A comparison of camel dermatophilosis in Kenya and Sudan.
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Actinomycetales↗
Biomedical subjects
C G Gitao
Publications and source records attributed to C G Gitao.
An outbreak of a mixed infection of Dermatophilus congolensis and Microsporum gypseum in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Saudi Arabia.
Although both Dermatophilus congolensis and Microsporum gypseum infections have been reported separately in camels, mixed infection involving both agents has not been reported to date. The authors describe a mixed infection of D. congolensis and M. gypseum in camels reared on a dairy farm in Saudi Arabia. A total of 131 out of 559 camels (23.4%) were affected. Forty-eight camels less than one year of age had discrete, circumscribed, crusty, hairless lesions, found in particular on the neck and forelegs. Eighty-three camels of varying ages had extensive hair matting with crusty, hairless lesions, especially on the flanks. Camel calves and young camels demonstrated a relatively greater amount of skin lesions. D. congolensis and M. gypseum were diagnosed by direct microscopy, isolation and histopathology.
Actinomycetales↗
Outbreaks of Dermatophilus congolensis infection in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from the Butana region in eastern Sudan.
Natural Dermatophilus congolensis infection of camels has been reported in Kenya in semi-arid areas. Research is being conducted to discover how widespread the condition is in neighbouring countries with similar eco-climatic conditions. Severe skin infections of camels from the Butana region of Eastern Sudan were examined. The infections were first found in two herds of adult camels, of which 50%-75% of the animals were affected. In the other thirteen herds examined, camel calves were more likely to be infected (34%) than adults (8.9%), and lesions were more severe and involved most parts of the body. The lesions began as hair matting and later developed into hard crusts. The case fatality rate ranged from 10% to 30%. D. congolensis was isolated from the scabs. Camel dermatophilosis was found to be among the most serious problems faced by camel herders in the Butana region.
Actinomycetales↗
An investigation of camelpox outbreaks in two principal camel (Camelus dromedarius) rearing areas of Kenya.
In 1992, during an investigation into camelpox in two principal camel-rearing areas of Kenya, the disease was found in 1,100 camels at a prevalence of 6% in Turkana and 27% in Samburu. In Turkana, outbreaks were detected in two herds of young animals, while in Samburu, outbreaks were found in two herds of adult animals, as well as in two herds of young camels. In all cases, there was 100% morbidity in the affected herds. When young camels were involved, the main lesions were confined to the mouth, nose and muzzle as distinct pustular lesions. In adults, there was also extensive oedema of the head and neck. Direct electron microscopy and virus isolation on tissue culture were used to confirm the orthopoxvirus infection. The outbreaks appeared related to the stress of weaning and, in the case of the adults, to recent long-distance travel.
Animals↗
Outbreaks of contagious ecthyma in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in the Turkana district of Kenya.
Mortality among camel calves (Camelus dromedarius) is one of the most serious problems faced by camel herdsmen and, although there are several reasons for this mortality, diseases play a major role. In an investigation of outbreaks of contagious ecthyma in camels in the Turkana district of Kenya, four outbreaks were detected involving only camel calves. The principal lesions were distinct or largely coalesced pustules on the mouth, nose and muzzle. Direct electron microscopy of infected scabs was used to confirm the presence of the virus. Secondary infection of the pustules was common in affected calves. Morbidity in affected herds was 100%, with no adult involvement. Affected calves were unable to suckle properly. In all outbreaks, there was a concurrent outbreak of contagious pustular dermatitis in goat kids in the same household. Contagious ecthyma is an important disease in camels, contributing to calf debility and eventually to high calf mortality.
Animals↗
An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the epidemiological survey of Dermatophilus congolensis infection in camels (Camelus dromedarius).
The breeding of camels (Camelus dromedarius) is especially important in arid and semi-arid areas of Africa, where drought and famine frequently occur. A number of diseases which impair camel production have recently been described, including dermatophilosis (caused by Dermatophilus congolensis). However, it is not possible to determine the prevalence of infection from clinical cases alone. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has therefore been developed to determine the epidemiological prevalence of D. congolensis infection in sera of camels. Whole-cell antigen was used on microplates and the test serum was added. Horseradish peroxidase-conjugated sheep antibodies against heavy and light chains of camel immunoglobulin (Ig)G were then added, followed by substrate. The test was used to trace the antibody profile of twelve experimentally-infected camels. Peak antibody levels in serum occurred within twenty-one days following infection. It is planned to use this test to determine the epidemiological prevalence of D. congolensis infection in camels reared in a pastoral area of Kenya.
Actinomycetales↗
The epidemiology and control of camel dermatophilosis.
Camel dermatophilosis was only recently described. It appears however that it is more widespread than originally thought. In Kenya it has generally been found in the main semi-arid camel rearing areas of Samburu and Laikipia districts although it has not yet been found in the arid areas of Turkana district. In an investigation of ticks on 200 camels, no Amblyomma variegatum ticks were found although many other ticks were present. A. variegatum is suspected to transmit dermatophilosis in many domestic animals. The only control method of dermatophilosis currently practised in Kenya is in one commercial farm, where camels are regularly washed with a 1% potassium aluminium sulphate solution. The camels have shown progressive improvement. Recently, some 50 camels imported from Pakistan in this farm came down with a severe skin infection which closely resembled dermatophilosis. All imported adult camels were involved although no calves were involved. Since no bacteria were isolated from all the sick camels, it was thought to be due to vitamin deficiency.
Actinomycetales Infections↗
Dermatophilosis in camels (Camelus dromedarius Linnaeus, 1758) in Kenya.
Natural dermatophilosis (caused by Dermatophilus congolensis Van Saceghem, 1915) has only recently been described in camels (Camelus dromedarius). Further work has shown that the disease is actually widespread. At the Ol Maisor farm where it was first diagnosed (in the Laikipia district of northern Kenya), detailed investigations have revealed that thirty camels (ten calves and twenty adult animals) were infected. The signs varied from mild to more than 50% skin involvement. Patches of wool on the rump were easily detachable with many hard, white crusts. Similarly, another twenty camels from a totally different area of northern Kenya (Samburu district) were found to be infected with D. congolensis. Bacterial isolation was used to confirm the diagnosis. At Ol Maisor farm, twenty sheep were also found to have severe dermatophilosis. There were scabs and many areas of wool shedding. The shed wool had crusts similar to those observed on camels. Experimental infection with D. congolensis isolated from camels was conducted, by means of scarification, on the skin of two goats. The same experimental infection was possible in two calves, taking two weeks to become established. After thirty days there were disseminated foci of infection on the heads of the calves, especially around the eyes. Although these findings cannot show the actual source of D. congolensis, it is possible that the same organism causes dermatophilosis in the different animals.
Actinomycetales↗
Natural Dermatophilus congolensis infection in camels (Camelus dromedarius) from Kenya.
Natural Dermatophilus congolensis infection is found in many species of livestock and wild animals. It is, however, rarely described in camels and there are no details of bacterial isolation. In an investigation of both arid and semi-arid areas in Kenya, an outbreak of dermatophilosis was observed in camel calves being reared on a commercial farm in a semi-arid area. Histopathology and bacterial isolation were used to diagnose the diseases. The potential impact of the disease in camels is discussed.
Actinomycetales Infections↗