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Sutherland M, Sarker S, Vaz PK, Legione AR, Devlin JM, Macwhirter PL, Whiteley PL, Raidal SR. Disease surveillance in wild Victorian cacatuids reveals co-infection with multiple agents and detection of novel avian viruses. Vet Microbiol 2019; 235:257-264. [PMID: 31383310 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2019.07.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2019] [Revised: 07/10/2019] [Accepted: 07/14/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Wild birds are known reservoirs of bacterial and viral pathogens, some of which have zoonotic potential. This poses a risk to both avian and human health, since spillover into domestic bird populations may occur. In Victoria, wild-caught cockatoos trapped under licence routinely enter commercial trade. The circovirus Beak and Feather Disease Virus (BFDV), herpesviruses, adenoviruses and Chlamydia psittaci have been identified as significant pathogens of parrots globally, with impacts on both aviculture and the conservation efforts of endangered species. In this study, we describe the results of surveillance for psittacid herpesviruses (PsHVs), psittacine adenovirus (PsAdV), BFDV and C. psittaci in wild cacatuids in Victoria, Australia. Samples were collected from 55 birds of four species, and tested using genus or family-wide polymerase chain reaction methods coupled with sequencing and phylogenetic analyses for detection and identification of known and novel pathogens. There were no clinically observed signs of illness in most of the live birds in this study (96.3%; n = 53). Beak and Feather Disease Virus was detected with a prevalence of 69.6% (95% CI 55.2-80.9). Low prevalences of PsHV (1.81%; 95% CI 0.3-9.6), PsAdV (1.81%; 95% CI 0.3-9.6), and C. psittaci (1.81%; 95% CI 0.3-9.6) was detected. Importantly, a novel avian alphaherpesvirus and a novel avian adenovirus were detected in a little corella (Cacatua sanguinea) co-infected with BFDV and C. psittaci. The presence of multiple potential pathogens detected in a single bird presents an example of the ease with which such infectious agents may enter the pet trade and how novel viruses circulating in wild populations have the potential for transmission into captive birds. Genomic identification of previously undescribed avian viruses is important to further our understanding of their epidemiology, facilitating management of biosecurity aspects of the domestic and international bird trade, and conservation efforts of vulnerable species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Sutherland
- Burwood Bird and Animal Hospital, 128 Highbury Rd, Burwood, Vic 3125, Australia.
| | - Subir Sarker
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Vic 3086, Australia; School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
| | - Paola K Vaz
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia.
| | - Alistair R Legione
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia.
| | - Joanne M Devlin
- Asia-Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, Vic 3052, Australia.
| | - Patricia L Macwhirter
- Greencross Vets Springvale, 570 Springvale Rd, Springvale South, Vic 3172, Australia.
| | - Pamela L Whiteley
- Wildlife Health Victoria: Surveillance, Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, University of Melbourne, Werribee, Vic 3030, Australia.
| | - Shane R Raidal
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Wagga Wagga, NSW 2678, Australia.
