Identification of unusual Chlamydia pecorum genotypes in Victorian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and clinical variables associated with infection

Alistair R Legione; Jade L S Patterson; Pam L Whiteley; Jemima Amery-Gale; Michael Lynch; Leesa Haynes; James R Gilkerson; Adam Polkinghorne; Joanne M Devlin; Fiona M Sansom

doi:10.1099/jmm.0.000241

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Identification of unusual Chlamydia pecorum genotypes in Victorian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and clinical variables associated with infection

Journal article

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Identification of unusual Chlamydia pecorum genotypes in Victorian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and clinical variables associated with infection

Alistair R Legione, Jade L S Patterson, Pam L Whiteley, Jemima Amery-Gale, Michael Lynch, Leesa Haynes, James R Gilkerson, Adam Polkinghorne, Joanne M Devlin and Fiona M Sansom

Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol.65, pp.420-428

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.000241

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Abstract

chlamydia pecorum

koala

genotype

ompA

prevalence

Victoria

Chlamydia pecorum infection is a threat to the health of free-ranging koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) in Australia. Utilising 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 characterised 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 to 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 geographic 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.

Details

Title: Identification of unusual Chlamydia pecorum genotypes in Victorian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and clinical variables associated with infection
Authors: Alistair R Legione (Author) - University of Melbourne
Jade L S Patterson (Author) - University of Melbourne
Pam L Whiteley (Author) - University of Melbourne
Jemima Amery-Gale (Author) - University of Melbourne
Michael Lynch (Author) - University of Melbourne
Leesa Haynes (Author) - University of Melbourne
James R Gilkerson (Author) - University of Melbourne
Adam Polkinghorne (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Joanne M Devlin (Author) - University of Melbourne
Fiona M Sansom (Author) - University of Melbourne
Publication details: Journal of Medical Microbiology, Vol.65, pp.420-428
Publisher: Microbiology Society
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.1099/jmm.0.000241
ISSN: 0022-2615
Copyright note: Copyright © 2016 The Author. The author's accepted version is reproduced here in accordance with the publisher's copyright policy. The definitive version is available at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1099/jmm.0.000241
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449196102621
Output Type: Journal article

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