Pathological insights into camel mastitis.

Camel is a multipurpose animal bred to produce milk, meat, and transport and serves as a financial reserve for pastoralists by playing an important role in social prestige and prosperity. Camel milk is a good substitute for human milk because of its exceptional nutritional properties. Udder infections are considered one of the main limitations to camel farming. In recent decades, the disease has been reported by numerous camel-producing countries in Africa and Asia, such as Egypt, Somalia, Sudan, Kenya, Saudi Arabia, and Iraq. The current review provides an overview of the forms of camel mastitis, which can be clinical mastitis characterized by hardening and swelling of the breast, pain on palpation, and visible changes in the colour and texture of the milk or subclinical mastitis refers to the presence of inflammation with no obvious signs and it can be detected by indirect tests such as the California mastitis test (CMT), somatic cell count (SCC), and microbiological examination. Major pathogens of camel mastitis are Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli, and Corynebacterium bovis. Regarding the risk factors for camel mastitis, this study provides an overview of the most important risk factors such as severe tick infestation, teat injuries, hygienic milking protocols, and physiological disorders causing mastitis. The use of indirect tests and bacteriological studies as diagnostic tools and their values for detecting camel mastitis will also be reviewed. Based on the above, further epidemiological studies on camel mastitis are needed to have solid scientific data on disease transmission, pathogen characterization, other possible risk factors or diagnostic methods, and the impact of the disease on public health. Proper control strategies should be adopted through early diagnosis, treatment and by avoiding potential risk factors to get good quality milk from camels.

A review: Surveillance of lumpy skin disease (LSD) a growing problem in Asia.

Lumpy skin disease (LSD) is a viral disease caused by lumpy skin disease virus (LSDV), a member of Capripoxvirus, genus of Poxviridae family. It is a transboundary infection of monetary significance that primarily affects water buffaloes and cattle. LSD was known to be once endemic in Saharan regions of Africa but later on reported in central Asian and neighboring countries of Pakistan like, India, Iran and China. It is a vector borne disease and arthropods are believed to be the main perpetrators. It is discernible by its high morbidity and low mortality. Characteristic lumps on skin and high fever are considered as major signs while reduced milk production, infertility, early embryonic death and anorexia are some of the salient clinical manifestations of the disease. Additionally, nodules on mucosa of oro-pharynx, udder, genitalia and rectum are usually observed on examination. This article summarizes LSD outbreaks across Asia during last fifteen years. It is a general consensus amongst the veterinary community that disease is endemic in Pakistan as it shares borders with India, Iran and China where recent outbreaks are reported. Historically Pakistan is free of LSD, however it is at high risk of a LSDV outbreak as neighboring regions are becoming endemic. Vaccination, strict quarantine measures, limited movement of livestock along with vector control could be effective for preventing the spread of the disease. This review aims to summarize the latest developments in the epidemiology of LSD with the focus on transboundary spread, possible emergence and economic implications on Pakistan.