Coccidiosis in clinically asymptomatic alpaca (Vicugna pacos) crias from the Peruvian Andes

doi:10.1016/j.parint.2021.102438

Parasitology International

Volume 85, December 2021, 102438

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.parint.2021.102438 Get rights and content

Highlights

•
Eimeria sp. produces subclinical symptoms in alpaca crias.
•
Eimeria lamae and E. punoensis were most prevalent in clinically asymptomatic crias (62.82% and 53.85%, respectively).
•
The overall parasitological load of coccidiosis in crias had a mean of 43.92 × 10³ oocysts per gram of feces (OPG).
•
Eimeria lamae had the highest parasitological load with a mean of 206.60 × 10³ OPG in clinically asymptomatic crias
•
E. macusaniensis, E. alpacae, and E. punoensis were most prevalent in clinically asymptomatic crias older 8-weeks-old.

Abstract

Parasites of the genus Eimeria are involved in the neonatal diarrhea complex of alpaca (Vicugna pacos) crias, and infection by Eimeria is commonly known as coccidiosis. There are limited reports of these protozoa in clinically asymptomatic crias. In this study, fecal samples from 78 clinically asymptomatic alpaca crias were analyzed to evaluate the prevalence, parasitological load, and diversity of Eimeria species. This study was conducted in the Quenamari community located in the Peruvian Andes (Marangani, Cuzco) at 4500 m above sea level. All fecal samples were examined for parasites using the quantitative McMaster and modified Stoll techniques. Microscopic examination showed the presence of Eimeria oocysts in 68 out of the 78 samples (87.18%). Among the 78 samples we found E. lamae in 67 (85.90%), E. punoensis in 49 (62.82%), E. alpacae in 42 (53.85%), E. macusaniensis in 32 (41.03%), and E. ivitaensis in four (5.13%). Regarding parasitized crias, overall there was a mean parasitological load of 43,920 oocysts per gram of feces (OPG). Eimeria lamae had the highest parasitological load (mean 206,600 OPG). These findings could be due to environmental contamination with oocysts of different Eimeria species. Additional research is needed to determine if this burden of coccidiosis could produce subclinical impacts to the health of alpaca crias.

Graphical abstract

Section snippets

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Karen Alroy DVM, MPH for the comments and critique of the text.

References (18)

B.W. Brown
A review on reproduction in south American camelids
Anim. Reprod. Sci.
(2000)
G.E. Bradford et al.
Evaluation of production and reproduction of sheep, goat and alpaca genotypes in the small ruminant collaborative research support program
J. Anim. Sci.
(1989)
R. Rosadio et al.
El complejo entérico neonatal en alpacas andinas
Rev. Inv. Vet. Peru.
(2012)
C.A. Guerrero
Coccidia (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) of the alpaca Lama pacos
J. Protozool.
(1967)
C.A. Guerrero et al.
Eimeria macusaniensis n. sp. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) of the alpaca Lama pacos
J. Protozool
(1971)
G. Leguia et al.
Eimeria ivitaensis n. sp. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) en alpacas (Lama pacos)
Rev. Peru. Parasitol.
(1998)
A.M. Zajac et al.
Veterinary Clinical Parasitology
(2006)
N.R. Stoll
Investigations on the control of hookworm disease. XV. An effective method of counting hookworm eggs in feces
Am. J. Epidemiol.
(1923)
C.A. Guerrero et al.
Prevalencia de coccidias (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) en alpacas, Lama pacos
Bol. Ext. IVITA
(1970)

There are more references available in the full text version of this article.

Cited by (5)

