The efficiency of bovine ELISA in detection of the Mycobacterium avium subspecies Paratuberculosis (MAP) infection in camel (Camelus dromedaries) at different ages.

摘要

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis infection is a chronic disease that infect young animals and remains undetected for long periods. The immune responses to the disease is characterized by the cell mediated immunity at the early stage, while antibody response dominates the late stages of infection. Early detection of the disease is vital to prevent its transmission to the susceptible animals. ELISA was observed as one of the sensitive tests in the detection of the disease. The application of bovine test in detecting the disease was sought to unravel its versatility in camel. 95 serum samples (2-3 years old (3 samples), 4-6 years old (21 samples), 7-9 years old (24 samples) and 10-15 years-old (47 samples)) were collected from dromedary camels. The analysis of serum samples with commercial ELISA indicated only eight positive (8.4%) and one inconclusive samples. The positive samples were restricted to older animals (7-9 years old and 10-15 years old). Despite the emaciation of few animals, postmortem examination revealed no significant changes in the intestine. It is concluded that bovine ELISA is feasible in detecting anti-MAP antibodies in camel. However, the limitation of the ELISA sensitivity in detecting the infection in young animals will leave a wide range of infected young animals undetected. The results encourage the application of ELISA concurrent with PCR and faecal culture in the study of MAP infection prevalence in camels from Saudi Arabia.