Epidemiological and Seasonal Dynamicity Studies on Major Respiratory Diseases of Camel in Selected Districts of Borana Zone, Southern Oromia, Ethiopia

A crosswise analysis was carried out between December 2013 and March 2014 across two seasons to assess selected camel herds. The aim was to investigate how season affects disease occurrences through field surveys and collection of serum samples. A sum of 384 nasopharyngeal aspiration samples was gathered from camels. Primary biochemical tests were utilized to classify the isolates to the genus level. A multiple variable logistic regression analysis was employed to consider the relations among potential threats and immune response. The results showed a strong association between respiratory symptoms and the season, while no significant correlation was found with the districts, sex, or age (p>0.05). The most frequently identified Gram-positive bacteria were Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus species, and Micrococcus species at rates of 19.0%, 11.1%, and 5.5%, respectively. The leading Gram-negative isolates included E. coli (15.9%), Pasteurella multocida (14.3%), and Klebsiella pneumoniae (12.7%). The study also identified a strong association between respiratory symptoms and the isolated bacteria, Mannhemia hemolytica. The study's findings suggest that various factors, such as the animals' nutritional and immune status, as well as environmental conditions, can transform the microbiota in the olfactory organ of healthy camel animals into pathogenic ones, leading to endogenous infections. The results of this study can inform the development of effective strategies for the prevention and control of camel respiratory diseases, ultimately improving their health and productivity highlighting the need for ongoing monitoring and management strategies for camel health.