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Cystic echinococcosis in a wild population of the brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata), a threatened macropodid

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  28 April 2008

T. S. BARNES ,
A. W. GOLDIZEN ,
J. M. MORTON  and
G. T. COLEMAN
T. S. BARNES*
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Qld. 4072, Australia
A. W. GOLDIZEN
Affiliation:
School of Integrative Biology, University of Queensland, Qld. 4072, Australia
J. M. MORTON
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Qld. 4072, Australia
G. T. COLEMAN
Affiliation:
School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Qld. 4072, Australia
*
*Corresponding author: School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Qld. 4072, Australia. Tel: +61 7 3365 3203. Fax: +61 7 3365 1255. E-mail: [email protected]
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Summary

Infection of small macropodids with the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus can cause fatalities as well as significant pulmonary impairment and other adverse sequelae. The brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata) is a small macropodid listed as vulnerable on the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species. This study used radiographic techniques to determine the prevalence and severity of pulmonary hydatid infection and growth rates of hydatid cysts in a wild population of this macropodid. The overall prevalence was 15·3% (9/59 animals) with 20·0% (8/40 animals) of adults infected. During the study period, the death of at least 1 infected animal was directly attributed to pulmonary hydatidosis. Rapid cyst growth occurred in some animals (up to 43% increase in cyst volume in 3 months). Cyst volume reduced lung capacity by up to 17%. Secondary pulmonary changes were uncommon but, in 1 animal, resulted in reduction in lung capacity by approximately 50%. Infection was associated with a higher blood urea concentration, but no significant differences in other blood variables were detected. These results indicate that hydatid infection may be a significant risk to threatened populations of small macropodids and should be addressed in conservation management plans for these animals.

Keywords

Echinococcus granulosushydatidmarsupialmacropodidbrush-tailed rock-wallabyPetrogale penicillataconservationAustralia
Type
Original Articles
Information
Parasitology , Volume 135 , Issue 6 , May 2008 , pp. 715 - 723
Copyright
Copyright © 2008 Cambridge University Press

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