title: Leptospirosis in Tasmanian Devils ( Sarcophilus harrisii ) in Tasmania, 2008-12.
abstract: In 2014, we performed a diagnostic study of leptospirosis in Tasmanian devil ( Sarcophilus harrisii ) samples collected between 2008 and 2012 from wild and captive animals. Tasmanian devil populations have been declining because of a facial tumor disease since the 1990s, with ongoing investigations examining potential causative agents. Identifying other causative pathogens that may contribute additively to their decline is important to preserve current and future populations. We tested 81 Tasmanian devil serum samples and two tissue samples using PCR, microscopic agglutination test (MAT), and microsphere immunoassay (MIA). We found evidence of leptospirosis in Tasmanian devil populations across a wide geographic range of Tasmania. Antibodies to serovars in the serogroup Javanica, which are not considered endemic to Australia, were identified in 10 Tasmanian devils using MAT. We also identified serovar Celledoni serologically using the immunoglobulin G MIA and detected Leptospira in one sample using PCR.
authors.affiliation: 1 Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia;|2 WHO/OIE/FAO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, PO Box 594, Archerfield, Queensland 4108, Australia;
authors.forename: Sarah J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Wynwood
authors.affiliation: 2 WHO/OIE/FAO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, PO Box 594, Archerfield, Queensland 4108, Australia;
authors.forename: Mary-Anne
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Burns
authors.affiliation: 1 Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia;|3 Chemical Analysis Unit, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, PO Box 594, Archerfield, Queensland 4108, Australia;
authors.forename: Glenn C
authors.initials: GC
authors.lastname: Graham
authors.affiliation: 4 School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4001, Australia;
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Weier
authors.affiliation: 1 Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia;
authors.forename: David B
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: McKay
authors.affiliation: 5 Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment, 3rd Floor, 134 Macquarie Street, Hobart, Tasmania, 7000, GPO Box 44, Hobart 7001, Australia;
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peck
authors.affiliation: 1 Faculty of Science, Health and Education, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland 4556, Australia;|2 WHO/OIE/FAO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Leptospirosis, Queensland Health Forensic and Scientific Services, PO Box 594, Archerfield, Queensland 4108, Australia;|4 School of Biomedical Sciences, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane 4001, Australia;
authors.forename: Scott B
authors.initials: SB
authors.lastname: Craig
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D007922:Leptospirosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D008394:Marsupialia; D011159:Population Surveillance; D013648:Tasmania / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors
keywords: Conservation; Leptospira; Tasmania; marsupial; microbiology; pathology; wildlife disease