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Among the mammals domesticated by humans for their needs, the dromedary, which is a versatile animal, is used for the production of milk, meat, wool and skin, as well as for sports, tourism and transport. However, knowledge about the breeding and feeding of this animal is limited. The objective of this work is to synthesize previous works on the breeding and feeding of camels in Algeria. The results show that the main farming systems are transhumant, sedentary and nomadic. In addition, the diet of the dromedary is based on different types of Saharan routes and constitutes the main element upon which an extensive camel breeding system is based. Thus, for a better valorization of this species, further studies on the diet and breeding methods of camels are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many countries around the world, camel milk is a healthy food used to treat many health issues including diabetes. Thus, it has been demonstrated from several studies in vivo that the consumption of camel milk either fresh or fermented could have a positive effect on certain diseases and metabolic disorders such as hypercholesterolemia and hypertension. Furthermore, lactic cultures from camel milk have also been tested for the action of some active proteins or probiotic and have shown encouraging results. The objective of this work is to synthesize the data related to the benefits of camel milk and its effect on the regulation of glycemia. More in-depth studies should be carried out on humans, in order to confirm the effect of camel milk on glycemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Camel meat is considered as good source of nutrition, its taste and texture are similar to that of cattle and has an amino acid content ten times higher than that of the latter. Moreover, its consumption is very low and the manufacture and marketing of cameline meat products are very neglected. The objective of this work is to promote camel's meat and the derived products from it. Thus, the industry sector should launch and invest in the production of large ranges of camel meat, in order to meet consumer demands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate first the bacterial contamination by Enterobacteriaceae, fecal coliforms and the prevalence of Salmonella spp. and second to identify the main associated risk factors in Algerian farms, slaughterhouses and butcheries during a two-years period. Thus, a cross-sectional study was performed using a simple random sampling method to target 20 farms, 10 slaughterhouses and 5 butcheries. A structured questionnaire was further used to assess hygienic status of the farms and slaughterhouses. A total of 265 samples were collected from wall, floor, litter, food, water and animals' samples composed mainly of meat, neck skin and liver. Samples from walls and floors, from different sites were analyzed to evaluate the overall contamination and the hygiene of sites for Total viable bacteria, Enterobacteriaceae counts and Fecal coliforms counts. Furthermore, E.coli and salmonella spp. were identified in all samples. The overall contamination by sampling sites expressed as log10 CFU/g (mean ± SD) for Total Aerobic Microbial Count, Enterobacteriaceae count and fecal coliforms counts were around 4.71 ± 1.1, 4.73 ± 1.3 and 4.68 ± 1.2 respectively. The findings evidenced that the prevalence of E.coli and Salmonella spp. were 63.40% and 18.49% respectively. The highest rate of E.coli contamination was for poultry farms (70%), beef farms (64%) and butcheries (74.54%) followed by poultry meat slaughterhouses (60%) and sheep farms (48%) while beef slaughterhouses have the lowest rate of contamination (33.84%). For salmonella spp. the contamination was found to be mainly in poultry meat slaughterhouses (31.11%), butcheries (25.45%), followed by poultry farms (22%), beef farms (20%) and sheep farms (12%) while beef slaughterhouses have the lowest rate of contamination (4.61%). This study evidenced multifactor effects of microbial contamination in farms such as animal density, litter hygiene and scraping, manure storage, water and pest control, contact with other animals and decontamination process. Overall, this trial indicated a high rate of microbial contamination for which further studies are needed to determine all the potential risk factors in order to evaluate the corrective effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This book concludes that the preservation and the development of are a high priority to strengthen the exchange of information between experts of camel research sector. This book collects articles from the contributions presented at the 10th International Seminar of Veterinary Medicine: Camelids in Algeria and the Maghreb, held in Constantine, Algeria, at Université Frères Mentouri, Constantine 1, Institute of Veterinary Sciences, on 20-21 December 2022. [Extracted from the article]

