Circulating oxidative stress status in dromedary camels infested with sarcoptic mange

Area of Science:

• Veterinary Medicine
• Parasitology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• Oxidative stress arises from an imbalance between free radical production and scavenging, leading to tissue damage.
• Sarcoptic mange, caused by Sarcoptes scabiei, is a significant parasitic infestation affecting camels (Camelus dromedaries).

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate oxidative stress indices in the blood of camels naturally infested with Sarcoptes scabiei.
• To determine the relationship between the severity of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation and oxidative stress markers in camels.

Main Methods:

• Forty-seven dromedary camels were categorized into mild, moderate, severe Sarcoptes scabiei infestation, and healthy control groups.
• Blood samples were analyzed for red blood cell count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, serum nitric oxide, ascorbate, albumin, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyls, glutathione, superoxide dismutase, and catalase.

Main Results:

• Camels with moderate and severe infestations showed decreased red blood cell count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume, albumin, and ascorbate compared to controls.
• Nitric oxide, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyls were elevated in infested camels, increasing with infestation severity.
• Antioxidant levels (glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase) were reduced in moderate and severe infestations.

Conclusions:

• Dromedary sarcoptic mange induces a state of oxidative stress in camels.
• The severity of oxidative stress correlates positively with the extent of Sarcoptes scabiei infestation.
• Oxidative stress may play a role in the pathogenesis of camel sarcoptic mange.