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Packianathan R, Colgan S, Hodge A, Davis K, Six RH, Maeder S. Efficacy and safety of sarolaner (Simparica ®) in the treatment and control of naturally occurring flea infestations in dogs presented as veterinary patients in Australia. Parasit Vectors 2017; 10:387. [PMID: 28814332 PMCID: PMC5559772 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-017-2321-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 08/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The efficacy and safety of a novel isoxazoline compound, sarolaner (Simparica®, Zoetis) and spinosad (Comfortis®, Elanco) as a positive control were evaluated for the treatment and control of natural flea infestations on dogs in two randomised, blinded, multi-centric clinical trials conducted in 11 veterinary clinics in northeastern and southeastern states of Australia. METHODS A total of 162 client-owned dogs (80 in northern study and 82 in southern study) from 105 households were enrolled. Each household was randomly allocated to receive either sarolaner (Simparica®, Zoetis) or spinosad (Comfortis®, Elanco). Dogs were dosed on Days 0, 30 and 60 and physical examinations and flea counts were conducted on Days 0, 14, 30, 60 and 90. Efficacy assessments were based on the percentage reduction in live flea counts post-treatment compared to Day 0. RESULTS In the northern study, at enrolment, primary dogs had flea counts ranging from 5 to 772. At the first efficacy assessment on Day 14, sarolaner resulted in 99.3% mean reduction in live flea counts relative to Day 0, compared to 94.6% in the spinosad group. On Day 30, the sarolaner-treated group had mean efficacy of 99.2% compared to 95.7% in the spinosad-treated group, and on days 60 and 90, both groups had mean efficacies of ≥ 98.8%. In the southern study, at enrolment, primary dogs had flea counts ranging from 5 to 156. Both sarolaner and spinosad resulted in ≥ 96.7% mean reduction in live flea counts on Day 14. On Day 30, the sarolaner-treated group had mean efficacy of 99.5% compared to 89.7% in the spinosad-treated group, and on days 60 and 90, both groups had mean efficacies of ≥ 98.6%. No treatment-related adverse events were observed in either study. CONCLUSIONS A single monthly dose of sarolaner (Simparica®) administered orally at 2-4 mg/kg for three consecutive months was well tolerated and provided excellent efficacy against natural infestations of fleas under a range of Australian field conditions including different climatic and housing conditions. Similar efficacy was observed with spinosad (Comfortis®) after the second and third monthly treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raj Packianathan
- Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes, NSW, 2138, Australia.
| | - Sally Colgan
- Eurofins SCEC, PO Box 211, Northbridge, NSW, 1560, Australia
| | - Andrew Hodge
- Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes, NSW, 2138, Australia
| | - Kylie Davis
- Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, Level 6, 5 Rider Boulevard, Rhodes, NSW, 2138, Australia
| | - Robert H Six
- Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, 333 Portage St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA
| | - Steven Maeder
- Zoetis, Veterinary Medicine Research and Development, 333 Portage St, Kalamazoo, MI, 49007, USA
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Palomar AM, Cevidanes A, Portillo A, Kalema-Zikusoka G, Chirife AD, Romero L, Muro J, Mugisha L, Oteo JA, Millán J. High Prevalence of Rickettsia spp. in Dog Fleas (Siphonaptera: Pulicidae) in Rural Uganda. JOURNAL OF MEDICAL ENTOMOLOGY 2017; 54:1076-1079. [PMID: 28399271 DOI: 10.1093/jme/tjx048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2016] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Fleas are known vectors of zoonotic agents. Thirty-five fleas, including 28 Ctenocephalides felis (Bouché), four Pulex irritans (L.), and three Echidnophaga gallinacea (Westwood) from 19 rural dogs from southwestern Uganda were analyzed for the presence of Rickettsia spp. (ompB, gltA, and 17 kDa fragment genes) and Bartonella spp. (rpoB and ITS genes) by PCR. Rickettsial DNA was detected in 27 out of 28 of Ct. felis and in two out of four P. irritans. None of the E. gallinacea specimens harbored Rickettsia DNA. Rickettsia felis was confirmed in 12 Ct. felis and in the two P. irritans specimens with positive PCR-results. In addition, the presence of Candidatus Rickettsia asemboensis was evidenced in 15 Ct. felis. Bartonella spp. was not amplified in any sample. Our survey indicates that R. felis, the agent of the flea-borne spotted fever, is present in the study area. Besides, this is the first description of Ca. R. asemboensis in Uganda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana M Palomar
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Aitor Cevidanes
- PhD Program in Conservation Medicine, Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
| | - Aránzazu Portillo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | | | | | - Lourdes Romero
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Jesús Muro
- Ministry of Agriculture, Government of Andorra, Andorra
| | - Lawrence Mugisha
- Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
