Integrative analysis of genetic, biochemical, and microbial factors in camel calf diarrhea

Abstract

Diarrhea, though a clinical symptom, poses a major veterinary concern in camel calves due to high morbidity, mortality, growth retardation, and economic losses. This study investigated key bacterial enteropathogens, coding mutations, gene expression, and serum biochemical/antioxidant profiles in 35 healthy and 35 diarrheic camel calves. Fecal analysis using multiplex PCR identified Salmonella spp., Clostridium perfringens, Proteus spp., and Escherichia coli with distinct virulence genes (e.g., papC, eaeA, iutA, hilA, sopB, plc, ureC). Diarrheic calves showed significant upregulation of immune-related genes (IL-8, IL-17, TLR4, TNFα, PIN1, IER3, UBD, TECPR1) and downregulation of antioxidant markers (PRDX2, SOD3, CAT, Nrf2), alongside sequence variations. Biochemically, diarrheic calves exhibited elevated serum AST, ALT, ALP, urea, creatinine, potassium, and MDA, with reduced glucose, total protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium, chloride, and SOD. These findings highlight the multifactorial etiology of diarrhea, linking bacterial virulence with metabolic and oxidative stress alterations, providing insights for targeted prevention and therapeutic strategies in camel herds.