First report and molecular characterization of Cryptosporidium spp. in humans and animals in Khartoum state, Sudan.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Cryptosporidium is recognized to infect several mammalian species as well as humans, causing substantial economic losses and serious public health concern. Infected animals can be a source of environmental contamination and human infections. In general, the occurrence of Cryptosporidium species in animals and human in Sudan and zoonotic importance is not well documented. This study aimed to identify Cryptosporidium spp. infecting different animal species and humans and to compare between different isolates obtained. MATERIALS AND METHODS: To provide molecular information about Cryptosporidium in animals and humans, both modified Ziehl-Neelsen (MZN) specific stain and molecular assay were used. Concentration techniques followed by three protocols of DNA extraction were carried out. After microscopic screening of 263 fecal samples (goats [n=197], cattle [n=12], sheep [n=12], and human [n=42]), 61 positive and 30 negative, randomly selected samples were used in nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting part of the 18S RNA. RESULTS: Nested PCR amplification confirmed 91.8% (56/61) of microscopic-positive samples. 8.2% (5/61) of negative samples by PCR (positive by microscopy) were considered false negatives. Sequencing followed by alignment of the 14 isolates indicated that all samples were identical (100%) and belonged to Cryptosporidium parvum. CONCLUSION: MZN staining procedure is reliable for the routine diagnosis of Cryptosporidium; cetyltrimethylammonium bromide extraction buffer and nested PCR targeting 18S rRNA gene are reliable and useful in epidemiological studies of this parasite.

Characterization of the complete genomes of Camelus dromedarius papillomavirus types 1 and 2.

Camel papillomatosis has been described previously, but the genome of the suspected papillomavirus (PV) has not been identified. An outbreak of papillomatosis occurred in a dromedary farm of 55 animals in Sudan during August 2009. The disease was only present in young animals aged about 3-7 months, of which 44 % (11/25) were affected with lesions, mainly on the lips and lower jaw. This study reports for the first time the complete genomes of Camelus dromedarius papillomavirus types 1 (CdPV1) and 2 (CdPV2), isolated from a cauliflower-like nodule and a round oval raised nodule, respectively. Pairwise comparisons of their L1 nucleotide sequences revealed 69.2 % identity, and phylogenetic analyses suggested that these two PV types are grouped within the genus Deltapapillomavirus. Both viruses were isolated from fibropapillomas, although no putative E5 proteins homologous to that of bovine papillomavirus type 1 were identified. The genetic information will be useful for evolutionary studies of the family Papillomaviridae, as well as for the development of diagnostic methods for surveillance of the disease in dromedaries.

Severe PPR infection in gazelles kept under semi-free range conditions.

By the end of March 2002, a collection of some 200 gazelles, kept under semi range conditions in Saudi Arabia, was hit by a highly fatal peracute disease. The morbidity rate was 51% while the case mortality rate was 100%. Clinico-pathological and virological investigations were carried out. A virus was isolated from the ailing gazelles which was identified as Peste des Petits Ruminants virus (PPRV). Epidemiology of the disease in the Arabian peninsula is discussed.

Abortions, stillbirths and deformities in sheep at the Al-Ahsa oasis in eastern Saudi Arabia: isolation of a bluetongue serogroup virus from the affected lambs.

A wave of abortions, stillbirths and deformities in sheep occurred at the Al-Ahsa oasis in the eastern region of Saudi Arabia in the second half of 1999. The abortions were recorded in August and September and stillbirths and deformities in neonates were observed in October. Adult sheep were clinically normal. A virus was isolated in chicken embryos, adapted to Vero cell culture and further identified as bluetongue (BT) virus. The virus isolated was not neutralised by the Akabane virus. Reference hyperimmune serum against antibodies to BT virus detected in the sera of the dams gave positive results for BT but negative results for both Akabane and bovine viral diarrhoea virus. It was concluded that the outbreak was caused by a virus of the BT serogroup. The authors present the clinico-pathological and epidemiological situation of the disease outbreak.

Sheep-associated malignant catarrhal fever involving 3-5-week-old calves in Saudi Arabia.

Between late December 1999 and late April 2000, three locally bred Friesian calves (ageing 25, 28 and 35 days) in a dairy farm, at Al-Ahsa locality of the eastern region of Saudi Arabia showed dullness and inappetence. Their rectal temperatures ranged between 41 and 41.5 degrees C. One to 2 days later and onwards, the calves showed lacrimation, nasal discharge, salivation, oedema of the head, conjunctivitis, exo-ophthalmia and corneal opacity. One calf showed diarrhoea. The superficial lymph nodes were oedematous and swollen. The calves died after 7, 5 and 8 days, respectively, following the onset of the disease. Calves and rabbits were experimentally infected with materials from the naturally infected calves. The rabbits showed fever, mild conjunctivitis and one rabbit showed wet faeces. The experimentally inoculated calves showed rise in temperature and mild symptoms but none of them died. The virus from the naturally infected calves and from the experimentally infected rabbits was identified as malignant catarrhal fever (MCF) virus using both the complement fixation test and the fluorescent antibody test, employing a reference anti-serum against the WC 11 strain of MCF virus. Serological survey for MCF antibodies in cattle, sheep and goats from the affected farm revealed that 54% of the examined animals were positive. The situation of MCF in Saudi Arabia was discussed in relation to sheep and wild game. This paper constitutes the first report of MCF in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region.

First report of an outbreak of ovine septicaemic listeriosis in Saudi Arabia.

