An Ehrlichia strain from a llama (Lama glama) and Llama-associated ticks (Ixodes pacificus).

An ehrlichia was identified in the blood of a diseased llama (lama glama). Sequencing of its 16S rRNA gene showed the ehrlichia to be closely related to members of the Ehrlichia phagocytophila genogroup. The agent was also found in a pool of ticks (Ixodes pacificus) collected at the llama site.     

Non satellite veins in the pelvic limb of the llama (Lama glama)

The objective of this study was to determine the major differences in the venous system of the pelvic limb of the llama (Lama glama) and that of other mammals, including humans. Eight adult llamas, preserved by means of 6% formalin solution at 0°C, were dissected. The venous system was perfused with a solution of 17% coloured industrial gelatin. Two venous systems are recognised, superficial and deep. The veins of the deep system follow the same course as the arteries, except for two important veins located in the femoral, popliteal and crural regions. A more voluminous vein than the femoral originates in a venous tripod in the proximal part of the femoral canal and forms an anastomosis with the femoral vein distally. The popliteal vein gives off an expansion located along the popliteal region. In the leg, it continues with a vein that accompanies the tibial nerve and forms an anastomosis distally with the medial saphenous vein. The described venous distribution represents an interesting complement to the medial saphenous, popliteal and femoral veins, being more important than the last one for its volume. In the thigh it would correspond to the deep femoral vein as in humans and dogs; the homology in the popliteal and leg regions is too difficult because it probably corresponds to the caudal tibial vein of the human, the caudal branch of the medial saphenous vein, and the satellite vein of the tibial nerve in the horse. Anat Rec 256:99–103, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Presence of enamel on the incisors of the llama (Lama glama) and alpaca (Lama pacos)

Attempts have been made to define the relationships among the South American camelids, the guanaco, llama, alpaca, and vicuna, by comparing the morphology of their incisors. The alpaca has been reported to have an incisor morphology similar to the vicuna, lacking enamel on the lingual surface. The llama and guanaco are said to have enamel on both the labial and lingual surface of their incisor teeth. These comparisons have been based on gross morphological observations and not on histologic analysis. This study was undertaken to determine whether or not alpaca teeth have enamel on the lingual surface. The cross-sectional histologic anatomy of the incisor teeth was compared in two closely related South American camelid species, the llama (Lama glama), and the alpaca (Lama pacos). Thick sections (300 μm) and scanning electron microscopy were the techniques utilized. The mandibular first, second, and third incisors were examined in four llamas and five alpacas. A substantial layer of enamel was present on all surfaces of all llama incisors. The enamel layer on the labial surface of the alpaca incisors closely resembled that found in the llama. The enamel layer on the lingual surface of the alpaca incisors, although greatly reduced, was distinctly present. Alpacas may be more closely related to guanacos and llamas than to vicunas. A histologic study of vicuna incisors would help to better define the relationships of the four camelids. Anat Rec. 249:441–449, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Distribution of keratins, vimentin, and actin in the testis of two South American camelids: vicuna (Vicugna vicugna) and llama (Lama glama). An immunohistochemical study

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the pattern of distribution of cytokeratins, vimentin and muscular actin in the testis of vicuna (Vicugna vicugna) and llama (Lama glama) two species of camelids native of the Andean high plateau of South America. Testicular biopsies of four vicunas and five llamas were used. Animals were healthy breeders. The tissues were processed by standard immunohistochemistry with antipancytokeratinAE1/AE3, antikeratin 18 (K 18), CAM 5.2 (antikeratin 5, 18, and 19), antivimentin, and smooth-muscle-specific antiactin antibodies to track the cytoskeletal pattern of testicular cells. Using AE1/AE3 antibody the immunostaining was found in the epithelial lining of tubuli recti and rete testis. The reaction was relatively stronger in the apical cytoplasm of epithelial cells. The testicular cells of the two species showed no reaction to K 18 and CAM 5.2 antibodies. Antivimentin antibody stained the basal cytoplasm of the Sertoli cells, the Leydig cells, and the epithelial lining of tubuli recti and rete testis. In the last two structures the immunostain was relatively more intense in the basal cytoplasm of epithelial cells. Antiactin antibody stained the peritubular cells and the muscle cells of the lamina propria oftubuli recti and rete testis. The presence in these species of only some keratins found in man, its coexpression with vimentin in epithelial lining of tubuli recti and rete testis and the peritubule organization, so different from other ungulates may reflect a differential adaptation of the cytoskeleton to particular reproductive strategies.     

