Foot and mouth disease virus serological study of dromedary camels in Oman.

The potential role of camels in the epidemiology of foot and mouth disease in Oman was investigated. Sera from local dromedaries (n = 151) that graze with animals (cattle and small ruminants) positive for foot and mouth disease virus (FMDV) non-structural protein antibody (NSP-Ab) were tested for the detection of FMDV NSP-Ab. The samples were tested using a commercial competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (cELISA) , a rapid immunochromatographic assay and a solid-phase cELISA for the detection of antibodies specific to FMDV serotype O. The results from all three assays were negative when tested with dromedary sera. This indicates that FMDV was not transmitted to dromedary camels kept with FMDV NSP-Ab-positive ruminants.