Serological reactions against Leptospira interrogans serovars in alpacas after vaccination

Authors: Hill FI, Wyeth TK
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 39, Issue 1, pp 32-33, Mar 1991
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Camelid, Lamoid, Livestock, Production animal, Ruminant
Subject Terms: Animal remedies/veterinary medicines, Bacterial, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Immune system/immunology, Zoonosis, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Vaccination, Public health
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: In the past few years, increasing numbers of alpacas have been imported into New Zealand from South America, mainly Chile. The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries brought a group of alpacas to Flock House Agricultural Centre in February 1990. As part of routine animal health procedures the alpaca were drenched with oral ivermectin (Ivomec oral solution for cattle, Merck, Sharpe and Dohme (NZ) Ltd) and vaccinated against clostridial diseases (Tasvax Covax 5, Coopers Animal Health NZ Ltd) and leptospirosis. A serological survey was undertaken to determine the response of the alpacas to leptospirosis vaccination. In New Zealand, leptospirosis is a serious health hazard to dairy and pig farm workers, meat workers, and veterinarians. Humans contract the disease when Leptospira-infected urine splashes on to broken skin or mucous membranes. The most effective method of preventing…

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