Outbreak of diarrhea among preweaning alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in the southern Peruvian highland

Introduction: Infections, particularly diarrheal infections, are a major cause of neonatal death in South American camelids. The aim of this study was to identify the pathogens that could have caused the recent diarrhea outbreak among the alpacas in Silli, Cusco, located in the southern Peruvian highland. Methodology: Spleen, kidney, and intestine tissue along with fecal and intestinal lavage samples were obtained from 50 one- to five-week-old alpacas and analyzed for the presence of parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Results: Laboratory testing of the 50 crias included in this study revealed that 80% were infected with Eimeria spp., 40% with coronavirus, 34% with E. coli, 32% with rotavirus, 22% with Clostridium spp., and 20% with Cryptosporidium spp. Of these 50 alpaca crias, 20 presented with a single infection (19 positive for Eimeria spp. and 1 positive for rotavirus). Co-infections with up to four pathogens occurred in 60% of the samples. The significance of such infections is not clear, but it is noteworthy that the animals suffering from necrotic and/or hemorrhagic enteritis presented with quadruple infections. It is likely that co-infections increase the severity of the disease. Conclusions: These data show that multiple pathogens circulate among young alpaca crias and could be associated with diarrheal disease in these animals. The findings from this study warrant the provision of subsidies for future assessment of the potential economic impact of these infections on the productivity of the Peruvian alpaca industry.

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Solitary tracheal B-cell lymphoma in an adult alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

BMC Veterinary Research ◽

10.1186/s12917-020-02640-9 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Emma Marchionatti ◽

Elke Van der Vekens ◽

Laureen Michèle Peters ◽

Taina Susanna Kaiponen ◽

Inês Berenguer Veiga ◽

...

Keyword(s):

B Cell ◽

B Cell Lymphoma ◽

Immunohistochemical Analysis ◽

Blood Chemistry ◽

Needle Aspiration ◽

South American ◽

South American Camelids ◽

Vicugna Pacos ◽

Endoscopy Ultrasound ◽

Multicentric Lymphoma

Abstract Background This report describes a case of solitary tracheal lymphoma in a 14-year-old alpaca mare. Case presentation The alpaca was referred for dyspnea and inspiratory noise. The clinical examination included complete blood cell count, blood chemistry, endoscopy, ultrasound, radiographs, and computed tomography (CT). A solitary tracheal intraluminal and juxtatracheal lymphoma was diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA). The owner requested euthanasia due to the uncertain prognosis. At postmortem examination, the presence of solitary lymphoma without involvement of other organs was confirmed. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed a B-cell origin. Conclusions Although multicentric lymphoma is the most commonly described neoplasia affecting South American camelids (SAC), solitary forms of the disease may occur.

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Relationships between Body Condition Score (BCS), FAMACHA©-Score and Haematological Parameters in Alpacas (Vicugna pacos), and Llamas (Lama glama) Presented at the Veterinary Clinic

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11092517 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (9) ◽

pp. 2517

Author(s):

Matthias Gerhard Wagener ◽

Saskia Neubert ◽

Teresa Maria Punsmann ◽

Steffen B. Wiegand ◽

Martin Ganter

Keyword(s):

Body Condition ◽

Body Condition Score ◽

Small Ruminants ◽

Haematological Parameters ◽

South American ◽

Veterinary Clinic ◽

South American Camelids ◽

Vicugna Pacos ◽

Condition Score ◽

Clinical Detection

South American camelids (SAC) are being more and more presented at the veterinary Clinics in Germany. A bad nutritional condition, which can be easily categorized using a body condition score (BCS) of the animals, is often not noticed by the owners. Further anaemia is also often only detected in an advanced stage in SAC. Clinical detection of anaemia can be performed by assessing the FAMACHA©-score (FS), that is adapted from small ruminants. So far, there is only little information available about BCS and FS in SAC. In this study, both clinical scores were assessed in alpacas and llamas presented at the veterinary clinic and compared with the haematological parameters from the animals. The data were extracted retrospectively from the animals’ medical records and compared statistically. More than half of the alpacas (60%) and llamas (70%) had a BCS < 3, while 12% of the alpacas and 21% of the llamas had a FS > 2. A decreased BCS was associated with a decrease in haematocrit, haemoglobin, lymphocytes, and eosinophils, as well as an increase in FS and neutrophils. BCS and FS should be assessed regularly in SAC to detect emaciation and anaemia in time.

