Assessment of cerebrospinal fluid analysis and short-term survival outcomes in South American camelids: A retrospective study of 54 cases (2005-2021).

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is commonly analyzed in South American camelids with suspected neurologic disease because of ease of collection and characteristic findings associated with certain diseases. OBJECTIVES: To assess CSF findings associated with short-term survival or non-survival in South American camelids in which neurologic disease was a differential diagnosis based on history and physical examination. ANIMALS: Twenty-one llamas and 33 alpacas that underwent CSF analysis at the University of Missouri Veterinary Health Center. METHODS: Retrospective study. Medical records of camelids that underwent CSF analysis between January 2005 and September 2021 were studied. Short-term survival was defined as survival to discharge from the Veterinary Health Center. A Fisher's exact test was used to compare species, CSF results, and survival. RESULTS: Odds of survival were 3.9 times higher in camelids with a total nucleated cell count (TNCC)&#x2009;<3 cells/&#x3bc;L (P&#xa0;=&#xa0;.04). No significant association was found between survival and total protein concentration (TPC; P&#xa0;=&#xa0;.15) or percentage of eosinophils (P&#xa0;=&#xa0;1.0). No significant correlation was found between species and increased TNCC (P&#xa0;=&#xa0;.63), TPC (P&#xa0;=&#xa0;.55), or percentage of eosinophils (P&#xa0;=&#xa0;.30). Among camelids diagnosed with Paralephostrongylus tenuis infestation, odds of survival were 4.95 times higher in alpacas (P&#xa0;=&#xa0;.05). CONCLUSIONS: Cerebrospinal fluid TNCC &#x2265;3 cells/&#x3bc;L is associated with decreased odds of short-term survival in South American camelids.