Susceptibility of Well-Differentiated Airway Epithelial Cell Cultures from Domestic and Wild Animals to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has spread globally, and the number of worldwide cases continues to rise. The zoonotic origins of SARS-CoV-2 and its intermediate and potential spillback host reservoirs, besides humans, remain largely unknown. Because of ethical and experimental constraints and more important, to reduce and refine animal experimentation, we used our repository of well-differentiated airway epithelial cell (AEC) cultures from various domesticated and wildlife animal species to assess their susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2. We observed that SARS-CoV-2 replicated efficiently only in monkey and cat AEC culture models. Whole-genome sequencing of progeny viruses revealed no obvious signs of nucleotide transitions required for SARS-CoV-2 to productively infect monkey and cat AEC cultures. Our findings, together with previous reports of human-to-animal spillover events, warrant close surveillance to determine the potential role of cats, monkeys, and closely related species as spillback reservoirs for SARS-CoV-2.

Solitary tracheal B-cell lymphoma in an adult alpaca (Vicugna pacos).

BACKGROUND: This report describes a case of solitary tracheal lymphoma in a 14-year-old alpaca mare. CASE PRESENTATION: The alpaca was referred for dyspnea and inspiratory noise. The clinical examination included complete blood cell count, blood chemistry, endoscopy, ultrasound, radiographs, and computed tomography (CT). A solitary tracheal intraluminal and juxtatracheal lymphoma was diagnosed by fine needle aspiration (FNA). The owner requested euthanasia due to the uncertain prognosis. At postmortem examination, the presence of solitary lymphoma without involvement of other organs was confirmed. Immunohistochemical analysis confirmed a B-cell origin. CONCLUSIONS: Although multicentric lymphoma is the most commonly described neoplasia affecting South American camelids (SAC), solitary forms of the disease may occur.

Bronchioalveolar carcinoma in an adult alpaca (Vicugna pacos).

BACKGROUND: This report describes a case of a bronchiolar adenocarcinoma in a 6-year old alpaca mare. For the first time in an alpaca, neoplasia was classified by histopathology as a lepidic-predominant bronchiolar adenocarcinoma. CASE PRESENTATION: The mare was referred to the Clinic for Ruminants after a 6-week period of forced breathing and weight loss. The clinical examination included complete blood count, blood chemistry, ultrasound, radiographs and a CT-scan of the thorax. A bilateral pneumothorax and several, structures within the lung parenchyma were diagnosed. Differential diagnosis included neoplasia, tuberculosis and fungal granulomas. The owner requested euthanasia due to the mare's ongoing deterioration. At postmortem examination, the granulomatous changes in the lungs were histopathologically classified as lepidic dominant bronchiolar adenocarcinoma. CONCLUSIONS: Neoplastic diseases are more often seen in South American camelids compared to other farm animal species. The use of a CT scan was helpful in classifying the lung lesions and give a clear prognosis.

Polymelia in a chimeric Simmental calf: nociceptive withdrawal reflex, anaesthetic and analgesic management, anatomic and genetic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Polymelia is a congenital defect characterized by one or more supernumerary legs. The genetics and aetiology of this condition in cattle have not yet been thoroughly investigated even though several case reports do exist. The model of the nociceptive withdrawal reflex (NWR) has been characterized in several species to study spinal nociceptive processing. It is a polysynaptic spinal reflex that can be elicited by noxious electrical stimulation and recorded by electromyography. Thorough nociceptive examination and preventive analgesic management has not yet been an aspect in the perioperative management of polymelia cases. CASE PRESENTATION: A 4-month-old female Simmental calf was presented with notomelia. The animal was in good health and showed no neurologic deficiencies. Preoperatively, computed tomography was performed to gain more detailed anatomical information. To evaluate the sensitivity of the accessory limb, NWR testing was performed and revealed a connection of the afferent reflex pathway of the accessory limb to the efferent of the normal limb. The accessory limb was surgically removed under general anaesthesia. Intensive care included multimodal pain therapy adapted to the pain intensity scored during regular pain assessment. A gross anatomical dissection as well as a genetic analysis of the accessory limb were performed postoperatively. The calf was identified as a chimera. CONCLUSION: This calf was successfully relieved of its accessory limb. Chimerism has not been described in the congenital defect polymelia. As the accessory limb was pain sensitive and a common nociceptive reflex pathway was identified, thorough perioperative pain management was performed with the intention to prevent chronic neuropathic pain development.

Isolation of Streptococcus agalactiae in a female llama (Lama glama) in South Tyrol (Italy).