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28 Evaluation invitro of two protocols of vitrification from alpaca (Vicugna pacos) embryos

Reproduction Fertility and Development ◽

10.1071/rdv33n2ab28 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (2) ◽

pp. 121

Author(s):

W. Huanca ◽

G. Marin ◽

A. Cordero ◽

M. Uchuari ◽

W. F. Huanca

Keyword(s):

Surgical Technique ◽

Room Temperature ◽

Embryo Quality ◽

Reproductive Efficiency ◽

South American ◽

Genetic Characteristic ◽

South American Camelids ◽

Vicugna Pacos ◽

Chi Squared ◽

Cryopreserved Embryos

The reproductive efficiency of South American camelids as the alpaca is low, with a few number of animals having a good genetic characteristic. The transfer of cryopreserved embryos has great potential to disseminate valuable genetic, but the suitable protocol for such cryopreservation still needs to be developed. In this study, two protocols of vitrification of alpaca embryos were tested. Day 6.5 post-mating, embryos (n=66) were recovered from 14 female alpacas through a non-surgical technique and classified according to the characteristics of old world camelids reported by Skidmore et al. 2004 (Reprod. Fertil. Dev. 16, 605–609). Only quality 1 and 2 embryos were used for the study. They were placed together in 50-µL drops of holding medium for 30min and transferred to a 100-µL drop of equilibration solution 1, consisting of 7.5% (v/v) ethylene glycol (EG) + 0.25M sucrose. After 1min, embryos were transferred to equilibration solution 2, consisting of 15% (v/v) EG + 0.5M sucrose. After 2min, embryos were transferred into 2 consecutive drops of vitrification solutions A [SA: 30% (v/v) EG + 1M sucrose] for 20s each, then in 2 other drops of vitrification solution B [SB: 30% (v/v) EG + 3% glycerol + 1M sucrose] for 20s each. Thereafter, embryos were quickly loaded into open pulled straws (OPS) in a volume of 10µL and then plunged into liquid nitrogen. For warming, the OPS were held in air for 5s and subsequently thawed at 37°C for 50s. Straws were emptied into 1mL of prewarmed holding medium solution (HMS1) containing 1M sucrose for wash and the thawed blastocysts were transferred into a second 1mL of prewarmed HMS1. After 5min incubation at 37°C, the blastocysts were transferred into 1mL of warmed Holding medium solution 2 (HMS2) containing 0.5M sucrose maintained at room temperature (∼24°C) for evaluation. Data were analysed by the Chi-squared test. Post-thaw embryo expansion results were 81.3% and 58.8% for SA and SB (P<0.05), respectively. Post-thaw embryo quality (1 and 2) were found at 62.5% and 29.1% with SA and SB, respectively (P<0.05). In conclusion, the vitrification of alpaca embryos with the ethylene glycol:sucrose solution results in better post-thaw outcomes than the ethylene glycol:sucrose:glycerol. Further experiments with embryo transfer are needed. This research was funded by FONDECYT project no. 149-2017.

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Ciliate protozoa of the forestomach of llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Vicugna pacos) from the Bolivian Altiplano

Zootaxa ◽

10.11646/zootaxa.1703.1.4 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 1703 (1) ◽

pp. 62 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

IGNACIO DEL VALLE ◽

GABRIEL DE LA FUENTE ◽

MANUEL FONDEVILA

Keyword(s):

