Identification of Lamanema chavezi Becklund 1963 infection in a llama (Lama glama) in the United States

Julie Ann C. Jarvinen, Elizabeth M. Whitley, Amanda J. Kreuder, Jennifer A. Schleining

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Infection with Lamanema chavezi, a parasitic nematode of New World camelids, was diagnosed by examination of feces and formalin-fixed liver from a 14-month-old female llama (Lama glama) that died after a 6-week illness. Infection with L. chavezi was initially suspected when a granuloma containing an unidentified nematode was detected microscopically in the hepatic parenchyma from a necropsy specimen. The subsequent diagnosis of L. chavezi infection was based on the morphologic features of 2 immature nematodes dissected from individual hepatic granulomas, characteristics of eggs detected in feces of the llama by centrifugal flotation in sugar solution (specific gravity: 1.30), development of third-stage larvae within the eggs after incubation of the llama feces at room temperature for ≥30 days, and the morphology of third-stage larvae released from the embryonated eggs. Collectively, these findings indicate that the llama, born and raised in Oregon, harbored an autochthonous L. chavezi infection. Eggs identified as L. chavezi were also detected by centrifugal flotation of pelleted feces from 3 of 7 herd mates of the llama indicating this parasite is endemic in the Oregon herd. The findings reported herein serve to alert diagnosticians and veterinary practitioners to the occurrence of L. chavezi in New World camelids in the United States and describe diagnostic features of this potential pathogen.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)178-183
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation
Volume26
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2014
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alpacas
  • Lamanema chavezi
  • New World camelid
  • llamas
  • nematode

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Veterinary

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