Do koala bears have chlamydia

Australia 's iconic koala has a problem that keeps boomeranging back.

Federal government websites often end in. The site is secure. A significant threat to koala populations is infection from Chlamydia , which results in disease and death. 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.

Do koala bears have chlamydia

Among humans, chlamydia is the most common sexually transmitted infection in the world, according to the Pan American Health Organization. If left untreated, it can lead to serious complications, such as infertility or ectopic pregnancies — that's when a fertilized egg grows outside of the uterus. But uncomplicated cases of the infection are usually cured within days or weeks by taking antibiotics. Again: That's in humans. But we are not the only ones susceptible to chlamydia. Koalas, arguably among Australia's most famous animals, can contract the disease when they are exposed to the feces of sheep or cattle that have chlamydia. Then the sexually transmitted disease is passed on from mother to child, or during mating. Once the marsupials have chlamydia, they usually fare far worse than humans. It's not just the risk of death that's concerning. For a shrinking population — the Australian Koala Foundation estimated in that there were fewer than 58, koalas left in the wild — infertility is just as dramatic a problem. That's why Australian researchers have started vaccinating wild koalas against chlamydia in the state of New South Wales.

Our information is to promote STD testing, educate people, let go of social stigmas, and bring awareness. Location of inclusion cysts in mouse ovaries in relation to age, pregnancy, and total do koala bears have chlamydia number: Implications for ovarian cancer? Our staff consists of doctors and other medical professionals who peer review the content we make available on STDCheck.

One of the leading killers of Australia's endearing koalas is a debilitating bacterial infection: chlamydia. The idea of koalas with chlamydia — a common sexually transmitted infection in people — recently drew chuckles on HBO's "Last Week Tonight," but the disease, which is affecting koalas in epidemic proportions, is hardly a laughing matter. Chlamydia-infected koalas made the news on Sunday May 6 when the show's host, John Oliver, mentioned the dedication of a new koala ward at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, called the John Oliver Koala Chlamydia Ward, to treat the sick marsupials. But chlamydia is no joke to koalas. Surveys have shown that some wild populations demonstrate a percent rate of infection, which frequently leads to blindness, severe bladder inflammation, infertility and death.

A serious bacterial infection called chlamydia is one of the leading causes of death for Australia's koalas. But new research has identified an antibiotic that can manage the infection with few side effects, offering a ray of hope for these adorable, endangered marsupials. Chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease STD , affects humans as well as koalas; the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis targets humans, while koalas are sickened by Chlamydia pecorum. Left untreated, chlamydia can cause infertility and permanent blindness in both species. Antibiotics that treat chlamydia in humans also work for koalas, but their success rate varies. And some types of antibiotics produce side effects that can be harmful to the iconic animals, such as disrupting the gut microbes that enable digestion of eucalyptus leaves, a dietary staple for koalas. Recently, researchers conducted the first comparative analysis of the two antibiotics that are most commonly given to koalas with chlamydia: chloramphenicol and doxycycline. They found that not only was doxycycline a more reliable treatment for defeating infection, it also produced fewer side effects in the koalas, according to a statement. Related: Marsupial gallery: A pouchful of cute.

Do koala bears have chlamydia

A koala sits in a tree at a koala park in Sydney, Australia, Friday, May 5, Australian scientists have begun vaccinating wild koalas against chlamydia in a pioneering field trial in New South Wales. The aim is to test a method for protecting the beloved marsupials against a widespread disease that causes blindness, infertility and death.

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How'd that happen? Koalas can also be exposed to chlamydia through environmental contamination, such as contaminated water sources or soil. All rights reserved. Song X. Have a question about the weird and wild world? Weird Animal Question of the Week answers your questions every Saturday. Helping koalas battle disease—Recent advances in Chlamydia and koala retrovirus KoRV disease under-standing and treatment in koalas. Kang X. Orcas on the hunt. See our best wildlife photos from

One of the primary causes of this decline is chlamydia , a bacterial infection that can cause blindness and infertility in koalas.

This has led to a decrease in fertility rates and an increase in mortality rates due to blindness and other complications caused by the infection. Unfortunately, koala population levels have continued to decline due to multiple natural and anthropogenic factors, and in the koala was listed as a threatened species under the Australian Federal Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Furthermore, there are also no reports of Chlamydia -specific studies from upper reproductive tract tissues or cystic fluid, and no reports of possible treatment regimens to clear disease. Plant Ecol. Published online Sep 4. Considering this, future research efforts should be focused on identifying all aetiological agents for the development of koala reproductive cysts with an aim of developing new treatment regimens to allow for the recovery of female koalas. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript. Animals How whales can sing underwater without drowning. Phillips S. Ziklo N. Stress reduction techniques are also essential when treating koalas with chlamydial infection. The koalas' situation is dire after all. Larry Vogelnest T.