Listeria associated mural and valvular endocarditis in an alpaca.
An alpaca presented for emergency evaluation of respiratory distress. Physical examination revealed weakness, pyrexia, and a grade V/VI left apical holosystolic murmur. Initial thoracic examination and radiographs were consistent with left sided congestive heart failure. Blood cultures, echocardiographic evaluation, and necropsy findings established a diagnosis of bacterial endocarditis associated with a Listeria monocytogenes infection. Left ventricular endocarditis is uncommon in ruminants, and to the authors' knowledge there are no other reports of L. monocytogenes being the causative agent in an alpaca.
McLane
Megan J
MJ
Department of Clinical Sciences, Oregon State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Corvallis, OR 97330, USA. megjm@att.net
Schlipf
John W
JW
Margiocco
Marco L
ML
Gelberg
Howard
H
D000818:Animals; D002161:Camelids, New World; D018618:Echocardiography, Doppler, Color / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary*; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D008089:Listeria monocytogenes / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008088:Listeriosis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male