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

Abstract

Introduction: This study describes and reports, for the first time, an outbreak of dermatophilosis that occurred concurrently with caseous lymphadenitis involving two camel herds (Camelus dromedaries) in north Jordan. Methodology: The affected animals were part of two herds comprising 52 Arabian camels in herd 1 and 65 camels in herd 2. The age of infected camels ranged from 18 months to 5 years. Pus and skin scab samples were aseptically collected and bacteriologically examined. Affected camels were treated by long-acting oxytetracycline injection in a dose rate of 10 mg/kg body weight every 48 hours for three successive treatments, and local antiseptic and antibiotic cutaneous spray treatment for five successive days. Results: The main clinical signs on affected camels were skin dermatitis and abscess formation. The isolated organisms were Dermatophilus congolensis and Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis were the causative agents of dermatophilosis and caseous lymphadenitis, respectively. Other organisms were isolated from skin abscesses, including α-hemolytic streptococci, hemolytic E. coli, Actinomyces pyogenes, and S. aureus. The affected camels were rapidly and effectively cured by the above-mentioned treatment protocol. No mortality was recorded. Conclusions: Introducing purchased camels from animal auctions without pre-examination and keeping camels in over-crowded small barns under cold, humid, and rainy conditions during winter may predispose the eruption of mixed infection of dermatophilosis and caseous lymphadenitis. Treatment by long-acting oxytetracycline injection with local antiseptic and antibiotic cutaneous spray can control such infection. A survey on camel herds raised near Jordan's borders is needed to monitor the possibility of emerging infectious disease.

First report of Dermatophilus congolensis infection in native Omani cattle.

“…The current study documented the first natural D. congolensis infections in local cattle in Sultanate of Oman. In neighboring countries, Dermatophilosis has been reported in camels in Saudi Arabia (Gitao et al 1998), United Arab Emirates (Joseph et al 1998), and Jordan (Tarazi and Al-Ani 2016), and in dairy cows in Iran (Jafari Shoorijeh et al 2008), and different animals (cattle, buffalo, goat, horse and antelope) in India (Pal 1995). The high humidity, overcrowding of the animals, presence of ticks, biting flies and skin injury during animal transportations are all predisposing factors for the emergence of this infection (Zaria 1993).…”

Dermatophilus congolensis associated bronchopneumonia in an alpaca

“…The histology of the inguinal lymph node showed a concurrent infection with granulomatous inflammation characteristic of D. congolensis abutting large areas of necrosis with mineralisation, consistent with CLA caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis. Concurrent infections of dermatophilosis and CLA has been reported in outbreak forms in camels (Tarazi & Al‐Ani, ). In the present case, this lesion may reflect residual infection from the previously, suspected episode of CLA, 6 months prior to this presentation.…”

Bacterial and Arachnid Sphingomyelinases D: Comparison of Biophysical and Pathological Activities

“…Bacterial extracellular toxic SMases D are produced by certain strains of pathogenic Corynebacterium genus, namely by the causative agent of Caseous lymphadenitis in small ruminant populations throughout the world ( C. pseudotuberculosis ) which is associated with bovine mastitis and which also inhabits the normal human pharynx where it occasionally gives rise to a diphtheria‐like disease [Lipsky et al, ; Tarazi and Al‐Ani, ]. Brown spider's bites ( Loxosceles spider genus) represent a severe public health problem in Brazil with about 4,000 cases reported per year [SINAN, 2016] and the toxicity is mostly due to SMase D and leads to Loxoscelism [Swanson and Vetter, ; Chaves‐Moreira et al, ].…”