ORCID Profile
0000-0002-3171-1679
Current Organisation
James Cook University
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Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 25-06-2021
DOI: 10.3390/ANTIBIOTICS10070775
Abstract: Dissemination of antibiotic resistance (AR) in marine environments is a global concern with a propensity to affect public health and many ecosystems worldwide. We evaluated the use of sea turtles as sentinel species for monitoring AR in marine environments. In this field, antibiotic-resistant bacteria have been commonly identified by using standard culture and sensitivity tests, leading to an overrepresentation of specific, culturable bacterial classes in the available literature. AR was detected against all major antibiotic classes, but the highest cumulative global frequency of resistance in all represented geographical sites was against the beta-lactam class by a two-fold difference compared to all other antibiotics. Wastewater facilities and turtle rehabilitation centres were associated with higher incidences of multidrug-resistant bacteria (MDRB) accounting for an average of 58% and 49% of resistant isolates, respectively. Furthermore, a relatively similar prevalence of MDRB was seen in all studied locations. These data suggest that anthropogenically driven selection pressures for the development of AR in sea turtles and marine environments are relatively similar worldwide. There is a need, however, to establish direct demonstrable associations between AR in sea turtles in their respective marine environments with wastewater facilities and other anthropogenic activities worldwide.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2022
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 02-2010
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 12-2015
Abstract: The module described and evaluated here was created in response to perceived learning difficulties in diagnostic test design and interpretation for students in third-year Clinical Microbiology. Previously, the activities in lectures and laboratory classes in the module fell into the lower cognitive operations of “knowledge” and “understanding.” The new approach was to exchange part of the traditional activities with elements of interactive learning, where students had the opportunity to engage in deep learning using a variety of learning styles. The effectiveness of the new curriculum was assessed by means of on-course student assessment throughout the module, a final exam, an anonymous questionnaire on student evaluation of the different activities and a focus group of volunteers. Although the new curriculum enabled a major part of the student cohort to achieve higher pass grades (p 0.001), it did not meet the requirements of the weaker students, and the proportion of the students failing the module remained at 34%. The action research applied here provided a number of valuable suggestions from students on how to improve future curricula from their perspective. Most importantly, an interactive online program that facilitated flexibility in the learning space for the different reagents and their interaction in diagnostic tests was proposed. The methods applied to improve and assess a curriculum refresh by involving students as partners in the process, as well as the outcomes, are discussed. Journal of Microbiology & Biology Education
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2011
DOI: 10.1016/J.JVIROMET.2010.11.004
Abstract: A quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) based on a standard curve was developed for detection and quantitation of ranaviruses. The target gene for the qPCR was viral DNA polymerase (DNApol). All ten ranavirus isolates studied (Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus, EHNV European catfish virus, ECV European sheatfish virus, ESV Frog virus 3, FV3 Bohle iridovirus, BIV Doctor fish virus, DFV Guppy virus 6, GV6 Pike-perch iridovirus, PPIV Rana esculenta virus Italy 282/I02, REV282/I02 and Short-finned eel ranavirus, SERV) were detected with the qPCR assay. In addition, two fish cell lines - epithelioma papulosum cyprini (EPC) and bluegill fry (BF-2) - were infected with four of the isolates (EHNV, ECV, FV3 and DFV), and the viral quantity was determined from seven time points during the first three days after infection. The qPCR was also used to determine the viral load in tissue s les from pike (Esox lucius) fry challenged experimentally with EHNV.
