Epidemiological and Histopathological Investigation of Sarcoptic Mange in Camels in Egypt

Abstract

Mange has been considered one of the most common parasitic infestations among camels. It adversely impacts animal productivity and poses a risk to human health. Given the scarcity of available data about mange in camels, the current study focused on the prevalence of camel mange and its associated risk factors in Aswan Governorate, Egypt. Towards this end, a general visual inspection was conducted on camels (N = 210) in different markets and slaughterhouses in Aswan Governorate. Skin scrapings from suspect infected camels were also examined microscopically. Importantly, these findings were further checked and confirmed by histopathology on samples from suspected cases collected post-slaughter in abattoirs. The possible risk-associated factors, which include the camel’s age, sex and sampling season, were recorded and statistically analyzed. Interestingly, the data showed that a total of 100 camels (47.6%) were found exclusively infested by sarcoptic mange. Furthermore, the predominant histopathological changes included burrowing tunnel of mites in the skin, hyperkeratosis and acanthosisconsis of the epidermis, while the dermis showed hemorrhage, mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltration around the blood vessels and perifolliculitis. These major histopathological findings are consistent with sarcoptic mange. Furthermore, the statistical analysis of the possible associated risk factors, camel’s age (p = 0.006), gender (p = 0.032) and sampling season (p = 0.004), were all found to be significantly affected and related to the disease. In this regard, camels ≥2 years old were found at higher risk of infection (odds ratio (OR) = 2.75; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.345 to 5.604) versus younger animals (OR = 0.36; 95 CI, 0.1784 to 0.743). Females had higher odds of exposure (OR = 2.02; 95% CI, 1.096 to 3.708) compared to males (OR = 0.50; 95% CI, 0.269 to 0.912). Moreover, the exposure to infection was reported higher in winter (OR = 2.30; 95% CI, 1.297 to 4.098) than in summer (OR = 0.43; 95% CI, 0.244 to 0.771). Collectively, our data provide novel epidemiological and histopathological support for sarcoptic mange being widespread among camels in the studied area. Sarcoptic mange is extremely contagious and zoonotic. Therefore, our baseline investigation indicates an urgent need for additional multicenter-studies to investigate the occurrence of this disease in camels and humans combined with the appropriate control measures of camel importation for combating this disease.

An epidemiological and therapeutic study of Sarcoptes scabiei parasite in cows of Anbar province, Iraq

“…The results indicated a higher incidence of S. scabiei parasites in young cows compared to older ages, this is consistent with what Ahmed et al (23), the reason for the higher prevalence of scabies in young animals compared to it for older animals is attributed to keeping young and adult animals together and thus infection through direct contact with each other with biting. In addition, farmers in most villages in Anbar province are not well-versed in wealth management practices modern animal.…”

Sero-epidemiological study on Dengue fever virus in humans and camels at Upper Egypt

“…Camel breed did not significantly affect the disease prevalence; however, imported animals were at 3 times greater risk compared to local breed animals. Before being released and distributed to various areas nationwide, camels imported to Egypt from Sudan typically remain in quarantine for 10-15 days in Abu Simbel or Shelateen facilities in Aswan, Egypt [ 39 ]. This shipping stress could represent a potential risk factor for the acquisition of dengue infection in imported animals.…”

Characterising a sarcoptic mange epizootic in quenda (Isoodon fusciventer)

“…However, the growth of papillomatous lesions in some individuals appears to be either a unique clinical sign or a comorbidity to sarcoptic mange. Nodular lesions have been observed in S. scabiei infestations of other species including gazelle ( Gazella subguttarosa ) ( Bazargani et al, 2007 ) and one-humped camels ( Camelus dromedarius ) ( Ahmed et al, 2020 ), and can present in humans with nodular scabies ( Hengge et al, 2006 ). If these lesions are identified in quenda in the future, histopathology and further targeted PCR testing as well as next generation sequencing to identify novel agents of disease should be undertaken on tissue samples.…”