Vathsala Mohan
Doctor of Philosophy, (Veterinary Science)
Study Completed: 2012
College of Sciences
Citation
Thesis Title
Molecular Epidemiology of Campylocateriosis and Evolution of Campylocater jejuni ST-474 in New Zealand
Read article at Massey Research Online: 
Host-pathogen relationships and the population structure of Campylobacter jejuni in urban wild birds and pets are poorly understood. Using multilocus sequence typing and two cell surface antigens Ms Mohan studied the prevalence and population structure of C. jejuni in ducks, starlings and pets in urban Palmerston North. The ST-45 complex, a clonal complex predominantly reported in human campylobacteriosis cases, was found to be the predominant clone present in all the species investigated. She also analysed the ST-474 C. jejuni genotype, considered to be the endemic strain in New Zealand, by sequencing seven samples of ST-474 and studying a subset of 50 full length genes. These studies provide a better understanding of the evolution and dynamism of C. jejuni as a species.
Supervisors
Distinguished Professor Nigel French
Professor Mark Stevenson
Associate Professor Jonathan Marshall