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

Legione, Alistair R.; Patterson, Jade; Whiteley, Pam; Amery-Gale, Jemima; Lynch, Michael; Haynes, Leesa; Gilkerson, James R.; Devlin, Joanne M.; Sansom, Fiona M.

doi:10.1099/jmm.0.000241

Cited by 32 publications

(51 citation statements)

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“…However, the difference between each koala ompA sequences previously reported and the M17 and M14 ompA sequences varied from 84 to 175 nt, representing more than 7% divergence. We thus propose that M17 and M14 constitute a new koala ompA genotype O (ompA-O), based on the current naming system [31, 40]. …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among these eight haplotypes, six were phylogenetically related to genotype F’ and two were identical to C . pecorum strains previously identified in sheep, cattle and koalas [31, 40]. Importantly, all the variant strains exhibited mutations resulting in non-synonymous amino acid changes located mostly in the variable domain 4 (VD4) of the resulting MOMP protein.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Immunization of a wild koala population with a recombinant Chlamydia pecorum Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) or Polymorphic Membrane Protein (PMP) based vaccine: New insights into immune response, protection and clearance

et al. 2017

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We assessed the effects of two different single-dose anti-Chlamydia pecorum (C. pecorum) vaccines (containing either Major Outer Membrane Protein (3MOMP) or Polymorphic Membrane Protein (Pmp) as antigens) on the immune response of a group of wild koalas. Both vaccines elicited a systemic humoral response as seen by the production of anti-chlamydial IgG antibodies in more than 90% of vaccinated koalas. A mucosal immune response was also observed, with an increase in Chlamydia-specific mucosal IgG and/or IgA antibodies in some koalas post-vaccination. Both vaccines elicited a cell-mediated immune response as measured by the production of the cytokines IFN-γ and IL-17 post-vaccination. To determine the level of protection provided by the vaccines under natural conditions we assessed C. pecorum infection loads and chlamydial disease status of all vaccinated koalas pre- and post-vaccination, compared to a non-vaccinated cohort from the same habitat. The MOMP vaccinated koalas that were infected on the day of vaccination showed significant clearance of their infection at 6 months post-vaccination. In contrast, the number of new infections in the PMP vaccine was similar to the control group, with some koalas progressing to disease. Genotyping of the ompA gene from the C. pecorum strains infecting the vaccinated animals, identified genetic variants of ompA-F genotype and a new genotype ompA-O. We found that those animals that were the least well protected became infected with strains of C. pecorum not covered by the vaccine. In conclusion, a single dose vaccine formulated with either recombinant PmpG or MOMP can elicit both cell-mediated and humoral (systemic and mucosal) immune responses, with the MOMP vaccine showing clearance of infection in all infected koalas. Although the capability of our vaccines to stimulate an adaptive response and be protective needs to be fully evaluated, this work illustrates the necessity to combine epitopes most relevant to a large panel of variable strains with an efficient adjuvant.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Immunization of a wild koala population with a recombinant Chlamydia pecorum Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) or Polymorphic Membrane Protein (PMP) based vaccine: New insights into immune response, protection and clearance

et al. 2017

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“…Genetic variants (or strains) of C. pecorum are classified according to differences in the nucleotide sequence of the ompA gene, which encodes the major outer membrane protein. In total, 14 C. pecorum ompA genotypes have been 20 reported in koalas to date, designated by the letters A to N (Table 1) (Jackson et al 1997;Higgins et al 2012;Kollipara et al 2013;Legione et al 2016b). Different strains of C. pecorum may have varying levels of pathogenicity, and immune responses may be specific to the infecting strain 25 (Mohamad et al 2008(Mohamad et al , 2014.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Using non-invasive sampling methods to determine the prevalence and distribution of Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus in a remnant koala population with conservation importance

