Leptospirosis Serology in the Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from Urban Sydney, Australia

J Eymann; Lee D Smythe; M L Symonds; M F Dohnt; L J Barnett; D W Cooper; C A Herbert

doi:10.7589/0090-3558-43.3.492

Back

Leptospirosis Serology in the Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from Urban Sydney, Australia

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Leptospirosis Serology in the Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from Urban Sydney, Australia

J Eymann, Lee D Smythe, M L Symonds, M F Dohnt, L J Barnett, D W Cooper and C A Herbert

Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Vol.43(3), pp.492-497

2007

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-43.3.492

Files and links (1)

url

https://doi.org/10.7589/0090-3558-43.3.492View

Published Version

Abstract

Veterinary Sciences

Zoology

common brushtail possum

leptospirosis

marsupial

microscopic agglutination test

serosurvey

serovar

Trichosurus vulpecula

urban wildlife

The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is indeed a common marsupial in major cities of Australia. This species is known to be susceptible to leptospirosis and often lives in close contact with humans, raising concerns about the potential for transmission of this disease in urban areas. A total of 192 brushtail possum blood samples were collected from 136 individuals in suburban areas of metropolitan Sydney from November 2002 to November 2004. Sera were screened against a reference panel of 21 Leptospira spp. using the microscopic agglutination test. Leptospiral antibodies were detected in 9.6% (13/136) of tested brushtail possums and represented two serovars; antibodies to Leptospira interrogans serovar Hardjo were most frequently identified (11/ 136). A representative of the exotic sero-group Ballum, most likely serovar Arborea, was found in two of 136 brushtail possums. Exposure to leptospirosis seemed to be associated with age, as older animals had a higher incidence, but there was no distinction in relation to gender. Antibody prevalence varied between the different sampling sites and seropositive animals were clustered and restricted to a few sites. These data support the possible role of brushtail possums as a maintenance host for Leptospira spp. in urban environments and also identified them as a previously unknown and potential source of serovar Arborea.

Details

Title: Leptospirosis Serology in the Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from Urban Sydney, Australia
Authors: J Eymann (Author) - Macquarie University
Lee D Smythe (Author) - Queensland Health Scientific Services
M L Symonds (Author) - Queensland Health Scientific Services
M F Dohnt (Author) - Queensland Health Scientific Services
L J Barnett (Author) - Queensland Health Scientific Services
D W Cooper (Author) - Macquarie University
C A Herbert (Author) - Macquarie University
Publication details: Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Vol.43(3), pp.492-497
Publisher: Wildlife Disease Association, Inc.
Date published: 2007
DOI: 10.7589/0090-3558-43.3.492
ISSN: 0090-3558
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449018602621
Output Type: Journal article

Metrics

4 File views/ downloads

715 Record Views

19 Times Cited - Web of Science

InCites Highlights

These are selected metrics from InCites Benchmarking & Analytics tool, related to this output

Collaboration types: Domestic collaboration
Web Of Science research areas: Veterinary Sciences

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This output has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

Source: InCites