First report on the occurrence of psoroptic mange in llamas (Lama glama) of the Andean region

An outbreak of Psoroptes sp.-caused mange was detected in a llama herd of Larcas, Jujuy province, Argentina. Infested llamas showed alopecia, erythema, hyperpigmentation, hyperkeratosis, and inflammation of the ear pinnae, as well as crusts and serous, serosanguineous, or purulent drainage with unpleasant smell in the external ear canal. Microscopic evaluation of skin scrapings revealed 0.5- to 0.7-mm-long acari identified as Psoroptes sp. based on their morphology. Histology showed a typical allergic reaction with perivascular to periadnexal mixed inflammatory infiltrate. Phylogenetic tree analysis showed that the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I gene sequences analyzed from the sampled acari clustered into a single P. ovis clade including sequences isolated from rabbits and bighorn sheep, with P. natalensis as a sister taxon that infested bighorn sheep from the USA. Phylogenetic analysis of cytochrome b sequences showed three well-supported clades, one of which contained the sequences of the Larcas llamas and US bighorn sheep isolates. This is the first report on P. ovis infestation of llamas raised in their original location. Investigations on mange etiological agents acting on South American camelids and their distribution are necessary to implement control strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of these parasitic infections.

IPAF Región Noroeste

Fil: Sosa, Fabiana Evangelina. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto De Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Agricultura Familiar Región NOA; Argentina

Fil: Sosa, Fabiana Evangelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Medina Vallejo, Diego M. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal Chaco Semiárido; Argentina.

Fil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Investigación Animal Chaco Semiarido; Argentina.

Fil: Micheloud, Juan Francisco. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Borsetti, Hugo M. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Estudios Celulares, Genéticos y Moleculares (ICeGeM); Argentina

Fil: Hernández, Nancy. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Estudios Celulares, Genéticos y Moleculares (ICeGeM); Argentina

Fil: Hernández, Nancy. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas (INECOA); Argentina

Fil: Hernández, Nancy. Universidad Nacional de Jujuy. Instituto de Ecorregiones Andinas (INECOA); Argentina

Fil: Schnittger, Leonhard. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Schnittger, Leonhard. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología Veterinaria; Argentina

Fil: Romero, Sandra Raquel. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto De Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico para la Agricultura Familiar Región NOA; Argentina

Fil: Florin-Christensen, Monica. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina

Fil: Florin-Christensen, Monica. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Instituto de Patobiología; Argentina