Pathomolecular Studies on Staphylococcus Species and Pox Virus Causing Skin Lesions in Teat and Udder of Dromedary She-Camels

Abstract

The current study aimed to isolate and characterize staphylococcus species and poxvirus in skin lesions of teats and udders of she-camels using conventional and molecular techniques with exploration of their histopathological alterations. A total of 82 tissue samples were collected from affected she-camels. Isolation of staphylococci was attained and determined their antibiogram. Isolation of poxvirus (on Vero cell and chorioallantoic membrane) was achieved and identified as camel poxvirus (CMLV) by virus neutraliztion test . Bacterial and viral isolates were confirmed by PCR. Sequencing and viral phylogenic analyses were performed to determine the homology of isolated sequences with other sequences available in GenBank and to identify the probabilities of zoonotic transmission. Staphylococci were isolated of which, 11 isolates were S.aureus. The other isolates were S.simulanis, S.hemolyticus and S.carnosus. PCR results confirmed S.aureus isolates by specific amplification of 279bp. Two poxviruses were successfully isolated (with titres of 105.5TCID50 and 104TCID50) and confirmed by PCR by amplification of 881bp. Sequence and phylogenic analyses revealed that the two pox isolates were resemble closely Al-Ahsaa strain (CMLV). Pathologically, the udder of she-camels with poxvirus showed crusts grossly and histopathological results revealed hyperkeratosis, acanthosis with degeneration of prickle cells. Udder affected with staphylococci showed edema with abscess grossly. Histopathology revealed pus, necrotic debris and inflammatory cells in the dermis. In conclusion, Isolation, PCR and sequencing with histopathological examination ensure the presence of (CMLV) and staphylocci in skin of udder and teat of she-camels also, confer high level of diagnostic assays for investigation of the diseases in dromedaries.