Is Chlamydia to Blame for Koala Reproductive Cysts?

• Published in: Pathogens (Basel) Vol. 10; no. 9; p. 1140
• Main Authors: Phillips, Samuel, Timms, Peter, Jelocnik, Martina
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Basel MDPI AG 04.09.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Animal attacks; Animals; Antibiotics; Chlamydia; Communication; Cysts; Cytokines; Endangered & extinct species; Etiology; Euthanasia; Fallopian tubes; Fatalities; Hospitals; Immunology; Infections; Infertility; Inflammation; koala; Necropsy; Ovaries; Population; reproductive cysts; Sexually transmitted diseases; STD; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasound; Wildlife; Queensland Australia; Australia
• ISSN: 2076-0817; 2076-0817
• DOI: 10.3390/pathogens10091140

A significant threat to koala populations is infection from Chlamydia, which results in disease and death. Wild koalas with Chlamydia infections are admitted to wildlife hospitals and treated with antibiotics; however, up to 50% of koalas that present to wildlife hospitals do not survive. A major contributor to high mortality is the development of reproductive cysts, resulting in female infertility and euthanasia. However, the diagnosis of reproductive disease is limited to ultrasound with no further investigations. This communication highlights reports of histological and microbiological findings, the accuracy of ultrasound to necropsy reports and other possible causes for reproductive cyst development previously reported in other hosts. Our conclusions identify a significant knowledge gap in the aetiology of koala reproductive cysts and highlight the urgent need for future investigations.