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Simpson SJ, Higgins DP, Timms P, Mella VSA, Crowther MS, Fernandez CM, McArthur C, Phillips S, Krockenberger MB. Efficacy of a synthetic peptide Chlamydia pecorum major outer membrane protein vaccine in a wild koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population. Sci Rep 2023; 13:15087. [PMID: 37699951 PMCID: PMC10497537 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-42296-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydiosis is a significant disease affecting Eastern Australian koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations, impacting individual animal welfare and fecundity and therefore influencing population dynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a synthetic peptide vaccine based on 4 components of the Chlamydia pecorum major outer membrane protein (MOMP), over an 18-month period in a koala population severely impacted by chlamydiosis. Wild koalas were recruited into a vaccination or a placebo treatment group on a random allocation, then followed through a period of 18 months, with recapture at 6 monthly intervals. Vaccination did not alter clinical disease expression or chlamydial shedding from the ocular or urogenital sites. Vaccination did not stimulate a significant plasma anti-MOMP IgG response, when compared to the placebo group. There was no significant effect of vaccination on IFN-γ and IL-17A mRNA expression of peripheral blood lymphocytes when stimulated with rMOMP. We have demonstrated that a synthetic peptide vaccination against chlamydiosis is not an effective management tool in a koala population with a high prevalence of C. pecorum infection and related disease. The lack of antigenic response found in this study suggests that further research utilising a larger, full-length antigen is an avenue worth investigation if we are to consider vaccination as a part of a management strategy in diseased koala populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah J Simpson
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - Damien P Higgins
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia
| | - Valentina S A Mella
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Mathew S Crowther
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Cristina M Fernandez
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Clare McArthur
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
| | - Samuel Phillips
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4556, Australia
| | - Mark B Krockenberger
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia
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Marti H, Jelocnik M. Animal Chlamydiae: A Concern for Human and Veterinary Medicine. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11030364. [PMID: 35335688 PMCID: PMC8951289 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11030364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hanna Marti
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse-Faculty University of Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
- Correspondence: (H.M.); (M.J.)
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs 4556, Australia
- Correspondence: (H.M.); (M.J.)
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Scasta JD, Hennig JD, Calkins CM. Feral horse cause-specific mortality relative to mustering (gathering) and individual demographic attributes in the USA. WILDLIFE RESEARCH 2021. [DOI: 10.1071/wr20157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
ContextMustering (gathering) feral horses (Equus ferus caballus) often cause mortalities, yet cause-specific details are lacking.
AimsGiven the need to optimise horse welfare, we analysed public horse muster data from the USA to understand specific causes of mortalities.
MethodsWe coded 393 individual horse mortality reports for 92 cause-specific mortality terms (keywords informing the deciphering of specific causes of mortality classified as anatomical, causal or conditional) and demographic details (age, sex, and body condition). Data were derived from 50 musters across seven states with at least one horse mortality. Musters were coded for type (helicopter or bait), emergency or regular planned efforts, and number of horses mustered and shipped daily.
Key ResultsMore horses were euthanased than died naturally (330 (84.0%) and 39 (9.9%) respectively), and more horses had chronic than acute conditions (317 (80.7%) and 76 (19.3%) respectively), with both trends holding for both sexes and across ages. Body condition scores (BCS) for female horses were skewed low, whereas male horse BCS data were more normally distributed. Female horses had lower BCS than did male horses (P < 0.001). On average, each horse mortality had two cause-specific mortality terms, ranging from 1 to 7. Only 57 horses (14.5%) had terms describing anatomy, cause and condition, concurrently. Phi coefficients (φ; indicators of fidelity and constancy) for cause-specific terms were related to demographic or muster attributes and were analysed with post hoc ANOVA tests of estimated marginal means to allow for ranking. Female horses were most often described as emaciated, weak, and starving, whereas male horses were described as lame, arthritic, blind or dangerous. Bait trapping and emergency musters included horses that were starving, dehydrated and weak.
