Camel Abscesses in the Red Sea State of the Sudan

Abstract

The study was carried out inthe Red Sea State to investigate incidence of camels’ abscesses using clinical and pathological investigations. The animals were surveyed between June 2005 toSeptember, 2006. During this period, 6,677 live and 287 slaughtered camels of both sexes and different age groups were examined in seven localities in the Red Sea State. These municipalities were Port Sudan, Elgonoub and Elaolib, Suakin, Gabeat Madden, Sinkat, Dourdeab and Haya. It was found that 630 (9.05 %)of the examined camels had abscesses. Superficial abscesses constituted 444 (6.64%) outof 6677. The highest number of abscesses 83.33% was found in camels brought to the clinic followed by 4.96% camels examined atthe veterinaryquarantine. The most frequently affected sites were ventral superficial cervical nodes, fore limbs and hind limbs. Port Sudan slaughterhouse was regularly visited for inspection of external and internal abscesses. A total of 275 lesions were encountered in 186 camel carcasses .Fifteen (5.22%) abscesses were located in superficial parts in live animals. Internal abscesses constituted about 186 (64.8%) out of 287 and were seen in 44 (16.29%) in the lungs, 24 (8.88%) in the liver parenchyma and 202 (73.45%) in the lymph nodes. Statistical analysis of the incidence of abscesses indicated that the overall mean was 26.4±0.041. The mean incidence in the Veterinary clinic and slaughterhouse was 46.3±0.08 and 43.2±0.08 and were significantly higher fromthose in the veterinary quarantine (3.5 %±0.08) and Port Sudan (12.4 ± 0.08). The mean number of female camels affected with abscesses XIX was (18.9±0.07) and the mean number of affected males was (17.3±0.07). There was no significant difference between the two sexes. The condemnations records of Port Sudan slaughterhouse showed that out of 2527 slaughtered camels during the period of records , 14(0.55%) were totally condemned and 1628 (64.2%) were partially condemned. The mean percent of partial condemnations due to other lesions (37.2±8.05) was significantly higher fromthe meancondemnation due to abscesses (7.55±8.05). From459 samples collected in RedSea State (both field and slaughterhouse), 365 (79.5%) samples were positive for bacterial growth and 94 (20.5%) samples were negative. Gram-positive bacteria isolates were 351 (62.9%) identified as 140 (25.08%) Staphylococcus spp, 75 (١٣.٤٤%) Streptococcus spp, 54 (9.67%)Bacillus spp, 39 (6.98%) Micrococcus spp, 22 (3.94%)Corynebacterium spp, 12 (2.15%) Enterococcusspp, 7 (1.25%) Kurthia sppand 2 (0.35%) Actinomyces spp. The Gram-negative bacteria isolates were 207 (37.1%) identified as 92 (16.48%) Escherichia spp, 30 (5.37%) Proteus spp, 19 (3.4%) Klebsiellaspp, 18 (3.22%) Enterobacter spp, 15 (2.68%) Moraxella spp, 11(1.97%) Vibrio spp, 7 (1.25%) Acinetobacter spp, 7 (1.25%) Citrobacter spp, 5 (0.89%) Shewenellaspp, 2 (0.35%) Pasteurella spp, and 1(0.17%) Pseudomonas spp. Abscesses were observed mainly inlymph nodes, lungs and livers. Necrosis, fibrosis and calcification can be seen in association with chronic abscesses which were confirmed histopathologically. XX