Molecular approaches to solving current and emerging problems in the epidemiology and diagnosis of Marek's disease in Australia. Marek's disease (MD) is a ubiquitous viral disease of chickens that is currently controlled in meat chickens by blanket vaccination of all chickens. However, as has happened overseas, the efficacy of the HVT vaccine being used in Australia is breaking down resulting in subclinical and clinical losses due to MD. To assist industry deal with this situation we propose to ....Molecular approaches to solving current and emerging problems in the epidemiology and diagnosis of Marek's disease in Australia. Marek's disease (MD) is a ubiquitous viral disease of chickens that is currently controlled in meat chickens by blanket vaccination of all chickens. However, as has happened overseas, the efficacy of the HVT vaccine being used in Australia is breaking down resulting in subclinical and clinical losses due to MD. To assist industry deal with this situation we propose to develop novel molecular methods for the quantification of Marek's disease viruses (MDV) in the host and the environment, to use these methods to design effective early monitoring systems for MD in broilers that predict disease and performance outcomes, and to develop an epidemiological model that will predict the spread and severity of MD as failure of vaccinal protection progresses.Read moreRead less
Prevention and treatment of chlamydiosis and cryptococcosis in koalas. This project aims to generate increased understanding of the aetiology and pathogenesis of the two most prevalent and debilitating infectious diseases of koalas to make improved decisions regarding therapeutic intervention, prevention and management. Chlamydiosis, caused by two chlamydial bacteria, affects koala fertility, urinary tract function and eyesight. Cryptococcosis, caused by the fungus Cryptococcus gattii, may resul ....Prevention and treatment of chlamydiosis and cryptococcosis in koalas. This project aims to generate increased understanding of the aetiology and pathogenesis of the two most prevalent and debilitating infectious diseases of koalas to make improved decisions regarding therapeutic intervention, prevention and management. Chlamydiosis, caused by two chlamydial bacteria, affects koala fertility, urinary tract function and eyesight. Cryptococcosis, caused by the fungus Cryptococcus gattii, may result in koala morbidity and death. Planned therapeutic trials, prevention strategies and the development of optimal husbandry strategies will provide knowledge that will lead to reduced koala morbidity through improved understanding of the interactions amongst infectious pathogens, the animal host and the environment.Read moreRead less
Improving the diagnosis, management and control of chlamydial infections in Australian livestock. Chlamydial diseases, such as arthritis and encephalomyelitis, are associated with significant economic losses for Australian livestock producers. Effective surveillance and management of Chlamydia infections is problematic due to: the absence of epidemiological data; the lack of an accurate and easily interpretable diagnostic test; and the lack of an available vaccine. This project aims to evaluate ....Improving the diagnosis, management and control of chlamydial infections in Australian livestock. Chlamydial diseases, such as arthritis and encephalomyelitis, are associated with significant economic losses for Australian livestock producers. Effective surveillance and management of Chlamydia infections is problematic due to: the absence of epidemiological data; the lack of an accurate and easily interpretable diagnostic test; and the lack of an available vaccine. This project aims to evaluate factors associated with chlamydial disease in Australian livestock and thereby improve on-farm diagnosis. With the concomitant development of a chlamydial vaccine for sheep, this project aims to provide veterinarians and producers with important tools to reduce the on-farm impacts of chlamydial disease.Read moreRead less
Functional Genomics and Host Cell Specificity of Herpesviruses. Herpesviruses cause severe diseases in many species, but research on their large DNA genomes has been difficult due to the need to use animal cell cultures for the generation of virus mutants. The cloning of complete herpesvirus genomes as Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes (BACs) has revolutionized herpesvirus genomics, and it is now possible to examine herpesvirus gene functions in unprecedented detail using elegant new mutation tec ....Functional Genomics and Host Cell Specificity of Herpesviruses. Herpesviruses cause severe diseases in many species, but research on their large DNA genomes has been difficult due to the need to use animal cell cultures for the generation of virus mutants. The cloning of complete herpesvirus genomes as Bacterial Artificial Chromosomes (BACs) has revolutionized herpesvirus genomics, and it is now possible to examine herpesvirus gene functions in unprecedented detail using elegant new mutation techniques. The project, based on two related equine herpesviruses, will identify new targets for antiviral drugs or vaccines. These herpesvirus BAC systems represent frontier science that greatly facilitates the study of links between genome and phenome.Read moreRead less
Biotechnology and epidemiology to control nodavirus in barramundi aquaculture. Production of farmed barramundi has increased more than 1200% in the NT since 2001 but is threatened by nodavirus infection. Three industry partners, Darwin Aquaculture Centre, Marine Harvest and Berrimah Veterinary Laboratory will collaborate with The University of Sydney to:
1. control nodavirus infection
2. develop new technologies to detect nodavirus using immunoassay and surface enhanced laser desorption ionis ....Biotechnology and epidemiology to control nodavirus in barramundi aquaculture. Production of farmed barramundi has increased more than 1200% in the NT since 2001 but is threatened by nodavirus infection. Three industry partners, Darwin Aquaculture Centre, Marine Harvest and Berrimah Veterinary Laboratory will collaborate with The University of Sydney to:
1. control nodavirus infection
2. develop new technologies to detect nodavirus using immunoassay and surface enhanced laser desorption ionisation mass spectroscopy (SELDI)
3. develop an integrated disease control strategy based on epidemiological survey data, and ensure that it is practical and able to be widely adopted
By this means growth targets for barramundi aquaculture in northern Australia will be achieved.