Detection of anti-Brucella antibodies in llama (Llama glama)

Seven llamas were immunized with killed Brucella abortus S1119.3 cells and bled sequentially, resulting in 64 samples. An eighth llama was kept as a negative control. In addition, 299 llama and 2075 alpaca sera, submitted for diagnostic testing, were included. Sera from all llamas were tested by the buffered antigen plate agglutination test, the complement fixation test, and the indirect enzyme immunoassays using smooth and rough lipopolysaccharides. A competitive enzyme immunoassay and fluorescence polarization assays were also performed. The sensitivity values for llama sera ranged from 92.2% to 100% and the specificity values from 89.6% to 100%. No alpacas were immunized. The specificity values for alpaca sera ranged from 94.8% to 100% specific although some sera gave an 'agglutination like' reaction after about 10 minutes of incubation. The complement fixation test could not be used, as 31% of the sera were anticomplementary and 4% were false positive.     

Adaptive functional specialisation of architectural design and fibre type characteristics in agonist shoulder flexor muscles of the llama, Lama glama

Like other camelids, llamas (Lama glama) have the natural ability to pace (moving ipsilateral limbs in near synchronicity). But unlike the Old World camelids (bactrian and dromedary camels), they are well adapted for pacing at slower or moderate speeds in high-altitude habitats, having been described as good climbers and used as pack animals for centuries. In order to gain insight into skeletal muscle design and to ascertain its relationship with the llama's characteristic locomotor behaviour, this study examined the correspondence between architecture and fibre types in two agonist muscles involved in shoulder flexion (M. teres major - TM and M. deltoideus, pars scapularis - DS and pars acromialis - DA). Architectural properties were found to be correlated with fibre-type characteristics both in DS (long fibres, low pinnation angle, fast-glycolytic fibre phenotype with abundant IIB fibres, small fibre size, reduced number of capillaries per fibre and low oxidative capacity) and in DA (short fibres, high pinnation angle, slow-oxidative fibre phenotype with numerous type I fibres, very sparse IIB fibres, and larger fibre size, abundant capillaries and high oxidative capacity). This correlation suggests a clear division of labour within the M. deltoideus of the llama, DS being involved in rapid flexion of the shoulder joint during the swing phase of the gait, and DA in joint stabilisation during the stance phase. However, the architectural design of the TM muscle (longer fibres and lower fibre pinnation angle) was not strictly matched with its fibre-type characteristics (very similar to those of the postural DA muscle). This unusual design suggests a dual function of the TM muscle both in active flexion of the shoulder and in passive support of the limb during the stance phase, pulling the forelimb to the trunk. This functional specialisation seems to be well suited to a quadruped species that needs to increase ipsilateral stability of the limb during the support phase of the pacing gait. Compared with other species, llama skeletal muscles are well suited for greater force generation combined with higher fatigue resistance during exercise. These characteristics are interpreted as being of high adaptive value, given the llama's habitat and its use as a pack animal.     

Ring formation of the internal iliac artery

We observed an arterial ring communicating the superior and inferior gluteal arteries in the left half of the pelvis of an 88-year-old male. Although many previous studies have shown variations in the internal iliac artery, there has been no literature describing the fenestration. Therapeutic embolization is commonly performed for intractable bleeding in pelvic region. Surgeons should be aware of the arterial ring formation because of possible danger in the intravascular treatments. In patients with similar arterial rings, embolization of the anterior trunk of the internal iliac artery could be insufficient when blood runs through the circle of the arterial ring.     

Generalized tuberculosis in llamas (Lama glama) due to Mycobacterium microti

Necropsy of two llamas revealed numerous caseous nodules containing abundant acid-fast bacilli (AFB) in various organs. The AFB were identified by spoligotyping as Mycobacterium microti, vole type. Infection caused by M. microti should be considered in the differential diagnosis of debilitating diseases in New World camelids.     

Morphometry of the internal iliac artery in different ethnic groups

The internal iliac artery supplies the pelvic organs, as well as the osseous and muscular components of pelvic walls. The goal of our study is a statistical analysis of the internal iliac artery and its branches compared to the data recorded in the literature. A total of 100 internal iliac arteries were dissected, 60 arteries from male and 40 from female individuals. The results point out differences in length and caliber between males and females. Comparative analysis of our data with similar studies shows differences in the length of the internal iliac artery in Romanian patients compared to English and Japanese people. In conclusion, our results suggest a vascular variability in different ethnic groups.     

