Key result
Enteric viral pathogens infect ~95% of neonatal alpacas and llamas, driven primarily by coronavirus.
Why the study?
Enteric infections are a major cause of neonatal death in South American camelids, but the prevalence of enteric viral pathogens in alpacas and llamas in the Peruvian highland was not determined.
Cross-Sectional (n=80)
This study provides the first description of mammalian orthoreovirus circulation in South American camelids, highlighting widespread viral enteric infections in neonatal alpacas and llamas.
Widespread enteric viruses in neonatal camelids support herd surveillance; leaves open orthoreovirus pathogenicity pending prospective studies.
Enteric infections are a major cause of neonatal death in South American camelids (SACs). The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of enteric viral pathogens among alpacas and llamas in Canchis, Cuzco, located in the southern Peruvian highland. Fecal samples were obtained from 80 neonatal alpacas and llamas and tested for coronavirus (CoV), mammalian orthoreovirus (MRV), and rotavirus A (RVA) by RT-PCR. Of the 80 fecal samples analyzed, 76 (95%) were positive for at least one of the viruses tested. Overall, the frequencies of positive samples were 94.1% and 100% among alpacas and llamas, respectively. Of the positive samples, 33 (43.4%) were monoinfected, while 43 (56.6%) had coinfections with two (83.7%) or three (16.3%) viruses. CoV was the most commonly detected virus (87.5%) followed by MRV (50%). RVA was detected only in coinfections. To our knowledge, this is the first description of MRV circulation in SACs or camelids anywhere. These data show that multiple viruses circulate widely among young alpaca and llama crias within the studied areas. These infections can potentially reduce livestock productivity, which translates into serious economic losses for rural communities, directly impacting their livelihoods.
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Castilla et al. (2021) conducted a cross-sectional in Enteric viral infections (n=80). Enteric viral pathogens was evaluated on Prevalence of enteric viral pathogens. Enteric viral pathogens were detected in 95% of neonatal alpacas and llamas, with coronavirus (87.5%) and mammalian orthoreovirus (50%) being the most commonly detected viruses.
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