M. Younan1, S. Bornstein2 and I.V. Gluecks3
Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Germany, P.O.Box 25653, 00603 Nairobi, KENYA1
Department of Parasitology, National Veterinary Institute, SE-75189 Uppsala, Sweden2
Institute of Animal and Environmental Hygiene, Freie Universitaet, Berlin, Germany3
ABSTRACT
Fourty-nine cases of peri-articular abscesses were examined in camel calves in North Kenya aged 16 days to 9 months. Abscesses were located around the elbow (33.3%), tarsus (29.2%), carpus (25.0%), knee (8.3%) and fetlock (4.2%) joints. Streptococcus agalactiae was isolated from 82% of cases, including from all fatal cases. A mixed infection of Streptococcus agalactiae and Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus was found in two cases (4%), while a mucoid Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus was isolated from one case (2%). There was quick response to antibiotic treatment in fresh cases (n=10), but healing was protracted over several months in untreated cases. Chronic multiple peri-articular abscesses were fatal in 5 of the 49 camel calves seen (10% mortality). None of the 49 cases showed evidence of omphalophlebitis.
Key words: Abscess, arthritis, camel calves, navel ill, omphalophlebitis, Streptococcus agalactiae, Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus
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