title: Serological survey for antibodies against bovine viral diarrhoea virus and Neospora caninum in a population of South Australian alpacas (Vicugna pacos).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Bovine viral diarrhoea virus (BVDV) and Neospora caninum may cause clinical disease in alpacas. Both diseases are present in the Australian cattle population. The objective of this study was to perform a serological prevalence survey for BVDV and N. caninum exposure in a regional alpaca population of South Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum samples were taken from 182 alpacas on 10 farms, which had a combined population of 1308 alpacas. Serological analysis for BVD antibodies was performed using a competitive BVDV antibody ELISA kit. Serological analysis for N. caninum was performed using an anti-Neospora ELISA with a protein G conjugate.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 182 alpacas sampled, 5 animals located on three properties were positive for BVDV antibodies, constituting a prevalence of 2.7% (95% confidence interval 1-6%). All samples tested negative for N. caninum antibodies.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a low BVDV seroprevalence and N. caninum is currently either absent or present at a very low prevalence in this population of alpacas in South Australia. There is serological evidence for the presence of both organisms in South Australian beef and dairy cattle herds. Appropriate biosecurity protocols to minimise the risk of introduction and exposure should be a high priority to maintain this favourable status.
authors.affiliation: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia. peter.cockcroft@adelaide.edu.au.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Cockcroft
authors.affiliation: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Dornin
authors.affiliation: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Lambert
authors.affiliation: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Perry
authors.affiliation: School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, South Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: M P
authors.initials: MP
authors.lastname: Reichel
mesh_terms: D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D001912:Bovine Virus Diarrhea-Mucosal Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D002161:Camelids, New World / Q000097:blood / Q000382:microbiology*; D002417:Cattle; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D001908:Diarrhea Viruses, Bovine Viral / Q000276:immunology; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D018688:Neospora / Q000276:immunology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D013021:South Australia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000913:Antibodies, Protozoan; D000914:Antibodies, Viral
keywords: ELISA; Neospora caninum; South Australia; alpacas; bovine viral diarrhoea virus