Dermatophilosis in camels (Camelus dromedarius Linnaeus, 1758) in Kenya

Abstract

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.

An outbreak of dermatophilosis and caseous lymphadenitis mixed infection in camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Jordan

“…The disease usually affects camels 1-3 years of age, and the incubation period may extend up to 3 months. In the current study, the prevalence of dermatophilosis was significantly higher in young camels (1-4 years of age) compared to camels ≥ 5 years of age (p < 0.05), which is similar to the findings of other reports [14,16]. D. congolensis may be isolated in pure culture from clinical materials by streaking scabs or exudate, preferably from unopened pustules, directly to blood agar plates, and incubating aerobically in the presence of 5% CO 2 at 37°C for 48 hours.…”

“…In camels, a mixed infection of D. congolensis and Microsporum gypseum has been reported [12]. Experimental infection with D. congolensis isolated from cattle has been described in camels, cattle, goats, sheep, donkeys, and rabbits [13,14]. Transmission follows the disruption of the natural skin barriers by skin abrasions from thorns, grain awns, ticks, and flies.…”

Prevalence and pathology of dermatophilosis in camels (Camelus dromedaries) in Iran

“…Dermatophilosis has been described in dromedary camels in Kenya (Gitao et al 1990;Gitao 1992). They reported that the disease was more prevalent in the wet season (21.2%) compared with its prevalence in the dry season (14.5%), and the calves were found to be more susceptible (23.1%) compared with the adults (19%).…”

“…More than 200,000 dromedary camels are living in the arid and semiarid deserts of Iran (Rahbari and Bazargani 1995;Mowlavi et al 1997). In camels, dermatophilosis has been reported in Kenya, Sudan, and Saudi Arabia (Gitao et al 1998a(Gitao et al , b, 1990Gitao 1992), but has not been previously reported in Iran. Therefore, the present study describes the prevalence, pathogenesis, and gross and histopathologic lesions of this disease in the camels of the central part of Iran.…”

A Comparison of Camel Dermatophilosis in Kenya and Sudan a

“…The skin scabs were emulsified in phosphate buffered saline (pH 7.2) and inoculated onto sheep blood agar as described previously. 2 Processing for histopathological staining with Giemsa, Hematoxilin/eosin and PAS was also performed as described earlier. 2 Disc slide antibiotic sensitivity was tested by emulsifying a loopfull of the organism from SBA in PBS between two slides.…”