Urogenital leiomyosarcoma in an alpaca

A mass in the pelvic canal of a 4-year-old pregnant alpaca hembra diagnosed as leiomyosarcoma of the urogenital tract was confirmed by biopsy. Following a tube cystotomy, the alpaca was presented 33 d later, 2 d after the tube cystotomy had been dislodged. A dead cria was delivered by caesarean section.

Haematological and biochemical blood study in baby alpaca with diarrhoea

The aim of this study was to determine the haematological value and biochemical blood in baby alpacas with enteric disorder. A total of 30 blood and serum samples were collected from alpacas of 1 month old with diarrhoea and 5 blood samples of clinically healthy baby alpacas (controls). The animals were from communities in the central Andes from Peru. About haematology were determined haematocrit, haemoglobin concentration, red blood count and white blood count that were not significantly different between control animals and animals with diarrhoea. Moreover, biochemical blood parameters as total protein, albumin and calcium decrease significantly (p<0.05). We conclude that our results could be considered as factors in the mortality of baby alpaca by infectious diarrhoea.

The diagnosis and management of a case of leishmaniosis in a dog imported to Australia

This case study discusses in detail for the first time the diagnosis and management of a case of leishmaniosis in a dog imported to Australia. The dog presented with epistaxis and a non-regenerative anaemia five years after being imported from Europe. Protozoa were identified within macrophages in bone marrow and splenic cytology. A Leishmania indirect fluorescent antibody test was performed and was positive while an Ehrlichia canis antibody test was negative. Polymerase chain reaction of the ITS-1 and ITS-2 regions of skin, lymph node, spleen and bone marrow were all positive for Leishmania infantum. The dog was treated with amphotericin B with a strong clinical response. The importance of thorough diagnostics in non-endemic areas, particularly Australia, is discussed. Treatment with amphotericin B is discussed. Vigilance, disease reporting and response frameworks are recommended for non-endemic areas. © 2014 Elsevier B.V.

Fluoroquinolone-resistant extraintestinal pathogenic Escherichia coli, including O25b-ST131, isolated from faeces of hospitalized dogs in an Australian veterinary referral centre

To determine rates of carriage of fluoroquinolone-resistant Escherichia coli and extraintestinal pathogenic E. coli (ExPEC) among dogs in a specialist referral hospital and to examine the population structure of the isolates. Fluoroquinolone-resistant faecal E. coli isolates (n232, from 23 of 123 dogs) recovered from hospitalized dogs in a veterinary referral centre in Sydney, Australia, over 140 days in 2009 were characterized by phylogenetic grouping, virulence genotyping and random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis. The RAPD dendrogram for representative isolates showed one group B2-associated cluster and three group D-associated clusters; each contained isolates with closely related ExPEC-associated virulence profiles. All group B2 faecal isolates represented the O25b-ST131 clonal group and were closely related to recent canine extraintestinal ST131 clinical isolates from the east coast of Australia by RAPD analysis. Hospitalized dogs may carry fluoroquinolone-resistant ExPEC in their faeces, including those representing O25b-ST131.

In vitro degradation of hepatotoxic indospicine in indigofera spicata by camel foregut fluid

Indospicine toxicosis was reported in sheep, goats and cattle fed on Indigofera, a leguminous plant rich in indospicine. Recent death report on dogs as a result of dietary ingestion of indospicine contaminated camel meat has raised concern about the distribution of this toxin in camels fed on Indigofera. This in vitro study aimed at measuring the degradability of indospicine in Indigofera spicata by camel-foregut fluid and attempted at explaining indospicine accumulation in meat tissue. In the first experiment, in vitro dry matter digestibility and indospicine disappearance were evaluated by using foregut fluid from 15 feral camels. Foregut fluid was collected post mortem from a nearby abattoir. In the second experiment, a composite foregut fluid obtained from three feral camels was used to examine the time-dependent degradation of indospicine. Results indicated that 99 of the dietary indospicine was degraded after 48 h of incubation. The time-dependent degradation study showed rapid degradation (11 µg/h) during the first 18 h of incubation, followed by a much slower rate (2 µg/h) between 18-48 h. Results demonstrated the ability of the camel microbiota to degrade indospicine and suggest the presence of a by-pass mechanism that enables the toxin to escape degradation and reaches the intestine.

