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Jelocnik M, White RT, Clune T, O'Connell J, Foxwell J, Hair S, Besier S, Tom L, Phillips N, Robbins A, Bogema D, Vaz PK, Legione AR, Jenkins C, Jacobson C. Molecular characterisation of the Australian and New Zealand livestock Chlamydia pecorum strains confirms novel but clonal ST23 in association with ovine foetal loss. Vet Microbiol 2023; 283:109774. [PMID: 37216721 DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2023.109774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
Chlamydia pecorum is a veterinary pathogen associated with abortions and perinatal mortality in sheep. Recent studies investigating foetal and perinatal lamb mortality in sheep from Australia and New Zealand identified C. pecorum clonal sequence type (ST)23 strains in aborted and stillborn lambs. Presently, there is limited genotypic information on C. pecorum strains associated with reproductive disease, although whole genome sequencing (WGS) of one abortigenic ST23 C. pecorum strain identified unique features, including a deletion in the CDS1 locus of the chlamydial plasmid. We applied WGS on two ST23 strains detected in aborted and stillborn lambs from Australia and used phylogenetic and comparative analyses to compare these to the other available C. pecorum genomes. To re-evaluate the genetic diversity of contemporary strains, we applied C. pecorum genotyping, and chlamydial plasmid sequencing to a range of C. pecorum positive samples and isolates from ewes, aborted foetuses and stillborn lambs, cattle and a goat from diverse geographical regions across Australia and New Zealand.The two new C. pecorum genomes are nearly identical to the genome of the Australian abortigenic strain including the unique deletion in the chlamydial plasmid. Genotyping revealed that these novel C. pecorum ST23 strains are widespread and associated with sheep abortions on Australian and New Zealand farms. In addition, a goat C. pecorum strain (denoted ST 304) from New Zealand was also characterised. This study expands the C. pecorum genome catalogue and describes a comprehensive molecular characterisation of the novel livestock ST23 strains associated with foetal and lamb mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Jelocnik
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Centre for Bioinnovation, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, Queensland 4557, Australia.
| | - Rhys T White
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Centre for Bioinnovation, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, Queensland 4557, Australia; The University of Queensland, School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences, Australian Infectious Disease Research Centre, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia; The University of Queensland, Australian Centre for Ecogenomics, Brisbane, Queensland 4072, Australia.
| | - Tom Clune
- Murdoch University, Centre for Animal Production and Health, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
| | - John O'Connell
- Ministry for Primary Industries, Diagnostic and Surveillance Services Directorate, Upper Hutt 5140, New Zealand. john.o'
| | - Jonathan Foxwell
- Animal Health Laboratory, Ministry for Primary Industries, 66 Ward Street, Upper Hutt 5018, New Zealand.
| | - Sam Hair
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia.
| | - Shane Besier
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia.
| | - La Tom
- Murdoch University, Centre for Animal Production and Health, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
| | - Nyree Phillips
- Murdoch University, Centre for Animal Production and Health, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
| | - Amy Robbins
- University of the Sunshine Coast, Centre for Bioinnovation, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, Queensland 4557, Australia.
| | - Daniel Bogema
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, New South Wales 2568, Australia.
| | - Paola K Vaz
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Veterinary School, Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Alistair R Legione
- The University of Melbourne, Melbourne Veterinary School, Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia.
| | - Cheryl Jenkins
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, New South Wales 2568, Australia.
| | - Caroline Jacobson
- Murdoch University, Centre for Animal Production and Health, Perth, Western Australia 6150, Australia.