BACKGROUND: Streptococcus agalactiae is pathogenic for both animals and humans. In dairy cattle it commonly causes mastitis, with great economic losses, and there is scientific evidence of mastitis, caseous lymphadenitis, contagious skin necrosis and purulent infections associated with S. agalactiae in camels (Camelus dromedarius) as well. In humans, it is a common component of the respiratory and gastrointestinal microflora, but it can also act as a pathogen, especially in elderly people and immunocompromised patients, as well as in pregrant women and newborns. CASE PRESENTATION: A 10-year old non-pregnant female llama (Lama glama) was conferred to the Institute for Animal Health Control, in Bolzano for necropsy after sudden death. The animal had not shown unusual behaviour and had a low to normal nutritional condition (body condition score 2/5). The breeder had reported a chronic suppurative subcutaneous infection in the intermandibular area, resistant to therapy (therapy unknown). After necropsy, several samples were processed for histological, bacteriological and parasitological examinations. CONCLUSIONS: This report describes, to the best of our knowledge, the first isolation of S. agalactiae in llamas (Lama glama). The animal came from a herd that counts approximately 200 South American camelids (llamas, alpacas) along with several horses, chicken, rabbits, cats and dogs; this farm offers services, such as trekking and pet therapy activities.

Dystrophic mineralization of the arterial fibrovascular tissue associated with a vitamin D hypervitaminosis in an 8-year-old female Alpaca (Vicugna pacos).

BACKGROUND: Prophylactic Vitamin D supplementation is a common practice in Alpaca breeding in many regions around the world. An overdosage can lead to dystrophic mineralization of soft tissues. In this paper we illustrate a suspected case of hypervitaminosis D in an 8-year-old female Alpaca. CASE PRESENTATION: In June 2015, the carcass of an 8-year-old female Alpaca (Vicugna pacos) was submitted to the diagnostic laboratory of the Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie (IZSVe) for necropsy. The animal had undergone a spontaneous abortion with uterine prolapse and delivery of the placenta, and had died shortly thereafter. Death occurred due to internal haemorrhage related to dystrophic mineralization of the left renal artery with subsequent rupture and damage of the renal hilum. During the necropsy, histopathological and serum biochemical analyses were performed. After laboratory analyses and the history of mineral and vitamin supplementation reported by the breeder, a hypervitaminosis D was suspected to be the most probable cause of the dystrophic mineralization observed in the left renal artery. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the information regarding Llamas and Alpacas comes from the South American and Australian regions. It is therefore important to provide scientific information about these animals in other regions of the world in order to have a better and wider understanding of the nutritional and environmental conditions necessary for optimal breeding.

Computed tomographic and radiographic examination of dental structures in South American camelid specimen of different ages.

BACKGROUND: Tooth root problems and periodontal diseases are common in South American camelids (SAC). The objective was to evaluate and optimize the imaging technique for dental radiography in SAC and to describe the radiographic and computed tomographic (CT) anatomy of normal teeth at different ages. In this study, the heads of 20 healthy SAC slaughtered for meat production or euthanized for reasons not related to dental problems included 7 female and 10 male llamas and 3 male alpacas. Using a standardized protocol, radiographs and CT scans of the 20 specimen were performed. RESULTS: The most useful radiographic projections for mandibular and maxillary cheek teeth evaluation turned out to be lateral30°ventral-laterodorsal and lateral30°dorsal-lateroventral with slight separation of the dental arcades respectively. Digital radiographic and CT appearance of the mandibular and maxillary teeth were described from the beginning of mineralization till maturity. In addition the normal range of the CT radio density of different cheek teeth and different dental tissues were measured. Hounsfield units of different dental tissues of SAC turned out to be similar to equids. Deviation, shortening and partial destruction of the distal tooth root of mandibular 09's and 10's and of maxillary 09's was observed and the existence of a common pulp chamber in younger teeth was revealed. CONCLUSIONS: The present study provides information about the dental imaging morphology in clinically healthy SAC. This basic information provides fundamental knowledge for evaluating images and planning treatments in clinically affected animals.

Infectious and non-infectious causes for pregnancy loss in South American camelids - A review.

South American camelids (SAC) are gaining popularity for various purposes, including fiber production, trekking, and companionship. High abortion rates pose a significant health issue in SAC herds, leading to substantial economic losses for breeders. Often, the causes of these abortions remain unidentified. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the known infectious and non-infectious causes of abortions in SAC.

Reindeer Husbandry in Switzerland-Management, Feeding, and Endoparasite Infections.

The aim of the present work was to provide an overview of management and feeding practices, and the prevalence of endoparasite infections in captive Swiss reindeer. On two visits to eight farms or zoos, a standardized questionnaire was completed. A total of 67 reindeer were weighed, and fecal samples were collected. The primary management concerns voiced by owners/managers were feeding and successful breeding. All reindeer were fed roughage ad libitum and supplementary feed for reindeer or other browsers, with different compositions in each herd. Males over two years of age weighed from 60 kg up to 127.5 kg, whereas females had a body weight from 53.5 kg to 86.5 kg. The prevalence of gastrointestinal strongyles was 68.6% (46/67), with reindeer in zoos having a lower prevalence (36%; 9/25) than reindeer from private farms (88%; 37/42). Capillaria sp., Strongyloides sp., and Trichuris sp. were detected in lower prevalences (<24%) and were also more frequent in private farms. Intestinal protozoa, as well as fluke and tapeworms, were not detected in any herd. This study provides an overview on husbandry, feeding, and endoparasite prevalence in reindeer in Switzerland and should be of help for breeders and veterinarians dealing with this animal species.