Distribution of the internal pudendal artery in male and female llama (Lama glama)

The aim of this research has been to describe the internal pudendal artery distribution in male and female llama and to compare it with that of other domestic animals including the one-humped camel (Camelus dromedarius). The arterial system was perfused with a solution of 14% coloured plaster and preserved in a solution of a 10% formalin, 3% carbolic acid and 3% glycerine. The systematic dissection was made using traditional working techniques and standard instruments. The internal pudendal artery is the ventral terminal branch of the internal iliac artery at the level of the third sacral vertebra. The main supply of the pelvic organs comes from the prostatic or vaginal arteries; notwithstanding these arteries arise from the internal pudendal artery, showing an important difference between ruminants and pig (long iliac type). Similarities between the distribution of the internal pudendal artery of the llama and those obtained in the camel provide strong evidence of a common phylogenetic origin.     

Crossed retroperitoneal approach to the internal iliac artery: a preliminary anatomical study

The internal iliac arteries (IIA), and especially the distal segment, course very deep in the pelvis and are generally difficult to access surgically. The recent development of simple and reliable methods to investigate proximal ischemia of the lower extremities has led to discovery of more candidates for elective revascularization of the IAA. The classic approaches to the IAA, i.e., the transperitoneal and homolateral retroperitoneal routs have certain disadvantages. We present a new crossed retroperitoneal approach to the IAA and the results of such method in six cadavers. In all six cases, the entire IAA could be exposed without any particular problems. This novel approach to the IAA seems to be both simple and reproducible.     

Radiologic anatomy of the anastomotic systems of the internal iliac artery

On the basis of 200 angiographic studies of atherosclerotic patients affected by aorto-iliac lesions, the authors have investigated the anastomotic collateral systems of the internal iliac artery. After defining the different anastomotic systems of the internal iliac artery, they attempt to assess the functional importance of each anastomotic system in relation to the level of aorto-iliac obstruction. The different anastomotic systems involved are studied in terms of the different types of obliteration of the main arterial axis, and clinical tolerance is assessed for each case. This study emphasizes the important role of the internal iliac artery in the compensatory circulation to the lower limbs, over and above its role as an artery supplying the pelvis. The authors consider that this justifies attaching great importance to revascularization of the internal iliac arteries during reconstructive aorto-femoral procedures.     

Branching patterns of the male internal iliac artery: imaging findings

The aim of this study was to establish the imaging findings of the main branching patterns of the male internal iliac arteries, using different imaging modalities (angio MR, angio CT and digital angiography). Twenty-one males (mean age 73.2 years) underwent imaging evaluation with angio MR, angio CT and digital angiography to define the internal iliac artery anatomy before selective embolization of the pelvic arteries. All three modalities were used in 3 patients, angio MR and digital angiography in 17 patients, angio CT and digital angiography in 6 patients and only angio CT in 1 patient. Internal iliac arteries were classified into four groups using the Yamaki classification (modified from the Adachi’s classification). Twenty-six pelvic sides were classified as Group A (61.9%), 13 as Group B (31%) and 3 as Group C (7.1%) with no cases of Group D found. Angio MR, angio CT and digital angiography were able to detect most branches of the internal iliac artery. Group A was the most frequent internal iliac artery branching pattern. Angio CT showed better detailed anatomy than angio MR and digital angiography was considered the gold-standard. Non-invasive vascular imaging with angio MR or angio CT is essential before invasive interventions, allowing better planning of the procedure.     

睾丸动脉起自髂内动脉变异1例

解剖一男尸时,发现其右侧睾丸动脉与其右侧输精管动脉变异。右侧未见起自腹主动脉的睾丸动脉;右侧睾丸动脉与输尿管动脉以钝角共干,直接起自髂内动脉,该睾丸动     

Induction of immune responses and molecular cloning of the heavy chain antibody repertoire of Lama glama

Functional heavy chain immunoglobulins have, so far, only been found in camels and llamas. Antigen-specific fragments of these heavy chain IgGs (V_HH) are of great interest in biotechnology because they are very stable and can be produced at high level by the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The work described in this paper was conducted to determine whether llamas (Lama glama) are a practical source of antigen-specific V_HH fragments. Llamas were immunised with various types of antigens and the antibody responses were examined during the course of immunisation. Both, conventional and heavy chain IgG antibodies were produced in response to each of the antigens. The heavy chain IgG repertoire displayed a recognition pattern different to that of conventional llama IgGs, resulting in the expansion of the accessible epitope repertoire. Llamas have a lower proportion of heavy chain IgG antibodies in their serum than have camels. To enable the specific and efficient isolation of V_HH genes from peripheral blood B-cells, the long and short-hinge sequences of Lama glama heavy chain IgGs were determined, revealing the presence of a novel subclass of short-hinge heavy chain IgG. Long and short-hinge specific PCR primers were designed to be used in the construction of llama V_HH libraries. We conclude that, using the techniques described, antigen-specific V_HH antibody fragments are readily accessible from the llama, thus providing highly valuable binding molecules for a variety of applications.