ConclusionsGenerally, disorders associated with legs and feet, eyes, necks and nutrition were the most prevalent cause-specific mortality issues. Using a machine learning approach, validation and test accuracy were high for predicting euthanasia versus natural mortalities, but low for predicting acute versus chronic mortalities. Individual horse demographics or daily muster features had a greater relative influence than did capture type or emergency status in both comparisons.
ImplicationsThese results provide practical insight for potential cause-specific mortalities relative to demographics and muster techniques.
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Ostfeld N, Islam MM, Jelocnik M, Hilbe M, Sydler T, Hartnack S, Jacobson C, Clune T, Marsh I, Sales N, Polkinghorne A, Borel N. Chlamydia pecorum-Induced Arthritis in Experimentally and Naturally Infected Sheep. Vet Pathol 2020; 58:346-360. [PMID: 33208021 DOI: 10.1177/0300985820973461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydia pecorum is an obligate intracellular pathogen with a wide host range including livestock such as sheep, cattle, goats, and pigs as well as wildlife species such as koalas. Chlamydial polyarthritis is an economically important disease resulting in swollen joints, lameness, stiffness, and weight loss in young sheep. In the present study, tissues from sheep experimentally or naturally infected with Chlamydia pecorum were assessed by histopathology and immunohistochemistry. Carpal, hock, and stifle joints as well as spleen, liver, kidney, lymph nodes, lung, and brain of 35 sheep from different inoculation groups were available. Two different C. pecorum strains (IPA and E58), different routes of administration (intraarticular or intravenous), UVA-irradiated IPA strain, and corresponding noninfected control groups were investigated. Similar investigations on tissues from 5 naturally infected sheep were performed. The most obvious inflammatory lesions were observed in synovial tissues and, notably, in the renal pelvis from the experimentally infected group and naturally infected animals. This resulted in chronic or chronic-active arthritis and pyelitis. Intralesional chlamydial inclusions could be demonstrated by immunohistochemistry in both tissues. Immunohistochemical evaluation of the presence and distribution of macrophages, T and B cells in synovial tissues revealed macrophages as the most prevalent inflammatory cell population. Previous observations indicated that C. pecorum isolates can infect circulating monocytes. Together with the finding of the histological lesions in synovial tissues and internal organs alongside the presence of C. pecorum DNA, these observations suggest chlamydial arthritis in lambs is the result of hematogeneous spread of C. pecorum.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mominul M Islam
- 5333University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia.,Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur, Bangladesh
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- 5333University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
| | | | | | | | | | - Tom Clune
- 5673Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
| | - Ian Marsh
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, 153388Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institut, Menangle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Narelle Sales
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, 153388Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institut, Menangle, New South Wales, Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- 6488Nepean Hospital, NSW Health Pathology, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia.,University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
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5