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Kasimov V, Dong Y, Shao R, Brunton A, Anstey SI, Hall C, Chalmers G, Conroy G, Booth R, Timms P, Jelocnik M. Emerging and well-characterized chlamydial infections detected in a wide range of wild Australian birds. Transbound Emerg Dis 2022; 69:e3154-e3170. [PMID: 35041298 PMCID: PMC9786873 DOI: 10.1111/tbed.14457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Birds can act as successful long-distance vectors and reservoirs for numerous zoonotic bacterial, parasitic and viral pathogens, which can be a concern given the interconnectedness of animal, human and environmental health. Examples of such avian pathogens are members of the genus Chlamydia. Presently, there is a lack of research investigating chlamydial infections in Australian wild and captive birds and the subsequent risks to humans and other animals. In our current study, we investigated the prevalence and genetic diversity of chlamydial organisms infecting wild birds from Queensland and the rate of co-infections with beak and feather disease virus (BFDV). We screened 1114 samples collected from 564 different birds from 16 orders admitted to the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital from May 2019 to February 2021 for Chlamydia and BFDV. Utilizing species-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays, we revealed an overall Chlamydiaceae prevalence of 29.26% (165/564; 95% confidence interval (CI) 25.65-33.14), including 3.19% (18/564; 95% CI 2.03-4.99%) prevalence of the zoonotic Chlamydia psittaci. Chlamydiaceae co-infection with BFDV was detected in 9.75% (55/564; 95% CI 7.57-12.48%) of the birds. Molecular characterization of the chlamydial 16S rRNA and ompA genes identified C. psittaci, in addition to novel and other genetically diverse Chlamydia species: avian Chlamydia abortus, Ca. Chlamydia ibidis and Chlamydia pneumoniae, all detected for the first time in Australia within a novel avian host range (crows, figbirds, herons, kookaburras, lapwings and shearwaters). This study shows that C. psittaci and other emerging Chlamydia species are prevalent in a wider range of avian hosts than previously anticipated, potentially increasing the risk of spill-over to Australian wildlife, livestock and humans. Going forward, we need to further characterize C. psittaci and other emerging Chlamydia species to determine their exact genetic identity, potential reservoirs, and factors influencing infection spill-over.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasilli Kasimov
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia,Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Yalun Dong
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia,Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Renfu Shao
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia,Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Aaron Brunton
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia,Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Susan I. Anstey
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia,Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Clancy Hall
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Gareth Chalmers
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Gabriel Conroy
- School of ScienceTechnology and EngineeringUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia,Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | | | - Peter Timms
- Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Genecology Research CentreUniversity of the Sunshine CoastSippy DownsAustralia
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White RT, Legione AR, Taylor-Brown A, Fernandez CM, Higgins DP, Timms P, Jelocnik M. Completing the Genome Sequence of Chlamydia pecorum Strains MC/MarsBar and DBDeUG: New Insights into This Enigmatic Koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus) Pathogen. Pathogens 2021; 10:1543. [PMID: 34959498 PMCID: PMC8703710 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10121543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia pecorum, an obligate intracellular pathogen, causes significant morbidity and mortality in livestock and the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). A variety of C. pecorum gene-centric molecular studies have revealed important observations about infection dynamics and genetic diversity in both koala and livestock hosts. In contrast to a variety of C. pecorum molecular studies, to date, only four complete and 16 draft genomes have been published. Of those, only five draft genomes are from koalas. Here, using whole-genome sequencing and a comparative genomics approach, we describe the first two complete C. pecorum genomes collected from diseased koalas. A de novo assembly of DBDeUG_2018 and MC/MarsBar_2018 resolved the chromosomes and chlamydial plasmids each as single, circular contigs. Robust phylogenomic analyses indicate biogeographical separation between strains from northern and southern koala populations, and between strains infecting koala and livestock hosts. Comparative genomics between koala strains identified new, unique, and shared loci that accumulate single-nucleotide polymorphisms and separate between northern and southern, and within northern koala strains. Furthermore, we predicted novel type III secretion system effectors. This investigation constitutes a comprehensive genome-wide comparison between C. pecorum from koalas and provides improvements to annotations of a C. pecorum reference genome. These findings lay the foundations for identifying and understanding host specificity and adaptation behind chlamydial infections affecting koalas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rhys T. White
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4557, Australia; (R.T.W.); (A.T.-B.); (P.T.)
| | - Alistair R. Legione
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia;
| | - Alyce Taylor-Brown
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4557, Australia; (R.T.W.); (A.T.-B.); (P.T.)
