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Use of quantitative real-time PCR to monitor the shedding and treatment of chlamydiae in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus).
- Source :
-
Veterinary microbiology [Vet Microbiol] 2007 Mar 10; Vol. 120 (3-4), pp. 334-42. Date of Electronic Publication: 2006 Nov 28. - Publication Year :
- 2007
-
Abstract
- The aim of this study was to monitor chlamydial shedding patterns in clinically affected koalas before, during and following treatment using quantitative real-time PCR. Swab samples were obtained from 14 koalas presented for treatment at the Australian Wildlife Hospital. Four of these animals were followed over a period of 8-9 weeks. Primers were designed based on the consensus signature sequence of the 16S rRNA chlamydial gene. Additional primers were designed based on the sequence of the koala beta-actin gene and used to normalize chlamydial values when comparing results from different swab samples. Chlamydial 16S rRNA gene copy number was highest in swab samples from clinically affected sites. Daily injections of chloramphenicol resulted in a marked and rapid reduction in the numbers of chlamydiae being shed from all sites. In general, chlamydial copy number was no longer detectable by the end of the 2nd week of treatment. No evidence of relapse of infection was detected at 2 weeks after the cessation of treatment. In contrast, topical chloramphenicol treatment of the eyes required a longer treatment period and had little effect on the shedding of chlamydiae from other sites of the body. Further studies are required to confirm the efficacy of a shorter treatment period.
- Subjects :
- Actins genetics
Animals
Chlamydia drug effects
Chlamydia genetics
Chlamydia isolation & purification
Chlamydia Infections drug therapy
Chlamydia Infections microbiology
Chlamydia Infections urine
Chloramphenicol administration & dosage
Chloramphenicol pharmacology
DNA Primers chemistry
Eye Infections, Bacterial drug therapy
Eye Infections, Bacterial microbiology
Female
Female Urogenital Diseases drug therapy
Female Urogenital Diseases microbiology
Female Urogenital Diseases urine
Gene Dosage
Male
Male Urogenital Diseases drug therapy
Male Urogenital Diseases microbiology
Male Urogenital Diseases urine
Polymerase Chain Reaction methods
RNA, Ribosomal, 16S genetics
Time Factors
Chlamydia Infections veterinary
Eye Infections, Bacterial veterinary
Female Urogenital Diseases veterinary
Male Urogenital Diseases veterinary
Phascolarctidae microbiology
Polymerase Chain Reaction veterinary
Subjects
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0378-1135
- Volume :
- 120
- Issue :
- 3-4
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Veterinary microbiology
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 17178441
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.vetmic.2006.11.022