Abstract
This study aimed to shed light on the response of proinflammatory cytokines in camels with respiratory diseases and investigate their relationship with other immunological parameters like acute phase proteins (APPs), oxidant-antioxidant parameters, complement and immunoglobulins to explore their clinical importance as diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets for treating respiratory diseases. Forty she-camels (Camelus dromedarius) were used in this study. Twenty she-camels were experiencing respiratory signs in light of clinical examination and was considered as the diseased group. Another 20 she-camels were apparently healthy and served as control group. Blood samples were collected from both groups and were assayed for the selected biochemical and immunological parameters. The results showed that compared to control group, the diseased camels demonstrated significant increases in the pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-6 and TNF-α), acute phase proteins (fibrinogen, ceruloplasmin, haptoglobin and serum amyloid A), oxidative markers (malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide and nitric oxide), immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM), phagocytic activity and phagocytic index of neutrophils and serum elecrophoretic profiles ( total protein, alpha 1 globulins, alpha 2 globulins, beta globulins, gamma globulins and total globulin). On the other hand significant decreases were reported in the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10, complement 3, complement 4, serum enzymatic activities of the antioxidants (catalase, glutathione reductase and glutathione peroxidase), serum levels of albumin and A/G ratio. In conclusion, the study can document the importance of proinflammatory cytokines signaling in the development of respiratory diseases in camels and thus they can serve as prognostic and diagnostic markers for the disease. Further, their role as the main generator for the inflammatory response may rise their importance as therapeutic targets for treating the disease in camels. This study also suggests fibrinogen to be a more reliable diagnostic acute phase protein in camels suffering respiratory diseases.

Key words: Cytokine, Camels, Acute phase proteins, Oxidative stress, Respiratory diseases