Koala research

We are addressing unique issues associated with the essential use of antibiotics in koalas to treat chlamydial disease. Our main project is determining if fire-affected koalas have higher frequency of antibiotic resistant bacteria than non-affected koalas. The establishment of antimicrobial resistant bacteria in the microbiomes of Australian wildlife species flags issues for species where antibiotic therapies are necessary. For koalas, antibiotics are critical for successful treatment of chlamydia, a disease that is decimating koala populations across the nation. We are addressing unique issues associated with the essential use of antibiotics in koalas including how antibiotic resistant bacteria that are present in their microbiome respond to antibiotic treatment. Our main project is determining if fire-affected koalas have higher frequency of antibiotic resistant bacteria than non-affected koalas.