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Downey PMR, Caraguel CGB, Speight N, Fabijan J, Boardman WSJ. Field immobilization using alfaxalone and alfaxalone-medetomidine in free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus): a randomized comparative study. Vet Anaesth Analg 2020; 47:368-376. [PMID: 32276883 DOI: 10.1016/j.vaa.2019.10.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2019] [Revised: 09/10/2019] [Accepted: 10/08/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To characterize and compare two intramuscular drug protocols using alfaxalone and alfaxalone-medetomidine combination for the field immobilization of free-ranging koalas. STUDY DESIGN Blinded, randomized, comparative field study. ANIMALS A total of 66 free-ranging koalas from the Mount Lofty Ranges, South Australia. METHODS Koalas were randomly allocated into two groups. Group A animals were given alfaxalone alone at 3.5 mg kg-1. Group AM animals were given alfaxalone 2 mg kg-1 and medetomidine 40 μg kg-1, reversed with atipamezole at 0.16 mg kg-1. Blinded operators recorded heart rate (HR), respiratory rate (fR), cloacal temperature, depth of sedation and times to: first effect, sedation suitable for clinical interventions, first arousal and full recovery. Data were analysed using independent t test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square analysis and log-rank test at 5% level of significance. RESULTS Suitable immobilization for clinical examination and sample collection was achieved in all animals. In groups A and AM, median time to working depth was 6.5 minutes (range: 3.4-15) and 8.1 minutes (range: 4.3-24) and time to complete recovery was 66 minutes (range: 12-138) and 34 minutes (range: 4-84), respectively, following reversal. Time to first effect was significantly shorter in group A (p = 0.013), whereas time to full arousal was significantly shorter in group AM (p = 0.007) probably due to the administration of atipamezole. Maximum HR was 117 ± 28 beats minute-1 in group A, which was a significant increase from baseline values (p < 0.0001), whereas group AM showed a significant tachypnoea of 67 ± 25 (normal fR 10-15; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE Both the protocols produced immobilization, enabling clinical examination and sample collection; however, protocol AM was more suitable for field work due to shorter recovery times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip M R Downey
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, Australia
| | - Charles G B Caraguel
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, Australia
| | - Natasha Speight
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, Australia
| | - Jessica Fabijan
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, Australia
| | - Wayne S J Boardman
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, Australia.
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Waugh CA, Timms P. A proposed roadmap for the control of infections in wildlife using Chlamydia vaccine development in koalas Phascolarctos cinereus as a template. WILDLIFE BIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.2981/wlb.00627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Courtney A. Waugh
- C. Waugh ✉ , Faculty of Bioscience and Aquaculture, Nord Univ., Steinkjer, Norway
| | - Peter Timms
- P. Timms, Univ. of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland, Australia
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Altered immune parameters associated with Koala Retrovirus (KoRV) and Chlamydial infection in free ranging Victorian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). Sci Rep 2019; 9:11170. [PMID: 31371797 PMCID: PMC6673689 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-47666-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2018] [Accepted: 07/18/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Koala Retrovirus (KoRV) has been widely speculated to cause immune suppression in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and to underlie the koala's susceptibility to infectious disease, however evidence for immunomodulation is limited. The aim of this study is to determine whether immunophenotypic changes are associated with KoRV infection in free ranging Victorian koalas. qPCR was used to examine mRNA expression for Th1 (IFNγ), Th2-promoting (IL6, IL10) and Th17 (IL17A) cytokines, along with CD4 and CD8 in whole blood of koalas (n = 74) from Mt Eccles and Raymond Island in Victoria, Australia, with and without natural chlamydial infection. KoRV positive koalas had significantly lower levels of IL17A (p`0.023) and IFNγ (p = 0.044) gene expression along with a decreased CD4:CD8 gene expression ratio (p = 0.025) compared to negative koalas. No effect of chlamydial infection or combined effect of KoRV and chlamydial infection was detected in these populations. The decreased expression of IFNγ could make KoRV infected koalas more susceptible to persistent chlamydial infection, and a decrease in IL17A could make them more susceptible to gram negative bacterial, fungal and mycobacterial infection; but more tolerant of chlamydial infection.
