Lymphoma in two wild tawny frogmouths (Podargus strigoides) in Victoria.

Lymphoma was diagnosed in two wild tawny frogmouths (Podargus strigoides) presented to the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesville Sanctuary, Victoria. The first case presented with extensive feather loss refractory to treatment. Bacterial and fungal folliculitis and beak and feather disease virus were excluded as primary causes, and the bird was euthanised due to poor response to treatment.

Seroprevalence and risk factors for Toxoplasma gondii exposure in Australian feral and stray cats using an in-house modified agglutination test.

Toxoplasma gondii is a globally distributed zoonotic protist, capable of infecting all warm-blooded animals. In Australia, cats (Felis catus) are the only definitive host capable of spreading T. gondii infection via oocysts.

Toxoplasma gondii Does Not Inhibit the Assisted Colonization of Eastern Barred Bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) to Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia.

Eastern barred bandicoots (Perameles gunnii) are thought to be highly susceptible to disease caused by infection with the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. This study followed a population of 67 P. gunnii introduced onto the Summerland Peninsula, Phillip Island, Australia, where the prevalence of T.

REPEAT SPILLOVER OF BEAK AND FEATHER DISEASE VIRUS INTO AN ENDANGERED PARROT HIGHLIGHTS THE RISK ASSOCIATED WITH ENDEMIC PATHOGEN LOSS IN ENDANGERED SPECIES.

Conservation efforts for the orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster), one of the world's most critically endangered bird species, have been hampered by beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) spillover infection. To understand the vulnerability of orange-bellied parrots to potential reservoirs of infection we investigated geographic versus taxonomic structure in 160 full-genome and 319 partial Rep gene BFDV sequences from captive and wild orange-bellied parrots and other wild parrot species in Australia. We found that Australian BFDV populations are structured by host taxonomy.

Comparison of the modified agglutination test and real-time PCR for detection of exposure in feral cats from Phillip Island, Australia, and risk factors associated with infection.

is considered a disease risk for many native Australian species. Feral cats are the key definitive host of in Australia and therefore, investigating the epidemiology of in cat populations is essential to understanding the risk posed to wildlife. Test sensitivity and specificity are poorly defined for diagnostic tests targeting in cats and there is a need for validated techniques.

Assessing circovirus gene flow in multiple spill-over events.

The establishment of viral pathogens in new host environments following spillover events probably requires adaptive changes within both the new host and pathogen. After many generations, signals for ancient cross-species transmission may become lost and a strictly host-adapted phylogeny may mimic true co-divergence while the virus may retain an inherent ability to jump host species. The mechanistic basis for such processes remains poorly understood.

Characterization of Beak and Feather Disease Virus Genomes from Wild Musk Lorikeets (Glossopsitta concinna).

Three complete genomes of beak and feather disease virus (BFDV) were recovered from wild musk lorikeets (Glossopsitta concinna). The genomes consisted of 2,008 to 2,010 nucleotides (nt) and encode two major proteins transcribing in opposing directions. This is the first report of BFDV complete genome sequences obtained from this host species.