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 29-12-2016
Abstract: Ranaviruses have been isolated from Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua ) and turbot ( Scophthalmus maximus ) in Denmark. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that these two ranaviruses are nearly identical and form a distinct clade at the base of the ranavirus tree branching off near other fish ranaviruses.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2012
DOI: 10.1016/J.FSI.2011.12.007
Abstract: Detection of disease specific antibodies in farmed rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) has been proposed as an alternative or supplement to the currently approved procedures for diagnosis and surveillance in this species. In s les from natural outbreaks of the disease viral haemorrhagic septicaemia (VHS) at two freshwater farms in southern Denmark serologic testing was used to broaden the diagnostic window from outbreak to diagnosis in the laboratory as compared to traditional procedures of isolation and identification of the virus. The serologic assay clearly increased the chance of detecting present or previous infections where the pathogen could not be isolated by standard methods (indicating older infections where the virus had been cleared). Our data allowed us to monitor the levels of neutralising antibodies in relation to the presence of the virus in fish experiencing two different types of outbreaks at two different farms. By sequence analysis of the viral glycoprotein from selected isolates we found no evidence for escape mutants having developed in the fish showing high titres of neutralising antibodies.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.MICRES.2017.11.010
Abstract: Stranded green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are often cared for in rehabilitation centers until they recover. Although the specific causal agents of diseases in stranded turtles are difficult to diagnose, we know that gut microbiota of green turtles play a vital role in health as well as a wide range of diseases. The objective of this study was to characterize and compare the gut bacterial communities between pre-hospitalization (PH) and post-rehabilitation (PR) stranded green turtles using high-throughput sequencing analysis targeting V1-V3 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. A total of eight cloacal swab s les were collected from four green turtles undergoing rehabilitation. Proteobacteria dominating in both PH and PR s les without any significant difference. Firmicutes was the second and Bacteroidetes was the third most abundant phylum in PH s les, while Bacteroidetes prevailed in PR s les, followed by Firmicutes. The predominance of the genus Bacteroides in both PH and PR s les indicates the importance of this genus in turtle gut health. At a class level, Epsilonproteobacteria was significantly (P<0.05) associated with PH s les and Deltaproteobacteria predominated (P<0.05) in PR s les. The significant abundance of C ylobacter fetus, Escherichia coli, Clostridium botulinum and Vibrio parahaemolyticus in PH s les indicate pathogenic associations with stranded green turtles with zoonotic potential. The presence of Salmonella enterica in only PR s les suggest possible acquisition of this bacteria during rehabilitation. In this study, all post-rehabilitation green turtles exhibited similar bacterial communities, irrespective of their microbial compositions at pre-hospitalization. The marked differences in the gut bacterial communities of PH and PR turtles indicate the outcome of dietary, management and environmental shift during rehabilitation. Therefore, it is important to address the process of restoring normal gut microbiota of recovered turtles prior to release back to their natural habitat.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 15-06-2010
DOI: 10.1007/S00705-010-0715-Z
Abstract: Two iridovirus isolates recovered from cod (Gadus morhua) and turbot (Psetta maxima) in Denmark were examined in parallel with a panel of other ranaviruses including frog virus 3 (FV3), the reference strain for the genus Ranavirus. The isolates were assessed according to their reactivity in immunofluoresent antibody tests (IFAT) using both homologous and heterologous antisera and their lification in PCR using primers targeting five genomic regions. The corresponding PCR fragments were sequenced, and the sequences obtained were used in phylogenetic analysis. In addition, the pathogenicity to rainbow trout under experimental challenge conditions was investigated. The viruses were serologically and genetically closely related to highly pathogenic ranaviruses such as European catfish iridovirus (ECV), European sheatfish iridovirus (ESV) and epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV). The challenge trials indicate that rainbow trout fry cultured at 15 degrees C are not target species for the virus isolates in the present panel. We suggest that the two isolates belong in the genus Ranavirus and propose the name Ranavirus maxima (Rmax) for the turbot isolate.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 26-09-2017
DOI: 10.1111/AVJ.12627
Abstract: An unusual mortality event in Johnstone River snapping turtles (Elseya irwini) in Far North Queensland, Australia, occurred during the summer months of December 2014 and January 2015. We report the data collected during the mortality event, including counts of sick and dead animals, clinical appearance and one necropsy. Moribund animals appeared lethargic with variable degrees of necrotising dermatitis. Postmortem investigation of one freshly dead animal revealed bacterial and fungal involvement in the skin lesions as well as multifocal fibrinous hepatitis and splenitis and necrotising enteritis with vascular thrombosis. Aeromonas hydrophila was isolated from liver, spleen and skin lesions. All s les tested negative for ranavirus, and water and soil testing for environmental contaminants were negative. All affected E. irwini either died or were euthanased and no other species of animals in the river were affected. Aeromonas hydrophila is ubiquitous in the freshwater environment and although it caused septicaemia in the one in idual that was submitted for laboratory diagnosis, the primary aetiology of the outbreak may not have been identified.
