Dr Ted Donelan-Maningrida program linking with James Cook and Menzies

Dr Donelan is a Senior Academic Associate at the University of Melbourne Veterinary School and has a strong commitment to field based scientific research. Over the past five years an ongoing longitudinal internal parasite survey has been carried out, and more recently bacteriological samples have been collected in collaboration with researchers at James Cook University to investigate whether the Streptococci resident in the throats of the dogs are the same strains responsible for human diseases such as Scarlet fever, kidney infections and rheumatic fever. 

In addition, samples have also been taken to contribute to a skin study being jointly conducted by Menzies School of Health and James Cook University (JCU) that has a particular interest in the incidence of community associated Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Skin and blood samples have also been taken as part of a Menzies study looking at diagnostic markers for human and canine scabies.

Swabs were taken from any infected wounds, throat swabs were taken from anaesthetized dogs and skin scrapings from dogs with skin lesions indicative of scabies infestation. The samples were transported back to Menzies with assistance from the local clinic. Detailed human and animal identification records were kept to assist with locating the dogs and their owners should infections of concern be identified. Both from a personal perspective and through his role as AMRRIC Vice President, Dr Donelan will continue to support research aimed at providing evidence to develop practical strategies to enhance the health of Indigenous communities. (Pictured L Dr Rami Jayaraj from Menzies recently joined Dr Ted Donelan to collect specimans for his research program).

Wellcome Institute, Cambridge UK- CTVT Study- AMRRIC support

Help needed! If you have seen CTVT in your area, please contact Dr Elizabeth Murchison (elizabeth.murchison@sanger.ac.uk), an Australian geneticist currently conducting postdoctoral studies in Cambridge, UK.

Canine Transmissible Venereal Tumour (CTVT), also known as Sticker’s sarcoma, TVT or CTVS, is a transmissible venereal cancer that affects dogs and other canids. Usually characterized by the appearance of primary genital tumours, CTVT rarely metastasises and is usually fatal only in old or immunocompromised dogs. CTVT is common worldwide, but is particularly prevalent in areas with large feral dog populations. A unique disease, CTVT is transmitted by the exchange of intact cancer cells, usually during coitus. CTVT is thus a single genetically identical cell line, and genetic studies of various CTVT strains found worldwide have suggested that CTVT is at least 250 to 2,500 years old. Remarkably, although CTVT bears closest genetic resemblance to wolves, the cancer is able to breach immunobarriers and colonize genetically diverse hosts. Indeed, given its unique ability to be transferred between hosts, CTVT is a cancer cell line that has evolved to resemble an obligate parasite.

Transmissible cancers have received increased recognition in recent years due the emergence of Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD), a transmissible facial cancer that is currently threatening the Tasmanian devil population with extinction. Transmitted by biting, DFTD is the only other known naturally occurring cancer that is transferred by intact cancer cells. However, in contrast to CTVT, DFTD is an aggressive cancer that is usually fatal within months of the appearance of primary tumours.

By sequencing the genome of CTVT, and comparing it with the genome of the dog, Elizabeth hopes to find the genes that have been mutated in CTVT, allowing the cancer to become transmissible. In addition, by sequencing genomes of CTVTs collected from different locations around the world, she hopes to trace the evolution of CTVT and find genetic mutations that are geographically distinctive. The genome sequences of Australian CTVTs may yield clues as to when CTVT first entered Australia, and may reveal fascinating insight into the adaptation of CTVT to the Australian environment.

Interestingly, CTVT is rarely fatal and often regresses spontaneously between six and nine months after the appearance of initial symptoms, a state accompanied by serum-transferrable immunity to re-infection. Complete remission can also often be successfully triggered by a single dose of vincristine. Elizabeth hopes to compare the genes expressed in the proliferative and regressive phases of CTVT progression in order to identify the host and/or CTVT genes that promote regression. Studying the mechanisms whereby CTVT initially evades host immune rejection and eventually undergoes regression may reveal information of relevance to DFTD pathogenesis, and possibly assist disease management in Tasmanian devils.

Although present in Australia, CTVT has not been genetically investigated here as it has been in other parts of the world. Elizabeth would be very interested to hear about any news of CTVT, and eternally grateful for CTVT samples! Please keep your eye out for this fascinating disease. AMRRIC is supporting Elizabeth at Wellcome Institute, by collecting specimens from AMRRIC affiliated Dog Health programs.