Mastitis in lactating camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Afar Region, north-eastern Ethiopia.
Quarter milk samples (n = 543) from 152 traditionally managed lactating camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Afar Region, north-eastern Ethiopia were examined to determine the prevalence of camel mastitis and identify its bacterial causes. Out of 152 camels examined, 19 (12.5%) were diagnosed as clinical mastitis cases based on clinical signs and bacteriological examinations. Of the 257 California Mastitis Test (CMT) positive quarter milk samples 162 (63.0%) yielded pathogenic bacteria. A positive correlation was observed between CMT positive results and presence of major pathogens in camel milk samples. The main mastitis pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae, and other species of streptococci, Pasteurella haemolytica and E. coli. Results of the present study suggest that mastitis in Afar camels is prevalent, Gram-positive cocci are the major isolates from camel milk samples and the CMT can be used as a screening test for the detection of mastitis in camels.
Bekele
T
T
Department of Microbiology, Infectious Diseases and Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.
Molla
B
B
D000818:Animals; D002162:Camelus; D005002:Ethiopia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D006095:Gram-Positive Cocci / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D007774:Lactation; D008413:Mastitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008892:Milk / Q000382:microbiology*; D015995:Prevalence