Detection of Sarcocystis albifronsi, Eimeria alpacae, and Cystoisospora felis in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in northwestern China
2024, International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife
Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is widely distributed in various habitats in Asia and Europe, and it may harbor multiple pathogens. Currently, the information on protozoan infection in Eurasian lynx is scarce. In this study, we performed nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) analysis to detect intestinal protozoan infection in three dead Eurasian lynxes, in northwestern China. Three dead Eurasian lynxes, an adult female (#1), an adult male (#2), and a cub male (#3), were sampled in West Junggar Mountain, the northwestern region of Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region. The intestine samples were analyzed using nPCR. We used primers targeting the cytochrome C oxidase subunit I gene (COI) for detection of Sarcocystis and Eimeria species and targeting the small subunit 18 S ribosomal RNA gene (18S rRNA) for detection of Cystoisospora species. The nPCR-positive products were sequenced, aligned, and phylogenetically analyzed. Three intestinal protozoa, Sarcocystis albifronsi, Eimeria alpacae, and Cystoisospora felis, were found in three Eurasian lynxes. The intestine sample of Eurasian lynx #2 was detected with S. albifronsi and E. alpacae. In addition, C. felis was only found in the intestine sample of Eurasian lynx #3. To the best of our knowledge, S. albifronsi and E. alpacae were detected in Eurasian lynx for the first time. In addition, C. felis was firstly found in Eurasian lynx in China. These findings extend our knowledge of the geographical distribution and host range of intestinal protozoa.
Gastrointestinal parasite diversity of South American camelids (Artiodactyla: Camelidae): First review throughout the native range of distribution
2022, International Journal for Parasitology: Parasites and Wildlife
In South America inhabit an endemic group of ungulates adapted to extreme environments: the South American camelids (SAC), a key component of the Andean biocultural heritage. Until today, SAC are the most important factor of Andean economies and social and ritual life. SAC include two wild species, the guanaco (Lama guanicoe) and the vicuña (Vicugna vicugna), and two domestic species, the llama (Lama glama) and the alpaca (Vicugna pacos). Endoparasitosis are one of the most common diseases in SAC, and have great economic and health relevance. Despite this, there is a lack of knowledge on this concern. The main objective of this work was to conduct the first systematic review of the diversity of gastrointestinal parasites of SAC throughout the entire native range of distribution and to identify several gaps in knowledge. The PRISMA protocol was performed and a total of 101 documents were summarized. At least 36 parasitic helminths and five Eimeria spp. were registered. This work highlights the need for a greater number of works to know with more certainty the parasitic fauna of camelids in the past and present, in order to achieve predictions that allow proper management of camelids for their future conservation. Furthermore, concerted research efforts are needed to understand the biology, epidemiology, diagnosis and distribution of the parasitosis of SAC along the entire distribution range to guide conservation decisions.
Detection of Sarcocystis albifronsi, Eimeria alpacae, and Cystoisospora felis in Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) in Northwestern China
2023, Research Square
INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBCLINICAL PARASITIC INFECTION OF ALPACAS IN POLISH HERDS
2023, Roczniki Naukowe Zootechniki
Eimeria infections in domestic and wild ruminants with reference to control options in domestic ruminants
2022, Parasitology Research

View full text

Article preview

Parasitology International

Highlights

Abstract

Graphical abstract

Section snippets

Acknowledgements

References (18)

A review on reproduction in south American camelids

Anim. Reprod. Sci.

Evaluation of production and reproduction of sheep, goat and alpaca genotypes in the small ruminant collaborative research support program

J. Anim. Sci.

El complejo entérico neonatal en alpacas andinas

Rev. Inv. Vet. Peru.

Coccidia (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) of the alpaca Lama pacos

J. Protozool.

Eimeria macusaniensis n. sp. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) of the alpaca Lama pacos

J. Protozool

Eimeria ivitaensis n. sp. (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) en alpacas (Lama pacos)

Rev. Peru. Parasitol.

Veterinary Clinical Parasitology

Investigations on the control of hookworm disease. XV. An effective method of counting hookworm eggs in feces

Am. J. Epidemiol.

Prevalencia de coccidias (Protozoa: Eimeriidae) en alpacas, Lama pacos

Bol. Ext. IVITA

Cited by (5)

Detection of Sarcocystis albifronsi, Eimeria alpacae, and Cystoisospora felis in Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) in northwestern China

Gastrointestinal parasite diversity of South American camelids (Artiodactyla: Camelidae): First review throughout the native range of distribution

Detection of Sarcocystis albifronsi, Eimeria alpacae, and Cystoisospora felis in Eurasian Lynx (Lynx Lynx) in Northwestern China

INVESTIGATION OF THE SUBCLINICAL PARASITIC INFECTION OF ALPACAS IN POLISH HERDS

Eimeria infections in domestic and wild ruminants with reference to control options in domestic ruminants