Publisher: Bastas Publications
Date: 06-2016
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-11-2009
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2761.2009.01088.X
Abstract: A challenge model for comparison of the virulence of epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) to European stocks of redfin perch, Perca fluviatilis L., and rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss (Walbaum), was tested. The model investigated intraperitoneal (IP), bath and cohabitation routes at 10, 15 and 20 degrees C for 5-6 g fish and 15 degrees C for 20 g perch. In the IP challenges of perch, significant mortality occurred at 15 degrees C and 20 degrees C. In challenge trials for rainbow trout, significant mortalities were observed in IP and bath challenges at 20 degrees C. The mortality observed in IP challenged 20 g perch was not significantly different from that recorded for 6 g fish challenged IP. No significant mortality was observed in any other treatment groups. Re-isolation of ranavirus was confirmed by IFAT and was consistently associated with dead or moribund fish in the trial groups challenged with EHNV. The findings indicate that EHNV does not pose a high risk for wild perch and trout populations in Europe by natural exposure. Mortality appears to be primarily a function of environmental factors, with temperature playing an important role, and not just the presence of the virus in the fish.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 31-01-2020
Publisher: Cambridge University Press (CUP)
Date: 05-2022
DOI: 10.7120/09627286.31.2.006
Abstract: For animals undergoing rehabilitation it is vital to monitor welfare in a way that is feasible, practical, and limits stress to the animal. The industry gold standard is to assess welfare under the Five Domains model, including nutrition, environment, physical health, and behaviour as the first four physical domains and mental domain as the fifth. Feasibility and effectiveness of these domains for assessing welfare of sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation were reviewed and it was determined that the mental state can be best assessed through behavioural changes. A scoping review of the literature was conducted using Scopus and Web of Science to investigate use of environmental enrichment devices (EEDs) as a measure of welfare in sea turtles. Behavioural assessments using EEDs were found to be well-documented however, most EED studies pertained largely to livestock or zoo animals. Furthermore, studies rarely concentrated on reptiles, and specifically sea turtles. Results also showed that certain welfare assessment methods may be less appropriate for short-term captivity experienced during rehabilitation. Additionally, the hospital environment limits the ability to address some of the domains (ie biosecurity, feasibility, safety of turtle, etc, might be compromised). This review shows that only three of the nine environmental enrichment strategies described in the literature suit the specific requirements of sea turtles in rehabilitation: feeding, tactile, and structural. It is documented that turtles display behaviours that would benefit from EEDs and, therefore, more specific studies are needed to ensure the best welfare outcomes for sea turtles undergoing rehabilitation.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 2022
Abstract: Animal health is directly linked to population viability, which may be impacted by anthropogenic disturbances and diseases. Reference intervals (RIs) for haematology and blood biochemistry are essential tools for the assessment of animal health. However, establishing and interpreting robust RIs for threatened species is often challenged by small s le sizes. Bayesian predictive modelling is well suited to s le size limitations, accounting for in idual variation and interactions between influencing variables. We aimed to derive baseline RIs for green turtles (Chelonia mydas) across two foraging aggregations in North Queensland, Australia, using Bayesian generalized linear mixed-effects models (n = 97). The predicted RIs were contained within previously published values and had narrower credible intervals. Most analytes did not vary significantly with foraging ground (76%, 22/29), body mass (86%, 25/29) or curved carapace length (83%, 24/29). Length and body mass effects were found for eosinophils, heterophil:lymphocyte ratio, alkaline phosphatase, aspartate transaminase and urea. Significant differences between foraging grounds were found for albumin, cholesterol, potassium, total protein, triglycerides, uric acid and calcium:phosphorus ratio. We provide derived RIs for foraging green turtles, which will be helpful in future population health assessments and conservation efforts. Future RI studies on threatened species would benefit from adapting established veterinary and biomedical standards.
