Journal article
A widespread novel gammaherpesvirus in apparently healthy wild Quokkas (Setonix Brachyurus): A threatened and endemic Wallaby of Western Australia
Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Vol.52(2), pp.592-603
2021
Abstract
Five genetically distinct macropodid marsupial herpesviruses have been reported [Macropodid alphaherpesviruses 1 and 2 (MaHV-1 and -2); Macropodid herpesviruses 3 to 5 (MaHV-3 to -5)]. MaHV-2 was originally isolated from an outbreak of fatal disease in captive quokkas (Setonix brachyurus) that were in contact with other macropodid species. This warranted a survey of the presence of herpesviruses in this threatened and endemic Western Australian (WA) wallaby. Blood samples from 142 apparently healthy quokkas were tested for exposure to MaHV-1 and -2 by serology. Of these 142, 121 [Rottnest Island (RI), n = 93; mainland WA, n = 28] were tested for herpesvirus infection by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibodies to MaHV-1 and -2 were detected in one individual [prevalence, 0.7%; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.1%–3.2%] from the mainland and none from RI. However, a novel gammaherpesvirus [designated Macropodid herpesvirus 6 (MaHV-6)] was detected by PCR in the blood of 13 of 121 individuals (11%; 95% CI, 6.2–17.2). Infection with MaHV-6 was significantly more prevalent on the mainland (7/28; i.e., 25%) compared with RI (6/93; i.e., 6.45%; difference in sample proportions, 95% CI, 6%–32%; P = 0.015). There was no association (P > 0.05) between infection with MaHV-6 and differences in hematology, blood chemistry, peripheral blood cell morphologies, or on clinical status. There was a significant association between infection with MaHV-6 and the presence of Theileria spp. in blood [odds ratio (OR) = 11.0; 95% CI, 2.31–52.3; P = 0.001] and yeast in the nasal lining (OR = 7.0; 95% CI, 1.54–31.8; P = 0.021), suggesting that quokkas may be more susceptible to infection with these microorganisms if also infected with MaHV-6. MaHV-6 infection may be a catalyst for vulnerability to disease with other infectious agents and may pose a significant threat to other macropods. These findings have implications for in situ and ex situ management programs of quokkas.
Details
- Title
- A widespread novel gammaherpesvirus in apparently healthy wild Quokkas (Setonix Brachyurus): A threatened and endemic Wallaby of Western Australia
- Authors/Creators
- P. Martínez-Pérez (Author/Creator) - Ngee Ann PolytechnicT.H. Hyndman (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityP.A. Fleming (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityP.K. Vaz (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneN.P. Ficorilli (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneC.R. Wilks (Author/Creator) - The University of Melbourne
- Publication Details
- Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine, Vol.52(2), pp.592-603
- Publisher
- American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
- Identifiers
- 991005542622807891
- Copyright
- © 2021 by American Association of Zoo Veterinarians
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary Medicine
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic collaboration
- International collaboration
- Citation topics
- 1 Clinical & Life Sciences
- 1.161 Virology - Identification & Sequencing
- 1.161.315 Herpesvirus Dynamics
- Web Of Science research areas
- Veterinary Sciences
- ESI research areas
- Plant & Animal Science