Impacto del marco institucional en el cambio de paradigma en el sector alpaquero : el caso de los productores alpaqueros del Distrito Corani, Región Puno, Perú

En los últimos años la demanda mundial de fibra de alpaca ha experimentado un gran crecimiento debido a que es considerada una de las fibras más lujosas y finas del mundo, no sólo por sus atributos físicos sino porque es escasa en el mercado, haciéndola más exclusiva. Las ventajas comparativas en el Perú, han permitido que nuestro país ostente el 86,9 por ciento de la producción ganadera mundial de alpacas; sin embargo el sistema de agronegocios de la fibra de alpaca se ha caracterizado durante años por un alto nivel de intermediación en la comercialización y limitada capacidad de negociación de los criadores de alpacas, altos costos de transacción e información asimétrica. Históricamente la fibra de alpaca en el Perú se ha comercializado como un commodity, la estructura de gobernanza entre criadores de alpaca y compradores era el mercado spot. En este sentido, el objetivo de este trabajo fue caracterizar las innovaciones organizacionales y tecnológicas adoptadas por los pequeños y medianos productores alpaqueros del distrito de Corani ante el impulso del ambiente institucional, a fin de poder describir las mejoras en el subsistema estrictamente coordinado (SSEC). La metodología de trabajo utilizada fue la epistemología fenomenológica combinada con un análisis estructural discreto con énfasis en las innovaciones. Para ello se realizó un análisis a nivel institucional, organizacional y tecnológico del subsistema de la Región Puno y del caso de los productores alpaqueros del distrito de Corani, que a través de su forma asociativa lograron una coordinación horizontal y a la vez vertical mediante los representantes de su Comité de Acopio, logrando adaptarse y cambiar el paradigma tradicional, y de esta forma tomar un rol más activo y colectivo en el acopio, clasificación, proceso y comercialización de la fibra de alpaca con valor agregado. Los resultados obtenidos muestran que se rompió el path dependecy trabajando de forma colectiva apoyados en organizaciones públicas y privadas del sector, adquirieron mayores niveles de coordinación para gobernar el intercambio de una manera eficiente y reducir los costos de transacción. La finalidad de este estudio es obtener las herramientas necesarias y promover la acción colectiva y la coordinación de otras organizaciones de productores del subsistema de fibra de alpaca de la Región de Puno.

Effect of supplementation silage ("Festuca dolichophylla, Avena sativa and Vicia sativa") on weight gain and mortality in adult alpacas ("Vicugna pacos")

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the effect of supplementation with silage (Festuca dolichophylla, Avena sativa and Vicia sativa) on weight gain and mortality in adult alpacas, during the months of dry season (June to August) in Huancavelica region. 300 female alpacas 3 and 4 years of age (physiological state: pregnant) were used, which were assigned to the following treatments: SP, grazing only PSE15, grazing plus supplementation of 1.5 kg of silage. Alpacas were supplemented once daily. In each alpaca they were recorded live weight at the beginning and end of the experiment. The weight gain was -0.02 y 2.05 kg for SP and PSE15 respectively (p <0.001) treatments. Mortality was 5.3% and 2.7% for SP and PSE15 respectively (p=0.073) treatments. It can be concluded under the conditions of this trial silage supplementation has effect on weight gain and maybe also on mortality in alpacas.

Caractérisation du rôle de l’amyline (IAPP) dans le diabète de type 2 : études de dérivés peptidiques et de composés inhibiteurs de la formation d’amyloïde

