Diagnosis and treatment of Eimeria macusaniensis in an adult alpaca with signs of colic

A young adult pregnant alpaca was presented with an acute episode of abdominal pain. Hematology revealed mild anemia, neutropenia with a degenerative left shift and moderate toxic changes in neutrophils, hyperfibrinogenemia, hypoproteinemia, and hypoalbuminemia. Abdominal ultrasound showed a small intestinal segment with severely increased wall thickness and collapsed lumen. Exploratory laparotomy revealed a markedly thickened 60 cm jejunal segment with reddened serosa from which a full-thickness biopsy and samples for bacterial culture were obtained. Histopathology revealed severe coccidian enteropathy with secondary bacterial enteritis. Anaerobic culture yielded Clostridium perfringens, while fecal sugar flotation yielded Eimeria macusaniensis and Eimeria punoensis. The alpaca was treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobial drugs, sulfadimethoxine, and anti-inflammatory drugs. The alpaca made a gradual recovery and had a term pregnancy. This communication demonstrates the potential pathogenicity of E. macusaniensis in adult alpacas. Coccidian enteropathy should be considered in adult alpacas with gastrointestinal signs including acute abdominal pain and hypoproteinemia.