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Hampton JO, Warburton B, Sandøe P. Compassionate versus consequentialist conservation. CONSERVATION BIOLOGY : THE JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY FOR CONSERVATION BIOLOGY 2019; 33:751-759. [PMID: 30411399 DOI: 10.1111/cobi.13249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2018] [Revised: 10/31/2018] [Accepted: 11/02/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Ethical treatment of wildlife and consideration of animal welfare have become important themes in conservation, but ethical perspectives on how best to protect wild animals and promote their welfare are diverse. There are advantages to the consequentialist harms ethical framework applied in managing wild herbivores for conservation purposes. To minimize harms while achieving conservation goals, we argue that overabundant wild herbivores should in many cases be managed through consumptive in situ killing. Advantages of this policy are that the negative welfare states imposed on animals last only a short time; remaining animals are not deprived of positive welfare states (e.g., linked to rearing offspring); poor welfare states of animals in overabundant populations are avoided (e.g., starvation); negative welfare impacts on heterospecifics through resource depletion (i.e., competition) are prevented; harvesting meat reduces the number of (agricultural) animals raised to supply meat; and minimal costs maximize funding for other wildlife management and conservation priorities. Alternative ethical approaches to our consequentialist framework include deontology (containing animal rights) and virtue ethics, some of which underpin compassionate conservation. These alternative ethical approaches emphasize the importance of avoiding intentional killing of animals but, if no population reduction occurs, are likely to impose considerable unintentional harms on overabundant wildlife and indirectly harm heterospecifics through ineffective population reduction. If nonlethal control is used, it is likely that overabundant animals would be deprived of positive welfare states and economic costs would be prohibitive. We encourage conservation stakeholders to consider animal-welfare consequentialism as an ethical approach to minimize harms to the animals under their care as well as other animals that policies may affect while at the same time pursuing conservation goals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jordan O Hampton
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, 90 South Street, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Bruce Warburton
- Landcare Research, P.O. Box 69040, Lincoln, 7640, New Zealand
| | - Peter Sandøe
- Department of Food and Resource Economics and Department of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 25, DK-1958, Frederiksberg, Denmark
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Fabijan J, Caraguel C, Jelocnik M, Polkinghorne A, Boardman WSJ, Nishimoto E, Johnsson G, Molsher R, Woolford L, Timms P, Simmons G, Hemmatzadeh F, Trott DJ, Speight N. Chlamydia pecorum prevalence in South Australian koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations: Identification and modelling of a population free from infection. Sci Rep 2019; 9:6261. [PMID: 31000763 PMCID: PMC6472425 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-42702-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 04/02/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pecorum is an established and prevalent infection that produces severe clinical disease in many koala populations, contributing to dramatic population declines. In wild South Australian koala populations, C. pecorum occurrence and distribution is unknown. Here, C. pecorum-specific real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) was applied to ocular and urogenital swabs from targeted surveys of wild koalas from the mainland Mount Lofty Ranges (MLR) (n = 75) and Kangaroo Island (KI) (n = 170) populations. Historical data from 13,081 KI koalas (1997–2018) provided additional evidence for assessing the absence of C. pecorum infection. In the MLR population, 46.7% (CI: 35.1–58.6%) of koalas were C. pecorum positive by qPCR but only 4% had grade 3 clinical disease. MLR koala fertility was significantly reduced by C. pecorum infection; all reproductively active females (n = 16) were C. pecorum negative, whereas 85.2% of inactive females (n = 23) were positive (P < 0.001). KI koalas were C. pecorum negative and the population was demonstrated to be free of C. pecorum infection with 95% confidence. C. pecorum is a real threat for the sustainability of the koala and KI is possibly the last isolated, large C. pecorum-free population remaining in Australia. These koalas could provide a safeguard against this serious disease threat to an iconic Australian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Fabijan
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, 5371, South Australia, Australia.
