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Akter L, Hashem MA, Rakib TM, Rashid MHO, Hossain KA, Akhter R, Utsunomiya M, Kitab B, Hifumi T, Miyoshi N, Maetani F, Tsukiyama-Kohara K. Investigation of koala retrovirus in captive koalas with pneumonia and comparative analysis of subtype distribution. Arch Virol 2023; 168:298. [PMID: 38010495 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05928-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/29/2023]
Abstract
This study focused on the involvement of koala retrovirus (KoRV) in pneumonia in koalas. Three deceased pneumonic koalas from a Japanese zoo were examined in this study. Hematological and histopathological findings were assessed, and KoRV proviral DNA loads in the blood and tissues were compared with those of eight other KoRV-infected koalas from different zoos. Demographic data and routine blood profiles were collected, and blood and tissue samples were analyzed to rule out concurrent infections in pneumonic koalas. KoRV subtyping and measurement of the KoRV proviral DNA load were performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using specific primers targeting the pol and env genes. The results showed that the koalas had histopathologically suppurative and fibrinous pneumonia. Chlamydiosis was not detected in any of the animals. PCR analysis revealed KoRV-A, -B, and -C infections in all koalas, except for animals K10-11, which lacked KoRV-B. Significant variations in the proviral DNA loads of these KoRV subtypes were observed in all tissues and disease groups. Most tissues showed reduced KoRV loads in koalas with pneumonia, except in the spleen, which had significantly higher loads of total KoRV (2.54 × 107/µg DNA) and KoRV-A (4.74 × 107/µg DNA), suggesting potential immunosuppression. This study revealed the intricate dynamics of KoRV in various tissues, indicating its potential role in koala pneumonia via immunosuppression and opportunistic infections. Analysis of the levels of KoRV proviral DNA in different tissues will shed light on viral replication and the resulting pathogenesis in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lipi Akter
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, 8900065, Japan
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Md Abul Hashem
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, 8900065, Japan
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Tofazzal Md Rakib
- Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chattogram, Bangladesh
| | - Md Haroon Or Rashid
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, 8900065, Japan
| | - Kazi Anowar Hossain
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, 8900065, Japan
| | - Rupaly Akhter
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, 8900065, Japan
| | - Masashi Utsunomiya
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, 8900065, Japan
| | - Bouchra Kitab
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, 8900065, Japan
| | - Tatsuro Hifumi
- Department of Histopathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Noriaki Miyoshi
- Department of Histopathology, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima, Japan
| | - Fumie Maetani
- Hirakawa Zoological Park, Kagoshima, Japan
- Awaji Farm England Hill Zoo, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Center, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Korimoto, Kagoshima, 8900065, Japan.
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Kayesh MEH, Hashem MA, Maetani F, Goto A, Nagata N, Kasori A, Imanishi T, Tsukiyama-Kohara K. Molecular Insights into Innate Immune Response in Captive Koala Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells Co-Infected with Multiple Koala Retrovirus Subtypes. Pathogens 2022; 11:pathogens11080911. [PMID: 36015032 PMCID: PMC9414840 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens11080911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Koala retrovirus (KoRV) exists in both endogenous and exogenous forms and has appeared as a major threat to koala health and conservation. Currently, there are twelve identified KoRV subtypes: an endogenous subtype (KoRV-A) and eleven exogenous subtypes (KoRV-B to -I, KoRV-K, -L, and -M). However, information about subtype-related immune responses in koalas against multiple KoRV infections is limited. In this study, we investigated KoRV-subtype (A, B, C, D, and F)-related immunophenotypic changes, including CD4, CD8b, IFN-γ, IL-6, and IL-10 mRNA expression, in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) obtained from captive koalas (n = 37) infected with multiple KoRV subtypes (KoRV-A to F) reared in seven Japanese zoos. Based on KoRV subtype infection profiles, no significant difference in CD4 and CD8b mRNA expression was observed in the study populations. Based on the different KoRV subtype infections, we found that the IFN-γ mRNA expression in koala PMBCs differs insignificantly (p = 0.0534). In addition, IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA expression also did not vary significantly in koala PBMCs based on KoRV subtype differences. We also investigated the Toll-like receptors (TLRs) response, including TLR2–10, and TLR13 mRNA in koala PBMCs infected with multiple KoRV subtypes. Significant differential expression of TLR5, 7, 9, 10, and 13 mRNA was observed in the PBMCs from koalas infected with different KoRV subtypes. Therefore, based on the findings of this study, it is assumed that co-infection of multiple KoRV subtypes might modify the host innate immune response, including IFN-γ and TLRs responses. However, to have a more clear understanding regarding the effect of multiple KoRV subtypes on host cytokines and TLR response and pathogenesis, further large-scale studies including the koalas negative for KoRV and koalas infected with other KoRV subtypes (KoRV-A to -I, KoRV-K, -L and -M) are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Enamul Hoque Kayesh
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Centre, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
- Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal 8210, Bangladesh
| | - Md Abul Hashem
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Centre, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | | | - Atsushi Goto
- Awaji Farm Park England Hill Zoo, Minamiawaji 665-0443, Japan
| | | | | | | | - Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Centre, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-99-285-3589
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Speight N. Health and Diseases of Koalas. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12081005. [PMID: 35454251 PMCID: PMC9027410 DOI: 10.3390/ani12081005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/12/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is an arboreal marsupial that is found throughout much of eastern and southeastern Australia, and it relies primarily on eucalypt trees for food, water and shelter [...]
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Affiliation(s)
- Natasha Speight
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, Faculty of Sciences, Roseworthy Campus, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5371, Australia
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Kayesh MEH, Hashem MA, Tsukiyama-Kohara K. Toll-Like Receptor and Cytokine Responses to Infection with Endogenous and Exogenous Koala Retrovirus, and Vaccination as a Control Strategy. Curr Issues Mol Biol 2021; 43:52-64. [PMID: 33946297 PMCID: PMC8928999 DOI: 10.3390/cimb43010005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/28/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Koala populations are currently declining and under threat from koala retrovirus (KoRV) infection both in the wild and in captivity. KoRV is assumed to cause immunosuppression and neoplastic diseases, favoring chlamydiosis in koalas. Currently, 10 KoRV subtypes have been identified, including an endogenous subtype (KoRV-A) and nine exogenous subtypes (KoRV-B to KoRV-J). The host’s immune response acts as a safeguard against pathogens. Therefore, a proper understanding of the immune response mechanisms against infection is of great importance for the host’s survival, as well as for the development of therapeutic and prophylactic interventions. A vaccine is an important protective as well as being a therapeutic tool against infectious disease, and several studies have shown promise for the development of an effective vaccine against KoRV. Moreover, CRISPR/Cas9-based genome editing has opened a new window for gene therapy, and it appears to be a potential therapeutic tool in many viral infections, which could also be investigated for the treatment of KoRV infection. Here, we discuss the recent advances made in the understanding of the immune response in KoRV infection, as well as the progress towards vaccine development against KoRV infection in koalas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Enamul Hoque Kayesh
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Centre, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; (M.E.H.K.); (M.A.H.)
- Department of Microbiology and Public Health, Faculty of Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Barishal 8210, Bangladesh
| | - Md Abul Hashem
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Centre, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; (M.E.H.K.); (M.A.H.)
- Department of Health, Chattogram City Corporation, Chattogram 4000, Bangladesh
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
| | - Kyoko Tsukiyama-Kohara
- Transboundary Animal Diseases Centre, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan; (M.E.H.K.); (M.A.H.)
- Laboratory of Animal Hygiene, Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Kagoshima University, Kagoshima 890-0065, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-99-285-3589
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