Camels and Camelids

SEROLOGICAL SURVEY, AN IMPORTANT TOOL FOR CAMEL DISEASE STATUS OF A ZONE OR A COUNTRY

Journal Edition: August 2017
Article DOI: 10.5958/2277-8934.2017.00018.2
Published On: 03-09-2018 18:58

U Wernery
Central Veterinary Research Laboratory (CVRL), P.O. Box 597, Dubai, UAE

ABSTRACT

A serological survey was carried out in the United Arab Emirates over the last five years on the dromedary camel population. We followed the OIE Camel Ad hoc group recommendations which was established in 2008 and 2010. This group worked out a comprehensive disease list for Camelids which can be downloaded from the OIE’s homepage www.oie.int. The diseases investigated by CVRL follow the OIE listed camel diseases, the results of which are presented here. Our serological survey included 17 infectious diseases divided into viral, bacterial and parasitic diseases. This investigation also addressed the applicability of serological tests for use in camels. This approach was also necessary as many serological tests have never been evaluated for camels and are therefore not mentioned in the OIE Manual of Diagnostic Tests and Vaccines for Terrestrial Animals from 2016. Our serological investigations showed three different patterns:
• Dromedaries can get infected by several pathogens exhibiting disease and producing antibodies.
• Dromedaries can get infected by several pathogens producing only antibodies but no disease.
• Pathogens do neither produce disease in dromedaries nor antibodies.
Key words: Serological survey, viral, bacterial and parasitological diseases