title: Molecular characterization of native Australian trypanosomes in quokka (Setonix brachyurus) populations from Western Australia.
abstract: The quokka, Setonix brachyurus, is a vulnerable, small marsupial endemic to Western Australia. Blood samples were collected from quokkas from three different geographical locations; Two Peoples Bay, Bald Island and Rottnest Island. The overall prevalence of trypanosomes by nested PCR at the 18S ribosomal RNA gene was 57.3% (63/110) with prevalences of 91.4%, 85.3% and 4.9% respectively for Two Peoples Bay, Bald Island and Rottnest Island. Phylogenetic analysis conducted on 47 18S PCR positives identified two Trypanosoma copemani genotypes, with T. copemani genotype B, the most prevalent genotype infecting quokka populations from the three locations with an overall prevalence of 51.8% (24/47) compared to 34% for T. copemani genotype A (16/47). The overall prevalence of mixed T. copemani genotype A and B infections was 14.9% (7/47). Phylogenetic analysis of 26 quokka isolates at the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) locus, largely supported the 18S analysis but identified a mixed infection in one quokka isolate (Q4112-4117 from Two Peoples Bay). T. copemani genotype B has previously only been isolated from quokkas and the Gilbert's potoroo whereas T. copemani genotype A has a wide host range and may be pathogenic. Further work is required to determine the clinical impact of T. copemani on marsupial populations.
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: Jill M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Austen
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Paparini
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Science, The University of Queensland Australia, Herston, Queensland 4006, Australia.
authors.forename: Simon A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Reid
authors.affiliation: Department of Parks and Wildlife, 120 Albany Highway, Albany, Western Australia 6330, Australia.
authors.forename: James A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Friend
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
authors.forename: William G F
authors.initials: WG
authors.lastname: Ditcham
authors.affiliation: School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, Western Australia 6150, Australia. Electronic address: Una.Ryan@murdoch.edu.au.
authors.forename: Una
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Ryan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D005838:Genotype; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases / Q000235:genetics; D058507:Host Specificity; D007614:Macropodidae / Q000469:parasitology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S / Q000235:genetics; D014345:Trypanosoma / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000502:physiology; D014352:Trypanosomiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary*; D014904:Western Australia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D012337:RNA, Ribosomal, 18S; D005987:Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenases
keywords: 18S rRNA; Glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH); Quokka; T. copemani; T. vegrandis; Trypanosome