title: Identification ofLama glamaas Reservoirs forAcinetobacter lwoffii.
abstract: South American Camelids have an increasing relevance in local economies, worldwide. These animals are bred for their meat, fur and as companion and therapy animals. Thus, their sanitary status should be well-established. According to the OIE (World Organization for Animal Health), respiratory infections mainly produced byPasteurellaspp. have been reported for camelids. It has been stated that this microorganism causes a mild disease, although many authors report it is an important cause of mortality among alpacas. Nevertheless, the incidence of infection byPasteurellaspp. in camelids still needs to be investigated. The aim of the present study was to analyze the occurrence of nasopharyngeal colonization ofLama glamaby respiratory bacteria, and to assess the usefulness of serological tests for clinical diagnosis. The colonization was studied by culture techniques carried out with material taken by nasopharyngeal swabs. Bacterial isolates were first phenotypically characterized and then identified by MALDI/TOF-MS. The presence of specific serum antibodies was studied by ELISA and Western blot. In the present workPasteurellaspp. was not found. Nevertheless, we report for the first time, the colonization ofL. glamaby bacteria of theAcinetobacter lwoffii, at a reliable level in 19.4% of the animals.Acinetobacterspecies are found in different environmental sources, as well as vegetables, animals, and humans, and their role in infections has recently gained relevance. The results presented herein contribute to a better understanding of the respiratory microbiota in camelids, and increase the knowledge about environmental distribution ofAcinetobacternon-baumaniispecies. Given that these respiratory bacteria might be the cause of infection among cattle, and even humans, this report highlights the need for further research.
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Martín M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Ledesma
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Ailén M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Díaz
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barberis
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital de Clínicas José de San Martín Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Carlos
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vay
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Marcela A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Manghi
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Juliana
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Leoni
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Marisa S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Castro
authors.affiliation: Facultad de Farmacia y Bioquímica, Instituto de Estudios de la Inmunidad Humoral (CONICET), Universidad de Buenos Aires Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Alejandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ferrari
keywords: Acinetobacter; Lama glama; MALDI/TOF-MS; serology