Preliminary Evidence of Chlamydiosis in Koalas of the Greater Geelong Region, Victoria: A Potential Emerging Threat?
Koalas (<i>Phascolarctos cinereus</i>) face many threats, with one of them being the disease chlamydiosis caused by the bacterium <i>Chlamydia pecorum</i>, a cause for infertility and one of the main causes of population decline. In New South Wales, Queensland, and the Austra...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Gianna Kramer Janine Duffy Valentina S. A. Mella |
| author_facet | Gianna Kramer Janine Duffy Valentina S. A. Mella |
| author_sort | Gianna Kramer |
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| description | Koalas (<i>Phascolarctos cinereus</i>) face many threats, with one of them being the disease chlamydiosis caused by the bacterium <i>Chlamydia pecorum</i>, a cause for infertility and one of the main causes of population decline. In New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory, the koala is an endangered species, but in Victoria, koalas are widespread and overabundant in some areas. The koala populations in the You Yangs Regional Park (YYRP) and Brisbane Ranges National Park (BRNP) in Victoria are reported to be in decline, although there have been no studies looking into population density or disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of <i>C. pecorum</i> in the koala populations of the YYRP and BRNP to understand whether disease may be a cause of concern. DNA was extracted from scats, and qPCR was used to detect the presence and load of <i>C. pecorum</i>. <i>C. pecorum</i> was found in 12/18 (66.7%) scat samples. Clinical signs of disease, age, and sex did not affect infection shedding load. These results confirm the presence of chlamydiosis within the YYRP and BRNP koala populations. More detailed studies are recommended to quantify prevalence of the disease in these populations and to understand the consequences of chlamydiosis in these areas. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a55c49cb71a24868b7e84df2e1c4e288 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2076-2615 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| spelling | doaj-art-a55c49cb71a24868b7e84df2e1c4e2882025-08-20T02:48:16ZengMDPI AGAnimals2076-26152025-07-011514204810.3390/ani15142048Preliminary Evidence of Chlamydiosis in Koalas of the Greater Geelong Region, Victoria: A Potential Emerging Threat?Gianna Kramer0Janine Duffy1Valentina S. A. Mella2Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, AustraliaKoala Clancy Foundation, P.O. Box 20, Bacchus Marsh, VIC 3340, AustraliaSydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, AustraliaKoalas (<i>Phascolarctos cinereus</i>) face many threats, with one of them being the disease chlamydiosis caused by the bacterium <i>Chlamydia pecorum</i>, a cause for infertility and one of the main causes of population decline. In New South Wales, Queensland, and the Australian Capital Territory, the koala is an endangered species, but in Victoria, koalas are widespread and overabundant in some areas. The koala populations in the You Yangs Regional Park (YYRP) and Brisbane Ranges National Park (BRNP) in Victoria are reported to be in decline, although there have been no studies looking into population density or disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of <i>C. pecorum</i> in the koala populations of the YYRP and BRNP to understand whether disease may be a cause of concern. DNA was extracted from scats, and qPCR was used to detect the presence and load of <i>C. pecorum</i>. <i>C. pecorum</i> was found in 12/18 (66.7%) scat samples. Clinical signs of disease, age, and sex did not affect infection shedding load. These results confirm the presence of chlamydiosis within the YYRP and BRNP koala populations. More detailed studies are recommended to quantify prevalence of the disease in these populations and to understand the consequences of chlamydiosis in these areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2048<i>Phascolarctos cinereus</i>chlamydiosisdisease presenceconservationwildlife management |
| spellingShingle | Gianna Kramer Janine Duffy Valentina S. A. Mella Preliminary Evidence of Chlamydiosis in Koalas of the Greater Geelong Region, Victoria: A Potential Emerging Threat? Animals <i>Phascolarctos cinereus</i> chlamydiosis disease presence conservation wildlife management |
| title | Preliminary Evidence of Chlamydiosis in Koalas of the Greater Geelong Region, Victoria: A Potential Emerging Threat? |
| title_full | Preliminary Evidence of Chlamydiosis in Koalas of the Greater Geelong Region, Victoria: A Potential Emerging Threat? |
| title_fullStr | Preliminary Evidence of Chlamydiosis in Koalas of the Greater Geelong Region, Victoria: A Potential Emerging Threat? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Preliminary Evidence of Chlamydiosis in Koalas of the Greater Geelong Region, Victoria: A Potential Emerging Threat? |
| title_short | Preliminary Evidence of Chlamydiosis in Koalas of the Greater Geelong Region, Victoria: A Potential Emerging Threat? |
| title_sort | preliminary evidence of chlamydiosis in koalas of the greater geelong region victoria a potential emerging threat |
| topic | <i>Phascolarctos cinereus</i> chlamydiosis disease presence conservation wildlife management |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/15/14/2048 |
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