BVDV in Australian alpacas: natural infection and clinical profiles following co-mingling with a persistently infected heifer. 2018

C A Evans, and E Erregger, and F Hemmatzadeh, and P D Cockcroft
School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia 5371, Australia.

BACKGROUND Although predominantly a disease of cattle, bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) is known to infect other ruminant and camelid species such as sheep and alpacas. The aims of this study were to determine if BVDV-naive alpacas would become acutely infected and seroconvert to the predominant Australian strain of BVDV following co-mingling with a BVDV-1c persistently infected (PI) heifer and to determine what, if any, clinical signs, haematological responses and selected biochemical changes occur with acute BVDV-1c infections in alpacas. METHODS A PI heifer and four alpacas co-mingled for 2 weeks. Weekly blood samples were collected and twice weekly clinical examinations were performed on the alpacas. RESULTS Serum analysis by antibody ELISA indicated that all four alpacas were positive for BVDV-specific antibodies between 35 and 54 days after mixing with the BVDV-1c PI heifer. Viral antigen was detected by antigen ELISA in two alpacas on days 21 and 35 after initial mixing. In general, all the physical clinical parameters measured were normal. Serum biochemical and haematological analyses in two of the alpacas revealed marginally low sodium, chloride and elevated potassium concentrations, a lymphocytosis, monocytosis and a neutrophilia at some point during the study period in either one or both of the alpacas. CONCLUSIONS This study showed that infection in Australian alpacas readily occurs when a BVDV-1c PI bovine co-mingles with naive alpacas and that acute infections are clinically mild and undetectable without serological testing.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D001908 Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine Viral A group of viruses in the genus PESTIVIRUS, causing diarrhea, fever, oral ulcerations, hemorrhagic syndrome, and various necrotic lesions among cattle and other domestic animals. The two species (genotypes), BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 , exhibit antigenic and pathological differences. The historical designation, BVDV, consisted of both (then unrecognized) genotypes. Bovine Viral Diarrhea Viruses,Diarrhea Virus, Bovine Viral,Bovine Diarrhea Virus,Bovine Pestivirus,Bovine Diarrhea Viruses,Bovine Pestiviruses,Diarrhea Virus, Bovine,Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine,Pestiviruses, Bovine,Virus, Bovine Diarrhea,Viruses, Bovine Diarrhea
D001912 Bovine Virus Diarrhea-Mucosal Disease Acute disease of cattle caused by the bovine viral diarrhea viruses (DIARRHEA VIRUSES, BOVINE VIRAL). Often mouth ulcerations are the only sign but fever, diarrhea, drop in milk yield, and loss of appetite are also seen. Severity of clinical disease varies and is strain dependent. Outbreaks are characterized by low morbidity and high mortality. Mucosal Disease, Bovine Viral Diarrhea,Bovine Virus Diarrhea Mucosal Disease
D002161 Camelids, New World Camelidae of the Americas. The extant species are those originating from South America and include alpacas, llamas, guanicos, and vicunas. Alpacas,Guanacos,Llamas,Lama glama,Lama glama guanicoe,Lama guanicoe,Lama pacos,Vicugna pacos,Vicugna vicugna,Vicunas,Alpaca,Camelid, New World,Guanaco,Llama,New World Camelid,New World Camelids,Vicuna
D002417 Cattle Domesticated bovine animals of the genus Bos, usually kept on a farm or ranch and used for the production of meat or dairy products or for heavy labor. Beef Cow,Bos grunniens,Bos indicus,Bos indicus Cattle,Bos taurus,Cow,Cow, Domestic,Dairy Cow,Holstein Cow,Indicine Cattle,Taurine Cattle,Taurus Cattle,Yak,Zebu,Beef Cows,Bos indicus Cattles,Cattle, Bos indicus,Cattle, Indicine,Cattle, Taurine,Cattle, Taurus,Cattles, Bos indicus,Cattles, Indicine,Cattles, Taurine,Cattles, Taurus,Cow, Beef,Cow, Dairy,Cow, Holstein,Cows,Dairy Cows,Domestic Cow,Domestic Cows,Indicine Cattles,Taurine Cattles,Taurus Cattles,Yaks,Zebus
D002418 Cattle Diseases Diseases of domestic cattle of the genus Bos. It includes diseases of cows, yaks, and zebus. Bovine Diseases,Bovine Disease,Cattle Disease,Disease, Bovine,Disease, Cattle,Diseases, Bovine,Diseases, Cattle
D004797 Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay An immunoassay utilizing an antibody labeled with an enzyme marker such as horseradish peroxidase. While either the enzyme or the antibody is bound to an immunosorbent substrate, they both retain their biologic activity; the change in enzyme activity as a result of the enzyme-antibody-antigen reaction is proportional to the concentration of the antigen and can be measured spectrophotometrically or with the naked eye. Many variations of the method have been developed. ELISA,Assay, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent,Assays, Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent,Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay,Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assays,Immunosorbent Assay, Enzyme-Linked,Immunosorbent Assays, Enzyme-Linked
D000069078 Seroconversion The appearance of antibodies against causative agents in the blood of individuals during the course of an infection or following immunization. Seroconversions
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D000956 Antigens, Viral Substances elaborated by viruses that have antigenic activity. Viral Antigen,Viral Antigens,Antigen, Viral
D013021 South Australia A state in south central Australia. Its capital is Adelaide. It was probably first visited by F. Thyssen in 1627. Later discoveries in 1802 and 1830 opened up the southern part. It became a British province in 1836 with this self-descriptive name and became a state in 1901. (From Webster's New Geographical Dictionary, 1988, p1135)

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