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In human, mice and different veterinary species, T cells are subdivided into phenotypically different subpopulations based on their expressed T cell receptor and cell specific surface markers. As no data were available regarding the existence of T cell subpopulations in the peripheral blood of dromedary camels, the current study aimed at the identification of camel blood T cell subpopulations and the analysis of their adhesion molecules expression patterns. Using monoclonal antibodies crossreactive with camel CD antigens, camel blood WC1-positive T cells and CD4- positive αβ T cells and their expression pattern of adhesion molecules were identified by flow cytometry. Under camel CD4-positive T cells, a major fraction (83%) with naïve phenotype (CD4+ CD11alo CD44lo) and minor fraction (13%) with effector phenotype (CD4+ CD11ahi CD44hi) were identified. In addition, the analysis of age related effects on the proportion of lymphocyte subsets indicates that camels belong to the T cell high species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) causes Johne's disease in ruminants. This study aimed to investigate Mycobacterium paratuberculosis infection in clinically infected camels on the immunological, conventional bacteriological, and molecular biological basis., Materials and Methods: A total of 30 Arabian camels ( Camelus dromedarius ) were examined in this study. The camels were suffering from signs ranging from mild to severe infections (that did not respond to antibiotic treatment) to chronic or intermittent diarrhea. Camels were grouped into three groups based on their age, sex, and breed. Detection of anti-MAP antibodies in camels' serum, Ziehl-Neelsen (ZN) staining technique on rectal scraps, direct recognition of MAP in stool and tissue specimens by IS900 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay, and finally isolation and molecular description of MAP from fecal and tissue samples were carried out., Results: Five MAP isolates were recovered from these investigated camel samples giving an isolation rate of 16.6%, while eight camels were identified by PCR (26.6%). Five camels yielded MAP in their feces by ZN fecal staining (16.6%), whereas ELISA detected anti-MAP antibodies in nine camels only (30%)., Conclusion: From the obtained results, we concluded that the gold standard for the diagnosis of MAP is the culture method despite its limitations. Molecular diagnosis (PCR) could be a useful tool in the identification of truly positive and negative camels; however, great care should be given regarding the primers specificity and sensitivity.

The etiology of Crohn's disease (CD) has drawn heated controversy in the literature. Compelling evidence in the literature has accumulated lately that could incriminate the Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP), the well-known agent of John's disease in cattle. The evidence is isolation of the organism or its DNA and RNA, detection of the anti-MAP antibodies in Crohn's patients, increasing incidents of CD in areas close to the cattle pastures, and the possibility of treating the disease with the antibiotics. The group that favors the immune dysregulation theory considered this evidence circumstantial due to the variations in these reports. The treatment of CD with humanized anti-tumor necrosis factor-alpha antibodies is considered great endorsement to the immune dysregulation theory. The endless debate could jeopardize public health rather than bring a final solution. Reconciliation between the 2 theories appears inevitable in view of possible classification of this disease as a zoonotic.