- Conservation & Ecosystem Health Alliance, Kampala, Uganda
| | - José A Oteo
- Center of Rickettsiosis and Arthropod-Borne Diseases, Hospital San Pedro-CIBIR, Logroño, Spain
| | - Javier Millán
- Facultad de Ecología y Recursos Naturales, Universidad Andres Bello, Santiago, Chile
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Barratt J, Kaufer A, Peters B, Craig D, Lawrence A, Roberts T, Lee R, McAuliffe G, Stark D, Ellis J. Isolation of Novel Trypanosomatid, Zelonia australiensis sp. nov. (Kinetoplastida: Trypanosomatidae) Provides Support for a Gondwanan Origin of Dixenous Parasitism in the Leishmaniinae. PLoS Negl Trop Dis 2017; 11:e0005215. [PMID: 28081121 PMCID: PMC5230760 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2016] [Accepted: 11/29/2016] [Indexed: 01/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The genus Leishmania includes approximately 53 species, 20 of which cause human leishmaniais; a significant albeit neglected tropical disease. Leishmaniasis has afflicted humans for millennia, but how ancient is Leishmania and where did it arise? These questions have been hotly debated for decades and several theories have been proposed. One theory suggests Leishmania originated in the Palearctic, and dispersed to the New World via the Bering land bridge. Others propose that Leishmania evolved in the Neotropics. The Multiple Origins theory suggests that separation of certain Old World and New World species occurred due to the opening of the Atlantic Ocean. Some suggest that the ancestor of the dixenous genera Leishmania, Endotrypanum and Porcisia evolved on Gondwana between 90 and 140 million years ago. In the present study a detailed molecular and morphological characterisation was performed on a novel Australian trypanosomatid following its isolation in Australia’s tropics from the native black fly, Simulium (Morops) dycei Colbo, 1976. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted and confirmed this parasite as a sibling to Zelonia costaricensis, a close relative of Leishmania previously isolated from a reduviid bug in Costa Rica. Consequently, this parasite was assigned the name Zelonia australiensis sp. nov. Assuming Z. costaricensis and Z. australiensis diverged when Australia and South America became completely separated, their divergence occurred between 36 and 41 million years ago at least. Using this vicariance event as a calibration point for a phylogenetic time tree, the common ancestor of the dixenous genera Leishmania, Endotrypanum and Porcisia appeared in Gondwana approximately 91 million years ago. Ultimately, this study contributes to our understanding of trypanosomatid diversity, and of Leishmania origins by providing support for a Gondwanan origin of dixenous parasitism in the Leishmaniinae. The genus Leishmania includes approximately 53 species, 20 of which cause human leishmaniais, a significant disease that has afflicted humans for millennia. But how ancient is Leishmania and where did it arise? Some suggest Leishmania originated in the Palearctic. Others suggest it appeared in the Neotropics. The Multiple Origins theory proposes that separation of certain Old World and Neotropical species occurred following the opening of the Atlantic. Others suggest that an ancestor to the Euleishmania and Paraleishmania appeared on Gondwana 90 to 140 million years ago (MYA). We performed a detailed molecular and morphological characterisation of a novel Australian trypanosomatid. This parasite is a sibling to the Neotropical Zelonia costaricensis, a close relative of Leishmania, and designated as Zelonia australiensis sp. nov. Assuming Z. costaricensis and Z. australiensis split when Australia and South America separated, their divergence occurred between 36 and 41 MYA. Using this event as a calibration point for a phylogenetic time tree, an ancestor of the dixenous Leishmaniinae appeared in Gondwana ~ 91 MYA. This study contributes to our understanding of trypanosomatid diversity by describing a unique Australian trypanosomatid and to our understanding of Leishmania evolution by inferring a Gondwanan origin for dixenous parasitism in the Leishmaniinae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Barratt
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- * E-mail:
| | - Alexa Kaufer
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Bryce Peters
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Insect Research Facility, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Douglas Craig
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
| | - Andrea Lawrence
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
- Department of Medical Entomology, University of Sydney & Pathology West - ICPMR, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Tamalee Roberts
- St. Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Division of Microbiology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Rogan Lee
- Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology Laboratory Services, ICPMR, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Gary McAuliffe
- Microbiology Department, Royal Darwin Hospital, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia
| | - Damien Stark
- St. Vincent's Hospital Sydney, Division of Microbiology, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
| | - John Ellis
