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Background and Aim: Mycoplasma infection in small ruminants is a serious problem in sheep and goat herds around the world. It is responsible for high economic losses and decreased animal productivity. This study aimed to highlight the clinical, histopathological, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), and molecular characterization of Mycoplasma species in sheep and goats in Menoufiya Governorate, Egypt. Materials and Methods: A total of 234 samples were collected; 104 samples were collected from pneumonic lung tissues from the abattoir, in addition, 10 and 20 samples collected from apparently and diseased sheep, respectively, and 40 and 60 samples were collected from apparently and diseased goats, respectively, which were subjected to isolation onto pleuropneumonia-like organism medium. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), histopathological examination, and determination of the MIC were also performed. Results: Of 104 samples of lung tissues showing pneumonic lesions, 56 (53.84%) were positive for Mycoplasma isolation. The positive isolation of Mycoplasma from 10 and 20 samples from apparently and diseased sheep was 30% and 40%, respectively as well as the positive isolation of Mycoplasma was 17% and 56.66% out of 40 and 60 apparently healthy and diseased field goat's cases, respectively. All the diseased sheep and goats showed respiratory manifestations, including cough, bilateral nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, and systemic reaction. Evaluation of the MIC for Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae revealed that lincospectin and tylosin were the most effective antibiotics at 2.5 μg/mL. Histopathological examination of affected lung tissue showed extensive hemorrhagic pneumonia with extensive alveolar hemorrhage. The PCR technique proved to be a rapid, specific, and sensitive method for the detection of M. ovipneumoniae and Mycoplasma arginini at 390 and 326 bp, respectively. Conclusion: M. ovipneumoniae and M. arginini were the most prevalent species associated with respiratory infections in sheep and goats in the study area. Further studies are needed to investigate the role of these species in dissemination of the disease within herds of small ruminants.

No previous records in the available literature about the cutaneous mast cell tumors in golden hamster. Two male golden hamsters with cutaneous lumps were brought to the Institute of Veterinary Pathology of Justus Leibig University of Giessen, Germany for diagnositic examination. Cutaneous lumps were taken and processed for histological, histochemical and immunohistochemical examination. Numerous oval and polygonal tumor cells with high mitotic count and basophilic metachromatic granules were observed; while the superjacent epidermis and adnexes were normal. Many unevenly proliferating cells showed positive proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) reaction and positive chymase activity. The reactions were negative to gene encoding KIT (c-Kit), Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and tryptase. These results indicated a well- differentiated grade I subcutaneous mast cell tumor. The results are discussed in relation to subcutaneous mast cell tumors in canines.

The mammalian lacrimal gland secretes an aqueous solution in which different chemical substances are present, including proteins and carbohydrates. The histochemical investigations on characterization of camel lacrimal secretion are limited. This study aimed to determine the histochemical properties of the dromedary camel lacrimal gland. Glandular samples of twenty healthy adult camels of both sexes were collected at Omdurman slaughterhouse, Sudan. The camel lacrimal gland was compound with tubulo-acinar mixed secretory units, having serous and mucous cells. Best’s carmine reactionwas negative, whereas a strong positive reaction to periodic acid-Schiff's (PAS) diastase resistant was observed in most of the secretory units; the reactions to alcian blue (AB pH 2.5) and aldehyde fuchsin (AF) were strong in the glandular tubules and weak or negative in the acini. Goblet cells in the epithelium of the interlobular ducts were strongly PAS, AB pH2.5 and AF positive.Both acini and tubules showed positive reactions to acid and alkaline phosphatases especially in their apical parts. These results suggest that the predominant acini secretion was serous which contained mainly neutral mucopolysaccharides, whereas the tubules secretion was mucous thatcontained sulfated and carboxylated acid mucopolysaccharides. Moreover, the different staining properties of the camel lacrimal secretion reflect various physiological functions.

Unlike other domestic animals the dromedary camel (Camelusdromedarius) lacks the lacrimal puncta, and hence, the lacrimal secretion function seems to be confined to the washing and moistening of the anterior surface of the eyeball. This study was conducted with the aim of studying the histological structure of the lacrimal gland of the dromedary camel. The study was performed on lacrimalglandsoffifteen animals obtained from Omdurman slaughter house, Khartoum, Sudan. The results revealed that the lacrimal gland was lobulated compound tubuloacinar with clusters of serous secretory end-pieces which were lined by a simple cuboidal epithelium of pyramidal cells. The dense connective tissue capsule sent connective tissue septa which divided the gland into lobes and lobules. The intralobular ducts were lined by simple columnar epithelium, whereas the interlobular and excretory ducts were lined by stratified columnar or pseudo-stratified columnar epithelium rich in goblet cells, melanin granules and lymphatic infiltration. The lymphocytes were replaced by a well-defined ring of lymphatic nodules around the conjunctival end of the excretory duct. The watery lacrimal secretion is suggested to be helpful in washing and moistening activitiesof the anterior part of the eyeball which is important in the camel dry, hot and dusty environment. Moreover, the increased diffuse and nodular lymphaticsin the excretory ducts might be due toincreased immune response along the draining duct. Keywords: Lacrimal gland,Dromedary Camel, Histology.

Introduction: The efferent ductules that arise from rete testis convey spermatozoa from the testis to the epididymis. Seasonal studies on morphological and immunohistochemical characteristics of camel reproductive organs are rare. This study aimed to elucidate the morphometric changes and immunoreactivities of S-100 and alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in dromedary camel efferent ductules during rutting (reproductive) and non-rutting (non-reproductive) seasons. Methods: Simple (proximal part) and pseudo-stratified (distal part) columnar epithelium lined the efferent ductules, which contained ciliated and non-ciliated cells that gave the epithelial lining its wavy shape. Results: The epithelium was significantly higher and stereocilia were insignificantly longer during non-breeding season as compared to breeding season. There was a significant increase in luminal diameter and muscular coat thickness during breeding season. The epithelium of proximal and distal segments as well as smooth muscles and surrounding connective tissue exhibited positive S-100 reactions during breeding and non-breeding seasons; this reaction was stronger in breeding season than non-breeding season. The epithelial cell reaction was negative or very weak to α-SMA during breeding and non-breeding seasons, whereas smooth muscle and surrounding connective tissue showed positive reaction which was stronger in breeding season. Conclusion: In conclusion, S-100 and α-SMA show seasonal morphometric and immunoreactivities variations in camel efferent ductules; these variations could be associated with the physiological condition during breeding and non-breeding seasons.