Download Prevention and treatment of chlamydiosis and cryptococcosis in koalas

Prevention and treatment of chlamydiosis and cryptococcosis in koalas
Proposed supervisor: Dr Mark Krockenberger (02)93512023 [email protected]
Other members of research team: Professor Paul Canfield, Dr Susan Hemsley, Dr Damien Higgins, Dr
Merran Govendir & Dr Richard Malik
Research the most important diseases affecting koalas and make a difference to our
understanding and treatment of these diseases! Projects are available through the Faculty of
Veterinary Sciences, the University of Sydney that aim to generate increased understanding of the
aetiology and pathogenesis of the two most prevalent and debilitating infectious diseases of koalas.
Chlamydiosis, caused by two chlamydial bacteria, affects koala fertility, urinary tract function and
eyesight. Cryptococcosis, caused by the fungus Cryptococcus gattii, may result in koala morbidity and
death. We wish to explore the host-pathogen-environment interaction for both these organisms in
order to optimise treatment regimes for effective treatment of these diseases. It is anticipated that
therapeutic intervention will help elucidate important features of the host response as well as improve
koala welfare.
The project in relation to Chlamydiosis in koalas, involves establishing protocols, based on scientific
evidence, for improved treatment regimes, developing advanced prognostic techniques and release
criteria to improve koala welfare and management outcomes, and to provide a critical insight into the
more generic response of marsupials to infectious diseases, and vaccination. We wish to elucidate
marsupial cytokine importance in relation to the fundamental humoral and cellular immune responses
which will have important implications for understanding and controlling a wide range of infectious
diseases not only in koalas but in evaluating infectious diseases in other marsupial species.
Cryptococcosis is not only a significant cause of morbidity in koalas but is also a significant cause of
morbidity and mortality in some human groups in the Australian community. Intriguing aspects of this
disease relate to how the fungus (pathogen) interacts with both the environment (especially eucalypts)
and the koala (host) to cause disease. These interactions will be explored by an investigative approach
that considers all possible factors that may contribute to disease development. In particular, this
project will elucidate the poorly understood life cycle of the fungus and components of the host
response that lead to the successful prevention of invasion and the eradication of localised lesions.
This project will focus on the critically important C. gattii-environment interaction that impacts on the
genetic diversity and selection pressures of potential virulence factors of the fungus. This project will
examine novel ways of measuring and examining environmental factors that have an impact on the
survival and multiplication of cryptococcal organisms and how they may be adapted to the
investigation of other saprophytic fungi that may cause disease. As for Chlamydiosis, therapeutic
strategies will be assessed and optimised.
This project is enthusiastically supported by the NSW Koala Protection Society, The Australian Koala
Foundation, WIRES and Pfizer Animal Health. The research team combines a wide range of
disciplines relevant to the project; Dr Krockenberger (cryptococcosis), Prof Canfield (koala disease),
Dr Malik (infectious disease) Dr Hemsley & Dr Higgins (koala disease and Chlamydiosis in
marsupials), Dr Govendir (clinical veterinary pharmacology)
Are you interested in the BIG PICTURE but also want to fill in the gaps? We invite a
veterinarian (preferably with at least 2 years practical experience, but new graduates
will be considered) to join the team and undertake a PhD commencing 2005. Please
contact Dr Mark Krockenberger (02)93512023 [email protected] for further
information.