Gitao C G
University of Nairobi, Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, Kenya.
Rev Sci Tech. 1993 Jun;12(2):639-45. doi: 10.20506/rst.12.2.710.
The breeding of camels (Camelus dromedarius) is especially important in arid and semi-arid areas of Africa, where drought and famine frequently occur. A number of diseases which impair camel production have recently been described, including dermatophilosis (caused by Dermatophilus congolensis). However, it is not possible to determine the prevalence of infection from clinical cases alone. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay has therefore been developed to determine the epidemiological prevalence of D. congolensis infection in sera of camels. Whole-cell antigen was used on microplates and the test serum was added. Horseradish peroxidase-conjugated sheep antibodies against heavy and light chains of camel immunoglobulin (Ig)G were then added, followed by substrate. The test was used to trace the antibody profile of twelve experimentally-infected camels. Peak antibody levels in serum occurred within twenty-one days following infection. It is planned to use this test to determine the epidemiological prevalence of D. congolensis infection in camels reared in a pastoral area of Kenya.
骆驼（单峰驼）养殖在非洲干旱和半干旱地区尤为重要，这些地区经常发生干旱和饥荒。最近已经描述了一些影响骆驼生产的疾病，包括嗜皮菌病（由刚果嗜皮菌引起）。然而，仅从临床病例无法确定感染率。因此，已经开发了一种酶联免疫吸附测定法来确定骆驼血清中刚果嗜皮菌感染的流行病学感染率。在微孔板上使用全细胞抗原并加入测试血清。然后加入辣根过氧化物酶偶联的抗骆驼免疫球蛋白（Ig）G重链和轻链的羊抗体，随后加入底物。该测试用于追踪十二只实验感染骆驼的抗体谱。感染后二十一天内血清中的抗体水平达到峰值。计划使用该测试来确定肯尼亚一个牧区饲养的骆驼中刚果嗜皮菌感染的流行病学感染率。