L’amyloïdose, une maladie progressive et incurable, implique une vaste panoplie de pathologies et de pathogénèses, qui est expliquée par la grande variabilité biologique et structurale des protéines responsables de la formation des dépôts d’amyloïde. L’amyline (polypeptide amyloïde des îlots pancréatiques, IAPP) est une protéine très susceptible de subir des changements de conformation impliquant les feuillets bêta et conférant aussi des propriétés physicochimiques distinctes. Cette protéine prend alors une forme fibrillaire et se dépose dans les îlots de Langerhans chez les humains atteints de diabète de type 2 ou d’insulinome. Ces dépôts d’amyloïde pancréatique (AIAPP) ont été décrits chez certaines espèces animales telles que les félins domestiques, les grands félins, le raton laveur et les primates non humains. La formation de dépôts d’amyloïde contribue à la pathogénèse du diabète de type 2, mais les mécanismes qui induisent la conversion de l’amyline (IAPP) en amyloïde (AIAPP) ne sont pas complètement compris. Les hypothèses du projet sont que certaines variations présentes dans les séquences peptidiques de l’IAPP provenant de différentes espèces animales jouent un rôle critique pour la formation de fibrilles et que plusieurs composés chimiques aromatiques/phénoliques sont capables d’abroger la formation de dépôts d’amyloïde. Le projet de recherche consiste donc à caractériser la propension des différentes isoformes animales d’IAPP à former de l’amyloïde in vitro afin d’identifier les acides aminés jouant un rôle clé dans cette transformation structurale et ultimement d’inhiber la formation d’amyloïde pancréatique. Le projet se divise en deux volets principaux. Le premier consiste à identifier les différentes séquences peptidiques de l’IAPP retrouvées chez les espèces animales. L’objectif est d’identifier les acides aminés jouant un rôle clé dans la formation d’amyloïde. Le gène de l’IAPP a été séquencé chez plus d’une quarantaine d’espèces. Le potentiel d’agrégation des séquences obtenues a été simulé à l’aide d’outils bioinformatique. Une librairie de 23 peptides a été commandée afin de procéder à des analyses physicochimiques in vitro permettant d’évaluer le potentiel amyloïdogénique (test fluorimétrique à la thioflavine T, essai de liaison au rouge Congo, dichroïsme circulaire, microscopie électronique à transmission) et cytotoxique (sur une lignée cellulaire provenant d’insulinome : INS-1). Les analyses effectuées à partir de la librairie constituée de 23 peptides ont permis d’identifier trois séquences ne formant pas d’amyloïde et qui proviennent des espèces animales suivantes : le tamarin lion doré (Leontopithecus rosalia), le grand dauphin (Tursiops truncatus) et l’alpaga (Vicugna pacos). Un site potentiellement critique est le segment 8-20 présentant le motif NFLVH qui ne forme plus d’amyloïde lorsqu’il est remplacé par le motif DFLGR ou KFLIR. Les acides aminés 29P, 14K et 18R sont également impliqués dans l’inhibition de la transformation structurale en fibrille. La dernière partie du projet consiste à inhiber la formation de l’amyloïde en utilisant des composés chimiques commercialisés (hypoglycémiants, anti-inflammatoires non stéroïdiens) ou nouvellement synthétisés dans notre laboratoire (les aryles éthyles urées). Un criblage d’une soixantaine de composés chimiques a été conduit dans cette étude. Leur efficacité a été testée sur l’IAPP humaine, qui possède un fort potentiel amyloïdogénique. Les techniques utilisées sont les mêmes que celles exploitées précédemment. L’essai de liaison croisée photo-induite ("photo-induced cross-linking of unmodified proteins", PICUP) a été réalisé afin d’étudier les formes intermédiaires (monomères, oligomères). Un total de 11 composés chimiques a démontré un potentiel à inhiber l’agrégation des fibrilles. Pour la classe des hypoglycémiants, le glyburide, le répaglinide et la troglitazone ont montré l’activité thérapeutique la plus élevée pour retarder et réduire la formation de fibrilles. Les anti-inflammatoires antiamyloïdogènes actifs incluaient le diclofenac, le méloxicam, le phénylbutazone, le sulindac et le ténoxicam. Les aryles étyles urées les plus intéressantes étaient la EU-362 et la EU-418. Tous ces composés ont conféré une protection cellulaire contre l’activité cytotoxique des fibrilles. Les molécules actives possèdent des éléments structuraux communs tels des substituants donneurs d’électrons (alcool, amine, halogène) sur un noyau benzène. En conclusion, ce projet de recherche a permis de caractériser l’IAPP chez diverses espèces animales, dont plusieurs chez lesquelles elle n’avait pas encore été décrite, de déterminer les sites jouant un rôle clé dans sa transformation en amyloïde et, ultimement, de tester le potentiel thérapeutique de nouveaux agents antiamyloïdogènes dans le diabète de type 2. Nous espérons que ce projet ouvrira ainsi la porte à de nouvelles stratégies de traitement.

