Evaluation of Chlamydia pecorum major outer membrane protein vaccine a management tool in wild koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) populations

Chlamydiosis is a significant disease affecting Eastern Australian koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus), contributing to the decline of some koala populations, necessitating investigations into appropriate management strategies to address chlamydiosis in wild koala populations. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a Chlamydia pecorum recombinant Major Outer Membrane Protein (rMOMP) vaccine as a potential strategy for managing chlamydiosis at a population level. This study comprised a blinded, randomised placebo-controlled trial, encompassing different koala populations where chlamydiosis is having differing effects. Wild koalas were recruited into a vaccination or a placebo treatment group and followed for 12 months, with recapture and resampling at 2, 6 and 12 months post vaccination. Vaccination stimulated a significant plasma anti-MOMP IgG response and greater IL-17 and TNFα mRNA fold change from rMOMP stimulated leukocytes, however, did not boost pre-existing immune responses, from natural infection, in koalas. The observed immunological stimulation did not translate to any effect on chlamydiosis or chlamydial shedding in our study populations. These findings highlight the necessity of improving our understanding of what constitutes a protective immune response in koalas to guide the development of a more effective vaccine. This study evaluated the estimated effect of vaccination necessary to achieve management outcomes predicted by modelling studies. It is possible that vaccination has a more modest effect and could benefit koala populations with a lower disease prevalence or be useful in conjunction with additional management strategies.