Although a case of human listeriosis has recently been reported in Saudi Arabia, the disease has not been reported in animals to date. The authors describe an outbreak of septicaemic listeriosis in sheep, which occurred during winter. Adult animals and pregnant ewes were principally affected, with a morbidity rate of 7.1% and a mortality rate of 2.4%; no abortions were recorded during the outbreak. Clinical signs included inappetence, weakness, fever, respiratory distress, keratoconjunctivitis and compulsive circling. Listeria monocytogenes was isolated in pure culture from affected sheep. Pathological findings indicated septicaemic listeriosis with encephalitis. Hygienic measures and antibiotics were successful in treating the rest of the flock. Aspects of the outbreak and public health implications are discussed.

Observations on the recent epizootic of bovine ephemeral fever in Saudi Arabia.

Observations of the epizootic of bovine ephemeral fever which occurred in Saudi Arabia during 1996 are presented. The investigations included the collection of epidemiological data from affected farms and the testing of sera for antibodies to the virus. The authors report a mean morbidity rate of 50% and a mean case fatality rate of 0.3%. Of the infected cattle, 4% were affected by recumbency, the majority of these recovered (89%). The clinical signs observed in affected cattle were uniform throughout the region concerned. The features of the outbreak, obtained through field investigations, were considered in relation to the ecological and meteorological conditions which were prevalent at the time. The outbreak occurred during the summer months (May to October) in the central and eastern regions of Saudi Arabia, with the initial infection reported at the Al-Ahsa oasis. Farms which were subsequently affected were all reported to possess areas of stagnant water suitable for the reproduction of the vectors of the disease (Culicoides spp. and mosquitoes). To conclude, the authors discuss precautions to prevent future outbreaks of bovine ephemeral fever in Saudi Arabia.

An eruptive moderate form of camelpox infection in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Saudi Arabia.

An eruptive moderate form of camelpox infection is reported in camels aged three to four years from the Al-Ahsa region of Saudi Arabia. The clinical signs were moderate in nature (between the 'mild' and the 'severe' form). The morbidity rate was 100% while the case fatality rate was 0%. Camelpox virus was isolated and identified using electron microscopy and serological analysis.

Clinico-pathological observations on naturally occurring contagious ecthyma in lambs in Saudi Arabia.

Typical lesions of contagious ecthyma were diagnosed in lambs four months old and infection has been confirmed by viral isolation and identification. The lambs had lower total serum protein values, haemoglobin concentration, erythrocyte counts and packed cell volume, but higher blood leukocyte counts and increased serum transaminase activity when compared to apparently healthy animals. The disease is believed to be transmitted from newly introduced goats which showed evidence of infection.

A slow-spreading mild form of camel pox infection.

A slow-spreading mild form of camel-pox involving range camels in the Eastern region of Saudi Arabia was described. The morbidity rate was 10% while the case fatality rate was zero per cent. Camel pox virus was isolated and identified, and the histopathological picture of the lesions was also described. The epidemiological peculiarities of the disease were discussed.

An outbreak of enterotoxaemia in suckling camels.

An outbreak of enterotoxaemia was observed for the first time in suckling camels in Saudi Arabia. The animals were weak, diarrhoeic and succumbed quickly to exertion. The main pathological findings were those of acute catarrhal enteritis and acute myocardial degeneration. Clostridium perfringens was isolated from the enteric lesions; Aeromonas hydrophila was also identified. The properties of both isolates were studied.

A close comparative study on the response of sheep and goats to experimental orf infection.

A comparative experimental study of the clinico-pathological and serological response of sheep and goats to orf infection was made. All infected animals depicted typical orf lesions and seroconverted. The clinical, serological, gross and histopathological responses were similar in both species. However, the disease span was longer in sheep than in goats. It was concluded that sheep could play an important role in maintenance of the virus in the environment.

A severe nervous disease in fancy pigeons caused by paramyxovirus-1 in Saudi Arabia.

A severe nervous disease struck fancy pigeons for the first time in Saudi Arabia during February-March, 1992. The morbidity rate was 60% while the case fatality rate was 40%. An avian paramyxovirus-1 was isolated from affected pigeons. The disease was reproduced experimentally in pigeons and the virus was reisolated and identified.

Isolation of a virus serologically related to the bluetongue group from an outbreak of haemorrhagic disease among exotic deer in Saudi Arabia.

In February 1991 a severe haemorrhagic disease affected exotic deer aged over six months in the Al-Hofuf area of the eastern region of Saudi Arabia. The morbidity rate was 40 per cent and the case fatality rate was 60 per cent. The clinical signs were high temperature (up to 41.5 degrees C), nasal discharge, slight salivation and lacrimation, congestion of the conjunctivae, torticollis, tremors when trying to stand, recumbency and coma leading to death. Post mortem examination revealed a severe haemorrhagic disease. A virus, serologically related to the bluetongue serogroup, was isolated from the deer. Sheep and goats kept on the same farm did not show any clinical signs. The epidemiology of the outbreak is discussed.

Ectopic mammary tissue in the vulva of goats.

Ectopic mammary tissue was described in ten goats belonging to the Nubian and Syrian breeds. This consisted of multiple cavitations containing white milky fluid, which greatly resembled milk in colour, odour and composition. Histologically, the tissue was composed of alveoli lined by cuboidal epithelium and contained pinkish staining secretion. Surgical removal of the tissue was achieved without complications.

An outbreak of enterotoxaemia in cats.

Eighteen local breed cats suffered from enterotoxaemia after scavenging on chicken-remnants. They suffered from vomitus and diarrhoea and collapsed dead after a few hours. An untypable strain of Clostridium perfringens was isolated in pure form and was suspected to be the cause of the outbreak.