West Nile virus infection in two alpacas.
A male alpaca acutely developed signs of anorexia and fever. Within 2 days, neurologic signs (head tremors and asymmetric ataxia) developed. West Nile virus (WNV) infection was considered a primary differential diagnosis on the basis of 6 previous cases on nearby alpaca farms on which animals had similar clinical signs. Four days after the male alpaca became ill, a female alpaca from the same farm developed similar neurologic signs. In addition to anti-inflammatory and supportive treatments, both alpacas received a transfusion of llama plasma with antibodies against WNV Seven days after the onset of clinical signs, the female alpaca had made a full recovery; however, the more severely affected male died. West Nile virus infection was confirmed post mortem by use of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay and immunohistochemical staining.
Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR 97331, USA.
Michelle A
MA
Kutzler
Rob J
RJ
Bildfell
Kim K
KK
Gardner-Graff
Rocky J
RJ
Baker
Josepha P
JP
Delay
Donald E
DE
Mattson
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000821:virology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000662:veterinary; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary* / Q000821:virology; D013987:Ticks / Q000821:virology; D014901:West Nile Fever / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014902:West Nile virus / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral