First report of camel contagious ecthyma in Nigeria

Abstract

Camel contagious ecthyma (CCE) is a viral disease of camelids that is caused by a Parapoxvirus (PPV) which is a DNA virus of the viral family: Poxviridae. Diseases affecting camels in Nigeria are scarcely reported. CCE or the laboratory detection of camel PPV (CPPV) has not been reported in Nigeria. This study investigated and described the clinical presentation of CCE and molecular detection of CPPV in Nigeria. Suspected cases of CCE were reported in a farm, live animal market and abattoir, in three different states (Bauchi, Plateau and Zamfara) in Northern Nigeria. Skin scabs, lungs, liver and intestine samples were collected. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out using the primers which targets the RPO30 gene fragment of the genus PPV. The clinical signs observed from the suspected cases of CCE were proliferative skin lesions, papules, scabs on the lips and nares. CPPV was detected in 80.0% (4/5) of the samples collected by PCR. CCE was diagnosed based on clinical signs and PCR results. This is the first report of CCE in Nigeria. Further studies should be carried out to genetically characterize the CPPV circulating in Nigeria.

Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of Orf Virus Isolated From Goats in Sokoto metropolis, Nigeria

“…Thus, reliable estimate of the true prevalence of the disease in the country is currently lacking. In recent times, different techniques such as physical examination for clinical signs and PCR have been used to confirm contagious ecthyma outbreaks in Nigeria [ 1 , 2 , 4 ]. Furthermore, previous study conducted in 2018 involving three flocks of goats in northern Nigeria reported a mortality rate of 100% [ 4 ] in two out of the three flocks investigated, which was higher than usually observed in CE outbreaks.…”

“…Contagious ecthyma (CE) is a highly contagious viral disease of small ruminants such as sheep and goats [1] that occasionally affects camels [2] and wild ruminants with huge economic impact on the livestock industry [2][3][4][5][6]. Clinically, the disease is associated with skin lesions such as erythema, macules, papules, vesicles, pustules and crusts on the lips, tongue, teat, nose, hooves and other parts of the body [6] especially in young lambs and kids [3,7].…”

“…Using PCR, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis, genetic characteristic and diversity of orf virus has been described in many countries around the world including China [ 5 , 19 , 20 ], Taiwan [ 13 ], Malaysia [ 7 ], India [ 12 ], Uruguay [ 3 ] and a few African countries such as Tanzania [ 21 ], Ethiopia [ 17 , 22 ], Egypt [ 23 , 24 ], Gabon [ 25 ] and Sudan [ 26 , 27 ]. To date, outbreaks of CE in Nigeria are largely reported based on clinical manifestation of the disease and PCR to confirm cases [ 1 , 2 , 4 ] but no literature on the molecular characterization of the circulating orf virus isolates is currently available in Nigeria as at the time of this study. Therefore, in the present study we reported for the first time the isolation, molecular detection and phylogenetic characterization of orf virus obtained from a flock of goats in Sokoto metropolis, north-west Nigeria.…”

Zoonotic Pathogens of Dromedary Camels in Kenya: A Systematised Review

“…No studies have been published on camelpox in Kenya since 1997 [40]. Contagious ecthyma, caused by a parapox virus [103,104], was reported in camels in two medium quality studies. One reported on an outbreak of clinical disease in Laikipia in 1984 [47], while the other presented results of a cross-sectional survey in Turkana (Table 4) [46].…”

Clinical and dermoscopic features of orf transmitted from camels

“…Orf is usually transmitted to humans through direct contact with infected sheep, goats, or reindeer. Although there are multiple reports of camels infected with orf, 2,3 there is no reported case of transmission to humans. Camel contagious ecthyma (CCE), a highly infectious viral disease of camels caused by a PPV, has been reported in many countries, such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iran, Sudan, and Nigeria.…”