Streamlining Disease Risk Analysis for Wildlife Using the Shark Bay Bandicoot as a Model.

Disease risk analysis (DRA) is a process for identifying significant disease risks and proposing measures to mitigate those risks. Although numerous methodologies for DRA exist, the IUCN Disease Risk Analysis Manual Jakob-Hoff et al. (World Organisation for Animal Health, Paris, pp 160, 2014) remains the gold standard for wild animal translocations.

The Importance of Wildlife Disease Monitoring as Part of Global Surveillance for Zoonotic Diseases: The Role of Australia.

Australia has a comprehensive system of capabilities and functions to prepare, detect and respond to health security threats. Strong cooperative links and coordination mechanisms exist between the human (public health) and animal arms of the health system in Australia. Wildlife is included in this system.

Molecular evidence of Chlamydia pecorum and arthropod-associated Chlamydiae in an expanded range of marsupials.

The order Chlamydiales are biphasic intracellular bacterial pathogens infecting humans and domesticated animals. Wildlife infections have also been reported, with the most studied example being Chlamydia pecorum infections in the koala, an iconic Australian marsupial. In koalas, molecular evidence suggests that spill-over from C.

Prevalence, genetic diversity and potential clinical impact of blood-borne and enteric protozoan parasites in native mammals from northern Australia.

A molecular survey was conducted to provide baseline information on the prevalence, genetic diversity and potential clinical impacts of blood-borne and enteric protozoans in native wild mammals from the Northern Territory (NT). A total of 209 blood and 167 faecal samples were collected from four target species; the northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus), common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula), northern quoll (Dasyurus hallucatus) and brush-tailed rabbit-rat (Conilurus penicillatus). Blood samples were screened by PCR at the 18S rRNA gene for trypanosomes, piroplasms and haemogregarines, with faecal samples tested for Cryptosporidium spp.

DEVELOPMENT OF REFERENCE RANGES FOR PLASMA TOTAL CHOLINESTERASE AND BRAIN ACETYLCHOLINESTERASE ACTIVITY IN FREE-RANGING CARNABY'S BLACK-COCKATOOS (CALYPTORHYNCHUS LATIROSTRIS).

Published avian reference ranges for plasma cholinesterase (ChE) and brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) are numerous. However, a consistently reported recommendation is the need for species- and laboratory-specific reference ranges because of variables, including assay methods, sample storage conditions, season, and bird sex, age, and physiologic status. We developed normal reference ranges for brain AChE and plasma total ChE (tChE) activity for Carnaby's Black-Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) using a standardized protocol (substrate acetylthiocholine at 25 C).

Emerging infectious diseases in free-ranging wildlife-Australian zoo based wildlife hospitals contribute to national surveillance.

Emerging infectious diseases are increasingly originating from wildlife. Many of these diseases have significant impacts on human health, domestic animal health, and biodiversity. Surveillance is the key to early detection of emerging diseases.

Health evaluation of free-ranging eastern bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi) during translocation for reintroduction in Australia.

Sixty (19 male, 41 female) free-ranging adult eastern bettongs (Bettongia gaimardi) were captured in Tasmania and translocated to the Australian Capital Territory between July 2011 and September 2012 for reintroduction into fenced, predator-proof reserves. The bettongs were anesthetized for physical examination and screened for selected diseases during translocation. Reference ranges for hematologic and biochemical parameters were determined.

The first complete papillomavirus genome characterized from a marsupial host: a novel isolate from Bettongia penicillata.

The first fully sequenced papillomavirus (PV) of marsupials, tentatively named Bettongia penicillata papillomavirus type 1 (BpPV1), was detected in papillomas from a woylie (Bettongia penicillata ogilbyi). The circular, double-stranded DNA genome contains 7,737 bp and encodes 7 open reading frames (ORFs), E6, E7, E1, E2, E4, L2, and L1, in typical PV conformation. BpPV1 is a close-to-root PV with L1 and L2 ORFs most similar to European hedgehog PV and bandicoot papillomatosis carcinomatosis virus types 1 and 2 (BPCV1 and -2).

Hematologic and serum biochemical reference values for free-ranging northern hairy-nosed wombats.

Hematologic and serum biochemistry values were determined for 31 adult (21 male and 10 female) and four subadult male northern hairy-nosed wombats (Lasiorhinus krefftii) from the only existing population in Epping Forest National Park, Australia. Blood samples were obtained from free-ranging northern hairy-nosed wombats during trapping for population census and health and reproductive assessment in 1999. Hematologic and biochemical values were compared between adult males and adult females, and between adult and subadult wombats.