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A PCR assay targeting the metalloprotease gene (mprA) of Burkholderia pseudomallei was developed for the specific detection of this organism in pure cultures and clinical samples. All other closely related organisms including B. mallei the causative agent of glanders, and B. thailandensis tested negative. Burkholderia pseudomallei DNA was successfully amplified from paraffin-embedded lung tissue of a camel with a generalized B. pseudomallei infection. The developed PCR assay can be used as a simple tool for the specific and sensitive detection of B. pseudomallei.

Ten common kestrels (Falco tinnunculus) were used for this falcon herpes vaccine experiment. Four kestrels were subcutaneously given 1 ml of an attenuated falcon herpesvirus that had originally been isolated from the liver of an American prairie falcon (Falco mexicanus). This virus was then passaged 100 times on chicken embryo fibroblast cells (CEF-cells). Another 4 kestrels were given subcutaneously an inactivated falcon herpesvirus vaccine derived from the same American field strain. This vaccine was concentrated, inactivated by heat and betapropiolactone and emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvans. Two further kestrels served as controls and were not vaccinated. Twenty-one days after vaccination, all 10 kestrels were challenged with passage 3 of the American falcon herpesvirus. The 2 control kestrels died 6 days after challenge and 3 of those given the inactivated herpes vaccine died 9 days after challenge, with typical lesions of herpesvirus inclusion body hepatitis. Before the vaccination experiment, all 10 kestrels were free of serum neutralising antibodies to the falcon herpesvirus. Twenty-one days after vaccination, all 4 kestrels vaccinated with the attenuated vaccine, and one vaccinated with the killed vaccine, had seroconverted, having shown no symptoms to the challenge with a low passage virulent American herpesvirus strain. Following the challenge their antibody titres to falcon herpesvirus increased. No herpesvirus was isolated from any of the cloacal swabs taken during this experiment, indicating that there is no danger for any other birds from the attenuated herpesvirus vaccine. This experiment clearly shows that an attenuated falcon herpesvirus vaccine can protect kestrels from fatal inclusion body hepatitis.

Clostridium perfringens type A was isolated from different organs and intestines from three to five weeks old camel calves which have died from heart muscle necrosis. No other bacterial pathogens were isolated. Virus isolation on two different cell lines including a fetal camel skin were also negative. Mice which were injected with bacteria free filtrates prepared from intestinal contents of necropsied camel calves died after one to six hours demonstrating the presence of clostridial toxins. Our findings suggest that the cardiac muscle necrosis is caused by Clostridium perfringens type A toxins.

Camels which are bred for the purpose of racing were tested serologically for 6 different animal diseases. The group were split into racing and breeding camels. The following results were achieved: Brucellosis, breeding camels 2%, racing camels 6.6%; Chlamydiosis 24%, 15%; Leptospirosis 2.5%, 5.6%; BVD/MD 9.2%, 3.6%. No antibodies were detected against IBR/IPV- and EBL-virus. The results are discussed under an epidemiological point of view.