- Parasites and Microbes Programme, Wellcome Sanger Institute, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire CB10 1SA, UK
| | - Cristina M. Fernandez
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (C.M.F.); (D.P.H.)
| | - Damien P. Higgins
- Sydney School of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia; (C.M.F.); (D.P.H.)
| | - Peter Timms
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4557, Australia; (R.T.W.); (A.T.-B.); (P.T.)
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4557, Australia; (R.T.W.); (A.T.-B.); (P.T.)
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Real-Time Fluorometric Isothermal LAMP Assay for Detection of Chlamydia pecorum in Rapidly Processed Ovine Abortion Samples: A Veterinary Practitioner's Perspective. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10091157. [PMID: 34578188 PMCID: PMC8470028 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/06/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Traditional methods of detecting Chlamydia pecorum in tissue samples such as polymerase chain reaction or cell culture are laborious and costly. We evaluated the use of a previously developed C. pecorum LAMP assay using minimally processed ovine samples. Cotyledon (n = 16), foetal liver (n = 22), foetal lung (n = 2), and vaginal (n = 6) swabs, in addition to cotyledon (n = 6) and foetal liver (n = 8) tissue samples, were rapidly processed and used for LAMP testing without DNA extraction. Overall, LAMP test results were highly congruent with the in-house reference qPCR, with 80.43% (37/46; 72.73% positive agreement (PA); 84.75% negative agreement (NA)) overall agreeance for swab samples, and 85.71% (12/14; 80% PA; 88.89% NA) overall agreeance for tissue samples. Out of the 11 total discrepant results, discrepancy was mainly observed in samples (n = 10) with less than 100 copies/µL C. pecorum DNA. While sensitivity could be improved, the simplicity, low cost, and accuracy of detection makes this test amenable for use at point-of-care for detecting C. pecorum in sheep.
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Jelocnik M, Nyari S, Anstey S, Playford N, Fraser TA, Mitchell K, Blishen A, Pollak NM, Carrick J, Chicken C, Jenkins C. Real-time fluorometric and end-point colorimetric isothermal assays for detection of equine pathogens C. psittaci and equine herpes virus 1: validation, comparison and application at the point of care. BMC Vet Res 2021; 17:279. [PMID: 34412635 PMCID: PMC8375077 DOI: 10.1186/s12917-021-02986-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background C. psittaci has recently emerged as an equine abortigenic pathogen causing significant losses to the Australian Thoroughbred industry, while Equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) is a well-recognized abortigenic agent. Diagnosis of these agents is based on molecular assays in diagnostic laboratories. In this study, we validated C. psittaci and newly developed EHV-1 Loop Mediated Isothermal Amplification (LAMP) assays performed in a real-time fluorometer (rtLAMP) against the reference diagnostic assays. We also evaluated isothermal amplification using commercially available colorimetric mix (cLAMP), and SYBR Green DNA binding dye (sgLAMP) for “naked eye” end-point detection when testing ‘real-world’ clinical samples. Finally, we applied the C. psittaci LAMP assays in two pilot Point-of-Care (POC) studies in an equine hospital. Results The analytical sensitivity of C. psittaci and EHV-1 rt-, and colorimetric LAMPs was determined as one and 10 genome equivalents per reaction, respectively. Compared to reference diagnostic qPCR assays, the C. psittaci rtLAMP showed sensitivity of 100%, specificity of 97.5, and 98.86% agreement, while EHV-1 rtLAMP showed 86.96% sensitivity, 100% specificity, and 91.43% agreement. When testing rapidly processed clinical samples, all three C. psittaci rt-, c-, sg-LAMP assays were highly congruent with each other, with Kappa values of 0. 906 for sgLAMP and 0. 821 for cLAMP when compared to rtLAMP. EHV-1 testing also revealed high congruence between the assays, with Kappa values of 0.784 for cLAMP and 0.638 for sgLAMP when compared to rtLAMP. The congruence between LAMP assays and the C. psittaci or EHV-1 qPCR assays was high, with agreements ranging from 94.12 to 100% for C. psittaci, and 88.24 to 94.12% for EHV-1, respectively. At the POC, the C. psittaci rt- and c-LAMP assays using rapidly processed swabs were performed by technicians with no prior molecular experience, and the overall congruence between the POC C. psittaci LAMPs and the qPCR assays ranged between 90.91–100%. Conclusions This study describes reliable POC options for the detection of the equine pathogens: C. psittaci and EHV-1. Testing ‘real-world’ samples in equine clinical setting, represents a proof-of-concept that POC isothermal diagnostics can be applied to rapid disease screening in the equine industry. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12917-021-02986-8.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Jelocnik
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Qld, 4557, Australia.
