Pacific Gulls (Larus pacificus) as Potential Vectors of Coxiella burnetii in an Australian Fur Seal Breeding Colony

Gardner, Brett R.; Hufschmid, Jasmin; Stenos, John; Tadepalli, Mythili; Sutton, Grace J.; Fromant, Aymeric; Eizenberg, Yonina H.; Geeson, Johanna J.; Arnould, John P. Y.

doi:10.3390/pathogens12010122

Cited by 2 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 21 publications

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“…Typical Australian genotypes of C. burnetii have the presence of IS1111, and additionally, three critical MLVA loci, namely ms24, ms28, and ms33 [ 15 ]. Previous studies of C. burnetii in Australian fur seals have shown strong evidence that only ms28 is present in these isolates [ 14 , 41 ]. Based on the MLVA-associated genomic grouping, this novel isolate appears to cluster outside of any of the currently accepted genomic groups and any of those represented in Australia [ 38 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Marine Mammal Coxiella burnetii—Genome Sequencing Identifies a New Genotype with Potential Virulence

et al. 2023

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The obligate intracellular bacterial pathogen Coxiella burnetii has been identified in a few species of marine mammals, some of which are showing population declines. It has been hypothesized that C. burnetii in marine mammals is a distinct genotype that varies significantly from the typical terrestrial genotypes. It appears to lack an IS1111. Isolates originating from Australian marine animals have a distinctly non-Australian profile of multiple-locus variable-number tandem-repeat analysis (MLVA). Extracted Coxiella DNA of Australian fur seal placental origin was sequenced using the Novaseq platform. Illumina 150 bp paired-end reads were filtered and trimmed with Trimgalore. The microbial community present in the sequenced genome was evaluated with Kraken and Bracken software using the NCBI database. A phylogenetic analysis was performed using 1131 core genes. Core genes were identified using Panaroo and inputted into Iqtree to determine the maximum-likelihood tree. A second phylogenetic tree was created using Rickettsiella grylii and using seven housekeeping genes. Results were compared with the C. burnetii Nine Mile RSA439 virulent genome. This new Australian marine mammal isolate of Coxiella (PG457) appears to be a novel genotype that lacks IS1111 and has a distinct MLVA signature (ms26, ms27, ms28, ms30, and ms31). The presence of genes for multiple virulence factors appears to give this genotype sufficient pathogenicity for it to be considered a possible causative agent of abortion in Australian fur seals as well as a potential zoonotic risk.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Novel Marine Mammal Coxiella burnetii—Genome Sequencing Identifies a New Genotype with Potential Virulence

et al. 2023

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Characterising Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) as Hosts of Coxiella burnetii

Tolpinrud,

Dobson,

Herbert

et al. 2024

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Macropods are often implicated as the main native Australian reservoir hosts of Coxiella burnetii (Q fever); however, the maintenance and transmission capacity of these species are poorly understood. The objective of this cross-sectional study was to describe the epidemiology of C. burnetii in a high-density population of eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) in a peri-urban coastal nature reserve in New South Wales, Australia. Blood, faeces and swabs were collected from forty kangaroos as part of a population health assessment. Frozen and formalin-fixed tissues were also collected from 12 kangaroos euthanised on welfare grounds. Specimens were tested for C. burnetii using PCR, serology, histopathology and immunohistochemistry. A total of 33/40 kangaroos were seropositive by immunofluorescence assay (estimated true seroprevalence 84%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 69% to 93%), with evidence of rising titres in two animals that had been tested four years earlier. The PCR prevalence was 65% (95% CI 48% to 79%), with positive detection in most sample types. There was no evidence of pathology consistent with C. burnetii, and immunohistochemistry of PCR-positive tissues was negative. These findings indicate that kangaroos are competent maintenance hosts of C. burnetii, likely forming a significant part of its animal reservoir at the study site.

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Pacific Gulls (Larus pacificus) as Potential Vectors of Coxiella burnetii in an Australian Fur Seal Breeding Colony

Cited by 2 publications

References 21 publications

A Novel Marine Mammal Coxiella burnetii—Genome Sequencing Identifies a New Genotype with Potential Virulence

A Novel Marine Mammal Coxiella burnetii—Genome Sequencing Identifies a New Genotype with Potential Virulence

Characterising Eastern Grey Kangaroos (Macropus giganteus) as Hosts of Coxiella burnetii

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