Camels and Camelids

AN OUTBREAK OF A MIXED INFECTION OF TRICHOPHYTON VERRUCOSUM AND NOCARDIA ASTEROIDES IN DROMEDARY CAMEL IN IRAN

Journal Edition: December 2007
Article DOI:
Published On: 11-10-2018 07:07

A.R. Khosravi, H. Shokri and A. Niasari-Naslaji1
Mycology Research Centre, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Department of
Clinical Sciences,1 University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran


ABSTRACT


This study presents an outbreak of a mixed infection of dermatophytosis and nocardiosis in a herd of 100 dromedary camels in Iran during summer 2007. A total of 74 out of 100 camels were affected (74%). The camels showed crusty and hairless patches, ulcerative nodules and microabscesses especially on the neck, shoulders, flanks, and the upper parts of the limbs. Young camels demonstrated a relatively greater amount of skin lesions. The skin samples were analysed by direct microscopy, culture and histopathology. The results showed the presence of hyphal forms and numerous amounts of large arthroconidia (5-8 μm) as well as Gram-positive filaments with a diameter of 1 μm in skin samples. Nocardia asteroides and Trichophyton verrucosum were isolated from skin lesions. In addition, a marked response to treatment with natamycine and trimethoprim and sulfamethoxazole agents was observed.
Key words: Dermatophytosis, dromedary camel, nocardiosis