Zeitschrift für Veterinärwissenschaft und medizinische Diagnose

Detection of Fusobacterium necrophorum Leukotoxin (lkta) Gene Sequence in the Oral Cavity of Captive Macropods

John F Antiabong, Wayne Boardman, Ian Smith, Melissa H Brown, Andrew S Ball and Amanda E Goodman

Detection of Fusobacterium necrophorum Leukotoxin (lkta) Gene Sequence in the Oral Cavity of Captive Macropods

Fusobacterium necrophorumis an important aetiological agent of periodontal diseases (gingivitis and lumpy jaw) in captive macropods. The leukotoxin encoded by the lktAgene is a major virulence factor of F. necrophorum. In the present study, lktA gene sequences were detected by PCR in the oral cavity of 21/58 (36%) captive yellow footed rock wallabies and mainland tammar wallabies at two zoological parks in South Australia. This suggest that F. necrophorum encoded lktAmay not be present in the oral cavity of all captive wallabies or that it is present at low levels, i.e. close to the limits of detection of conventional PCR.