Koala Chlamydia Study Aids Humans

Trials in marsupials may speed development of human protection from bacteria which causes infertility and heart disease, while aiding the koalas as well.

Koalas and humans can both be infected by Chlamydia, as can several other very diverse species including horses and frogs. One strain of the bacteria, Chlamydia pnuemoniae, is proving to be the most dangerous to humans. It causes respiratory disease, infertility and more recently has been linked to coronary artery and cerebrovascular disease.

Work with another type of Chlamydia, C. pecorum, which is a problem for koalas, has shown that a vaccine may need to include three different antigens in order to be effective. Producing just antibodies to Chlamydia does not provide protection against the disease. T-cells must also be stimulated.

The research on C. pecorum was done to protect koalas, a species threatened by habitat loss as well as rampant Chlamydia infection. In the long run this work will also benefit humans, as the vaccine trials necessary to ensure the product works for koalas will provide baseline data that can be used in the development of the human vaccine.

Animal testing of products for humans use is often seen as exploitation. In this case, the animals themselves will benefit first.