| | - Sharon Nyari
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Qld, 4557, Australia
| | - Susan Anstey
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Qld, 4557, Australia
| | - Nicole Playford
- Australia & New Zealand IDEXX Laboratories Pty Ltd, East Brisbane, Qld, 4169, Australia
| | - Tamieka A Fraser
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Qld, 4557, Australia
| | | | | | - Nina M Pollak
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Qld, 4557, Australia
| | - Joan Carrick
- Equine Specialist Consulting, Scone, NSW, 2337, Australia
| | | | - Cheryl Jenkins
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW, 2568, Australia
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Anstey SI, Kasimov V, Jenkins C, Legione A, Devlin J, Amery-Gale J, Gilkerson J, Hair S, Perkins N, Peel AJ, Borel N, Pannekoek Y, Chaber AL, Woolford L, Timms P, Jelocnik M. Chlamydia Psittaci ST24: Clonal Strains of One Health Importance Dominate in Australian Horse, Bird and Human Infections. Pathogens 2021; 10:pathogens10081015. [PMID: 34451478 PMCID: PMC8401489 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10081015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2021] [Revised: 08/07/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Chlamydia psittaci is traditionally regarded as a globally distributed avian pathogen that can cause zoonotic spill-over. Molecular research has identified an extended global host range and significant genetic diversity. However, Australia has reported a reduced host range (avian, horse, and human) with a dominance of clonal strains, denoted ST24. To better understand the widespread of this strain type in Australia, multilocus sequence typing (MLST) and ompA genotyping were applied on samples from a range of hosts (avian, equine, marsupial, and bovine) from Australia. MLST confirms that clonal ST24 strains dominate infections of Australian psittacine and equine hosts (82/88; 93.18%). However, this study also found novel hosts (Australian white ibis, King parrots, racing pigeon, bovine, and a wallaby) and demonstrated that strain diversity does exist in Australia. The discovery of a C. psittaci novel strain (ST306) in a novel host, the Western brush wallaby, is the first detection in a marsupial. Analysis of the results of this study applied a multidisciplinary approach regarding Chlamydia infections, equine infectious disease, ecology, and One Health. Recommendations include an update for the descriptive framework of C. psittaci disease and cell biology work to inform pathogenicity and complement molecular epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan I. Anstey
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4557, Australia; (S.I.A.); (V.K.); (P.T.)
| | - Vasilli Kasimov
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4557, Australia; (S.I.A.); (V.K.); (P.T.)
| | - Cheryl Jenkins
- NSW Department of Primary Industries, Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute, Menangle, NSW 2568, Australia;
| | - Alistair Legione
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.L.); (J.D.); (J.A.-G.); (J.G.)
| | - Joanne Devlin
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.L.); (J.D.); (J.A.-G.); (J.G.)
| | - Jemima Amery-Gale
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.L.); (J.D.); (J.A.-G.); (J.G.)
| | - James Gilkerson
- Asia Pacific Centre for Animal Health, Melbourne Veterinary School, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia; (A.L.); (J.D.); (J.A.-G.); (J.G.)
| | - Sam Hair
- WA Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, WA 6151, Australia;
| | - Nigel Perkins
- School of Veterinary Science, The University of Queensland, Gatton, QLD 4343, Australia;
| | - Alison J. Peel
- Centre for Planetary Health and Food Security, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD 4111, Australia;
| | - Nicole Borel
- Institute of Veterinary Pathology, Vetsuisse Faculty, University of Zurich, 8066 Zurich, Switzerland;
| | - Yvonne Pannekoek
- Department of Medical Microbiology, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, 3508 Amsterdam, The Netherlands;
| | - Anne-Lise Chaber
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia; (A.-L.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Lucy Woolford
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, The University of Adelaide, Roseworthy, SA 5371, Australia; (A.-L.C.); (L.W.)
| | - Peter Timms
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4557, Australia; (S.I.A.); (V.K.); (P.T.)