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Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Australian Veterinary Clinics. Antimicrobial resistance threatens Australians' health, Australia's animal health and its reputation for providing safe and reliable food. Overuse of antimicrobials is a driver of antimicrobial resistance. This project aims to address the overuse of antimicrobials in animals by implementing antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary practices and developing methods of antimicrobial use surveillance. It is the first compreh ....Effectiveness of Antimicrobial Stewardship in Australian Veterinary Clinics. Antimicrobial resistance threatens Australians' health, Australia's animal health and its reputation for providing safe and reliable food. Overuse of antimicrobials is a driver of antimicrobial resistance. This project aims to address the overuse of antimicrobials in animals by implementing antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary practices and developing methods of antimicrobial use surveillance. It is the first comprehensive study to address and assess inappropriate use of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine- and is expected to improve quality use of antimicrobials by veterinarians and prolong the efficacy of antimicrobials in veterinary medicine. This presents a critical step in reducing community exposure to antimicrobial resistance.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of chronic infection, immunotolerance and coevolution in avian circovirus infections. This project will generate fundamental new knowledge into the pathogenesis of persistent, chronic viral diseases in a wide range of animal hosts. Furthermore, beak and feather disease virus is listed as a Key Threatening Process under the Endangered Species Protection Act (1992) to at least sixteen endangered Australian bird species. Very little is known about the host-virus interactions that occur d ....Mechanisms of chronic infection, immunotolerance and coevolution in avian circovirus infections. This project will generate fundamental new knowledge into the pathogenesis of persistent, chronic viral diseases in a wide range of animal hosts. Furthermore, beak and feather disease virus is listed as a Key Threatening Process under the Endangered Species Protection Act (1992) to at least sixteen endangered Australian bird species. Very little is known about the host-virus interactions that occur during the early stages of infection or why some birds recover yet others develop full blown disease. This project will provide new knowledge that can be used to counteract its effects on current and future endangered species recovery program.Read moreRead less
Superbugs and veterinary drugs: are multidrug-resistant zoonotic pathogens residing in Australian animals? Antibiotic resistance is a growing problem affecting human health that is now emerging in animals and veterinary hospitals. This project will integrate surveillance with novel treatments and preventatives to develop effective strategies to limit the impact of resistant bacteria to animal health and prevent transfer between humans and animals.
A New Recombinant Subunit Vaccine against Equine Herpesviruses 1 and 4. Equine herpesviruses 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4) cause respiratory disease, abortion and myeloencephalitis in horse populations worldwide. Despite extensive use of whole virus vaccines, these two viruses continue to circulate among Australian horses and are a continuing threat to brading, and to racing performance. The current vaccines are expensive and are marked in Australia by an overseas company. The project will assess th ....A New Recombinant Subunit Vaccine against Equine Herpesviruses 1 and 4. Equine herpesviruses 1 and 4 (EHV-1 and EHV-4) cause respiratory disease, abortion and myeloencephalitis in horse populations worldwide. Despite extensive use of whole virus vaccines, these two viruses continue to circulate among Australian horses and are a continuing threat to brading, and to racing performance. The current vaccines are expensive and are marked in Australia by an overseas company. The project will assess the ability of a new subunit vaccine produced by recombinant DNA technology to 1) provide horses with high levels of protective immune responses and 2) to prevent or limit EHV-1 and EHV-4 infection following experimental challenge.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100093
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$510,000.00
Summary
High-throughput technology targeting antimicrobial resistance in animals. This project aims to establish reference laboratories as biobanks for resistant isolate collections from veterinary diagnostic laboratories / surveillance programmes and a national research network to mitigate antimicrobial resistance in animals. Antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic/foodborne pathogens and livestock commensals is a global issue. This project will use mass-spectroscopy biotypers, information management soft ....High-throughput technology targeting antimicrobial resistance in animals. This project aims to establish reference laboratories as biobanks for resistant isolate collections from veterinary diagnostic laboratories / surveillance programmes and a national research network to mitigate antimicrobial resistance in animals. Antimicrobial resistance in zoonotic/foodborne pathogens and livestock commensals is a global issue. This project will use mass-spectroscopy biotypers, information management software, robotic liquid handling and a research dairy to develop high-throughput screening technologies to rapidly determine major animal species’ resistance status, and research anti-infectives and vaccines for livestock diseases. This will improve the health and production of Australian livestock, leading to greater market access for high quality products.Read moreRead less