Systemic coccidioidomycosis in a llama cria native to
Missouri |
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Authors: | Brett M Havis Kelsey E Walker Pamela R F Adkins Zhenyu Shen John R Middleton Tamara Gull Dusty Nagy Dae Young Kim |
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Institution: | Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO;Veterinary Health Center, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO;Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX |
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Abstract: | A 3-mo-old male llama was examined because of a 4-wk history of lethargy and ill thrift. Clinical examination revealed subcutaneous masses in the left prescapular and right inguinal regions, mild ataxia, a slight head tilt to the right, and right ear droop. The cria died before clinical workup was complete. At autopsy, there was generalized lymphadenomegaly, a hepatic nodule, a midbrain mass causing rostral compression of the cerebellum, and internal hydrocephalus. Microscopic findings included pyogranulomatous lymphadenitis, meningoencephalitis, hepatitis, and bronchopneumonia. Intralesional fungal spherules, most consistent with Coccidioides spp., were identified in the lymph nodes, lung, and brain. Fungal culture, single-nucleotide variation genotyping real-time PCR, and DNA sequencing confirmed Coccidioides posadasii. The dam of the cria was native to Arizona and had been moved to Missouri ~2.5 y previously. Agar gel immunodiffusion assay of the herd revealed that only the dam was positive for Coccidioides spp.; 6 herdmates were negative. Computed tomography of the dam revealed multiple nodules within the lungs and liver, which were presumed to be an active coccidioidomycosis infection. This case of systemic coccidioidomycosis in a llama native to Missouri was presumably acquired by vertical transmission from the dam. |
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Keywords: | Coccidioides posadasii coccidioidomycosis llamas |
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