Import risk analysis: Llamas (Lama glama) and alpacas (Vicugna ...

27. Mycoplasma haemolamae
27.1. HAZARD IDENTIFICATION
27.1.1. Aetiological agent
Mycoplasma haemolamae was formerly classified as a species of Eperythrozoon. The
organism was initially considered to most likely be Eperythrozoon suis (McLaughlin et al
1991). Further investigation by inoculating potential host animals led to the conclusion that
the organism was not Haemobartonella felis, Eperythrozoon suis or Eperythrozoon ovis
(Mclaughlin et al 1991). Recently, members of the Eperythrozoon and Haemobartonella
genera have been reclassified as Mycoplasma spp. (Messick 2004; Messick et al 2002).
27.1.2. OIE list
Not listed.
27.1.3. New Zealand status
Not listed on the Unwanted Organisms Register (MAF 2009). No reference could be found
of the occurrence of the organism in New Zealand. The related species Mycoplasma
(Eperythrozoon) wenyoni, Mycoplasma (Eperythrozoon) ovis, Mycoplasma
(Eperythrozoon) suis, Mycoplasma (Haemobartonella) canis and Mycoplasma
(Haemobartonella) felis all occur in New Zealand (Thompson 1998).
27.1.4. Epidemiology
Eperythrozoonosis in a llama was first described in the USA (McLaughlin et al 1991).
While it has been associated with wasting and anaemia in heavily infected animals, the
majority of infections appear to be subclinical. For example, 70% of several hundred blood
samples obtained from llamas throughout North America were positive to an ELISA
(Johnson et al 1991). In another study, 24 % of llamas were found to be ELISA positive
(Johnson 1989).
The mode of transmission has not been established but in line with other similar infections
it is considered likely to be transmitted by arthropod parasites such as fleas, lice and ticks.
It may also be transmitted in utero from subclinically infected dams (Almy et al 2006).
Few transmission studies appear to have been carried out in camelids. Injection of infected
blood into 2 splenectomised llamas and 4 cria resulted in infection in only one of the cria,
although the rate was higher in animals immunosuppressed with dexamethasone (Johnson
et al 1991). Available evidence in camelids and extrapolation from similar infections in
other species suggests that chronic carriers may occur.
Diagnosis can be confirmed by the demonstration of the organism in blood smears but this
method is likely to be insensitive for diagnosis in subclinically infected carriers.
Serological tests are available including an ELISA (Johnson et al 1991). The PCR is the
most sensitive test for the diagnosis of subclinical infections (Tornquist et al 2002; Almy et
al 2006).
Although the organism has not been described in New Zealand, there appears to have been
no active surveillance for it. It is commonly present as a subclinical infection in camelids
and since thousands of camelids have been imported into New Zealand over many years
100 ● Import risk analysis: Llamas and alpacas from specified countries MAF Biosecurity New Zealand