Pathological studies on camelpox lesions of the respiratory system in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Three dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius), which died from generalized camelpox with lesions in the respiratory system, were investigated. Histopathological lesions in the lung consisted of small, sometimes confluent foci of proliferated bronchial epithelium, necrosis and fibrosis. Orthopoxvirus cameli was demonstrated in all three cases by transmission electron microscopy and the virus was isolated from the lung and trachea on Dubca cells. It was proved by restriction enzyme analysis of the viral DNA that the isolates were identical. Immunohistochemical examination showed numerous poxvirus antigen-positive cells in the bronchial epithelia. Immunolabelled material was found in bronchial epithelial cells with hydropic degeneration and in infiltrating macrophages.