Stomach Contents ◽

Host Record ◽

South American ◽

New Host ◽

La Paz ◽

South American Camelids ◽

New Host Record ◽

Vicugna Pacos ◽

Lama Glama ◽

Ciliate Protozoa

Protozoal diversity in the forestomach of South American camelids (SAC) was studied in eight llamas and six alpacas from the Parque Natural Condoriri (3900 to 4100 m altitude, Departamento La Paz, Bolivia). Total protozoal concentrations were 3.6 times higher (P < 0.001) in the stomach contents of alpacas (39.6 x 10 4 ml -1 and 143.8 x 10 4 ml -1 in llamas and alpacas, respectively). Four to 11 species, all from the genus Entodinium, were observed in llamas, whereas from eight to nine species of Entodinium and minor proportions of Diplodinium (D. anisacanthum, D. dogieli, D. rangiferi), Eudiplodinium (E. bovis, E. maggii, E. neglectum) and Epidinium (E. ecaudatum) were observed in alpacas. The presence of Epidinium species in the alpaca is a new host record. The vestibuliferids, Dasytricha and Isotricha were absent from the forestomach of SAC, as well as other species such as Caloscolex genus, Diplodinium cameli and Entodinium ovumrajae, commonly found in Old World camelids.

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Sarcocystis masoni, n. sp. (Apicomplexa: Sarcocystidae), and redescription of Sarcocystis aucheniae from llama (Lama glama), guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and alpaca (Vicugna pacos)

Parasitology ◽

10.1017/s003118201600007x ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 143 (5) ◽

pp. 617-626 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

GASTÓN MORÉ ◽

CRISTIAN REGENSBURGER ◽

M. LAURA GOS ◽

LAIS PARDINI ◽

SHIV K. VERMA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

18S Rrna ◽

18S Rrna Gene ◽

Rrna Gene ◽

South American ◽

Lama Guanicoe ◽

South American Camelids ◽

Vicugna Pacos ◽

Considerable Confusion ◽

Lama Glama ◽

Sarcocyst Wall

SUMMARYThere is considerable confusion concerning the species of Sarcocystis in South American camelids (SAC). Several species names have been used; however, proper descriptions are lacking. In the present paper, we redescribe the macroscopic sarcocyst forming Sarcocystis aucheniae and describe and propose a new name, Sarcocystis masoni for the microscopic sarcocyst forming species. Muscles samples were obtained from llamas (Lama glama) and guanacos (Lama guanicoe) from Argentina and from alpacas (Vicugna pacos) and llamas from Peru. Individual sarcocysts were processed by optical and electron microscopy, and molecular studies. Microscopic sarcocysts of S. masoni were up to 800 µm long and 35–95 µm wide, the sarcocyst wall was 2·5–3·5 µm thick, and had conical to cylindrical villar protrusions (vp) with several microtubules. Each vp had 11 or more rows of knob-like projections. Seven 18S rRNA gene sequences obtained from sarcocysts revealed 95–96% identity with other Sarcocystis spp. sequences reported in the GenBank. Sarcocysts of S. aucheniae were macroscopic, up to 1·2 cm long and surrounded by a dense and laminar 50 µm thick secondary cyst wall. The sarcocyst wall was up to 10 µm thick, and had branched vp, appearing like cauliflower. Comparison of the 11 sequences obtained from individual macroscopic cysts evidenced a 98–99% of sequence homology with other S. aucheniae sequences. In conclusion, 2 morphologically and molecularly different Sarcocystis species, S. masoni (microscopic cysts) and S. aucheniae (macroscopic cysts), were identified affecting different SAC from Argentina and Peru.

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Ultrastructural Description of Sarcocystis Sp. in Cardiac Muscle of Naturally Infected Alpacas (Vicugna pacos)

Iranian Journal of Parasitology ◽

10.18502/ijpa.v14i1.733 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

J. Raúl LUCAS ◽

Manuel BARRIOS-ARPI ◽

José RODRÍGUEZ ◽

Stephanie BALCÁZAR-NAKAMATSU ◽

Jacquelyne ZARRIA ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Skeletal Muscle ◽

