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A Possible Link between the Environment and Cryptococcus gattii Nasal Colonisation in Koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) in the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales

Author

Listed:
  • Alex Kan

    (Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
    Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
    Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia)

  • Laura J. Schmertmann

    (Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
    Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
    Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia)

  • Clare McArthur

    (School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Valentina S. A. Mella

    (School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Mathew S. Crowther

    (School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Luisa Miranda

    (Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
    Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia)

  • Richard Malik

    (Centre for Veterinary Education, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia)

  • Wieland Meyer

    (Westmead Institute for Medical Research, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
    Molecular Mycology Research Laboratory, Centre for Infectious Diseases and Microbiology, Westmead Clinical School, Sydney Medical School, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
    Sydney Institute for Infectious Diseases, The University of Sydney, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia
    Research and Education Network, Western Sydney Local Health District, Westmead, NSW 2145, Australia)

  • Mark B. Krockenberger

    (Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia
    Veterinary Pathology Diagnostic Services, Sydney School of Veterinary Science, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2050, Australia)

Abstract

Cryptococcosis caused by yeasts of the Cryptococcus gattii species complex is an increasingly important mycological disease in humans and other mammals. In Australia, cases of C. gattii -related cryptococcosis are more prevalent in the koala ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) compared to humans and other animals, likely due to the close association that both C. gattii and koalas have with Eucalyptus species. This provides a cogent opportunity to investigate the epidemiology of spontaneous C. gattii infections in a free-living mammalian host, thereby offering insights into similar infections in humans. This study aimed to establish a link between nasal colonisation by C. gattii in free-ranging koalas and the tree hollows of Eucalyptus species, the key environmental source of the pathogen. We (i) detected and genotyped C. gattii from nine out of 169 free-ranging koalas and representative tree hollows within their home range in the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales, and (ii) examined potential environmental predictors of nasal colonisation in koalas and the presence of C. gattii in tree hollows. Phylogenetic analyses based on multi-locus sequence typing (MLST) revealed that the koalas were most likely colonised by the most abundant C. gattii genotypes found in the Eucalyptus species, or closely related genotypes. Importantly, the likelihood of the presence of C. gattii in tree hollows was correlated with increasing hollow size.

Suggested Citation

  • Alex Kan & Laura J. Schmertmann & Clare McArthur & Valentina S. A. Mella & Mathew S. Crowther & Luisa Miranda & Richard Malik & Wieland Meyer & Mark B. Krockenberger, 2022. "A Possible Link between the Environment and Cryptococcus gattii Nasal Colonisation in Koalas ( Phascolarctos cinereus ) in the Liverpool Plains, New South Wales," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-21, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:8:p:4603-:d:791433
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