Leptospirosis in the opossum (Trichosurus vulpecula)

Authors: Julian AF, de Lisle GW, Almand KB, Wallace J
Publication: New Zealand Veterinary Journal, Volume 23, Issue 9, pp 215-216, Sep 1975
Publisher: Taylor and Francis

Animal type: Possum, Wildlife
Subject Terms: Bacterial, Clinical pathology, Diagnostic procedures, Zoonosis, Disease/defect, Infectious disease, Public health
Article class: Correspondence

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Abstract: The Australian possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is susceptible to Mycobacterium bovis infection (Bolliger and Bolliger, 1948) and is thought to be a factor in the persistence of bovine tuberculosis in certain areas of New Zealand (Ekdahl et al 1970). Anaesthetic studies were conducted prior to experimental studies of tuberculosis in captive animals. During these studies we found that several opossums captured on four farms in the Wanganui district had leptospiruria and serum titres to Leptospira hardjo (1: 200). A further 20 opossums were obtained from the same source…

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