Disseminated Bovine viral diarrhea virus in a persistently infected alpaca (Vicugna pacos) cria

J Vet Diagn Invest. 2009 Jan;21(1):145-8. doi: 10.1177/104063870902100125.

Abstract

Bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) is an emerging infectious pathogen of concern to the alpaca industry. A 4-month-old, intact, male alpaca cria was diagnosed as persistently infected with BVDV on the basis of repeated positive antemortem polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and virus isolation (VI) assays and negative serologic titers to BVDV. Immunohistochemistry, real-time reverse transcription PCR, and VI performed on tissues collected at necropsy demonstrated disseminated BVDV-1b infection. Virus was detected in multiple tissues, including parotid salivary gland, testes, prostate, kidneys, skin, and gastrointestinal tract. Demonstration of BVDV in previously unreported tissues suggests additional potential routes of BVDV transmission in alpacas.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Camelids, New World*
  • Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine Viral / isolation & purification*
  • Male
  • Pestivirus Infections / veterinary*
  • Pestivirus Infections / virology
  • Salivary Glands / virology
  • Testis / virology
  • Thymus Gland / virology