| | - Charles Caraguel
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, 5371, South Australia, Australia
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, 4558, Queensland, Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, 4558, Queensland, Australia
| | - Wayne S J Boardman
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, 5371, South Australia, Australia
| | - Elisa Nishimoto
- Kangaroo Island Veterinary Clinic, Kingscote, 5223, South Australia, Australia
| | - Greg Johnsson
- Kangaroo Island Veterinary Clinic, Kingscote, 5223, South Australia, Australia
| | - Robyn Molsher
- Department for Environment and Water, Adelaide, 5000, South Australia, Australia
| | - Lucy Woolford
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, 5371, South Australia, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, 4558, Queensland, Australia
| | - Greg Simmons
- School of Veterinary Sciences, The University of Queensland, Gatton, 4343, Queensland, Australia
| | - Farhid Hemmatzadeh
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, 5371, South Australia, Australia
| | - Darren J Trott
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, 5371, South Australia, Australia
| | - Natasha Speight
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, 5371, South Australia, Australia
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Bommana S, Walker E, Desclozeaux M, Timms P, Polkinghorne A. Humoral immune response against two surface antigens of Chlamydia pecorum in vaccinated and naturally infected sheep. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0188370. [PMID: 29190736 PMCID: PMC5708773 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0188370] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/24/2017] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pecorum is a globally recognised livestock pathogen due to the significant clinical and economic impact it poses to livestock producers. Routine serological diagnosis is through a complement fixation test (CFT), which is often criticised for cross-reactivity, poor sensitivity and specificity. Although serology remains the preferred method in veterinary diagnostic laboratories, serological assays based on surface antigens of C. pecorum have not been established until now. In this study, we evaluated the use of two chlamydial recombinant protein antigens (PmpG and MOMP-G) by a direct IgG ELISA method for detection of ovine anti-chlamydial antibodies. Using the Pepscan method we then identified B cell epitopes across PmpG and MOMP-G proteins, in lambs with (a) naturally occurring asymptomatic C. pecorum infections (b) C. pecorum-associated polyarthritis and (c) recombinant PmpG and MOMP-G vaccine. Plasma IgG antibodies to PmpG in natural infection of lambs were detected earlier in infection than CFT and served as an acute phase marker. Antibodies to MOMP-G IgG were significantly heightened in lambs with C. pecorum-associated polyarthritis. PmpG and MOMP-G specific B-cell epitope mapping revealed epitope responses in immunised lambs cluster with some of the epitope responses in naturally infected lambs. B-cell epitope mapping further revealed that lambs with polyarthritis recognised several unique PmpG (50% frequency, peptide 8, 25, 40, 41 and 50) and MOMP (50% frequency, peptide 50) epitopes in comparison to asymptomatic infections. The findings of this study will have implications towards improved serodiagnosis of C. pecorum infections in livestock and inform the downstream development of alternative peptide-based antigens for future C. pecorum vaccine studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sankhya Bommana
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
| | - Evelyn Walker
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
- Central West Local Land Services, Dubbo, Australia
| | - Marion Desclozeaux
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
| | - Peter Timms
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia
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McCallum H, Kerlin DH, Ellis W, Carrick F. Assessing the significance of endemic disease in conservation-koalas, chlamydia, and koala retrovirus as a case study. Conserv Lett 2017. [DOI: 10.1111/conl.12425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Hamish McCallum
- Griffith School of Environment and Environmental Futures Research Institute; Griffith University; Nathan Queensland Australia
| | - Douglas H. Kerlin
- Environmental Futures Research Institute; Griffith University; Nathan Queensland 4111 Australia
| | - William Ellis
- School of Agriculture and Food Science; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Queensland Australia
| | - Frank Carrick
- Koala Study Program, Centre for Mined Land Rehabilitation; The University of Queensland; Brisbane Queensland Australia
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12
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FitzGibbon SI, Gillett AK, Barth BJ, Taylor B, Ellis WA. Do koalas really get the blues? Critique of ‘Aversive behaviour by koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) during the course of a music festival in northern New South Wales, Australia'. AUSTRALIAN MAMMALOGY 2017. [DOI: 10.1071/am16016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
It is imperative that the reported results of scientific studies are based on sound data analyses and unbiased interpretation, especially where they may be used to guide government policy and regulation. A recent paper by Phillips (2016) evaluated the behavioural response of radio-collared koalas to an inaugural large music festival held in 2010 in northern New South Wales. The study concluded that six of seven koalas showed an aversive response. However, we regard the paper as misleading because it contains serious errors in the examination of koala home ranges and in the subsequent assessment of ‘aversive behaviour’ during the music festival. We conclude that Phillips’ paper is based on sufficient data to state that three, not six, of the koalas he studied displayed a short-term behavioural response to the music festival. These koalas temporarily moved outside of their estimated ranges during the festival period (10–80 m). Further, Phillips fails to report crucial ecological data regarding the high level of disease and mortality he recorded, which are presented in their entirety in the author’s prior, unpublished report. For the two deaths that are reported, no mention is made that these koalas had pre-existing disease. Rather, the author raises the possibility that the mortalities may have been related to festival-induced stress. The omission of such key data is prejudicial to the interpretation of results. The reported short-term impact of the festival upon some of the study animals is indeed noteworthy; however, it is apparent that the impact has been considerably overstated due to errors of analysis and the omission of critical ecological data. Our critique highlights our concerns by drawing on the author’s unpublished report as well as our own research at the same site over the past five years. Our aim is to ensure that debate over the impact of music festivals on wildlife is based on sound data analyses and unbiased interpretation, to provide guidance to relevant regulators and land managers.
