Seroprevalence of Paratuberculosis among Camels in Al-Ahsa and Riyadh Regions, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection causes reduction in milk yield, premature culling and reduced slaughter value. In this paper a seroprevalence of Paratuberculosis among camel in Al-Ahsa and Riyadh regions of the KSA was done. For this purpose a total of 444 camel sera samples were collected from Riyadh (n=101), and in the Eastern region from a Veterinary Clinic (n=171) and from Al-Hasa slaughter house (n=172). The sera were tested by ELISA for the detection of antibodies to Mycobacterium avium sub spp. paratuberculosis. Positive sera were 32 (7.2%), with 10 (9.9%) positive sera in the Riyadh region, while 22 sera (6.41%) were tested positive in the Eastern region. Statistical analysis showed no significant difference in the prevalence in the two regions. Prevalence of antibodies to Mycobacterium avium sub spp. paratuberculosis were statistically non-significant association of the camel breeds. Twelve (13.33%) seropositive camels were less than two years old and 20 (5.64%) were older than two years. The difference in prevalence in the two tested age strata was statistically significant. Five (5.1%) male and 27 females (7.8%) had antibodies to MAP. The difference between genders was not statistically significant. It was concluded that infection of camels with MAP occur in the KSA but not yet known to which extent they cause clinical disease. Further studies are needed to determine the risk factors of infection that influences a further spread of the infection. The determination of these risk factors will help to plan program to control the disease. (C)2015 PVJ. All rights reserved