Prevalence of Neonatal Cryptosporidiosis in Andean Alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in Peru

Abstract

A national survey was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of Cryptosporidium sp. in alpacas 1 to 15 days-old of age (crias) in 105 Andean herds. Stool samples of 5,163 randomly selected crias from 7 representative geographical regions of Peru were screened using acid fast staining microscopy. Ninety percent of ~2.9 milllion Peruvian alpacas are raised in these areas. Data on geographical characteristics and husbandry practices by region were also collected. Prevalence was determined by study areas and by age (five categories set at three-day intervals). Cryptosporidium sp. was detected in crias from all 7 regions. The overall prevalence was 13%, ranging from 7 to 23% per region. Prevalence was 2% in the youngest and showed an increasing trend by age, reaching 20% in crias 12-15 days old. These oldest crias were more likely to have cryptosporidiosis (OR=2.2, p<0.01). Infections with Cryptosporidium were also significantly associated with low availability of grazing grounds and overcrowding at birth (p<0.01). This study demonstrates that Cryptosporidium is a frequent pathogen in Andean alpaca crias, and suggest that cryptosporidiosis may play a significant role in the alpaca neonatal diarrhea complex that causes significant morbidity and mortality among crias.

First cross-sectional, molecular epidemiological survey of Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Enterocytozoon in alpaca (Vicugna pacos) in Australia

“…Most published investigations have exclusively examined young crias (few days to several weeks of age) (cf. [ 16 ]) for the purpose of detecting pathogens associated with neonatal diarrhoea and with high morbidity [ 4 , 9 ] or mortality [ 8 , 10 , 11 ]. The average age of the animals sampled here from each herd was 4.8 years; thus, broad sampling across ages is likely to have contributed to low prevalences.…”

“…The largest study of Cryptosporidium sp. in alpacas [ 16 ] examined 5163 randomly selected crias of 1 to 15 days of age from 105 herds throughout Peru and estimated a prevalence of 13% ( n = 666). In this latter study, adults were not tested, and the testing was conducted using acid fast staining and microscopy, such that the actual prevalence could have been much higher if samples had been tested by PCR.…”

“…Co-infections of Cryptosporidium and Giardia with other pathogens, including viruses, bacteria and other protists, such as Eimeria are common [ 4 , 9 , 11 – 15 ]; such co-infections are recognised to increase the severity and duration of diarrhoea [ 4 , 11 ]. Young alpacas, or crias, are particularly susceptible to viral and microbial infections, with much infectious disease research being focussed on this age group [ 9 – 11 , 13 , 16 , 17 ] and few studies involving older animals [ 17 – 19 ]. Pathogens, such as Cryptosporidium , Giardia and Enterocytozoon , have the potential to utilise a wide range of hosts, such as humans, wild and domestic animals, as reservoirs for zoonotic transmission [ 20 , 21 ].…”

Disorders of the Digestive System

“…Cryptosporidium parvum and ubiquitum affect camelids and several other species, including man, and transmission from alpacas to humans has been documented. 105 Cryptosporidium may be a secondary pathogen, but one recent study found no other gastrointestinal tract pathogens in 13/20 alpaca crias diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis, suggesting a role as a primary pathogen. 103 It was found by fecal immunofluorescent assay in 9% of cria diarrhea cases in the Northwest U.S. 98 Another US-based study using an immunocard assay found infection in 25.9% of crias with diarrhea.…”

Molecular Study of Cryptosporidium spp. in Dogs from Southwest of Iran

“…In addition, serological assays are used for epidemiological studies because specific antibody responses develop after both symptomatic and asymptomatic infection, especially for immunocompromised individuals (15), also considering the importance of zoonotic Cryptosporidium and the possibility of contamination of water and food with this parasite by infected animals.…”