Koala immunology and infectious diseases: How much can the koala bear?

Danielle Madden; Alessandra Whaite; Elizabeth Jones; Katherine Belov; Peter Timms; Adam Polkinghorne

doi:10.1016/j.dci.2018.01.017

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Koala immunology and infectious diseases: How much can the koala bear?

Journal article

Open access

Peer reviewed

Koala immunology and infectious diseases: How much can the koala bear?

Danielle Madden, Alessandra Whaite, Elizabeth Jones, Katherine Belov, Peter Timms and Adam Polkinghorne

Development and Comparative Immunology, Vol.82, pp.177-185

2018

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2018.01.017

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Abstract

koala

immune system

Chlamydia

koala retrovirus

Infectious diseases are contributing to the decline of the iconic Australian marsupial, the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Infections with the obligate intracellular bacteria, Chlamydia pecorum, cause debilitating ocular and urogenital-tract disease while the koala-retrovirus (KoRV) has been implicated in host immunosuppression and exacerbation of chlamydial pathogenesis. Although histological studies have provided insight into the basic architecture of koala immune tissues, our understanding of the koala immune response to infectious disease has been limited, until recently, by a lack of species-specific immune reagents. Recent advances in the characterisation of key immune genes have focused on advancing our understanding of the immune response to Chlamydia infection, revealing commonalities in disease pathologies and immunity between koalas and other hosts and paving the way for the development of a koala Chlamydia vaccine. This review summarises these recent findings and highlights key aspects of the koala immune system requiring further attention with particular regard to their most prominent infectious diseases.

Details

Title: Koala immunology and infectious diseases: How much can the koala bear?
Authors: Danielle Madden (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Alessandra Whaite (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Elizabeth Jones (Author) - University of Sydney
Katherine Belov (Author) - University of Sydney
Peter Timms (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Adam Polkinghorne (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Publication details: Development and Comparative Immunology, Vol.82, pp.177-185
Publisher: Pergamon
Date published: 2018
DOI: 10.1016/j.dci.2018.01.017
ISSN: 0145-305X
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; GeneCology Research Centre - Legacy; School of Health and Sport Sciences - Legacy; School of Science, Technology and Engineering; Centre for Bioinnovation; School of Health and Behavioural Sciences - Legacy
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99450556702621
Output Type: Journal article

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Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Fisheries; Immunology; Veterinary Sciences; Zoology

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