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Herpesviruses have been reported in several Australian marsupial species, with an overt, sometimes fatal disease described in macropods. Our study identifies a gammaherpesvirus in northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus) and provides virus prevalence data for bandicoots in southeast Queensland, Australia. Herpesvirus DNA was detected using pan-Herpesviridae family primers in a nested PCR format. Samples from 35 northern brown bandicoots were screened, including whole blood (n=29), oropharyngeal swabs (n=34), urine (n=22), and feces (n=23). Combining all sample types, herpesvirus DNA was detected at a total prevalence of 51% (18/35). Whole blood and oropharyngeal swabs proved to be the optimal samples for detection of this virus, with prevalences of 34% and 38%, respectively. Herpesvirus DNA was detected in 4.5% (1/22) of urine samples and not at all in fecal samples. Detection of herpesvirus was more likely in males than females. Animals were trapped at eight different locations, and at all but one location at least one herpesvirus positive animal was detected. This study indicates a high prevalence of the virus within northern brown bandicoot populations in southeast Queensland. Further research is required to understand the clinical manifestations, if any, of herpesvirus infection in this species and how this may affect populations in the face of stressors such as land clearing and habitat fragmentation., (© Wildlife Disease Association 2021.)

Bandicoots are terrestrial marsupials, endemic to Australia and Papua New Guinea. Despite drastic declines in several bandicoot species since European settlement, the northern brown bandicoot (Isoodon macrourus) remains common in many areas of Australia. It inhabits native environments as well as anthropogenic landscapes. This study presents comprehensive haematologic and serum biochemical results for 39 anaesthetised, clinically healthy, wild-caught, adult northern brown bandicoots in south east Queensland, Australia. The bloodwork profile of a single animal with chronic prostatic abscessation highlights that haematology and clinical chemistry can provide useful biomarkers for identifying clinical disease in bandicoots. Comparisons of haematologic and biochemical values between sexes of the northern brown bandicoot revealed significant differences for eosinophils, alkaline phosphatase and total bilirubin. At the individual animal level, the ranges established in this study are a guide for monitoring health and disease status; however, they also have much wider applications in population health and ecological research., (© 2021 Australian Veterinary Association.)

The impetus of this study was the imperative to establish blood biomarker values for clinically healthy mahogany gliders ( Petaurus gracilis ) in order to monitor the health status of eight captive individuals during their movement to a new facility. The study established ranges for 18 hematologic and 21 biochemical blood biomarkers for healthy individuals in a captive environment. The reported values are consistent with those published for other Australian glider and possum species. No statistically significant differences were found between the sexes, but significant age effects were observed. Specifically, subadult animals reported significantly higher total white cell counts, lymphocyte counts, alkaline phosphatase, creatine kinase, and glucose and chloride levels, compared to adult animals. Although there were no clinically significant changes in blood biomarkers associated with the relocation, many of the hematologic and biochemical biomarkers demonstrated the expected changes associated with the physiological stress of relocation. Specifically, triglycerides, glucose, globulins, creatinine kinase, aspartate transferase (AST), total protein, urea, phosphorous, potassium, sodium, chloride, neutrophils, and hematocrit showed changes with the large environmental change. The majority of the blood biomarkers returned to baseline levels 5 wk postrelocation, with all but one aged animal showing no signs of chronic health derangements following the relocation. The abnormal blood biomarker profiles of two geriatric individuals, one male diagnosed with pericloacal and adrenal gland tumors at the beginning of the study, and one female diagnosed with chronic urinary tract infections and suspected bone marrow disease following the relocation, are presented. The findings of this study inform the health monitoring of native gliders in captivity, rehabilitation, and clinical research scenarios. These findings also provide useful baseline data to aid in the health assessment of captive-bred individuals during their reintroduction into free-living populations.