Parentage testing in alpacas (Vicugna pacos) using semi-automated fluorescent multiplex PCRs with 10 microsatellite markers

The aim of this study was to assess and apply a microsatellite multiplex system for parentage determination in alpacas. An approach for parentage testing based on 10 microsatellites was evaluated in a population of 329 unrelated alpacas from different geographical zones in Peru. All microsatellite markers, which amplified in two multiplex reactions, were highly polymorphic with a mean of 14.5 alleles per locus (six to 28 alleles per locus) and an average expected heterozygosity (H-E) of 0.8185 (range of 0.698-0.946). The total parentage exclusion probability was 0.999456 for excluding a candidate parent from parentage of an arbitrary offspring, given only the genotype of the offspring, and 0.999991 for excluding a candidate parent from parentage of an arbitrary offspring, given the genotype of the offspring and the other parent. In a case test of parentage assignment, the microsatellite panel assigned 38 (from 45 cases) offspring parentage to 10 sires with LOD scores ranging from 2.19 x 10(+13) to 1.34 x 10(+15) and Delta values ranging from 2.80 x 10(+12) to 1.34 x 10(+15) with an estimated pedigree error rate of 15.5%. The performance of this multiplex panel of markers suggests that it will be useful in parentage testing of alpacas.

Antibody responses in New World camelids with tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium microti

Antibody responses in New World camelids (NWC) infected with Mycobacterium microti were studied by two serological methods, multiantigen print immunoassay (MAPIA) and lateral-flow-based rapid test (RT). Serum samples were collected during 2004-2006 from 87 animals including 1 alpaca and 7 llamas with confirmed or suspected M. microti infection, 33 potentially exposed but clinically healthy animals from known infected herds, and 46 control NWC from herds where infection had not been previously diagnosed. The serological assays correctly identified infection status in 97% (MAPIA) or 87% (RT) cases. In three llamas with confirmed M. microti infection and one llama with gross pathology suggestive of disease, for which multiple serum samples collected over time were available, the antibody-based tests showed positive results 1-2 years prior to the onset of clinical signs or being found dead. In MAPIA, MPB83 protein was identified to be an immunodominant serological target antigen recognized in NWC infected with M. microti. With the limited number of animals tested in this study, the serological assays demonstrated the potential for convenient, rapid, and accurate diagnosis of M. microti infection in live llamas and alpacas.

Valorization of agrobiodiversity products and strengthening of local identities in the Peruvian Andes: Experiences from the BioAndes Programme

In the Peruvian Andes, a long history of interaction between the local populations and their natural environment has led to extraordinary levels of agrobiodiversity. However, in sharp contrast with this biological wealth, Andean indigenous populations live under most precarious conditions. Moreover, natural resources are undergoing severe degradation processes and local knowledge about biodiversity management is under serious pressure. Against this background, the BioAndes Programme is developing initiatives based on a biocultural approach that aim at fostering biodiversity through the enhancement of cultural processes. On the basis of intercultural dialogue, joint learning and capacity development, and transdisciplinary action-research, indigenous communities, development practitioners, and researchers strive for the creation of innovative ways to contribute to more sustainable economic, socio-cultural, and political valorization of Andean biodiversity. Project activities are diverse and range from the cultivation, transformation, and commercialization of organic Andean fruits in San Marcos, Cajamarca Department, to the recuperation of natural dying techniques for alpaca wool and traditional weaving in Pitumarca, Cusco Department, and the promotion of responsible ecotourism in both regions. Based on the projects’ first two-years of experience, the following lessons learnt will be presented and discussed: 1. The economic valorization and commercialization of local products can be a powerful tool for the revival and innovation of eroded know-how; at the same time it contributes to the strengthening of local identities, in parallel with the empowerment of marginalized groups such as smallholders and women. 2. Such initiatives are only successful when they are embedded within activities that go beyond the focus on local products and seek the valorization of the entire natural and cultural landscape (e.g. through the promotion of agrotourism and local gastronomy, more sustainable management of local resources including the restoration of ecosystems, and the realization of inventories of local agrobiodiversity and the knowledge related to it). 3. The sustainability of these initiatives, which are often externally induced, is conditioned by the ability of local actors to acquire ownership of projects and access to the knowledge required to carry them out, which also means developing the personal and institutional capacities for handling the whole chain from production to commercialization. 4. The confrontation of different economic rationalities and their underlying worldviews that occur when local or indigenous people integrate into the market economy implies the need for a dialogical co-production of knowledge and collective action by local people, experts from NGOs, and political authorities in order to better control the conditions relating to the market economy. The valorization of local agrobiodiversity shows much potential for enhancing natural and cultural diversity in Southern countries, but only when local communities can participate in the shaping of the conditions under which this happens. Such activities should be designed in the mid- to long-term as part of social learning processes that are carefully embedded in the local context. Supporting institutions play a crucial role in these processes, but should see themselves only as facilitators, while ensuring that control and ownership remain with the local actors.

Tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium microti in South American camelids

BACKGROUND: Infection with Mycobacterium microti can cause chronic disease in animals and threaten human health through its zoonotic potential. OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical findings, diagnostic investigations, necropsy, and epidemiology results in South American camelids (SAC) infected with M. microti, member of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex. ANIMALS: Eleven SAC with tuberculous lesions. METHODS: Description of 10 llamas and 1 alpaca, aged 4-18 years, from 6 herds with a history of wasting and weakness admitted to the Vetsuisse-Faculty of Berne over 8 years. RESULTS: Clinical signs included weight loss, recumbency, and anorexia in late stages of the disease. Respiratory problems were seen in 6 animals of 11. No consistent hematologic abnormalities were identified. Suspect animals were examined in detail by abdominal ultrasonography and thoracic radiology. Abnormal findings such as enlarged mediastinal, mesenteric, or hepatic lymph nodes were seen only in animals with advanced disease. Single comparative intradermal tuberculin test with bovine protein purified derivate (PPD) and avian PPD was negative in all animals. At necropsy, typical tuberculous lesions were found, and confirmed by bacteriological smear and culture, molecular methods, or both. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Infection caused by M. microti should be considered a differential diagnosis in chronic debilitating disease with or without respiratory signs in SAC. Antemortem confirmation of the diagnosis remains challenging at any stage of infection. Because cases of M. microti infection have been reported in immunocompromized human patients, the zoonotic potential of the organism should be kept in mind when dealing with this disease in SAC.

Evidence for an Ancestral Association of Human Coronavirus 229E with Bats.

UNLABELLED We previously showed that close relatives of human coronavirus 229E (HCoV-229E) exist in African bats. The small sample and limited genomic characterizations have prevented further analyses so far. Here, we tested 2,087 fecal specimens from 11 bat species sampled in Ghana for HCoV-229E-related viruses by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR). Only hipposiderid bats tested positive. To compare the genetic diversity of bat viruses and HCoV-229E, we tested historical isolates and diagnostic specimens sampled globally over 10 years. Bat viruses were 5- and 6-fold more diversified than HCoV-229E in the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and spike genes. In phylogenetic analyses, HCoV-229E strains were monophyletic and not intermixed with animal viruses. Bat viruses formed three large clades in close and more distant sister relationships. A recently described 229E-related alpaca virus occupied an intermediate phylogenetic position between bat and human viruses. According to taxonomic criteria, human, alpaca, and bat viruses form a single CoV species showing evidence for multiple recombination events. HCoV-229E and the alpaca virus showed a major deletion in the spike S1 region compared to all bat viruses. Analyses of four full genomes from 229E-related bat CoVs revealed an eighth open reading frame (ORF8) located at the genomic 3' end. ORF8 also existed in the 229E-related alpaca virus. Reanalysis of HCoV-229E sequences showed a conserved transcription regulatory sequence preceding remnants of this ORF, suggesting its loss after acquisition of a 229E-related CoV by humans. These data suggested an evolutionary origin of 229E-related CoVs in hipposiderid bats, hypothetically with camelids as intermediate hosts preceding the establishment of HCoV-229E. IMPORTANCE The ancestral origins of major human coronaviruses (HCoVs) likely involve bat hosts. Here, we provide conclusive genetic evidence for an evolutionary origin of the common cold virus HCoV-229E in hipposiderid bats by analyzing a large sample of African bats and characterizing several bat viruses on a full-genome level. Our evolutionary analyses show that animal and human viruses are genetically closely related, can exchange genetic material, and form a single viral species. We show that the putative host switches leading to the formation of HCoV-229E were accompanied by major genomic changes, including deletions in the viral spike glycoprotein gene and loss of an open reading frame. We reanalyze a previously described genetically related alpaca virus and discuss the role of camelids as potential intermediate hosts between bat and human viruses. The evolutionary history of HCoV-229E likely shares important characteristics with that of the recently emerged highly pathogenic Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) coronavirus.