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, QLD 4557, Australia; (S.I.A.); (V.K.); (P.T.)
- Correspondence:
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Clune T, Besier S, Hair S, Hancock S, Lockwood A, Thompson A, Jelocnik M, Jacobson C. Chlamydia pecorum detection in aborted and stillborn lambs from Western Australia. Vet Res 2021; 52:84. [PMID: 34116730 PMCID: PMC8196467 DOI: 10.1186/s13567-021-00950-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Lamb survival is an important welfare and productivity issue for sheep industries worldwide. Lower lamb survival has been reported for primiparous ewes, but the causes of this are not well studied. The aim of this study was to determine causes of perinatal deaths for lambs born to primiparous ewes in Western Australia, and identify if infectious diseases are implicated. Lamb mortality from birth to marking were determined for 11 primiparous ewe flocks on 10 farms in Western Australia. Lamb mortality from birth to marking averaged 14% for single-born and 26% for multiple-born lambs. Lamb necropsies (n = 298) identified starvation–mismosthering–exposure (34%), dystocia (24%) and stillbirth (15%) as the most common causes of perinatal lamb death. There was no evidence of exotic abortigenic pathogens in aborted and stillborn lambs (n = 35). Chlamydia pecorum was detected by qPCR in 15/35 aborted and stillborn lambs on 5/6 farms. Preliminary molecular characterisation of C. pecorum detected in samples from aborted and stillborn lambs (n = 8) using both Multilocus Sequence Typing and ompA genotyping indicated all strains were genetically identical to previously described pathogenic livestock strains, denoted ST23, and dissimilar to gastrointestinal strains. High frequency of detection of a pathogenic C. pecorum strains ST23 associated with ovine abortion and stillbirth on multiple farms located across a wide geographic area has not been previously reported. Chlamydia pecorum may contribute to reproductive wastage for primiparous sheep in Western Australia. Further investigation to understand C. pecorum epidemiology and impact on sheep reproduction is warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tom Clune
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Shane Besier
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, WA, 6151, Australia
| | - Sam Hair
- Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, South Perth, WA, 6151, Australia
| | - Serina Hancock
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Amy Lockwood
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Andrew Thompson
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia
| | - Martina Jelocnik
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, QLD, 4557, Australia
| | - Caroline Jacobson
- Centre for Animal Production and Health, Murdoch University, South Street, Murdoch, WA, 6150, Australia.
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Epidemiology of Chlamydia psittaci infections in pregnant Thoroughbred mares and foals. Vet J 2021; 273:105683. [PMID: 34148605 DOI: 10.1016/j.tvjl.2021.105683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 04/19/2021] [Accepted: 04/21/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Late-term foal loss due to the traditional avian pathogen Chlamydia psittaci recently emerged as a threat to the Australian Thoroughbred industry. A longitudinal study of 14 stud farms was undertaken to better understand C. psittaci infection in pregnant mares and their foals by evaluating C. psittaci prevalence, equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) co-infection, avian reservoirs, and potential risk factors. Mucosal swabs taken from 228 healthy pregnant mares and their foals were tested for C. psittaci and EHV-1 using species-specific qPCR assays. No foal loss was recorded due to either pathogen, and no mare tested positive to either C. psittaci or EHV-1. However, healthy newborn foals tested positive to both pathogens, at low levels, with 13.2% (n = 30/228) and 14.5% (n = 33/228) prevalence for C. psittaci and EHV-1, respectively. Co-infection occurred in 1.3% (n = 3/228) of foals. In avian environmental faecal samples collected from the same studs, C. psittaci was detected at 5.3% (n = 5/94). Multiple logistic regression modelling found that foals born in winter were more likely to be infected with C. psittaci (adjusted odds ratio = 15.83; P < 0.001; Confidence Interval 5.12-48.49). Being a maiden mare, absence of prophylactic vaginal suture, interventions in the last trimester and residing on a farm with prior history of C. psittaci abortion posed no higher risk to infection in the newborn. Analysis of all reported C. psittaci abortion cases (Hunter Valley, 2016-2019) revealed a dominant C. psittaci sequence type (denoted ST24) and a significant correlation with frost events (Spearmans' rho = 0.44; P = 0.002).
