Case Study
- 5 years female racing camel in Dubai, UAE.
- History of blood transfusion two weeks ago.
- High temperature 39 ̊
- Off food, lethargy.
Blood sample
A blood sample had been collected from jaguar vein in plain and EDTA test tubes and send to the Camula Vet Lab (Al Lisaili – Dubai – UAE).
Blood tests:
A direct blood smear from EDTA tube had been prepared for microscopically examination under oil emersion lens by Giemsa stain.
Haematological parameters had been tested using full automated analyser (Advia2120i – Siemens).
Results:
Trypanosoma evansi had been diagnosed as show in the picture at the end of text.
The CBC profile shows high haematological parameters accompanied by high white blood cells with Neutrophilia as shown in the below table.
Test |
Result |
Flag |
Normal range |
Unit |
RBC |
12.37 |
High |
7 – 11 |
106/µl |
Hb |
20.8 |
High |
11 – 16 |
g/dl |
HCT |
41.3 |
High |
25 – 33 |
% |
MCV |
33.4 |
Normal |
26 – 35 |
Fl |
MCH |
16.8 |
Normal |
12 – 17 |
Pg |
MCHC |
50.4 |
High |
40 – 50 |
g/dl |
RDW |
32.2 |
Normal |
30 – 33 |
% |
PLT |
88 |
Low |
150 – 500 |
103/µl |
MPV |
8.2 |
High |
4 – 8 |
Fl |
PCT |
0.07 |
Low |
0.1 – 0.3 |
% |
WBC |
16.7 |
High |
8 – 16 |
103/µl |
NEUT |
73 |
High |
30 – 70 |
% |
LYMPH |
23.5 |
Low |
30 – 45 |
% |
MONO |
2.3 |
Normal |
2 – 8 |
% |
EOS |
0.4 |
Normal |
0 – 6 |
% |
BASO |
0.8 |
Normal |
0 – 1 |
% |
Interpretations:
Most researched approved that Trypanosomiasis causes anemia in camels. In this case study the camel has high hematological parameters as results of blood transfusion (around 2L). I supposed that the blood from donor camels was infected by T. evansi and caused parasitemia.
Notes:
There is no published researches about the effect of blood transfusion on the performance of racing camels.
There is no evidence about immunological reaction after blood transfusion in racing camels.
Most of camels that has high hematological parameters has hemolysis.
Recommendation:
Further immunological and hematological studies on blood transfusion in racing camels.
Blood samples had been tested by Dr. Mohamed Lamloum.