Cardiac Muscle ◽

South American ◽

Thin Wall ◽

South American Camelids ◽

Dense Bodies ◽

Transmission Electron ◽

Vicugna Pacos ◽

Ultrastructural Characteristics ◽

Age Range

Background: Recently, it was proposed the name of Sarcocystis masoni n. sp. for the Sarcocystis that causes microcyst in skeletal muscle of South American camelids. However, there are no ultrastructural reports of microcysts of Sarcocystis in cardiac muscle of alpacas. This study reports ultrastructural features of microcysts of Sarcocystis sp. from cardiac muscle of naturally infected alpacas. Methods: Thirty alpacas (age range: three to five years) from the province of Junin, Peruvian Central Andes, were included in this study in January 2015. Cardiac muscle samples were evaluated by histology and transmission electron microscopy. Results: Bradyzoites in cysts had typical characteristics of Apicomplexa including organelles, a large nucleus, micronemes, dense bodies, and polysaccharide granules. Moreover, cysts had a thin wall with numerous, short, finger-like shapes with rounded tip protrusions (0.51 x 0.17 µm). Conclusion: Sarcocystis sp. from the heart and S. masoni n. sp. from the skeletal muscle have similar ultrastructural characteristics.

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Probiotics Slow the Growth of Pathogenic Bacteria

International Journal of Probiotics and Prebiotics ◽

10.37290/ijpp2641-7197.14:28-31 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 28-31 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Rowles H. L.

Keyword(s):

Growth Rate ◽

Bacterial Infections ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Diarrheal Disease ◽

Growth Curves ◽

Mortality Rates ◽

Controlled Delivery ◽

E Coli ◽

Multiple Strains ◽

Commercial Probiotics

Probiotics are live microorganisms, which when ingested in sufficient amounts, confer health benefits to the host by improving the gut microflora balance. The purpose of this research was to determine whether commercial probiotic products containing multitude of commensal bacteria would reduce the growth rate of pathogenic bacteria, specifically Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium. Growth curves were established, and the growth rates were compared for samples of E. coli, S. typhimurium, Nature’s Bounty Controlled Delivery probiotic, Sundown Naturals Probiotic Balance probiotic, and cocultures of the pathogenic bacteria mixed with the probiotics. The findings of this research were that the commercial probiotics significantly reduced the growth rate of E. coli and S. typhimurium when combined in cocultures. Probiotics containing multiple strains may be taken prophylactically to reduce the risk of bacterial infections caused by E. coli and S. typhimurium. Probiotics could be used to reduce the high global morbidity and mortality rates of diarrheal disease.

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Pollution, Toxicity and Carcinogenicity of Organic Dyes and their Catalytic Bio-Remediation

Current Pharmaceutical Design ◽

10.2174/1381612825666191021142026 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 25 (34) ◽

pp. 3645-3663 ◽

Cited By ~ 21

Author(s):

Muhammad Ismail ◽

Kalsoom Akhtar ◽

M.I. Khan ◽

Tahseen Kamal ◽

Murad A. Khan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Water Pollution ◽

Textile Industry ◽

Pathogenic Bacteria ◽

Diarrheal Disease ◽

Organic Dyes ◽

Chemical Reduction ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Agricultural Runoff ◽

E Coli ◽

Sanitation Services

: Water pollution due to waste effluents of the textile industry is seriously causing various health problems in humans. Water pollution with pathogenic bacteria, especially Escherichia coli (E. coli) and other microbes is due to the mixing of fecal material with drinking water, industrial and domestic sewage, pasture and agricultural runoff. Among the chemical pollutants, organic dyes due to toxic nature, are one of the major contaminants of industrial wastewater. Adequate sanitation services and drinking quality water would eliminate 200 million cases of diarrhea, which results in 2.1 million less deaths caused by diarrheal disease due to E. coli each year. Nanotechnology is an excellent platform as compared to conventional treatment methods of water treatment and remediation from microorganisms and organic dyes. In the current study, toxicity and carcinogenicity of the organic dyes have been studied as well as the remediation/inactivation of dyes and microorganism has been discussed. Remediation by biological, physical and chemical methods has been reviewed critically. A physical process like adsorption is cost-effective, but can’t degrade dyes. Biological methods were considered to be ecofriendly and cost-effective. Microbiological degradation of dyes is cost-effective, eco-friendly and alternative to the chemical reduction. Besides, certain enzymes especially horseradish peroxidase are used as versatile catalysts in a number of industrial processes. Moreover, this document has been prepared by gathering recent research works related to the dyes and microbial pollution elimination from water sources by using heterogeneous photocatalysts, metal nanoparticles catalysts, metal oxides and enzymes.

