosis had been recorded during the antemortem veterinary inspection of the infected sheep.

Ultrasonographic and Macroscopic Anatomy of the Enucleated Eyes of the Buffalo (Bos bubalis) and the One‐Humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius) of Different Ages

With 1 figure and 2 tables

The Normal Anatomical, Radiographical and Ultrasonographic Appearance of the Carpal Region of One-humped Camel (Camelus dromedarius)

The macroscopic, radiographic and ultrasonographic anatomy of the carpal region of eight clinically normal camels (Camelus dromedarius) was determined with the help of a 7.5‐MHz linear transducer. At the dorsal aspect of the carpus and distal radius, the extensor carpi radialis, extensor digitorum communis and extensor digitorum lateralis tendons were easily identified. The ulnaris lateralis tendon was observed laterally. The extensor carpi obliqus tendon was identified with difficulty. At the palmar aspect, the flexor carpi radialis, the flexor digitorum superficialis and the flexor digitorum profundus tendons were observed. Other soft structures examined include the lateral collateral ligament and the medial collateral ligament. Ultrasonographic findings correlated with gross anatomy in the dissected limbs. The results of the present study serve as reference data for ultrasonographic investigation of disorders of camel carpus.

Characteristics of non-cerebral coenurosis in tropical goats

The epidemiological, clinical, and biochemical profile of non-cerebral coenurosis in goats and the morphological characteristics of the responsible metacestodes (cysts) were examined in a cross-sectional survey of slaughtered goats in abattoirs of the United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) originating from Abu Dhabi and various tropical countries. The age, country of origin, and location of each cyst in the body of goats were recorded. Blood samples collected from infected and matching healthy goats were subjected to biochemical analysis. Data on the morphological characteristics of the cysts as well as the clusters, scoleces, and rostellar hooks in one cyst from each affected carcass were collected. The data collected were subjected to statistical analysis. A total of 2,284 slaughtered goats were examined and 40 goats were diagnosed as infected with non-cerebral coenurus cysts. The prevalence of non-cerebral coenurosis was 1.75% and the degree of parasite aggregation (k) was 0.003, which is indicative of overdispersion (k<1). The only abnormalities observed in the infected goats were palpation of large single cysts in thigh muscles and higher serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) value. A total of 76 non-cerebral coenurus cysts from 14 different body locations were collected. No cysts were found in the brain or spinal cord. Cysts located in psoas muscles had on average significantly bigger volumes and higher numbers of scoleces and clusters compared to cysts located in other body parts (P-value=0.000). Significant differences in the morphometric measurements of the rostellar hooks were observed between cysts found in goats from different countries of origin (P-value<0.05) perhaps due to initial steps of allopatric speciation by geographic isolation. A significant positive correlation was found between number of scoleces and volume of cysts (b=6.37>5; R-Sq=89.4%; P-value=0.000) and between number of clusters and number of scoleces (b=25.13>1; R-Sq=79.8%; P-value=0.000) indicative of following a positive allometric growth as well as between number of clusters and volume of cysts (b=0.25<0.5; R-Sq=69.4%; P-value=0.000) indicative of following a negative allometric growth. The biological significance of the observed allometries is not known, but perhaps for evolutionary reasons the parasite is investing its resources more on the growth of scoleces, less on the growth of cyst volume, and even less on the number of clusters.