Fatal bluetongue virus infection in an alpaca (Vicugna pacos) in California.
In October 2008, a 15-year-old female alpaca (Vicugna pacos) housed at a breeding farm in northern California died after a brief illness characterized by sudden onset of weakness, recumbency, and respiratory distress. Postmortem examination revealed severe hydrothorax and hydropericardium, marked pulmonary edema, and acute superficial myocardial hemorrhage affecting the left ventricle. Bluetongue virus (BTV) was detected in the spleen by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and confirmed by sequence analysis. No antibodies against BTV were detected in the serum using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, confirming acute, fulminant BTV infection.
Ortega
Joaquín
J
California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory, University of California Davis, West Health Sciences Drive, Davis, CA 95616, USA. jortega@cahfs.ucdavis.edu
Crossley
Beate
B
Dechant
Julie E
JE
Drew
Clifton P
CP
Maclachlan
N James
NJ
D000818:Animals; D001819:Bluetongue / Q000473:pathology*; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D002161:Camelids, New World; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D009206:Myocardium / Q000473:pathology