Andrew P Craig1, Jon Hanger2, Jo Loader3, William A H Ellis4, John Callaghan5, Cathryn Dexter6, Darryl Jones7, Kenneth W Beagley8, Peter Timms9, David P Wilson10. 1. The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: acraig@kirby.unsw.edu.au. 2. Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah 4519, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: jon@endeavourvet.com.au. 3. Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital, Beerwah 4519, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: jo@endeavourvet.com.au. 4. Sustainable Minerals Institute, The University of Queensland, St. Lucia 4072, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: w.ellis@uq.edu.au. 5. Environmental Planning, City of Gold Coast, Gold Coast 9729, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: jcallaghan@goldcoast.qld.gov.au. 6. Environmental Futures Centre, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan 4111, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: c.dexter@griffith.edu.au. 7. Environmental Futures Centre, Griffith School of Environment, Griffith University, Nathan 4111, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: d.jones@griffith.edu.au. 8. Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove 4059, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: k2.beagley@qut.edu.au. 9. Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation, Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove 4059, QLD, Australia. Electronic address: p.timms@qut.edu.au. 10. The Kirby Institute, UNSW Australia, Sydney 2052, NSW, Australia. Electronic address: dwilson@unsw.edu.au.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many koala populations around Australia are in serious decline, with a substantial component of this decline in some Southeast Queensland populations attributed to the impact of Chlamydia. A Chlamydia vaccine for koalas is in development and has shown promise in early trials. This study contributes to implementation preparedness by simulating vaccination strategies designed to reverse population decline and by identifying which age and sex category it would be most effective to target. METHODS: We used field data to inform the development and parameterisation of an individual-based stochastic simulation model of a koala population endemic with Chlamydia. The model took into account transmission, morbidity and mortality caused by Chlamydia infections. We calibrated the model to characteristics of typical Southeast Queensland koala populations. As there is uncertainty about the effectiveness of the vaccine in real-world settings, a variety of potential vaccine efficacies, half-lives and dosing schedules were simulated. RESULTS: Assuming other threats remain constant, it is expected that current population declines could be reversed in around 5-6 years if female koalas aged 1-2 years are targeted, average vaccine protective efficacy is 75%, and vaccine coverage is around 10% per year. At lower vaccine efficacies the immunological effects of boosting become important: at 45% vaccine efficacy population decline is predicted to reverse in 6 years under optimistic boosting assumptions but in 9 years under pessimistic boosting assumptions. Terminating a successful vaccination programme at 5 years would lead to a rise in Chlamydia prevalence towards pre-vaccination levels. CONCLUSION: For a range of vaccine efficacy levels it is projected that population decline due to endemic Chlamydia can be reversed under realistic dosing schedules, potentially in just 5 years. However, a vaccination programme might need to continue indefinitely in order to maintain Chlamydia prevalence at a sufficiently low level for population growth to continue.
BACKGROUND: Many koala populations around Australia are in serious decline, with a substantial component of this decline in some Southeast Queensland populations attributed to the impact of Chlamydia. A Chlamydia vaccine for koalas is in development and has shown promise in early trials. This study contributes to implementation preparedness by simulating vaccination strategies designed to reverse population decline and by identifying which age and sex category it would be most effective to target. METHODS: We used field data to inform the development and parameterisation of an individual-based stochastic simulation model of a koala population endemic with Chlamydia. The model took into account transmission, morbidity and mortality caused by Chlamydia infections. We calibrated the model to characteristics of typical Southeast Queensland koala populations. As there is uncertainty about the effectiveness of the vaccine in real-world settings, a variety of potential vaccine efficacies, half-lives and dosing schedules were simulated. RESULTS: Assuming other threats remain constant, it is expected that current population declines could be reversed in around 5-6 years if female koalas aged 1-2 years are targeted, average vaccine protective efficacy is 75%, and vaccine coverage is around 10% per year. At lower vaccine efficacies the immunological effects of boosting become important: at 45% vaccine efficacy population decline is predicted to reverse in 6 years under optimistic boosting assumptions but in 9 years under pessimistic boosting assumptions. Terminating a successful vaccination programme at 5 years would lead to a rise in Chlamydia prevalence towards pre-vaccination levels. CONCLUSION: For a range of vaccine efficacy levels it is projected that population decline due to endemic Chlamydia can be reversed under realistic dosing schedules, potentially in just 5 years. However, a vaccination programme might need to continue indefinitely in order to maintain Chlamydia prevalence at a sufficiently low level for population growth to continue.
Authors: C P O'Meara; C W Armitage; A Kollipara; D W Andrew; L Trim; M B Plenderleith; K W Beagley Journal: Mucosal Immunol Date: 2015-12-09 Impact factor: 7.313
Authors: Courtney Waugh; Shahneaz Ali Khan; Scott Carver; Jonathan Hanger; Joanne Loader; Adam Polkinghorne; Kenneth Beagley; Peter Timms Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-01-12 Impact factor: 3.240