Host stress physiology and Trypanosoma haemoparasite infection influence innate immunity in the woylie (Bettongia penicillata)

Stephanie Hing; Andrew Currie; Steven Broomfield; Sarah Keatley; Krista Jones; R C Andrew Thompson; Edward Narayan; Stephanie S Godfrey

doi:10.1016/j.cimid.2016.04.005

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Host stress physiology and Trypanosoma haemoparasite infection influence innate immunity in the woylie (Bettongia penicillata)

Journal article

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Host stress physiology and Trypanosoma haemoparasite infection influence innate immunity in the woylie (Bettongia penicillata)

Stephanie Hing, Andrew Currie, Steven Broomfield, Sarah Keatley, Krista Jones, R C Andrew Thompson, Edward Narayan and Stephanie S Godfrey

Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases, Vol.46, pp.32-39

01/06/2016

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cimid.2016.04.005

PMID: 27260808

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Abstract

Animals

Animals, Wild - parasitology

DNA, Protozoan

Feces - chemistry

Feces - parasitology

Host-Parasite Interactions

Humans

Hydrocortisone - analysis

Immunity, Innate

Phagocytosis

Phylogeny

Potoroidae - immunology

Potoroidae - parasitology

Potoroidae - physiology

RNA, Ribosomal, 18S

Sequence Analysis, DNA

Sex Factors

Stress, Physiological

Trypanosoma - genetics

Trypanosoma - immunology

Trypanosomiasis - immunology

Trypanosomiasis - parasitology

Trypanosomiasis - veterinary

Understanding immune function is critical to conserving wildlife in view of infectious disease threats, particularly in threatened species vulnerable to stress, immunocompromise and infection. However, few studies examine stress, immune function and infection in wildlife. We used a flow cytometry protocol developed for human infants to assess phagocytosis, a key component of innate immunity, in a critically endangered marsupial, the woylie (Bettongia penicillata). The effects of stress physiology and Trypanosoma infection on phagocytosis were investigated. Blood and faecal samples were collected from woylies in a captive facility over three months. Trypanosoma status was determined using PCR. Faecal cortisol metabolites (FCM) were quantified by enzyme-immunoassay. Mean phagocytosis measured was >90%. An interaction between sex and FCM influenced the percentage of phagocytosing leukocytes, possibly reflecting the influence of sex hormones and glucocorticoids. An interaction between Trypanosoma status and FCM influenced phagocytosis index, suggesting that stress physiology and infection status influence innate immunity.

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Title: Host stress physiology and Trypanosoma haemoparasite infection influence innate immunity in the woylie (Bettongia penicillata)
Creators: Stephanie Hing - Murdoch University
Andrew Currie - Murdoch University
Steven Broomfield - Curtin University
Sarah Keatley - Murdoch University
Krista Jones - Murdoch University
R C Andrew Thompson - Murdoch University
Edward Narayan - Charles Sturt University
Stephanie S Godfrey - Murdoch University
Publication Details: Comparative immunology, microbiology and infectious diseases, Vol.46, pp.32-39
Identifiers: 991013269210702368
Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Language: English
Resource Type: Journal article

Host stress physiology and Trypanosoma haemoparasite infection influence innate immunity in the woylie (Bettongia penicillata)

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