Publisher: MDPI AG
Date: 05-03-2021
DOI: 10.3390/ANI11030697
Abstract: Characterised by benign tumours, fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a debilitating disease that predominantly afflicts the endangered green turtle (Chelonia mydas). A growing body of histological and molecular evidence has associated FP tumours with Chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5). However, a recent study which detected both ChHV5 and Chelonia mydas papillomavirus 1 (CmPV1) DNA in FP tumour tissues has challenged this hypothesis. The present study aimed to establish a probe-based qPCR to assess the wider prevalence of CmPV1 and co-occurrence with ChHV5 in 275 marine turtles foraging in waters adjacent to the east coast of Queensland, Australia: three categories: Group A (FP tumours), Group B (non-tumoured skin from FP turtles) and Group C (non-tumoured skin from turtles without FP). Concurrent detection of ChHV5 and CmPV1 DNA is reported for all three categories, where Group A had the highest rate (43.5%). ChHV5 viral loads in Group A were significantly higher than loads seen in Group B and C. This was not the case for CmPV1 where the loads in Group B were highest, followed by Group A. However, the mean CmPV1 load for Group A s les was not significantly different to the mean load reported from Group B or C s les. Collectively, these results pivot the way we think about FP as an infectious disease where two separate viruses may be at play.
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 2011
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 25-06-2022
DOI: 10.1111/CSP2.12755
Abstract: Fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a tumor‐forming disease which affects all species of marine turtle, but predominantly the green turtle ( Chelonia mydas ). Expression of this disease is thought to be precipitated by poor environmental conditions and often linked to anthropogenically induced environmental changes. Although FP is a globally distributed disease, targeted studies on the spatial distribution of the disease in Australia are limited. Here, we present the first comprehensive report of FP prevalence in Queensland, Australia. A retrospective analysis of 25,645 capture records for 15 sites along the Queensland coast were used to determine FP prevalence and trends in foraging green turtles. Within this data set, 791 turtles (3.1%) with FP tumors were recorded. Our analysis showed that prevalence varies between sites and years, with juvenile turtles being the most frequently affected by the disease. We found that survey method has a significant influence on the apparent FP prevalence detected at each site. That is, surveys which were explicitly FP‐targeted detected higher numbers of in idual turtles with FP, and therefore generated higher prevalence rates than comprehensive population surveys. We also report the first attempt at developing water quality indices (WQIs) to compare with FP prevalence data in foraging green turtles. The WQIs were built from metrics published in a range of peer‐reviewed papers, reports, and based on expert opinion. Despite utilizing an extensive data set, a relationship between FP prevalence and WQI rankings at each site could not be quantified. The analysis was confounded by a range of limitations, including data gaps, varying temporal scales and data capture methods in the FP prevalence, and water quality data sets. This study has significant implications for management as it highlights the benefits of designing and collecting centralized data that can be integrated and used across multiple projects or programs.
Publisher: American Library Association
Date: 07-2010
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 1997
DOI: 10.3354/DAO029001
Publisher: Brill
Date: 03-02-2020
DOI: 10.3920/CEP200043
Abstract: This study investigated the influence of exercise and fasting state on haematologic and biochemical parameters in juvenile green turtles (Chelonia mydas). Animals were ided into two groups one group was fasted for 72 h and one group was fed 1 h prior to exercise. Exercise was induced by repeated righting reflexes and blood values were measured prior to and post-exercise. Prior to exercise, fasted animals showed significantly decreased levels of urea, pH, P V CO 2 and HCO 3 - and significant increases in Cl - and P V O 2 , compared to fed animals and fasted animals had significantly poorer exercise performance. Following exercise both fasted and fed animals had significant increases in Na + , K + , Cl - , P V CO 2 , P V O 2 , urea and lactate and significant decreases in pH and HCO 3 - . The magnitude of increase in lactate levels was significantly less in fasted animals. Prior to exercise, a significant correlation was calculated in fasted animals between pH and HCO 3 - . Following exercise, significant correlations were calculated in fed animals between pH and HCO 3 - , P V CO 2 and lactate, and between pH and HCO 3 - in fasted animals. These results show that analytical method, fasting state and the physiologic changes induced during the intense exercise can affect haematologic and biochemical analytes and these factors should be considered when interpreting results from health assessment of wild animals.