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Burnard D, Polkinghorne A. Chlamydial infections in wildlife-conservation threats and/or reservoirs of 'spill-over' infections? Vet Microbiol 2016; 196:78-84. [PMID: 27939160 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2016.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2016] [Revised: 10/12/2016] [Accepted: 10/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Members of the order Chlamydiales are biphasic intracellular pathogens known to cause disease in both humans and animals. As we learn more about the genetic diversity of this group of pathogens, evidence is growing that these bacteria infect a broader range of animal hosts than previously thought. Over 400 host species are now documented globally with the majority of these being wild animals. Given the impact of chlamydial infections on humans and domesticated animals, the identification of members of the order Chlamydiales in wildlife raises significant questions over a) their impact on animal health and b) the relationships to those strains also found in humans and domestic animals. In some species such as the iconic marsupial, the koala, the conservation impact is known with chlamydial infections associated with debilitating disease, however, in general, little is known about the pathogenic potential of Chlamydiae infecting most wildlife hosts. Accumulating evidence suggests contact with wild animals is a risk factor for infections in domestic animals and/or humans. Beyond the well-recognised zoonotic pathogen, Chlamydia psittaci, a range of studies have now reported traditional pathogens in the family Chlamydiaceae such as Chlamydia pecorum, Chlamydia suis, Chlamydia pneumoniae and Chlamydia abortus in wild animals. The spectre of cross-host transmission 'spill-over' and 'spill-back' in the epidemiology of infections is of potential concern, however, comprehensive epidemiological studies are lacking for most of these. Accurate evaluation of the significance of chlamydial infections in wildlife is otherwise hampered by i) the cross-sectional nature of most impact studies, ii) a lack of standardised diagnostic approaches, iii) limited study sizes, and iv) biases associated with opportunistic sampling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delaney Burnard
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia.
