Prevalence and Pathologic Features of Chlamydia pecorum Infections in South Australian Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

K Natasha Speight; Adam Polkinghorne; Rachel Penn; Wayne Boardman; Peter Timms; Tamieka A Fraser; Kathryn Johnson; Rachel Faull; Sarah Bate; Lucy Woolford

doi:10.7589/2015-05-120

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Prevalence and Pathologic Features of Chlamydia pecorum Infections in South Australian Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

Journal article

Peer reviewed

Prevalence and Pathologic Features of Chlamydia pecorum Infections in South Australian Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)

K Natasha Speight, Adam Polkinghorne, Rachel Penn, Wayne Boardman, Peter Timms, Tamieka A Fraser, Kathryn Johnson, Rachel Faull, Sarah Bate and Lucy Woolford

Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Vol.52(2), pp.301-306

2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.7589/2015-05-120

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Abstract

Chlamydiosis

histopathology

koala

polymerase chain reaction

postmortem

Chlamydia pecorum infection is highly prevalent in many koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations in the eastern states of Australia, causing ocular and urogenital tract disease. In contrast, the current prevalence of chlamydiosis in South Australian (SA) koalas is largely unknown, with few reports of clinical cases. We examined 65 SA rescued wild koalas at necropsy and collected ocular and urogenital swabs for the detection of C. pecorum by PCR. We detected C. pecorum in ocular or urogenital swabs from 57 koalas (88%), and 34 koalas were positive at both ocular and urogenital sites. Clinically overt chlamydial disease was present in only 12 (21%) positive koalas. Gross lesions were often externally inapparent as they affected the urogenital tract (n=5), and 24 infected koalas had microscopically evident lesions only. Lesions were predominantly mild and included conjunctivitis, cystitis, and urethritis. Reproductive tract disease was infrequently observed. We detected C. pecorum in 16 (28%) koalas with no evidence of chlamydial disease, suggesting the presence of subclinical carriers in this population. Based on these findings, chlamydiosis has a higher occurrence in SA koala populations than previously thought, but is most often mild and does not always result in overt clinical disease; inapparent and subclinical infections appear common. Further studies of the prevalence in wild-caught SA koalas are needed along with research into the host and bacterial factors that may influence disease outcome in these animals.

Details

Title: Prevalence and Pathologic Features of Chlamydia pecorum Infections in South Australian Koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus)
Authors: K Natasha Speight (Author) - University of Adelaide
Adam Polkinghorne (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Rachel Penn (Author) - University of Adelaide
Wayne Boardman (Author) - University of Adelaide
Peter Timms (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Tamieka A Fraser (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast - Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Kathryn Johnson (Author) - University of Adelaide
Rachel Faull (Author) - University of Adelaide
Sarah Bate (Author) - University of Adelaide
Lucy Woolford (Author) - University of Adelaide
Publication details: Journal of Wildlife Diseases, Vol.52(2), pp.301-306
Publisher: Wildlife Disease Association, Inc.
Date published: 2016
DOI: 10.7589/2015-05-120
ISSN: 0090-3558
Organisation Unit: School of Science and Engineering - Legacy; University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99449127902621
Output Type: Journal article

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