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Llama and Alpaca Management in Germany—Results of an Online Survey among Owners on Farm Structure, Health Problems and Self-Reflection

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010102 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 102

Author(s):

Saskia Neubert ◽

Alexandra von Altrock ◽

Michael Wendt ◽

Matthias Gerhard Wagener

Keyword(s):

Online Survey ◽

Animal Husbandry ◽

Health Problems ◽

South American ◽

Wool Production ◽

Self Reflection ◽

South American Camelids ◽

Feeding Management ◽

Management Measures ◽

On Farm

An online survey of llama and alpaca owners was used to collect data on the population, husbandry, feeding, management measures and health problems. A total of 255 questionnaires were evaluated. In total, 55.1% of the owners had started keeping South American camelids within the last six years. The majority managed small farms with fewer than 15 animals (66.4% of 250 farms). More than half of the participants stated that they kept the camelids as hobby animals (64.3%), although they used them for wool production (55.7%) and/or for breeding (51.8%). Vaccination and deworming were carried out on more than 80% of the farms. The most common diseases occurring on the farms were endo- and ectoparasites. A total of 55.3% of the owners estimated their own knowledge of South American camelids as good, 14.5% as very good. In contrast, more than half of the owners agreed little or not at all with the statement that veterinarians generally have sufficient knowledge about South American camelids. Further research is needed to include veterinarians’ perspectives and thus optimise animal husbandry.

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Prevalence of Pathogens in Young Children Presenting to Hospital with Diarrhea from Lambaréné, Gabon

American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene ◽

10.4269/ajtmh.20-1290 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 105 (1) ◽

pp. 254-260

Author(s):

Gédéon Prince Manouana ◽

Natalie Byrne ◽

Mirabeau Mbong Ngwese ◽

Alvyn Nguema Moure ◽

Philipp Hofmann ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Diarrheal Disease ◽

Demographic Data ◽

Infectious Agent ◽

Diagnostic Tools ◽

African Countries ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Preventative Interventions ◽

Pathogenic Agents ◽

Multiple Pathogens

Abstract.Diarrheal disease is the second most frequent cause of mortality in children younger than 5 years worldwide, causing more than half a million deaths each year. Our knowledge of the epidemiology of potentially pathogenic agents found in children suffering from diarrhea in sub-Saharan African countries is still patchy, and thereby hinders implementation of effective preventative interventions. The lack of cheap, easy-to-use diagnostic tools leads to mostly symptomatic and empirical case management. An observational study with a total of 241 participants was conducted from February 2017 to August 2018 among children younger than 5 years with diarrhea in Lambaréné, Gabon. Clinical and demographic data were recorded, and a stool sample was collected. The samples were examined using a commercial rapid immunoassay to detect Rotavirus/adenovirus, conventional bacterial culture for Salmonella spp., and multiplex real-time PCR for Cryptosporidium spp., Giardia lamblia, Cyclospora cayetanensis, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC), and enteroinvasive Escherichia coli (EIEC)/Shigella. At least one infectious agent was present in 121 of 241 (50%) samples. The most frequently isolated pathogens were EIEC/Shigella and ETEC (54/179; 30.2% and 44/179; 24.6%, respectively), followed by G. lamblia (33/241; 13.7%), Cryptosporidium spp. (31/241; 12.9%), and Rotavirus (23/241; 9.5%). Coinfection with multiple pathogens was observed in 33% (40/121) of the positive cases with EIEC/Shigella, ETEC, and Cryptosporidium spp. most frequently identified. Our results provide new insight into the possible causes of diarrheal disease in the Moyen-Ogooué region of Gabon and motivate further research on possible modes of infection and targeted preventive measures.

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