Clinicopathological Study on Contagious Skin Necrosis (CSN) in Camels (Camelus Dromedaries) in Hail region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

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