The first molecular investigation of Lawsonia intracellularis in dromedary camels

Lawsonia intracellularis is an obligate intracellular bacterium that causes proliferative enteropathy in pigs and horses. Although infection with prompt clinical findings is only reported in few species, the broad range of hosts has been documented for this organism. The aim of the present research was to investigate the possible presence, and occurrence of L. intracellularis in dromedary camels. Crude DNA was extracted from 95 faecal samples and was subsequently subjected to a specific and sensitive nested-PCR assay. Overall, three samples (3.1%) were shown to carry L. intracellularis. This represents the first report of L. intracellularis infection in dromedary camels. The result of this study indicates that this organism has been evolved to infect wide range of hosts, but the host preferences, pathogenic capacities and species-specificity of this organism need to be explored in different animal species.