Zoonotic diseases in South American camelids in England and Wales

Halsby, Kate; Twomey, D. F.; Featherstone, C. A.; Foster, Aiden P; Walsh, Amanda L.; Hewitt, Kirsty; Morgan, Dilys

doi:10.1017/s0950268816003101

Cited by 23 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 30 publications

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“…In addition to viruses, bacteria and parasitic helminth infections [4–6], eukaryotic microbial pathogens of alpaca, including species of Cryptosporidium , Giardia , Eimeria and Enterocytozoon , have been implicated in or inferred to cause neonatal diarrhoea [4, 7], leading to severe morbidity and mortality [4, 8–12]. 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].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2018

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BackgroundEukaryotic pathogens, including Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Enterocytozoon, have been implicated in neonatal diarrhoea, leading to marked morbidity and mortality in the alpaca (Vicugna pacos) and llama (Lama glama) around the world. Australia has the largest population of alpacas outside of South America, but very little is known about these pathogens in alpaca populations in this country. Here, we undertook the first molecular epidemiological survey of Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Enterocytozoon in V. pacos in Australia.MethodsA cross-sectional survey of 81 herds, comprising alpacas of 6 weeks to 26 years of age, were sampled from the six Australian states (Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and Western Australia) across the four seasons. PCR-based sequencing was employed, utilising genetic markers in the small subunit of the nuclear ribosomal RNA (SSU) and 60-kilodalton glycoprotein (gp60) genes for Cryptosporidium, triose-phosphate isomerase (tpi) gene for Giardia duodenalis and the internal transcribed spacer region (ITS) for Enterocytozoon bieneusi.ResultsPCR-based analyses of 81 faecal DNA samples representing 1421 alpaca individuals detected Cryptosporidium, Giardia and/or Enterocytozoon on 15 farms in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, equating to 18.5% of all samples/herds tested. Cryptosporidium was detected on three (3.7%) farms, G. duodenalis on six (7.4%) and E. bieneusi on eight (9.9%) in two or all of these three states, but not in Queensland, Tasmania or Western Australia. Molecular analyses of selected faecal DNA samples from individual alpacas for Cryptosporidium, Giardia and/or Enterocytozoon consistently showed that alpacas of ≤ 6 months of age harboured these pathogens.ConclusionsThis first molecular investigation of Cryptosporidium, Giardia and Enterocytozoon in alpaca subpopulations in Australia has identified species and genotypes that are of likely importance as primary pathogens of alpacas, particularly young crias, and some genotypes with zoonotic potential. Although the prevalence established here in the alpaca subpopulations studied is low, the present findings suggest that crias are likely reservoirs of infections to susceptible alpacas and/or humans. Future studies should focus on investigating pre-weaned and post-weaned crias, and on exploring transmission patterns to establish what role particular genotypes play in neonatal or perinatal diarrhoea in alpacas and in zoonotic diseases in different states of Australia.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s13071-018-3055-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2018

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“…Alpacas are commonly held in flocks in open stabling or pasture feeding [ 1 ]. Primarily used as livestock for breeding for wool and meat production, they are also kept as pets for landscape conservation, animal-assisted therapy, or recreational activities like trekking [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 ]. Compared to other indigenous livestock, infectious diseases in SACs are still insufficiently studied.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Compared to other indigenous livestock, infectious diseases in SACs are still insufficiently studied. Nevertheless, there is a noticeable increase in research [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Epidemiological Investigations of Four Cowpox Virus Outbreaks in Alpaca Herds, Germany

Prkno

Hoffmann

Goerigk³

et al. 2017

Viruses

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Four cowpox virus (CPXV) outbreaks occurred in unrelated alpaca herds in Eastern Germany during 2012–2017. All incidents were initially noticed due to severe, generalized, and finally lethal CPXV infections, which were confirmed by testing of tissue and serum samples. As CPXV-infection has been described in South American camelids (SACs) only three times, all four herds were investigated to gain a deeper understanding of CPXV epidemiology in alpacas. The different herds were investigated twice, and various samples (serum, swab samples, and crusts of suspicious pox lesions, feces) were taken to identify additionally infected animals. Serum was used to detect CPXV-specific antibodies by performing an indirect immunofluorescence assay (iIFA); swab samples, crusts, and feces were used for detection of CPXV-specific DNA in a real-time PCR. In total, 28 out of 107 animals could be identified as affected by CPXV, by iIFA and/or PCR. Herd seroprevalence ranged from 16.1% to 81.2%. To investigate the potential source of infection, wild small mammals were trapped around all alpaca herds. In two herds, CPXV-specific antibodies were found in the local rodent population. In the third herd, CPXV could be isolated from a common vole (Microtus arvalis) found drowned in a water bucket used to water the alpacas. Full genome sequencing and comparison with the genome of a CPXV from an alpaca from the same herd reveal 99.997% identity, providing further evidence that the common vole is a reservoir host and infection source of CPXV. Only in the remaining fourth herd, none of the trapped rodents were found to be CPXV-infected. Rodents, as ubiquitous reservoir hosts, in combination with increasingly popular alpacas, as susceptible species, suggest an enhanced risk of future zoonotic infections.

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“…Although llamas and alpacas are gaining more importance in fiber production ( 3 , 4 ), these animals also have companion animal value and may have regular contact with humans and other susceptible animal species. SACs are a potential source of different pathogens that might be transmitted to humans and could pose a risk to human health ( 5 ). Among these diseases, alpacas and llamas are very susceptible to TB, caused by bacteria from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC), mainly by M. bovis and M. microti ( 6 , 7 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development and Evaluation of a Serological Assay for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Alpacas and Llamas

Infantes-Lorenzo

Whitehead²,

Moreno

et al. 2018

Front. Vet. Sci.

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South American camelids are susceptible to tuberculosis, caused mainly by Mycobacterium bovis and M. microti. Despite the tuberculin skin test being the official test for tuberculosis, it has a very low sensitivity in these species (14–20%). Serological tests present the advantages of being rapid, easy to perform and facilitate analysis of large numbers of samples in a short period of time. Novel antigen discovery and evaluation would provide enhanced detection of specific antibodies against members of M. tuberculosis complex. Here, we describe the development and evaluation of an ELISA-type immunoassays to use in the diagnosis of tuberculosis in llamas and alpacas based on P22, a multiprotein complex obtained by affinity chromatography from bovine Purified Protein Derivative (bPPD), that showed high sensitivity and specificity in mice, cattle and goats. This work was performed in two stages. First, a preliminary panel of samples collected from tuberculosis-free (n = 396) and M. bovis-infected herds (n = 56) was assayed, obtaining high specificity (100%) and sensitivity ranging from 63 to 96%. Subsequently, the use of the serological assay was tested using samples from two herds suffering from clinical M. bovis (n = 88) and M. microti (n = 25) infection to evaluate the ability of the ELISA to detect infected animals. 11 out of 88 alpacas were positive to the ELISA in a M. bovis outbreak and 7 out of 25 in a M. microti outbreak. The P22 ELISA potentially provides a sensitive and specific platform for improved tuberculosis surveillance in camelids.

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Zoonotic diseases in South American camelids in England and Wales

Cited by 23 publications

References 30 publications

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

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

Epidemiological Investigations of Four Cowpox Virus Outbreaks in Alpaca Herds, Germany

Development and Evaluation of a Serological Assay for the Diagnosis of Tuberculosis in Alpacas and Llamas

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