Chlamydia pecorum in Joint Tissue and Synovial Fluid of a Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) with Arthritis

Abstract:  A small number of koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) presented to wildlife hospitals in Queensland, Australia, with signs of arthritis in one or more joints. Molecular analysis identified Chlamydia pecorum in the tarsal tissue and synovial fluid of an affected joint of a koala, suggesting that in addition to livestock, C. pecorum has the potential to cause arthritis in the koala.