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Maher IE, Higgins DP. Altered Immune Cytokine Expression Associated with KoRV B Infection and Season in Captive Koalas. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0163780. [PMID: 27706211 PMCID: PMC5051944 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0163780] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations are increasingly vulnerable and one of the main threats is chlamydial infection. Koala retrovirus (KoRV) has been proposed as an underlying cause of the koala’s susceptibility to infection with Chlamydia and high rates of lymphoid neoplasia; however, the regionally ubiquitous, endogenous nature of this virus suggests that KoRV A infection is not sufficient for immune suppression to occur. A recently discovered exogenous variant of KoRV, KoRV B, has several structural elements that cause increased pathogenicity in related retroviruses and was associated with lymphoid neoplasia in one study. The present study assesses whether KoRV B infection is associated with alterations in immune function. Cytokine gene expression by mitogen stimulated lymphocytes of KoRV B positive (n = 5–6) and negative (n = 6–7) captive koalas was evaluated by qPCR four times (April 2014-February 2015) to control for seasonal variation. Key immune genes in the Th1 pathway (IFNγ, TNFα), Th2 pathway (IL 10, IL4, IL6) and Th17 pathway (IL17A), along with CD4:CD8 ratio, were assessed. KoRV B positive koalas showed significantly increased up-regulation of IL17A and IL10 in three out of four sampling periods and IFNγ, IL6, IL4 and TNFα in two out of four. IL17A is an immune marker for chlamydial pathogenesis in the koala; increased expression of IL17A in KoRV B positive koalas, and concurrent immune dysregulation, may explain the differences in susceptibility to chlamydial infection and severity of disease seen between individuals and populations. There was also marked seasonal variation in up-regulation for most of the cytokines and the CD4:CD8 ratio. The up-regulation in both Th1 and Th2 cytokines mirrors changes associated with immune dysregulation in humans and felids as a result of retroviral infections. This is the first report of altered immune expression in koalas infected by an exogenous variant of KoRV and also the first report of seasonal variation in cytokine up-regulation and CD4:CD8 ratio in marsupials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iona E. Maher
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, the University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Damien P. Higgins
- School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Science, the University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
- * E-mail:
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15
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Legione AR, Patterson JLS, Whiteley PL, Amery-Gale J, Lynch M, Haynes L, Gilkerson JR, Polkinghorne A, Devlin JM, Sansom FM. Identification of unusual Chlamydia pecorum genotypes in Victorian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and clinical variables associated with infection. J Med Microbiol 2016; 65:420-428. [PMID: 26932792 DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pecorum infection is a threat to the health of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Australia. Utilizing an extensive sample archive we determined the prevalence of C. pecorum in koalas within six regions of Victoria, Australia. The ompA genotypes of the detected C. pecorum were characterized to better understand the epidemiology of this pathogen in Victorian koalas. Despite many studies in northern Australia (i.e. Queensland and New South Wales), prior Chlamydia studies in Victorian koalas are limited. We detected C. pecorum in 125/820 (15 %) urogenital swabs, but in only one ocular swab. Nucleotide sequencing of the molecular marker C. pecorum ompA revealed that the majority (90/114) of C. pecorum samples typed were genotype B. This genotype has not been reported in northern koalas. In general, Chlamydia infection in Victorian koalas is associated with milder clinical signs compared with infection in koalas in northern populations. Although disease pathogenesis is likely to be multifactorial, the high prevalence of genotype B in Victoria may suggest it is less pathogenic. All but three koalas had C. pecorum genotypes unique to southern koala populations (i.e. Victoria and South Australia). These included a novel C. pecorum ompA genotype and two genotypes associated with livestock. Regression analysis determined that significant factors for the presence of C. pecorum infection were sex and geographical location. The presence of 'wet bottom' in males and the presence of reproductive tract pathology in females were significantly associated with C. pecorum infection, suggesting variation in clinical disease manifestations between sexes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alistair R Legione
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne,Parkville, Victoria,Australia
| | - Jade L S Patterson
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne,Parkville, Victoria,Australia.,Veterinary Department, Melbourne Zoo,Parkville, Victoria,Australia
| | - Pam L Whiteley
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne,Parkville, Victoria,Australia.,Wildlife Health Surveillance Victoria, The University of Melbourne,Werribee, Victoria,Australia
| | - Jemima Amery-Gale
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne,Parkville, Victoria,Australia.,Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville,Victoria,Australia
| | - Michael Lynch
- Veterinary Department, Melbourne Zoo,Parkville, Victoria,Australia
| | - Leesa Haynes
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne,Werribee, Victoria,Australia
| | - James R Gilkerson
- Centre for Equine Infectious Diseases, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne,Parkville, Victoria,Australia
| | - Adam Polkinghorne
- Centre for Animal Health Innovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs,Queensland,Australia
| | - Joanne M Devlin
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne,Parkville, Victoria,Australia
| | - Fiona M Sansom
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne,Parkville, Victoria,Australia
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