Mastitis in lactating camels (Camelus dromedarius) in Afar Region, north-eastern Ethiopia

Quarter milk samples (n = 543) from 152 traditionally managed lactating cam els (Camelus dromedarius) in Afar Region, north-eastern Ethiopia were exami ned to determine the prevalence of camel mastitis and identify its bacteria l causes. Out of 152 camels examined, 19 (12.5%) were diagnosed as clinical mastitis cases based on clinical signs and bacteriological examinations. O f the 257 California Mastitis Test (CMT) positive quarter milk samples 162 (63.0%) yielded pathogenic bacteria. A positive correlation was observed be tween CMT positive results and presence of major pathogens in camel milk sa mples. The main mastitis pathogens isolated were Staphylococcus aureus, coa gulase-negative staphylococci, Streptococcus agalactiae, S. dysgalactiae, a nd other species of streptococci, Pasteurella haemolytica and E. coli. Resu lts of the present study suggest that mastitis in Afar camels is prevalent, Gram-positive cocci are the major isolates from camel milk samples and the CMT can be used as a screening test for the detection of mastitis in camel s.