Serological Prevalence of Abortifacient Agents in Female Mijaheem Camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Sera from 378 female Mijaheem camels of different age groups were collected from different parts of the country. All of them were simultaneously tested serologically for specific antibodies against brucellosis, chlamydiosis and coxiellosis while 368 of the same serum samples were also tested for toxoplasmosis and neosporosis, using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The results were statistically analyzed to determine the prevalence rate of each of these abortifacient agents and the association of the geographical location and age of the animal with the prevalence. The overall serological prevalence was 16.67% for brucellosis, 49.18% for toxoplasmosis, 13.32% for neosporosis, 10.05% for chlamydiosis and 42.36% for coxiellosis. Statistical analysis revealed significant associations between the serological prevalence of each of the studied abortifacient agents with the location of the animal, and there was also a significant association with age in the case of toxoplasmosis and chlamydiosis. The results indicate that the causative agents of brucellosis, toxoplasmosis, neosporosis, chlamydiosis and coxiellosis are widespread among indigenous Mijaheem camels in Saudi Arabia, and that their prevalence varied with region and age group. These different agents should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of infectious abortion in Saudi Arabian camels.