Serological survey in camels (Camelus dromedarius) to detect antibodies against bovine herpesvirus type-1 and Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis in Iran

Serological survey was carried out to detect antibodies in dromedary camels against bovine herpesvirus type-1 (BHV-1) and Mycobacterium avium paratuberculosis (Map) in Iran. Serum samples were collected from camels at Khorein abattoir in suburbs of Tehran. Using the serum neutralisation test (SNT), 137 samples were examined and no antibodies to BHV-1 were detected. A modified camelid-specific serum antibody assay was used and 2 of 90 camels (2.2%) were found positive for Map antibodies. It is concluded that camels probably may play a role in the persistence and transmission of Map infection among ruminants in Iran. This is the first report for the detection of antibodies in dromedary camels against BHV-1 and Map in Iran.