Simple Summary: Dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius), or Arabian camels, are mainly widespread in arid regions from the east of Asia to the north of Africa. Many species of parasites/arthropods affect camels, including ticks, able to transmit pathogens to animals and humans. Authors investigated the presence of blood parasites in n = 93 camels with acute clinical signs and in n = 72 ticks collected from these camels in Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, United Arabian Emirates, through molecular techniques. All the 72 ticks collected were identified as Hyalomma dromedarii species and were found negative for pathogen DNA. DNA investigations on camel blood samples showed a positivity for tick-transmitted pathogens in 15 heads (16.1%): 15 Anaplasma phagocytophilum (11.8%), Coxiella burnetii (3.2%), and Babesia/Theileria spp. (2.1%). Coinfection of A. phagocytophiulm and C. burnetii was detected in a camel. C. burnetii sequences from our samples showed a high phylogenetic relatedness to strains from Europe, Africa, and Asia. The study represents the first molecular investigation on tick-borne pathogens in camels from United Arabian Emirates, and it highlights the possible risk of infection for humans working in close contact with camels. Camels represent an important resource for inhabitants of the most arid regions of the world and their survival is mainly related to environment conditions including the risk of parasitic diseases, which may represent a significant cause of losses in livestock production of these areas. Camels may be parasitized by several hematophagous arthropods, which can be vectors of several diseases including zoonosis. This study aimed to investigate in dromedary camels and their ticks the importance of tick-borne hemoparasites that might be responsible for a recent and obscure morbidity of camels in Al Dhafra region of Abu Dhabi, UAE. Blood samples and ticks from 93 naturally infected camels belonging to 36 herds, affected by variable acute clinical syndromes lasting from 3 to 5 days, were analyzed through molecular techniques for specific DNA presence of different blood pathogens: Anaplasmamarginale/Anaplasmaovis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Coxiella burnetii,Babesia spp., and Theileria spp. DNA. All the 72 ticks collected belonged to the Hyalomma dromedarii species and were negative for blood pathogens. n = 15 camels (16.1%) were found positive to the following tick-borne hemoparasites: A. phagocytophilum 11 (11.8%), Coxiella burnetii 3 (3.2%), and Babesia/Theileria spp. 2 (2.1%). One singular camel showed coinfection of C. burnetii and A. phagocytophiulm. Genetic profile of C. burnetii showed a high phylogenetic relatedness to European, Asian and African C. burnetii strains. This is the first laboratory investigation on tick-borne pathogens in camels in UAE, and the first report of A. phagocytophilum and C. burnetii. Moreover, since the detected pathogens are recognized pathogens for humans, this study highlights the zoonotic risk for humans working in camel husbandry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: During the last few decades, several protocols have been developed for assessing the on-farm welfare of several animal species. However, a protocol for camels has only recently been proposed. This study, for the first time, applied this assessment protocol and developed a model to compound overall welfare indices and classify pens according to their welfare level. The welfare measures were collected in 76 pens of a camel market in Qatar, scored, and then aggregated to obtain overall welfare indices. Thirst Index, Body Condition Score (BCS), disease and physical injuries, feeding and watering management, presence of a shelter, and cleanliness of bedding were the measures that strongly affected the classification of the pens. The model seemed to be able to identify the major welfare concerns of camels kept at the market and to suggest corrective actions. Further studies are needed to implement the proposed model, but it may be the first step towards the definition of welfare standards for camels. This study aimed to apply a protocol for assessing camel welfare, to develop a scoring system for the welfare measures, to produce overall assessment indices, and to classify the animal units (i.e., pens) according to their welfare level. A total of 105 measures were collected at Herd level from 76 pens at a market in Qatar. The pens held 528 camels, 132 of which were evaluated at a deeper level (i.e., Animal level). Out of the 105 measures, 71 were selected, scored, and aggregated to reach a Total Welfare Index (TWI) for each pen. The TWI ranged from 46.2 to 69.8. The Good Feeding index, including measures related to prolonged thirst and prolonged hunger, was the most critical (p < 0.001), while the Good Health index, including measures related to the absence of injuries, disease and pain, was the less problematic (p < 0.001). However, most of the pens were classified as "unsatisfactory" (61.8%) and none as "excellent". Body Condition Score (BCS), Thirst Index, disease and physical injuries, presence of a shelter, and cleanliness of bedding were the measures which influenced the pens' classification the most (p < 0.05). The proposed model seems useful in the identification of camel welfare issues. Further applications, as well as the involvement of many scientists and stakeholders, are needed to refine and validate the protocol and its indices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]