Journal article
Prevalence and clinical significance of herpesvirus infection in populations of Australian marsupials
PLoS ONE, Vol.10(7), Article e0133807
2015
Abstract
Herpesviruses have been reported in several marsupial species, but molecular classification has been limited to four herpesviruses in macropodids, a gammaherpesvirus in two antechinus species (Antechinus flavipes and Antechinus agilis), a gammaherpesvirus in a potoroid, the eastern bettong (Bettongia gaimardi) and two gammaherpesviruses in koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus). In this study we examined a range of Australian marsupials for the presence of herpesviruses using molecular and serological techniques, and also assessed risk factors associated with herpesvirus infection. Our study population included 99 koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), 96 eastern grey kangaroos (Macropus giganteus), 50 Tasmanian devils (Sarcophilus harrisii) and 33 common wombats (Vombatus ursinius). In total, six novel herpesviruses (one alphaherpesvirus and five gammaherpesviruses) were identified in various host species. The overall prevalence of detection of herpesvirus DNA in our study population was 27.2% (95% confidence interval (CI) of 22.6–32.2%), but this varied between species and reached as high as 45.4% (95% CI 28.1–63.7%) in common wombats. Serum antibodies to two closely related macropodid herpesviruses (macropodid herpesvirus 1 and 2) were detected in 44.3% (95% CI 33.1–55.9%) of animals tested. This also varied between species and was as high as 92% (95% CI 74.0–99.0%) in eastern grey kangaroos. A number of epidemiological variables were identified as positive predictors for the presence of herpesvirus DNA in the marsupial samples evaluated. The most striking association was observed in koalas, where the presence of Chlamydia pecorum DNA was strongly associated with the presence of herpesvirus DNA (Odds Ratio = 60, 95% CI 12.1–297.8). Our results demonstrate the common presence of herpesviruses in Australian marsupials and provide directions for future research.
Details
- Title
- Prevalence and clinical significance of herpesvirus infection in populations of Australian marsupials
- Authors/Creators
- K. Stalder (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneP.K. Vaz (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneJ.R. Gilkerson (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneR. Baker (Author/Creator) - Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville, Victoria, Australia.P. Whiteley (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneN. Ficorilli (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneL. Tatarczuch (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneT. Portas (Author/Creator) - Nature Conservation AgencyK. Skogvold (Author/Creator) - Murdoch UniversityG.A. Anderson (Author/Creator) - The University of MelbourneJ.M. Devlin (Author/Creator) - The University of Melbourne
- Publication Details
- PLoS ONE, Vol.10(7), Article e0133807
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science
- Identifiers
- 991005542678507891
- Copyright
- © 2015 Stalder et al.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
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Source: InCites
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- Collaboration types
- Domestic 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