Camel contagious ecthyma (CCE) is an important viral disease of camelids caused by a poxvirus of the genus parapoxvirus (PPV) of the family Poxviridae. The disease has been reported in west and east of the Sudan causing economical losses. However, the PPVs that cause the disease in camels of the Sudan have not yet subjected to genetic characterization. At present, the PPV that cause CCE cannot be properly classified because only few isolates that have been genetically analyzed. PCR was used to amplify the B2L gene of the PPV directly from clinical specimens collected from dromedary camels affected with contagious ecthyma in the Sudan between 1993 and 2013. PCR products were sequenced and subjected to genetic analysis. The results provided evidence for close relationships and genetic variation of the camel PPV (CPPV) represented by the circulation of both Pseudocowpox virus (PCPV) and Orf virus (ORFV) strains among dromedary camels in the Sudan. Based on the B2L gene sequence the available CPPV isolates can be divided into two genetic clades or lineages; the Asian lineage represented by isolates from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and India and the African lineage comprising isolates from the Sudan. The camel parapoxvirus is genetically diverse involving predominantly viruses close to PCPV in addition to ORFVs, and can be divided into two genetically distant lineages. Based on sequences of the B2L gene it is not possible to suggest that the viruses that cause CCE form a monophylogenetic group or species within the PPV phylogeny.

Rabies is endemic in Sudan with continuing outbreaks occurring annually, the most common animals affected are dogs, followed by goats and equids. This work focused on equid rabies, to elucidate the current situation of the disease through analysis of reports of equid rabies outbreaks in Sudan during 2010–2022 supported by laboratory confirmation of the disease. During the study period, 66 animals were affected during 35 equid rabies outbreaks. The highest incidences were found in Al Gezira (30.3%), followed by Darfur (24.2%) and Kordofan (15.2%). The highest incidence rate was observed during 2018 (33.3%), followed by 2015 (16.7%). Within seasons, the highest incidence rate was reported during October – December (33.3%), followed by July – September (30.3%). Chi-square analysis revealed a significant correlation between rabid animals and year, season, and state. Wald statistics demonstrated that year and season had a significant association with the disease. Virus antigen was identified (72.2%) in brain tissues using the fluorescent antibody test. Viral nucleic acid was amplified (n = 6) with a reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction assay. Contribution: As equids are kept in close contact with humans and other animals in the country, according to the present investigation, equid rabies in Sudan is a potential public health concern, emphasising the importance of implementing effective control measures.

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease with veterinary, public health, and economic implications. The study aimed to estimate the seroprevalence of Brucella spp. among ruminants in Rafha, Saudi Arabia during January to October 2022 and to identify camel strains based on a glycosyltransferase gene sequence. Sera (n=1012) were collected from non-vaccinated sheep, goats, camels and cattle of different sex, age and breed randomly from the abattoirs to investigate the circulating brucella antibodies using RBPT. One hundred and eighteen sera (9.7%) were reactive for Brucella spp. IgG immunoglobulins, with higher percentages detected in sheep (11.4%), females (13.3%), adults (10.7%), and naieme breed (13.9%). Significant correlation between Brucella spp. antibodies and animal species (0.095), age (0.077) was found, while strong correlation between antibodies and sex was observed. Glycosyltransferase gene was amplified and sequenced from camel reactive sera (n=6). Camel strains displayed multiple nucleotide substitutions and deletions, nucleotide identity among local strains is 96.2-100%. Phylogenetic analysis showed that Brucella spp. strains clustered in two groups, Rafha strains clustered in one group together with other strains. Further investigation is needed to determine the prevalence of the bacteria among farm animals and to identify the strains involved to improve the preventive measures and strategies adopted for control.

Leprosy is a chronic infectious disease caused by the Gram-positive Mycobacterium leprae or M. lepromatosis. Leprosy is a significant public health concern in many parts of the world. It remains a persistent global health challenge, particularly in low-resource settings, despite the success of multidrug therapy (MDT) in reducing disease prevalence. The increasing number of drug-resistant case patients, non-adherence to treatment, and the failure of existing regimens to completely eradicate Mycobacterium leprae underscore the pressing need for novel therapeutic research toward effective treatment. In this review, we explore current conventional therapies. This essay critically examines the challenges posed by prolonged treatment regimens and medication resistance. This review also discusses new developments in leprosy treatment, including the study of new chemical entities in preclinical and clinical settings, as well as promising medication prospects. New drug discovery methods, including high-throughput screening, artificial intelligence, and genomics-guided target identification, are also covered. In addition to new drug discovery, innovative drug delivery methods are also crucial for targeting drug delivery, such as transdermal patches, nanocarriers, and long-acting injectables, which are developed with a focus on improving patient adherence, decreasing the frequency of doses, and enhancing therapeutic efficacy. Collectively, these emerging approaches show promise for a shift toward more efficient, targeted, and patient-friendly leprosy treatments, potentially paving the way for the eventual elimination of the disease.

To investigate the existence of bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV), parainfluenza virus 3 (PIV-3) and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) as well as its coinfections, a total of 420 pneumonic lung tissue samples were collected from slaughterhouses in three different areas. Samples were examined for the three viruses using antigen detection enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) test, and positive results were further confirmed using fluorescent antibody test and polymerase chain reaction. Prevalences detected were 10.47% for BVDV, 11.9% for parainfluenza virus type (PIV-3) and 7.6% for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Observed coinfections were bovine viral diarrhoea (BVD) and PIV-3 in 8.1%, BVD and RSV in only two samples (1%). Existence of all three viruses was detected in two samples (1%). Contribution: In this study, infection of the three viruses was confirmed in cattle and existence of its coinfection is documented for the first time.

Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of rabies in camels by collecting and analyzing data on its occurrence and applying laboratory confirmation. Materials and Methods: During 2010–2022, data on the occurrence of rabies in camels, reported outbreaks, the number affected, seasonal occurrence, and outbreak management were collected and statistically analyzed. Data was collected from the Ministry of Animal Resources and Fisheries in Sudan. Results: During the study period, 11 outbreaks resulted in 24 clinically suspected cases of rabies in camels. The highest percentage (29.2%) was in 2021. Within localities, the highest occurrence rate (58.3%) was observed in Darfur State in Western Sudan. The majority of rabies outbreaks (62.5%) were reported during July–September. The logistic regression model revealed a 25.1% annual decline in rabies infection risk, with a notable increase in 2021, while increases of 137.4% linked to seasonal effects and 69% linked to geographical location were observed. Most of the affected camels (71%) died, the rest were destroyed, and vaccination covered the vast majority of in-contact animals. Conclusions: Rabies in camels was found to occur across different localities, with the highest figures in 2021 and peaks during July–September.