Abstract:
This study was conducted in the Hail Region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The
objectives of this study were to record the incidence of contagious skin necrosis
(CSN) (Naeita, Alara) in camel (Camelus dromedarius) in Hail Region, to isolate
the causative agents of the disease, to study the clinicopathological changes
associated with CSN and to study the histopathology of the disease. The survey
included 11,000 camels of both sexes in 220 herds with age range 6 months -8
years. All camels were clinically examined. The control camels were healthy and
no skin lesions were detected. All camels with skin lesions were grossly
examined and tentative diagnosis of contagious skin necrosis (CSN) was done.
The lesions were distributed in various areas of the body (neck, inguinal, flank
and limbs). Infected camels with CSN were 1080 camels (9.6%). No changes
were observed in the body temperature and the respiratory rate of diseased
camels. Blood samples were collected and swabs from CSN lesions were taken to
measure haematological parameters and the serum was separated and tested for
the liver enzymes Gamma glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and Alanine
transaminase (ALT) and renal function (urea and creatinine). Serum Copper (Cu)
and Zinc (Zn) were measured. Skin lesions were collected and kept in 10%
VII
formal saline for histopathological study. Red blood cell and hemoglobin
concentration were significantly decreased and the total blood cells count,
neutrophils and basophils and lymphocytes were increased. The activity of (GGT)
and (ALT) enzymes and serum Cu were increased and no changes in serum urea
and creatinine concentrations. Six isolates of bacteria: B. subtilis, P. aeruginosa,
P. mirabilis, S. aureus, S. faecalis and E. coli.and five fungi: Helminthsporium
spp., Altrnaria spp., Fusarium spp. Penicillium spp. and Cladosporium spp. were
identified
