Abstract
In Australia, the most researched and perhaps the most successful chlamydial species are the human pathogen Chlamydia trachomatis, animal pathogens Chlamydia pecorum and Chlamydia psittaci. C. trachomatis remains the leading cause of sexually transmitted infections in Australians and trachoma in Australian Indigenous populations. C. pecorum is globally recognised as the infamous koala and widespread livestock pathogen, whilst the avian C. psittaci is emerging as a horse pathogen posing zoonotic risks to humans. Certainly not innocuous, the human infections with Chlamydia pneumoniae seem to be less prevalent that other human chlamydial pathogens (namely C. trachomatis). Interestingly, the complete host range for C. pecorum and C. psittaci remains unknown, and infections by other chlamydial organisms in Australian domesticated and wildlife animals are understudied. Considering that chlamydial organisms can be encountered by either host at the human/animal interface, I review the most recent findings of chlamydial organisms infecting Australians, domesticated animals and native wildlife. Furthermore, I also provide commentary from leading Australian Chlamydia experts on challenges and future directions in the Chlamydia research field.
Highlights
The diverse members of the phylum Chlamydiae constantly remain in the global spotlight, attracting attention not just as successful and enigmatic human and animal pathogens [1], and by cutting-edge biological and “omics” research involving Chlamydiae [2,3]
Molecular Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct) studies can certainly be improved in Australia as they can be utilized as a valuable epidemiological tool to track new and/or persistent infections or determine treatment failure, as there is growing concern about the latter [23,41,46]
Chlamydia psittaci (Cps) infection in birds was usually reported as a part of (a) the zoonotic event, such as that of molecular characterisation of Cps isolated from a crimson rosella from the same human psittacosis endemic region [90] or (b) horse psittacosis investigations, such as that of an opportunistically characterised archival Cps-positive sample taken from a spotted dove [86]
Summary
The diverse members of the phylum Chlamydiae constantly remain in the global spotlight, attracting attention not just as successful and enigmatic human and animal pathogens [1], and by cutting-edge biological and “omics” research involving Chlamydiae [2,3]. From a global public perspective, Chlamydiae in Australia are perhaps best known as the notorious pathogens of the iconic marsupial, koala (Phascolarctos cinereus). Besides the devasting effects on koalas, chlamydial infections more broadly in Australia: remain a significant public health burden; contribute to economic and production losses in the livestock industry; pose a threat to native wildlife health; and pose zoonotic risks to humans. I provide an overview of new and important findings and challenges faced in the process of dissecting chlamydial infections in the Australian setting
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