et al. 2018

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Context. Pathogenic infections are an important consideration for the conservation of native species, but obtaining such data from wild populations can be expensive and difficult. Two pathogens have been implicated in the decline of some koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations: urogenital infection with Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus 5 subgroup A (KoRV-A). Pathogen data for a wild koala population of conservation importance in South Gippsland, Victoria are essentially absent.Aims. This study uses non-invasive sampling of koala scats to provide prevalence and genotype data for C. pecorum and KoRV-A in the South Gippsland koala population, and compares pathogen prevalence between wild koalas and koalas in rescue shelters. 10 Methods. C. pecorum and KoRV-A provirus were detected by PCR of DNA isolated from scats collected in the field. Pathogen genetic variation was investigated using DNA sequencing of the C. pecorum ompA and KoRV-A env genes.Key results. C. pecorum and KoRV-A were detected in 61% and 27% of wild South Gippsland individuals tested, respectively. KoRV-A infection tended to be higher in shelter koalas compared with wild koalas. In contrast with other Victorian koala populations sampled, greater pathogen diversity was present in South Gippsland. 15 Conclusions. In the South Gippsland koala population, C. pecorum is widespread and common whereas KoRV appears less prevalent than previously thought. Further work exploring the dynamics of these pathogens in South Gippsland koalas is warranted and may help inform future conservation strategies for this important population.Implications. Non-invasive genetic sampling from scats is a powerful method for obtaining data regarding pathogen prevalence and diversity in wildlife. The use of non-invasive methods for the study of pathogens may help fill research 20 gaps in a way that would be difficult or expensive to achieve using traditional methods.

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“…Urogenital samples previously collected from ten koalas as a component of population health monitoring were selected from an archive of samples available at our institute (7, 8). The criteria for selection was based on adequate cold storage of samples in an appropriate buffer.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In particular, koalas in a population considered at the time to be free of C. pecorum (6) had a similar prevalence and severity of wet bottom to populations where C. pecorum occurred in more than 35% of koalas tested. Further analysis demonstrated that whilst wet bottom could be significantly linked to the detection of C. pecorum infection in male Victorian koalas, this relationship did not exist in females (7). It may be that an unidentified organism is causing these mild clinical signs of disease in koalas.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 88%

Variation in the microbiome of the urogenital tract of female koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with and without ‘wet bottom’

Legione

Amery-Gale

Lynch

et al. 2017

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understanding of the bacterial community of the koala urogenital tract is limited. We used 30 16S rRNA diversity profiling to investigate the microbiome of the urogenital tract of ten 31 female koalas. This was to produce baseline data on the female koala urogenital tract 32 microbiome, and to undertake preliminary investigations of potential causative agents of wet 33 bottom, other than C. pecorum. Five urogenital samples were processed from koalas 34 presenting with wet bottom and five were clinically normal. We detected thirteen phyla 35 across the ten samples, with Firmicutes occurring at the highest relative abundance (77.6%). 36The order Lactobacillales, within the Firmicutes, comprised 70.3% of the reads from all 37 samples. After normalising reads using DESeq2 and testing for significant differences (P < 38 0.05), there were 25 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) more commonly found in one group 39 over the other. The families Aerococcaceae and Tissierellaceae both had four significantly 40 differentially abundant OTUs. These four Tissierellaceae OTUs were all significantly more 41 abundant in koalas with wet bottom. 42

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

Cited by 32 publications

References 31 publications

Immunization of a wild koala population with a recombinant Chlamydia pecorum Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) or Polymorphic Membrane Protein (PMP) based vaccine: New insights into immune response, protection and clearance

Immunization of a wild koala population with a recombinant Chlamydia pecorum Major Outer Membrane Protein (MOMP) or Polymorphic Membrane Protein (PMP) based vaccine: New insights into immune response, protection and clearance

Using non-invasive sampling methods to determine the prevalence and distribution of Chlamydia pecorum and koala retrovirus in a remnant koala population with conservation importance

Variation in the microbiome of the urogenital tract of female koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) with and without ‘wet bottom’

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