Biochemical and histopathological studies of sarcopticosis in camel (Camelus dromedarius)

A total of 18 camels (10 diseased and 8 apparently healthy; irrespective of sex, age and breed) suffering from sarcopticosis were included in the present study. The general condition of mangy camels was poor with variable degrees of emaciation. Microscopically, there were presence of minute cavities, filled with debris and mononuclear cells in the epidermis occasionally extended into the dermis. The epidermis showed hyperkeratosis and acanthosis. The inflammatory cells were also present around the blood vessels and the affected follicles contained mites, keratinous debris along with cellular infiltration. The mean ± SE values for copper, cobalt, iron, manganese and zinc in mangy camels were 98.1 ± 6.23; 13.3 ± 1.19; 150.5 ± 12.24; 17.1 ± 1.18 and 85.4 ± 5.52 μg/dl, respectively, where as these values for healthy camels were 93.25 ± 5.88; 14.87 ± 1.38; 149.75 ± 5.88; 19.0 ± 1.64 and 153.37 ± 12.96 μg/dl, respectively. Out of these parameters only serum zinc showed significant variation (P<0.05) between the mangy and healthy camels.