title: Prevalence and Clinical Significance of Herpesvirus Infection in Populations of Australian Marsupials.
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.
authors.affiliation: The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Kathryn
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Stalder
authors.affiliation: The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Paola K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Vaz
authors.affiliation: The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: James R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Gilkerson
authors.affiliation: Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary, Healesville, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Rupert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.affiliation: The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Pam
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Whiteley
authors.affiliation: The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Nino
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ficorilli
authors.affiliation: The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Liliana
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tatarczuch
authors.affiliation: Veterinary and Research Centre, Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve, Via Tharwa, Australian Capital Territory, Australia.
authors.forename: Timothy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Portas
authors.affiliation: Conservation Medicine Program, School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Perth, Western Australia, Australia; Perth Zoo Veterinary Department, Perth Zoo, South Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skogvold
authors.affiliation: The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Garry A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.affiliation: The Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: Joanne M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Devlin
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000818:Animals; D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D006564:Herpesviridae / Q000201:enzymology / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D008394:Marsupialia / Q000821:virology*; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies
chemical_list: D004259:DNA-Directed DNA Polymerase