Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection in highland alpacas (Lama pacos) in Peru

Abstract

CASEOUS lymphadenitis (CLA), caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, is a disease with high morbidity that results in economic loss in sheep and goat enterprises worldwide (Batey 1986a). In sheep, the disease may present in an external form, with abscesses in the superficial lymph nodes and subcutaneous tissues, and/or in an internal form, with abscesses in various organs, especially the lungs, liver and kidneys, and the mediastinal, bronchial and lumbar lymph nodes (Ellis 1983). Sheep with abscesses in the lungs may be a source of C pseudotuberculosis infection to other sheep because of airborne transmission (Ellis and others 1987). C pseudotuberculosis was isolated from Peruvian alpacas (Lama pacos) for the first time in 1985 (Villena 1985) and again in 1993 in herds in southern Peru (Braga 1993). This short communication describes abscesses found in alpacas of varying age and sex in two herds located between 4200 and 4600 m above sea level in the southern Peruvian highlands in 1997.

Sex hormone profiles and cellular changes of reproductive organs of mice experimentally infected with C. pseudotuberculosis and its exotoxin phospholipase D (PLD)

“…The visceral form of CLA called Thin Ewe Syndrome is associated with low reproductive rates in sheep [3]. Other animal species in which infection with C. pseudotuberculosis is relatively common, include horses [4,5,6], cattle [7,8,9], llamas and alpacas [10,11] and buffalo [12]. Although CLA could cause important economic losses associated with as loss of body condition and subsequent reproductive failure [13,14], the virulence mechanisms of the agent have been scarcely characterized and the epidemiology of the infection is still poorly understood in many countries.…”

Skin diseases in the alpaca (Vicugna pacos): a literature review and retrospective analysis of 68 cases (Cornell University 1997–2006)

“…2 Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infection Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis infections appear to be common in alpacas. 2,[11][12][13] Infection may occur by wound contamination or by consuming infected milk. 13 Affected animals range from 22 days to 14 months of age.…”

Diseases of the Cardiovascular and Hemolymphatic Systems

“…Outbreaks of caseous lymphadenitis in alpacas have been reported in Peru and the United States, and are likely to be possible in all countries where camelids and the causative agent are present. 108,109 C. pseudotuberculosis is a gram-positive facultative intracellular, anaerobic pathogen of the Actinomycetes group. It has a pleomorphic appearance ranging from coccoid to a filamentous rod.…”

“…Coccidia, stomach worms, thought to be an important means of initiating infection in small ruminants and are likely to promote spread from infected small ruminants to camelids or within an infected herd of camelids as well, but the disease has been found in young camelids that have never been shorn. 108,109 Other skin wounds, such as ear tag or microchip sites or traumatic injuries, may facilitate infection as well. Ingestion of contaminated feeds or infected milk may be another route of interspecies transmission.…”

“…In South America, internal abscesses appear to be common as well, primarily affecting the perirenal lymph nodes and occasionally the liver or lung. 108 Internal abscesses may be less common in North America. 109 Compared with small ruminants, the infrequency of lung lesions and frequency of mammary lesions suggest that milkborne transmission may be more important than respiratory transmission in camelids.…”