- School of Life Sciences, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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Chandra S, Forsyth M, Lawrence AL, Emery D, Šlapeta J. Cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) from cats and dogs in New Zealand: Molecular characterisation, presence of Rickettsia felis and Bartonella clarridgeiae and comparison with Australia. Vet Parasitol 2017; 234:25-30. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2016.12.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2016] [Revised: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 12/23/2016] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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Šlapeta Š, Šlapeta J. Molecular identity of cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) from cats in Georgia, USA carrying Bartonella clarridgeiae, Bartonella henselae and Rickettsia sp. RF2125. VETERINARY PARASITOLOGY- REGIONAL STUDIES AND REPORTS 2016; 3-4:36-40. [PMID: 31014497 DOI: 10.1016/j.vprsr.2016.06.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2016] [Revised: 06/24/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The cat flea (Ctenocephalides felis) is the most common ectoparasite of dogs and cats. Close association of humans with cats and dogs enables flea-borne disease transmission either directly, via flea bites, or indirectly, via pathogens excreted in flea faeces. The aim of this study was to evaluate molecular identity of C. felis from cats in Georgia, USA based on a molecular barcode marker gene (cox1) and the frequency at which the fleas were carriers of the vector-borne bacteria, Bartonella and Rickettsia. The multiplexed Bartonella and Rickettsia real-time PCR assay (targeting ssrA and gltA, respectively) adopted in this study, together with sequencing of the ssrA enabled rapid identification of Bartonella spp. in cat fleas. Eighteen out of 20 fleas examined were positive for Bartonella spp. and all fleas were positive for Rickettsia spp. DNA sequencing of the ssrA confirmed presence B. clarridgeiae and B. henselae. Amplification and DNA sequencing of gltA and ompA confirmed presence of Rickettsia sp. RF2125 (Rickettsia felis-like organism). All fleas from 21 cats in Georgia, USA were morphologically identical with C. felis. Sequencing of the flea cox1 revealed identity with C. felis from Seychelles, Africa recognised as a subspecies C. felis strongylus, the African cat flea. Analysis of the cox1 sequences of fleas improves understanding of global distribution of cat flea cox1 clades (C. felis) when compared with sequences from Ctenocephalides spp. from Asia, Africa, Europe, Asia and Australia. Coupling flea barcoding approach with the multiplexed real-time PCR assay followed by Bartonella sequencing represents a rational approach for screening and elucidation of fleas' capacity to vector infectious agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Štěpán Šlapeta
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, McMaster Building B14, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, McMaster Building B14, The University of Sydney, New South Wales 2006, Australia.
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Lawrence AL, Hii SF, Chong R, Webb CE, Traub R, Brown G, Šlapeta J. Evaluation of the bacterial microbiome of two flea species using different DNA-isolation techniques provides insights into flea host ecology. FEMS Microbiol Ecol 2015; 91:fiv134. [PMID: 26542076 DOI: 10.1093/femsec/fiv134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Fleas (Siphonaptera) are ubiquitous blood-sucking pests of animals worldwide and are vectors of zoonotic bacteria such as Rickettsia and Bartonella. We performed Ion Torrent PGM amplicon sequencing for the bacterial 16S rRNA gene to compare the microbiome of the ubiquitous cat flea (Ctenocephalides f. felis) and the host-specific echidna stickfast flea (Echidnophaga a. ambulans) and evaluated potential bias produced during common genomic DNA-isolation methods. We demonstrated significant differences in the bacterial community diversity between the two flea species but not between protocols combining surface sterilisation with whole flea homogenisation or exoskeleton retention. Both flea species were dominated by obligate intracellular endosymbiont Wolbachia, and the echidna stickfast fleas possessed the endosymbiont Cardinium. Cat fleas that were not surface sterilised showed presence of Candidatus 'Rickettsia senegalensis' DNA, the first report of its presence in Australia. In the case of Rickettsia, we show that sequencing depth of 50 000 was required for comparable sensitivity with Rickettsia qPCR. Low-abundance bacterial genera are suggested to reflect host ecology. The deep-sequencing approach demonstrates feasibility of pathogen detection with simultaneous quantitative analysis and evaluation of the inter-relationship of microbes within vectors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea L Lawrence
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, McMaster Building B14, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia Department of Medical Entomology, University of Sydney & Pathology West, ICPMR, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Sze-Fui Hii
