Prevalence and etiology of mastitis in camels (Camelus dromedarius) in eastern Ethiopia

Seven hundred and 53 quarter milk samples from 195 traditionally managed lactating camels (Camelus dromedarius) in eastern Ethiopia were examined to study the occurrence of mastitis and identify its bacterial causes. Forty seven (24.1%) of the lactating camels were detected as mastitis cases based on the positive reaction of the milk samples to the California Mastitis Test (CMT) and culture results. Out of the 65 CMT positive quarter milk samples 57 (87.7%) yielded pathogenic bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus, coagulase-negative Staphylococci, Streptococcus agalactiae, other Streptococcus spp, Corynebacterium and Bacillus spp were the main pathogens recovered from CMT positive milk samples. The results show that mastitis in the camel is prevalent in eastern Ethiopia and Gram-positive cocci were dominant among the mastitis pathogens isolated.