PREVALENCE AND ANTIBIOTIC SENSITIVITY OF CORYN BACTERIUM PSEUDO TUBERCULOSIS ISOLATED FROM CAMELS SLAUGHTERED IN THREE MAJOR ABATTOIRS AT CAIRO AND GIZA

Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (C. pseudotuberculosis) is the causative agent of caseous lymphadenitis, a chronic suppurative disease with a worldwide distribution, in sheep, goats and camels. This study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of C. pseudotuberculosis in affected lymph nodes of camels slaughtered at El-Basatin, El-Waraq and Kerdasa abattoirs in Cairo and Giza Governorates, Egypt. Meanwhile, the antimicrobial resistance profiles of the bacterial isolates were investigated for better control of the condition in live animals. Out of 792 camel carcasses examined, 92 were affected with caseous lymphadenitis. The visceral form of the disease was detected in 69 carcasses (75%) while the peripheral form was found in 23 carcasses (25%). Concerning age categories, the affection was more prevalent in camels less than seven years old. Based on the bacteriological investigation, the prevalence rates of C. pseudotuberculosis among the affected carcasses of was 18.48% (17 carcasses). Results of the antibiogram showed that all isolates were sensitive for norfloxacin (100%) and moderatly sensitive for piperaciliine (54.55%). High level of resistance was recorded against penicillin G (100%), followed by emoxiclave (90.90%) and gentamycin, rifampicin and vancomycin
(81.82% for each). Some isolates inferred resistance against more than one antibacterial agents
indicating the alarming existence of multiple drug resistance of C. pseudotuberculosis.