title: Ocular chlamydiales infections of western barred bandicoots (Perameles bougainville) in Western Australia.
abstract: The western barred bandicoot (Perameles bougainville) is an endangered species, free ranging on only two islands off the coast of Western Australia (Dorre and Bernier Islands). Conservation efforts are currently directed at reintroducing these marsupials into predator-proof enclosures and habitats in historical distribution ranges on the mainland in the southwest of Western Australia and in South Australia. In September 2000, 19 western barred bandicoots were captured on Bernier Island for translocation, and 11 of these had evidence of at least one of the following eye conditions: corneal opacity, conjunctivitis, ocular discharge, and blepharitis. Five bandicoots were examined, and conjunctival and cloacal swabs were collected. Polymerase chain reaction for Chlamydiales was positive in four bandicoots. Four Chlamydiales types were identified by gene sequencing, including a strain of Chlamydia pecorum different from strains previously found in koalas and several new Chlamydiales genotypes. The bandicoots responded excellently to treatment with oxytetracyline weekly for 6 wk, and topical oxytetracycline and neomycin were administered topically to both eyes s.i.d. for 4 mo.
authors.affiliation: Division of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia.
authors.forename: Kristin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Warren
authors.forename: Ralph
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Swan
authors.forename: Tracey
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bodetti
authors.forename: Tony
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Friend
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Timms
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001483:Base Sequence; D002694:Chlamydiaceae Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D002695:Chlamydiales / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D003247:Conservation of Natural Resources; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000382:microbiology*; D009355:Neomycin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010118:Oxytetracycline / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods / Q000662:veterinary; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D004269:DNA, Bacterial; D009355:Neomycin; D010118:Oxytetracycline