Atypical Coccidiosis in South American Camelids

Abstract

Abstract. Reported clinical signs of coccidiosis in South American camelids include anorexia of a few days duration, sudden death, and diarrhea. Antemortem diagnosis of clinical coccidiosis is usually based on clinical signs and supported by detection of coccidial oocysts in feces. This report describes 2 atypical cases of coccidiosis in South American camelids that had no coccidial oocysts detected on antemortem fecal flotation, prolonged weight loss, and normal fecal consistency.

Disorders of the Digestive System

“…Formalin-ethyl acetate sedimentation appears to be the best method for concentrating oocysts but is not in common use in general practice. 81,118,123,124 Some of these are long-time herd residents, but most have a history of transportation and mixing with new groups of animals. Denser solutions float more debris and may obscure oocysts.…”

“…81,[123][124][125] It is likely that much of this information pertains to other coccidial infections and to parasitic gastroenteritis in general. 81,[123][124][125] It is likely that much of this information pertains to other coccidial infections and to parasitic gastroenteritis in general.…”

Prevalencia de Eimeria spp en Alpacas de Dos Comunidades del Distrito de Macusani, Puno, Perú

“…Asimismo, E. punoensis posee un menor tiempo de esporulación (8.5 a 12 días) y menor periodo prepatente (9 días) en comparación con las otras eimerias (Leguía y Casas, 1999). Por otro lado, cabe indicar que estudios experimentales han demostrado que infecciones con E. alpacae y E. punoensis no producen sintomatología clínica en alpacas mayores de un año (Chigerwe et al, 2007).…”

Camelid Herd Health

“…54,55 E. macusaniensis is considered to be a major pathogen not only for juvenile but also adult llamas or alpacas. [56][57][58][59] Clinical presentations may vary, ranging from subclinical shedding or mild nonhemorrhagic diarrhea to severe acute enteritis associated with protein loss, chronic weight loss, or acute death. 56,57,59 Despite using appropriate fecal floatation technique, coccidial oocysts may not be detected, making the diagnosis and control of this protozoal disease particularly challenging.…”

“…[56][57][58][59] Clinical presentations may vary, ranging from subclinical shedding or mild nonhemorrhagic diarrhea to severe acute enteritis associated with protein loss, chronic weight loss, or acute death. 56,57,59 Despite using appropriate fecal floatation technique, coccidial oocysts may not be detected, making the diagnosis and control of this protozoal disease particularly challenging. 57 The authors refer the reader to the article by Ballweber elsewhere in this issue for more in depth information on coccidia and other gastrointestinal parasites of importance in SACs.…”