Leptospiral titres in wild platypuses (Omithorhynchus anatinus) in New South Wales

McColl, Kenneth A.; Whittington, Richard J.

doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.1985.tb14242.x

Cited by 9 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 7 publications

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“…The most significant finding of this study was the recording of titres to L Hardjo in a high proportion of the sampled animals. The percentage of positive animals (66%) was higher than the 50% prevalence found in the two previous studies (McColl and Whittington 11 and Grant and Whittington (unpublished data, cited in 4 )). This may be attributable to factors such as livestock populations in the study sites, contamination of water upstream, access of livestock to the river, and environmental conditions promoting survival of the organism.…”

Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 58%

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Serological survey for evidence of Leptospira interrogans in free‐living platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

et al. 2008

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The serological findings demonstrate that these animals are constantly exposed to infection with Leptospira in their environment, but it is not known if platypuses suffer from clinical leptospirosis or if they mount an immune response, but are unaffected by the bacteria. The prevalence of Leptospira infection among the platypus population could not be precisely estimated because of the unknown number of individuals inhabiting the Wollondilly River inside the survey property. Domestic livestock, mostly cattle, may be the major source of Leptospira infection. The effects of this disease on population dynamics and on reproduction in wild platypuses are not well understood. The role of other wildlife in the transmission and maintenance of Leptospira in the environment is unknown.

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Section: Discussioncontrasting

confidence: 58%

“…McColl and Whittington, 11 working in the upper Shoalhaven River, southeastern New South Wales, found positive serological reactions for leptospires in 8 (47%) of 17 platypuses. The prevalence was greater among adult animals, but juveniles and sub‐adults were also positive, indicating that platypuses can acquire the infection at any age.…”

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confidence: 99%

Serological survey for evidence of Leptospira interrogans in free‐living platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

et al. 2008

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“…Others are primary bacterial infections of varying importance. McColl & Whittington (1985) reported preliminary data indicating that platypuses in New South Wales are infected with one of the antigenic variants, Leptospira interrogans serovar hardjo. Subsequent serological investigation of 131 platypuses sampled up until 1988 (R. J. Whittington and T. R. Grant, unpublished data) con¢rmed a prevalence of infection of about 50% in platypuses from the upper Shoalhaven River.…”

Section: (B) Bacterial Diseasesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disease conditions and subclinical infections of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Munday

Whittington

Stewart

1998

Phil. Trans. R. Soc. Lond. B

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Before the arrival of European settlers in Australia, the platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus , probably suffered from little disease. Among other things, European settlement has involved substantial environmental perturbation, introduction of large predators, introduction of motor vehicles and translocation of potential pathogens. As a result, platypuses are now killed by motor vehicles, dogs, foxes and discarded plastic litter. Information programmes targeting appropriate segments of the public would help reduce these unnecessary deaths. The enigmatic disease, ulcerative mycosis, caused by Mucor amphibiorum , has been the subject of scientific investigation in Tasmania for the past 15 years. The apparent recent acceleration in its spread has sounded a warning and more intensive investigation is warranted. The possibility that this pathogen has been translocated from subtropical to temperate Tasmania, Australia, with green tree frogs in banana shipments further emphasizes the role of humans in threatening the welfare of the platypus. Recommendations are made in relation to appropriate measures that could be taken to ameliorate disease and trauma in this species.

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“…comm.). Prevalences of antibody to Leptospira Hardjo of 47%, approximately 50%, and 66% have been reported in three studies of platypuses in mainland populations (McColl and Whittington 1985;Munday et al 1998;Loewenstein et al 2008). The two possible explanations for the low prevalence in our study are a low exposure to infection or a high mortality rate.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Investigation Into Individual Health and Exposure to Infectious Agents of Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus Anatinus) in Two River Catchments in Northwest Tasmania

Macgregor

Holyoake

Munks

et al. 2017

Journal of Wildlife Diseases

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Changes in the health of individuals within wildlife populations can be a cause or effect of population declines in wildlife species. Aspects of individual platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) health have been reported. However, holistic studies investigating potential synergistic effects of both pathogens and environmental factors are needed to expand understanding of platypus individual health. We collected baseline data on the health of platypuses in two Tasmanian river catchments (including evidence of the potentially fatal fungal disease mucormycosis) and on individual, demographic, and geographic patterns associated with health data results. We examined 130 wild platypuses from the Inglis River Catchment and 24 platypuses from the Seabrook Creek Catchment in northwest Tasmania between 29 August 2011 and 31 August 2013. More than 90% of captured platypuses were infected with ticks, Theileria spp., and trypanosomes. Evidence of exposure to other infections, including Salmonella spp., Leptospira spp., and intestinal parasites, was low (,10%). Three platypuses had single fungal granulomas in the webbing of a forefoot, but no evidence of mucormycosis was found in any of the study animals. Possible subclinical hepatopathies or cholangiohepatopathies were found in six platypuses. Exposure to infectious agents did not cluster geographically, demographically, or in individuals, and there was minimal evidence of morbidity resulting from infection. This study has provided important baseline data for monitoring the effects of threatening processes, including mucormycosis, on the health of infected populations.

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Leptospiral titres in wild platypuses (Omithorhynchus anatinus) in New South Wales

Cited by 9 publications

References 7 publications

Serological survey for evidence of Leptospira interrogans in free‐living platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Serological survey for evidence of Leptospira interrogans in free‐living platypuses (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Disease conditions and subclinical infections of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Investigation Into Individual Health and Exposure to Infectious Agents of Platypuses (Ornithorhynchus Anatinus) in Two River Catchments in Northwest Tasmania

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