Use of flow cytometry to characterize immunodeficiency syndromes in camelids

Disorders in immune function in lamas have been observed over the past years. However, it has been difficult to determine how many types of deficiencies exist. Through the use of flow cytometry and monoclonal antibodies specific for leukocyte differentiation molecules, it has been possible to characterize the immune system of lamas and determine the genetic basis of one disease, the juvenile lama immunodeficiency syndrome (JLIDS). The availability of monoclonal antibodies and flow cytometry now afford an opportunity to clinically diagnose animals with JLIDS at birth and characterize other immunodeficiencies in animals presenting with similar clinical signs of immune dysfunction. The findings also show that flow cytometry can be used to characterize disorders in other species.