First Report of an Outbreak of Contagious Ecthyma in Camels (Camelus dromedarius and Camelus bactrianus) in Iran

Abstract

Camel contagious ecthyma (CCE) has been reported in Mongolia, Kenya, Somalia and Sudan. CCE is caused by a Parapoxvirus affecting young animals by producing lesions around the lips and nostrils. The generalized form of CCE is uncommon. The aim of this study was to submit the first report of contagious ecthyma in Iran and also to help clinician to diagnose this disease with heavy economic losses easier. In the paper, an outbreak of CCE in dromedary and bactrian camels in Qom province of Iran was described and clinical signs were observed in one camel herd in October 2009. Nodules and scabs from seven affected animals were collected for virus identification. Total extracted DNA was used for polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify a fragment of Parapoxvirus B2L gene. Results showed that camel calves (n = 27) less than one year old and one male bactrian camel were affected (no adult female camels were found to be infected). The prevalence of the disease in the herd, adult camels and camel calves was 30.33%, 1.5% and 100%, respectively. Affected animals showed the swelling of head with nodular lesion around the lips. It then developed to pustules and fissured crusts. Previous involvement with this disease, history of contact with sheep or goats, food resources and season all can have a role in epidemiology of the disease.