Short communicationSeroprevalence to pathogenic leptospira in Peruvian alpacas and vicuñas
Introduction
Leptospirosis, caused by spirochaetes of the Leptospira genus, is an important zoonotic infectious disease that affects both wild and domestic animals and humans worldwide (Ko et al., 2009). Leptospires infect a host by penetrating mucous membranes or entering through skin lesions when the host is exposed to contaminated water and/or wetland soils, urine or tissues of an infected animal (Levett, 2001, Ko et al., 2009, Picardeau, 2013). Pathogenic Leptospira are transmitted by “healthy carriers” who do not display overt clinical symptoms, but who do have persistent renal infections and urinary shedding of spirochaetes (Adler and de la Peña Montezuma, 2010, Picardeau, 2013). Leptospires are classified into at least 12 pathogenic and 4 saprophytic species and more than 250 pathogenic serovars have been identified (Levett, 2001, Adler and de la Peña Montezuma, 2010, Musso and La Scola, 2013). Several of the pathogenic serovars have been reported to cause clinical disease in livestock, producing reproductive failure, abortion, stillbirth, fetal mummification and weak neonates in cattle and pigs (Adler and de la Peña Montezuma, 2010, Musso and La Scola, 2013).
In Peru, leptospirosis is endemic, concentrated primarily in large cities located in both the tropical and subtropical regions, but also documented in some rural high elevation areas. Human infections are associated with nonspecific febrile episodes and eventual fatal outcomes (Céspedes, 2005). Both the varrilla and icterohemorrhagiae serovars have been isolated from infected human patients in Huancavelica and Ayacucho Departments (Liceras de Hidalgo et al., 1989, Céspedes et al., 2006). The pathogenic role of leptospiresin Peruvian farm animals has not been established, but they are suspected to be responsible for reproductive disorders in cattle (Cachata et al., 2008, Céspedes, 2005). The few existing serologic studies report 20.6% prevalence in dairy cattle from the coastal valleys and 23.6% in alpacas reared in mid-elevation inter-Andean valleys (Liceras de Hidalgo et al., 1989).
The incidence and importance of leptospirosis in domestic South American camelids is uncertain. Preliminary data from highland southern Peru reports widespread presence of the pomona serovar in asymptomatic animals (Liceras de Hidalgo et al., 1989). In Puno Department (approximately 17°S, 70°W), Herrera Carpio et al. (2000) found a 6.5% seropositivity rate in 810 alpacas predominantly reacting to pomona (79.2%), patoc (7.5%) and both icterohemorrhagiae and cynopteri (3.8%). In Arequipa Department (approximately 16°S, 71°W), Risco-Castillo et al. (2014) detected a prevalence of 18.9%, to pomona, autumnalis, copenhageni and bratislava, in 614 domestic alpacas and llamas as well as 1.9% in 207 wild and captive vicuñas mostly to pomona and autumnalis. In another study, conducted in 600 alpacas from Canchis Province, Cusco Department (approximately 14°S, 71°W), a prevalence of 49% to pomona, 47% icterohemorragiae and 19% to canicola was found (Rosadio et al., 2003). All of the foregoing localities are dry puna grasslands located at 3800 m above sea level or higher.
This study reports the results of a serologic survey conducted in 793 alpacas and 195 vicuñas from four rural communities located in the central highland Huancavelica and Ayacucho Departments, against five Leptospira serovars: icterohemorragiae, pomona, canicola, ballum and wolfii.
Section snippets
Animal sampling
The sampling was performed under Contract No. PLNG-EV-08032 “Camelid Health Management in Highland Communities Located within the Area of Influence of the project Perú LNG Project in Huancavelica and Ayacucho—Programa de manejo sanitario de camélidos en comunidades alto andinas del área de influencia del proyecto Perú LNG”, conducted by the Institute for Research and Development of South American Camelids—CONOPA.
A total of 793 alpaca blood samples were taken randomly from 66 alpaca herds each
Results
Of the 793 alpacas studied, 711 or 89.6% reacted to one of the four serovars tested, including icterohemorrhagiae (43.4%), pomona (37.8%), canicola (7.8%) and wolfii (0.6%) (Table 2), while 151 (77.4%) of the 195 vicuña samples reacted to icterohaemorrhagiae (69.2%) and pomona (8.2%) (Table 2). Both species tested negative for ballum (Table 2). In alpacas, 22/711 (30.8%) were positive to 2 serovars (mostly to icterohemorrhagiae and pomona) and 31 (4.4%) to 3 serovars (Icterohemorrhagiae, pomona
Discussion
With 3,685,516 alpacas (INEI, 2012), Peru has the world’s largest population. According to this census, around 94% of alpacas are held by individual owners, mainly in small herds of 50–100 animals and it has been estimated that 120,000 families depend on alpacas for survival (Quicaño, 2009). Alpaca breeding and production is permanently threatened by health problems and reproductive failures with high embryonic losses and abortions (Novoa and Flores, 1991). The causes of infectious abortions in
Conflict of interest
The authors declares that they have no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgements
The survey was performed as part of the contract (PLNG 08032) with Peru LNG for the project “Programa de manejo sanitario de camelidos sudamericanos dentro del area de influencia del proyecto Peru LNG”
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2020, Austral Journal of Veterinary Sciences