An Outbreak Of Caseous Lymphadenitis (Pseudotuberculosis) In Dromedary Camels At Qassim Region, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate an outbreak of lymphadenitis in dromedary camels in private farm at Qassim region, Central of Saudi Arabia. Out of 220 camels included in this study, lymphadenitis was observed in 42 camels representing morbidity rate of 19.09%. The morbidity rate did not differ significantly among different age groups (p < 0.4 and Odds Ratio = 0.7) or between different sex (p < 0.1 and Odds Ratio = 0.5). Clinically, infected camels showed enlargement and abscessation of superficial lymph nodes, emaciation in some cases with normal body temperature. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis biovar ovis was the only microorganism isolated from the pus. Haematological examination revealed significant decrease in red blood cells and packed cell volume in addition to significant increase in the total white blood cells and neutrophils in lymphadenitis-infected camels compared to healthy ones. Penicillin therapy and surgical intervention in addition to some control measures as isolation of healthy camels away from infected herd and thorough disinfection of the contaminated environment were effective measures in the control of the outbreak.