Enteric Viral Infections among Domesticated South American Camelids: First Detection of Mammalian Orthoreovirus in Camelids

Abstract

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.

Genetic diversity, reassortment, and recombination of mammalian orthoreoviruses from Japanese porcine fecal samples

“…have been used to isolate MRVs, which suggests that MRVs can be propagated using multiple cells. Although MA-104 cells were originally aimed for isolating rotaviruses, they have also been used to isolate camelid MRV [36]. Thus, MA-104 cells are useful for isolating both rotaviruses and MRVs.…”

Co-Circulation of Multiple Coronavirus Genera and Subgenera during an Epizootic of Lethal Respiratory Disease in Newborn Alpacas (Vicugna pacos) in Peru: First Report of Bat-like Coronaviruses in Alpacas

“…Our results demonstrated the presence of CoV in 93.8% (32/30) of lung lavage samples from newborn alpacas from Cuzco, Peru. Other reports have described outbreaks of diarrhea in alpacas from rural communities located in the Departments of Cuzco and Junín, presenting rates of 87.5% (70/80) and 53.3% (32/60), respectively [ 9 , 45 ].…”

“…However, in that outbreak, the Embecovirus subgenus was identified in only 22.9% (16/70) of samples. Furthermore, the subgenus of 71.4% (50/70) of the β -CoV strains could not be identified [ 9 ]. On the other hand, in our study, Embecoviruses represented the majority (65%; 17/26) of strains, and yet, subgenus identification was not possible for 35% (9/26) of the strains.…”

“…Briefly, the viral RNA was subjected to one reverse-transcription cycle consisting of 5 min at 25 °C followed by 45 min at 42 °C and one step of 2 min at 95 °C followed by PCR cycles as described elsewhere [ 41 ]. The generated amplicons were submitted to nested PCR using specific primers for β-CoV to generate a 227 bp from RpRd [ 9 ]. β-CoV-positive samples were further analyzed to identify subgenus Embecovirus using nested PCR.…”

“…Neonatal mortality in alpacas can reach up to 30% [ 2 ], which is primarily due to respiratory and enteric infections following the failure of passive transfer colostrum antibodies [ 6 , 7 ]. Co-circulating viruses and bacteria have been implicated in outbreaks that feature co-infections due to highly lethal pathogens such as Streptococcus pneumoniae , Mannheimia haemolytica , and Pasteurella multocida [ 8 ]; coronavirus (CoV), mammalian orthoreovirus, and rotavirus A [ 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 ]; CoV and Salmonella spp. [ 13 ]; parainfluenza virus type 3, bovine respiratory syncytial virus, Pasteurella multocida , and Mannheimia haemolytica [ 14 , 15 ].…”