Mycoplasma haemolamae and intestinal parasite relationships with erythrocyte variables in clinically healthy alpacas and llamas

Abstract Background Mycoplasma haemolamae (Mhl) and gastrointestinal nematodes can cause anemia in camelids. Control programs aim to suppress parasitism without promoting anthelminthic resistance, but few evidence‐based guidelines define acceptable parasite loads in camelids. Hypothesis/Objectives I...

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Main Authors: Lisa C. Viesselmann, Ricardo Videla, John Schaefer, Aly Chapman, Heidi Wyrosdick, Deanna M. W. Schaefer
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2019-09-01
Series:Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15596
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author Lisa C. Viesselmann
Ricardo Videla
John Schaefer
Aly Chapman
Heidi Wyrosdick
Deanna M. W. Schaefer
author_facet Lisa C. Viesselmann
Ricardo Videla
John Schaefer
Aly Chapman
Heidi Wyrosdick
Deanna M. W. Schaefer
author_sort Lisa C. Viesselmann
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Mycoplasma haemolamae (Mhl) and gastrointestinal nematodes can cause anemia in camelids. Control programs aim to suppress parasitism without promoting anthelminthic resistance, but few evidence‐based guidelines define acceptable parasite loads in camelids. Hypothesis/Objectives In clinically healthy nonanemic camelids, compare erythrocyte variables to Mhl real‐time PCR status and to fecal egg count (FEC). Determine the FEC threshold above which erythrocyte variables are consistently below reference interval medians. Animals One hundred fourteen client‐owned adult alpacas and llamas. Methods In a cross‐sectional study, whole blood in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was assessed for packed cell volume (PCV) by centrifugation, erythrocyte count (RBC), and hemoglobin concentration (HGB) using an ADVIA120 analyzer, and Mhl using real‐time PCR. Trichostrongyle eggs per gram (epg) were counted by modified McMaster test on freshly collected feces. Significant differences in erythrocyte variables based on Mhl status and FEC thresholds were assessed by independent t test and one‐way ANOVA, respectively. Results Packed cell volume, RBC, and HGB were not significantly different between Mhl‐positive and Mhl‐negative animals, but were significantly lower in animals with FEC >1000 epg compared to those with <500 epg. All animals with FEC >600 epg had RBC and HGB below the reference interval median. All animals with FEC >750 epg had PCV below the reference interval median. Conclusions and Clinical Importance In healthy nonanemic camelids, positive Mhl PCR is not associated with lower erythrocyte variables and such animals may not warrant treatment. Fecal egg count >600‐750 epg has a negative effect on erythrocyte variables, and may be a guide for deworming protocols.
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spelling doaj.art-09e1a3a925384a64b7e635a9f1f086b52022-12-22T03:25:43ZengWileyJournal of Veterinary Internal Medicine0891-66401939-16762019-09-013352336234210.1111/jvim.15596Mycoplasma haemolamae and intestinal parasite relationships with erythrocyte variables in clinically healthy alpacas and llamasLisa C. Viesselmann0Ricardo Videla1John Schaefer2Aly Chapman3Heidi Wyrosdick4Deanna M. W. Schaefer5Department of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences University of Tennessee Knoxville TennesseeDepartment of Large Animal Clinical Sciences University of Tennessee Knoxville TennesseeDepartment of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences University of Tennessee Knoxville TennesseeDepartment of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences University of Tennessee Knoxville TennesseeDepartment of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences University of Tennessee Knoxville TennesseeDepartment of Biomedical and Diagnostic Sciences University of Tennessee Knoxville TennesseeAbstract Background Mycoplasma haemolamae (Mhl) and gastrointestinal nematodes can cause anemia in camelids. Control programs aim to suppress parasitism without promoting anthelminthic resistance, but few evidence‐based guidelines define acceptable parasite loads in camelids. Hypothesis/Objectives In clinically healthy nonanemic camelids, compare erythrocyte variables to Mhl real‐time PCR status and to fecal egg count (FEC). Determine the FEC threshold above which erythrocyte variables are consistently below reference interval medians. Animals One hundred fourteen client‐owned adult alpacas and llamas. Methods In a cross‐sectional study, whole blood in ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) was assessed for packed cell volume (PCV) by centrifugation, erythrocyte count (RBC), and hemoglobin concentration (HGB) using an ADVIA120 analyzer, and Mhl using real‐time PCR. Trichostrongyle eggs per gram (epg) were counted by modified McMaster test on freshly collected feces. Significant differences in erythrocyte variables based on Mhl status and FEC thresholds were assessed by independent t test and one‐way ANOVA, respectively. Results Packed cell volume, RBC, and HGB were not significantly different between Mhl‐positive and Mhl‐negative animals, but were significantly lower in animals with FEC >1000 epg compared to those with <500 epg. All animals with FEC >600 epg had RBC and HGB below the reference interval median. All animals with FEC >750 epg had PCV below the reference interval median. Conclusions and Clinical Importance In healthy nonanemic camelids, positive Mhl PCR is not associated with lower erythrocyte variables and such animals may not warrant treatment. Fecal egg count >600‐750 epg has a negative effect on erythrocyte variables, and may be a guide for deworming protocols.https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15596anemiacamelidendoparasitefecal egg counthemoparasite
spellingShingle Lisa C. Viesselmann
Ricardo Videla
John Schaefer
Aly Chapman
Heidi Wyrosdick
Deanna M. W. Schaefer
Mycoplasma haemolamae and intestinal parasite relationships with erythrocyte variables in clinically healthy alpacas and llamas
Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine
anemia
camelid
endoparasite
fecal egg count
hemoparasite
title Mycoplasma haemolamae and intestinal parasite relationships with erythrocyte variables in clinically healthy alpacas and llamas
title_full Mycoplasma haemolamae and intestinal parasite relationships with erythrocyte variables in clinically healthy alpacas and llamas
title_fullStr Mycoplasma haemolamae and intestinal parasite relationships with erythrocyte variables in clinically healthy alpacas and llamas
title_full_unstemmed Mycoplasma haemolamae and intestinal parasite relationships with erythrocyte variables in clinically healthy alpacas and llamas
title_short Mycoplasma haemolamae and intestinal parasite relationships with erythrocyte variables in clinically healthy alpacas and llamas
title_sort mycoplasma haemolamae and intestinal parasite relationships with erythrocyte variables in clinically healthy alpacas and llamas
topic anemia
camelid
endoparasite
fecal egg count
hemoparasite
url https://doi.org/10.1111/jvim.15596
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