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Rowena Chong
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, McMaster Building B14, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Cameron E Webb
- Department of Medical Entomology, University of Sydney & Pathology West, ICPMR, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
| | - Rebecca Traub
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3052, Australia
| | - Graeme Brown
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, McMaster Building B14, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Jan Šlapeta
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, McMaster Building B14, The University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
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van der Mescht L, Matthee S, Matthee CA. A genetic perspective on the taxonomy and evolution of the medically important flea,Dinopsyllus ellobius(Siphonaptera: Dinopsyllinae), and the resurrection ofDinopsyllus abaris. Biol J Linn Soc Lond 2015. [DOI: 10.1111/bij.12615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luther van der Mescht
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology; Stellenbosch University; Private Bag X1 Matieland 7602 South Africa
- Evolutionary Genomics Group; Department of Botany and Zoology; Stellenbosch University; Private Bag X1 Matieland 7602 South Africa
| | - Sonja Matthee
- Department of Conservation Ecology and Entomology; Stellenbosch University; Private Bag X1 Matieland 7602 South Africa
| | - Conrad A. Matthee
- Evolutionary Genomics Group; Department of Botany and Zoology; Stellenbosch University; Private Bag X1 Matieland 7602 South Africa
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Lawrence AL, Hii SF, Jirsová D, Panáková L, Ionică AM, Gilchrist K, Modrý D, Mihalca AD, Webb CE, Traub RJ, Šlapeta J. Integrated morphological and molecular identification of cat fleas (Ctenocephalides felis) and dog fleas (Ctenocephalides canis) vectoring Rickettsia felis in central Europe. Vet Parasitol 2015; 210:215-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.vetpar.2015.03.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 03/27/2015] [Accepted: 03/31/2015] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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Hii SF, Lawrence AL, Cuttell L, Tynas R, Abd Rani PAM, Šlapeta J, Traub RJ. Evidence for a specific host-endosymbiont relationship between 'Rickettsia sp. genotype RF2125' and Ctenocephalides felis orientis infesting dogs in India. Parasit Vectors 2015; 8:169. [PMID: 25884425 PMCID: PMC4369868 DOI: 10.1186/s13071-015-0781-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/05/2015] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Fleas of the genus Ctenocephalides serve as vectors for a number of rickettsial zoonoses, including Rickettsia felis. There are currently no published reports of the presence and distribution of R. felis in India, however, the ubiquitous distribution of its vector Ctenocephalides felis, makes it possible that the pathogen is endemic to the region. This study investigates the occurrence of Rickettsia spp. infection in various subspecies of C. felis infesting dogs from urban areas of Mumbai, Delhi and Rajasthan in India. Methods Individual fleas collected off 77 stray dogs from Mumbai, Delhi and Rajasthan were screened for Rickettsia spp. by a conventional PCR targeting the ompB gene. Further genetic characterisation of Rickettsia-positive fleas was carried out using nested PCR and phylogenetic analysis of partial DNA sequences of the gltA and ompA genes. Ctenocephalides spp. were morphologically and genetically identified by PCR targeting a fragment of cox1 gene. Results Overall, 56/77 fleas (72.7%), including 22/24 (91.7%) from Delhi, 32/44 (72.7%) from Mumbai and 2/9 (22.2%) from Rajasthan were positive for Rickettsia DNA at the ompB gene. Sequences of gltA fragments confirmed the amplification of Rickettsia sp. genotype RF2125. The ompA gene of Rickettsia sp. genotype RF2125 was characterised for the first time and shown 96% identical to R. felis. Three species of Ctenocephalides were identified, with the Ctenocephalides felis orientis being the dominant flea species (69/77; 89.6%) in India, followed by Ctenocephalides felis felis (8/77; 10.4%). Conclusions High occurrence of Rickettsia sp. genotype RF2125 in C. felis orientis and the absence of R. felis suggests a specific vector-endosymbiont adaptation and coevolution of the Rickettsia felis-like sp. within subspecies of C. felis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sze-Fui Hii
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, Queensland, 4343, Australia. .,Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
| | - Andrea L Lawrence
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
| | - Leigh Cuttell
- Safe Food Production Queensland, PO Box 440, Spring Hill, Queensland, 4004, Australia.
| | - Rebecca Tynas
- School of Medicine and Pharmacology, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, 6009, Australia.
| | | | - Jan Šlapeta
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, New South Wales, 2006, Australia.
| | - Rebecca J Traub
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria, 3052, Australia.
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