The disease may affect its ability to reproduce
further threatening the wild population, which is believed to number fewer than 40
Australia's most endangered marsupial, the Gilbert's potoroo, is suffering from a severe case of syphilis, according to a long-term study.
A baby Gilbert's potoroo in its mother's pouch
Murdoch University
veterinarian Dr Rebecca Vaughan is now undertaking a penicillin-based trial on a long-nosed potoroo, the nearest relative to the Gilbert's potoroo.
Gilbert's potoroo was thought to be extinct for more than 100 years until a small population of about 30 animals was discovered in 1994
80% of the Gilbert's potoroo population is infected with a form of the bacteria treponema, which is similar to the microbe that causes syphilis in rabbits
clipped from: www.abc.net.au 
is successful, researchers will evaluate the feasibility of similar treatment for the Gilbert's potoroo.