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Speight KN, Whiteley PL, Woolford L, Duignan PJ, Bacci B, Lathe S, Boardman W, Scheelings TF, Funnell O, Underwood G, Stevenson MA. Outbreaks of sarcoptic mange in free-ranging koala populations in Victoria and South Australia: a case series. Aust Vet J 2017; 95:244-249. [DOI: 10.1111/avj.12598] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2016] [Revised: 09/07/2016] [Accepted: 10/12/2016] [Indexed: 12/01/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- KN Speight
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus; The University of Adelaide; Roseworthy South Australia 5371 Australia
| | - PL Whiteley
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences; The University of Melbourne; Werribee Victoria Australia
| | - L Woolford
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus; The University of Adelaide; Roseworthy South Australia 5371 Australia
| | - PJ Duignan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine; University of Calgary; Calgary, Alberta, Canada; The Marine Mammal Center, Fort Cronkhite Sausalito CA USA
| | - B Bacci
- School of Veterinary Medicine; University of Surrey; Guildford UK
| | - S Lathe
- Adelaide Koala and Wildlife Hospital, Plympton; South Australia Australia
| | - W Boardman
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus; The University of Adelaide; Roseworthy South Australia 5371 Australia
| | - TF Scheelings
- School of Biological Sciences; Monash University; Clayton Victoria Australia
| | - O Funnell
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Roseworthy Campus; The University of Adelaide; Roseworthy South Australia 5371 Australia
| | - G Underwood
- Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources; Adelaide South Australia Australia
| | - MA Stevenson
- Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences; The University of Melbourne; Werribee Victoria Australia
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Bacci B, Whiteley PL, Barrow M, Phillips PH, Dalziel J, El-Hage CM. Chronic phalaris toxicity in eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus). Aust Vet J 2014; 92:504-8. [PMID: 25424766 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12272] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 04/03/2014] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
CASE REPORT Seven eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) grazing pastures including Phalaris spp. in Victoria showed neurological deficits characterised by ataxia, head tremors and collapse. Gross examination of the brains and spinal cords of affected kangaroos showed a greenish discolouration in several regions of the grey matter. Histologically, intracytoplasmic accumulation of pigment granules was detected in the neurons, most prominently in the thalamus, brainstem and ventral horns of the spinal cord. Pigment granules were positive to stains used for identification of melanin, including Fontana-Masson stain and Schmorl's reaction. CONCLUSION The combination of clinical signs and obvious neuronal pigmentation is consistent with chronic Phalaris spp. toxicity, a condition well documented in domestic ruminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Bacci
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Melbourne, 250 Princes Highway, Werribee, Victoria, 3030, Australia.
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Wilcox RS, Vaz P, Ficorilli NP, Whiteley PL, Wilks CR, Devlin JM. Gammaherpesvirus infection in a free-ranging eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus). Aust Vet J 2011; 89:55-7. [PMID: 21250958 DOI: 10.1111/j.1751-0813.2010.00662.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
A gammaherpesvirus was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in ocular, nasal and oropharyngeal swab samples collected from an adult free-ranging male eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) with clinical signs of severe respiratory disease. This is the first time a gammaherpesvirus has been detected in a free-ranging macropod in Australia. The nucleotide sequence of a conserved region of the DNA polymerase gene of the detected virus showed a high degree of identity to a gammaherpesvirus recently detected in a zoological collection of eastern grey kangaroos in North America. The detection of this gammaherpesvirus in a free-ranging, native eastern grey kangaroo provides evidence that this species is a natural host.
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Affiliation(s)
- R S Wilcox
- Help for Wildlife, Coldstream, Victoria, Australia.
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Abstract
The core of bluetongue virus (BTV) consists of ten dsRNA viral genome segments and five proteins, including two major (VP7 and VP3) and three minor (VP1, VP4 and VP6) components. The major core protein VP7 is believed to be an important structural constituent because it interacts, not only with the underlying core protein VP3, but also with two outer capsid proteins (VP2 and VP5). In this communication we summarise data on the mapping of at least six different epitopes of VP7 distributed along the molecule. Two of the six epitopes have not been mapped previously. The accessibility of these epitopes in intact virions and core particles was analysed using immunoelectron microscopy. The epitope located near the N-terminus of VP7 was accessible at the surface of intact virions and core particles. Epitopes in other parts of the VP7 molecule were detected weakly in core particles but not in intact virions. These results support the proposal that VP7 molecules are orientated with their N-terminus accessible on the surface of either the particle or at least one of the three different channels observed by cryoelectron microscopy in the outer capsid layer. Analysis of the immune response to BTV-infected or -immunised sheep and rabbits to three selected epitopes, which are located in different regions of the VP7 molecule, demonstrated that all of them were recognised by the animals tested. These results provided further molecular evidence suggesting that VP7 is indeed a major immunogenic antigen ideal for BTV antibody detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- L F Wang
- CSIRO Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Geelong, Victoria, Australia
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Abstract
A total of 316 anatids (5 species) from Serendip Wildlife Research Station, Lara, Victoria, were examined for blood parasites. Twenty-two of the ducks (all five species) harbored Haemoproteus nettionis and one also harbored Plasmodium relictum. None of 12 dusky moorhens (Gallinula tenebrosa) were infected. There was no significant difference in the prevalence of H. nettionis between species or age groups of ducks. No evidence of infection with Leucocytozoon, Trypanosoma or microfilaria was obtained.
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