Breaking new ground: First report of integrating clinical, hematobiochemical, sonographic, and pathological findings in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) with hepatic fibrosis

Mohamed Tharwat^1,2*Hazem Elmoghazy²Mohie Mohie Haridy²

• ¹Department of Veterinary Medicine, College of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine, Qassim University, buraydah, Saudi Arabia
• ²Qassim University, Buraydah, Saudi Arabia

This study characterizes the clinical, hematobiochemical, ultrasonographic, and histopathological features of hepatic fibrosis in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius). Sixteen affected female camels presenting with inappetence, weight loss, and discolored urine were compared with eleven healthy controls. Affected camels exhibited signs of chronic illness, including leukocytosis, neutrophilia, anemia, elevated alkaline phosphatase, and hyperglobulinemia. Ultrasonography showed increased hepatic echogenicity, nodular parenchymal patterns, vascular indistinctness, and peritoneal effusion. Histopathology confirmed portal and bridging fibrosis, biliary hyperplasia, hepatocellular atrophy, Kupffer cell hyperplasia, and inflammatory infiltration. Parasitic structures observed in some samples suggest a potential etiological role. These findings provide the first comprehensive description of hepatic fibrosis in dromedaries, highlighting the importance of a multimodal diagnostic approach.