Evaluation of the efficacy of a synthetic peptide Chlamydia pecorum Major Outer Membrane Protein vaccine as a management tool in a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population severely affected by chlamydiosis

Sarah J.  Simpson; Damien P Higgins; Peter Timms; Valentina S. A.  Mella; Mathew S. Crowther; Cristina M Fernandez; Clare  McArthur; Samuel Phillips; Mark B.  Krockenberger

doi:10.21203/rs.3.rs-3098357/v1

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Evaluation of the efficacy of a synthetic peptide Chlamydia pecorum Major Outer Membrane Protein vaccine as a management tool in a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population severely affected by chlamydiosis

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Evaluation of the efficacy of a synthetic peptide Chlamydia pecorum Major Outer Membrane Protein vaccine as a management tool in a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population severely affected by chlamydiosis

Sarah J. Simpson, Damien P Higgins, Peter Timms, Valentina S. A. Mella, Mathew S. Crowther, Cristina M Fernandez, Clare McArthur, Samuel Phillips and Mark B. Krockenberger

Research Square, Vol.3 August 2023

Research Square Company

2023

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-3098357/v1

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Abstract

Chlamydiosis is a signicant disease affecting Eastern Australian koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations, impacting individual animal welfare and fecundity and therefore inuencing population dynamics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a synthetic peptide vaccine based on 4 components of the Chlamydia pecorumMajor Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP), over an 18-month period in a koala severely impacted by chlamydiosis. Wild koalas were recruited into a vaccination or a placebo treatment group on a random allocation, then followed through a period of 18 months, with recapture at 6 monthly intervals. Vaccination did not alter clinical disease expression or chlamydial shedding from the ocular or urogenital sites. Vaccination did not stimulate a signicant plasma anti-MOMP IgG response, when compared to the placebo group. There was no signicant effect of vaccination on IFN-γ and IL-17A mRNA expression of peripheral blood lymphocytes when stimulated with rMOMP. We have demonstrated that a synthetic peptide vaccination against chlamydiosis is not an effective management tool in a koala population with a high prevalence of C. pecorum infection and related disease. The lack of antigenic response found in this study suggests that further research utilising a larger, full-length antigen is an avenue worth investigation if we are to consider vaccination as a part of a management strategy in diseased koala populations.

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Title: Evaluation of the efficacy of a synthetic peptide Chlamydia pecorum Major Outer Membrane Protein vaccine as a management tool in a koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) population severely affected by chlamydiosis
Authors: Sarah J. Simpson (Author) - The University of Sydney
Damien P Higgins (Author) - The University of Sydney
Peter Timms (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Bioinnovation
Valentina S. A. Mella (Author) - The University of Sydney
Mathew S. Crowther (Author) - The University of Sydney
Cristina M Fernandez (Author) - The University of Sydney
Clare McArthur (Author) - The University of Sydney
Samuel Phillips (Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Centre for Bioinnovation
Mark B. Krockenberger (Author) - The University of Sydney
Publication details: Research Square, Vol.3 August 2023
Publisher: Research Square Company
Date published: 2023
DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3098357/v1
ISSN: 2693-5015
Copyright note: This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Organisation Unit: University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland; Centre for Bioinnovation
Language: English
Record Identifier: 99746198902621
Output Type: Preprint

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