Detection of antibodies of rinderpest and peste des petits ruminants viruses (Paramyxoviridae, Morbillivirus) during a new epizootic disease in Ethiopian camels (Camelus dromedarius)

A serological survey was designed to determine the antibody prevalence of r inderpest virus (RPV) and peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) in Ethiop ian camels. That study was undertaken after the occurrence in 1995 of an ap parently new highly contagious disease characterized by a rinderpest-like d isease syndrome in the camel population. 90 dromedaries were distributed in groups based on three epidemiologically-defined regions. The first group w as from a non-affected area, the second from sick and contact animals and t he third from convalescent animals. The sera were analyzed for antibody to RPV and PPRV by competitive ELISA tests. Results showed a global seropreval ence of 7.8 % for PPRV antibodies and 21.3 % for RPV antibodies. None of th e sera from the non-affected area was positive and the second and third gro ups had various positive rates. In accordance with several authors, the rec eptivity of the camel to these viruses appears to be a reality. However, it s susceptibility to RPV and PPRV had never been confirmed, as well as its r ole as a potential reservoir of these viruses which cause two major disease s of ruminants. The hypotheses about the occurrence of an emerging infectio n in camels, caused by pathogens usually found in cattle, sheep and goats, are discussed.