Livestock diseases adversely affect the livelihood of pastoral people in Africa. They decrease their livestock productivity, causing infections and death in livestock and threatening human life in case of zoonotic pathogens. This finally leads to economically detrimental trade barriers. Camels are the most valuable livestock species in the Horn of Africa with an estimated population exceeding 16 million animals. They play a pivotal role in food security for millions of people. Their health status is therefore of utmost importance for the people living in this region. We here report our findings on three pathogens that have been reported in camels. Two of the pathogens under investigation are bacteria, Streptococcus agalactiae (GBS) and Staphylococcus aureus that are very important agents of mastitis.
We present molecular epidemiological data based on genetic and phenotypic data from African camel derived Group B Streptococcus and Staphylococcus aureus isolates. The isolates were characterized using methods such as multilocus sequence typing (MLST), full genome sequencing, and in vitro antimicrobial susceptibility testing. We mapped specific phenotypes such as antibiotic resistance to genotypes. For Streptococcus agalactiae, widespread resistance to tetracycline was associated with acquisition of the tetM gene that is encoded on a Tn916-like element, and observed primarily among GBS isolated from mastitis.
Recently we discovered that dromedary camels are a putative source for human infections with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus (MERS-coV). From 778 serum samples from camels sampled during 1992–2013 in various regions in Kenya, one third (228) had antibodies against MERS-coV. High densities of camel populations correlated with increased seroprevalence.
These results show the need for improved infectious disease surveillance in livestock and will help to guide the development of control measures such as diagnostic assays, vaccines and provide recommendations for antimicrobial treatment strategies for disease control in camels in the Horn of Africa.