Prevalence of Eimeria macusaniensis and Eimeria ivitaensis in South American camelids of Northwest Argentina.

Faecal samples from mostly adult llamas (n=626), vicuñas (n=161) and guanacos (n=4) were obtained between December 2004 and July 2008 in three Provinces of Northwest Argentina in order to study the prevalence of Eimeria macusaniensis and Eimeria ivitaensis. Faeces were examined by a flotation technique using a Cl(2)Zn+ClNa solution (specific gravity=1.59). Oocysts of E. macusaniensis occurred in 88.3% of 77 llama herds and in 50.3% of 626 llamas sampled whereas oocysts of E. ivitaensis occurred in only four llamas (herd and llama prevalence of 5.2% and 0.6%, respectively). The individual prevalence of E. macusaniensis in vicuñas and guanacos were of 14.3% and 25.0%, respectively. E. ivitaensis was not detected in these latter species. The results showed a prevalence of E. macusaniensis higher than previously reported in adult domestic camelids (llamas and alpacas). In contrast, the very low prevalence of E. ivitaensis in llamas and its absence in wild camelids (vicuñas and guanacos) was remarkable. Differences between prevalence of both coccidian species are discussed.