Respiratory syncytial virus infection of camels (Camelus dromedaries)

This study aimed to investigate the occurrence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections in camels in Sudan. A total of 272 camel lung specimens showing pneumonia were collected from slaughter houses at four different areas in Sudan, additionally 8 specimens were collected from outbreaks of respiratory infection in camels. Using sandwich ELISA kits for RSV antigen detection 4 out of 280 tested lungs (1.4%) were positive, all were from Central Sudan (Tambool slaughter house). FAT was used to confirm the ELISA positives. Polymerase chain reaction RT/PCR was applied for the detection of RSV genome in camel lungs; 1 out of 4 ELISA positives was positive by RT/PCR. Using indirect ELISA kits 135 out of 495 (27.3%) camel sera showed antibodies to RSV, highest prevalence was observed in Western (33.5%) then Central (31.6%) and Eastern Sudan (23.5%). Based on the manufacturer specified calculations for OD readings, most of positive sera (90/135) were low reactive (1+). This is the first report for the detection of RSV antigen, genome and antibody in camels in Sudan.