Camelid - Respiratory Dz

Question 1

What disease syndromes are associated with BVDV infection in camelids?

Answer 1

• Diarrhoea.
• Ill thrift.
• Reproductive losses or congenital infection –> PI crias.
• Disseminated disease.

Question 2

What is the period of susceptibility of camelid foetuses for induction of BVDV PIs?

Answer 2

Unknown, as the gestation period of camelids is much longer than cattle.

Question 3

What methods can be used to diagnose BVDV infection in camelids?

Answer 3

• Virus isolation from LNs, blood, foetal tissues, placenta.
• PCR from whole blood.
• IHC on formalin fixed tissues.
• NB antigen-capture ELISA used in cattle can give false positive results.
• PI-specific assays used in cattle e.g. BVD viral antigen ELISAs on ear notches or serum have not been validated in camelids.

Question 4

Is there a BVDV vaccine licensed for use in camelids?

Answer 4

No.

Use of cattle vaccines is not recommended as this is not a widespread problem in camelids.

Question 5

Adenovirus-associated pneumonia has been reported in four camelids. What type of virus is this? What clinical signs and necropsy findings were reported?

Answer 5

• Double-stranded DNA virus.
• Bronchopneumonia, fibrinous pleuritis and peritonitis, chronic wasting, nasal discharge and lethargy.
• Inclusion bodies in liver and virus detected by fluorescent antibody testing in lungs.

Question 6

What virus has been implicated (but not proven) to be the cause of acute respiratory syndrome in alpacas?

Answer 6

• A group 1 coronavirus.

- Mild to severe respiratory signs; interstitial pneumonia with lymphocytic infiltrates on post mortem exam.