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Jelocnik M. Chlamydiae from Down Under: The Curious Cases of Chlamydial Infections in Australia. Microorganisms 2019; 7:microorganisms7120602. [PMID: 31766703 PMCID: PMC6955670 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms7120602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Revised: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 11/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In Australia, the most researched and perhaps the most successful chlamydial species are the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, animal pathogens Chlamydia pecorum and Chlamydia psittaci. C. trachomatis remains the leading cause of sexually transmitted infections in Australians and trachoma in Australian Indigenous populations. C. pecorum is globally recognised as the infamous koala and widespread livestock pathogen, whilst the avian C. psittaci is emerging as a horse pathogen posing zoonotic risks to humans. Certainly not innocuous, the human infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae seem to be less prevalent that other human chlamydial pathogens (namely C. trachomatis). Interestingly, the complete host range for C. pecorum and C. psittaci remains unknown, and infections by other chlamydial organisms in Australian domesticated and wildlife animals are understudied. Considering that chlamydial organisms can be encountered by either host at the human/animal interface, I review the most recent findings of chlamydial organisms infecting Australians, domesticated animals and native wildlife. Furthermore, I also provide commentary from leading Australian Chlamydia experts on challenges and future directions in the Chlamydia research field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Jelocnik
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs 4557, Australia
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Anstey SI, Quigley BL, Polkinghorne A, Jelocnik M. Chlamydial infection and on-farm risk factors in dairy cattle herds in South East Queensland. Aust Vet J 2019; 97:505-508. [PMID: 31588995 DOI: 10.1111/avj.12879] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2019] [Revised: 08/13/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Chlamydial infections in dairy cattle are common and have been sporadically associated with reduced performance and severe disease manifestations. While chlamydial infections are well described in sheep, very little is known about the epidemiology of these infections in dairy cattle in Australia. In this study, we screened for chlamydial infections and assessed on-farm risks in dairy cattle herds from Southeast Queensland (SE Qld) region of Australia. In total, 228 paired vaginal and rectal swabs were collected from 114 visually healthy dairy cows from four farms in SE Qld. Risk factors were rated by observational study and included: hygiene and cleanliness of cows, walkway and parlour, incidence of perinatal mortality, external replacements, mode of breeding, calving pen management, heat reduction strategies, and feed ration usage. Testing for chlamydial pathogens (Chlamydia pecorum, Chlamydia psittaci and Chlamydia abortus) was done using species-specific quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays. Detected rates of chlamydial infection were evaluated against the on-farm risk factors. C. pecorum infection was widespread in all four farms, with 56.1% (64/114) of individual animals shedding this organism from vaginal and rectal, or both sites. C. abortus and C. psittaci were not detected in any animals. No association was found to exist with risk factors and C. pecorum infection rates in our study, however the number of Chlamydia positive animals was statistically different between the herds. This study suggests that subclinical chlamydial infections may impact on dairy herd health at the production level rather than affecting individual animal.
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Affiliation(s)
- S I Anstey
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4557, Australia
| | - B L Quigley
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4557, Australia
| | - A Polkinghorne
- Department of Microbiology, Nepean Hospital, NSW Health Pathology, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia
| | - M Jelocnik
- Genecology Research Centre, University of the Sunshine Coast, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs, Queensland, 4557, Australia
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