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 18-04-2019
DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00081-19
Abstract: The complete RNA-1 and RNA-2 genome sequences of Betanodavirus were obtained from Australian barramundi ( Lates calcarifer ). Phylogenetic analyses revealed that the sequences have closest homology to the red spotted grouper nervous necrosis virus (RGNNV) species and share between 91 and 98% homology with the other two published complete/near-complete sequences of isolates from Australian fish.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 12-2022
DOI: 10.1002/ECE3.9610
Abstract: Loss of adipose tissue in vertebrate wildlife species is indicative of decreased nutritional and health status and is linked to environmental stress and diseases. Body condition indices (BCI) are commonly used in ecological studies to estimate adipose tissue mass across wildlife populations. However, these indices have poor predictive power, which poses the need for quantitative methods for improved population assessments. Here, we calibrate bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) as an alternative approach for assessing the nutritional status of vertebrate wildlife in ecological studies. BIS is a portable technology that can estimate body composition from measurements of body impedance and is widely used in humans. BIS is a predictive technique that requires calibration using a reference body composition method. Using sea turtles as model organisms, we propose a calibration protocol using computed tomography (CT) scans, with the prediction equation being: adipose tissue mass (kg) = body mass − (−0.03 [intercept] − 0.29 * length 2 /resistance at 50 kHz + 1.07 * body mass − 0.11 * time after capture). CT imaging allows for the quantification of body fat. However, processing the images manually is prohibitive due to the extensive time requirement. Using a form of artificial intelligence (AI), we trained a computer model to identify and quantify nonadipose tissue from the CT images, and adipose tissue was determined by the difference in body mass. This process enabled estimating adipose tissue mass from bioelectrical impedance measurements. The predictive performance of the model was built on 2/3 s les and tested against 1/3 s les. Prediction of adipose tissue percentage had greater accuracy when including impedance parameters (mean bias = 0.11%–0.61%) as predictor variables, compared with using body mass alone (mean bias = 6.35%). Our standardized BIS protocol improves on conventional body composition assessment methods (e.g., BCI) by quantifying adipose tissue mass. The protocol can be applied to other species for the validation of BIS and to provide robust information on the nutritional and health status of wildlife, which, in turn, can be used to inform conservation decisions at the management level.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 21-09-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FVETS.2021.733404
Abstract: Since their discovery in 2014, reptile nidoviruses (also known as serpentoviruses) have emerged as significant pathogens worldwide. They are known for causing severe and often fatal respiratory disease in various captive snake species, especially pythons. Related viruses have been detected in other reptiles with and without respiratory disease, including captive and wild populations of lizards, and wild populations of freshwater turtles. There are many opportunities to better understand the viral ersity, species susceptibility, and clinical presentation in different species in this relatively new field of research. In captive snake collections, reptile nidoviruses can spread quickly and be associated with high morbidity and mortality, yet the potential disease risk to wild reptile populations remains largely unknown, despite reptile species declining on a global scale. Experimental studies or investigations of disease outbreaks in wild reptile populations are scarce, leaving the available literature limited mostly to exploring findings of naturally infected animals in captivity. Further studies into the pathogenesis of different reptile nidoviruses in a variety of reptile species is required to explore the complexity of disease and routes of transmission. This review focuses on the biology of these viruses, hosts and geographic distribution, clinical signs and pathology, laboratory diagnosis and management of reptile nidovirus infections to better understand nidovirus infections in reptiles.
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 20-06-2023
DOI: 10.1128/MRA.00112-23
Abstract: Here, we report the draft genome sequence of a novel agile wallaby adenovirus that was detected in the fecal metagenome of agile wallabies. The genome is 31,512 bp long, with a G+C content of 34.4%. Currently, the pathogenic and zoonotic potential of this novel virus is unknown.
Publisher: Frontiers Media SA
Date: 05-05-2021
DOI: 10.3389/FVETS.2021.642894
Abstract: Since the 1970s, several species of herpesviruses have been identified and associated with significant diseases in reptiles. Earlier discoveries placed these viruses into different taxonomic groups on the basis of morphological and biological characteristics, while advancements in molecular methods have led to more recent descriptions of novel reptilian herpesviruses, as well as providing insight into the phylogenetic relationship of these viruses. Herpesvirus infections in reptiles are often characterised by non-pathognomonic signs including stomatitis, encephalitis, conjunctivitis, hepatitis and proliferative lesions. With the exception of fibropapillomatosis in marine turtles, the absence of specific clinical signs has fostered misdiagnosis and underreporting of the actual disease burden in reptilian populations and h ered potential investigations that could lead to the effective control of these diseases. In addition, complex life histories, s ling bias and poor monitoring systems have limited the assessment of the impact of herpesvirus infections in wild populations and captive collections. Here we review the current published knowledge of the taxonomy, pathogenesis, pathology and epidemiology of reptilian herpesviruses.
Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing
Date: 2021
Abstract: Ranaviruses are large nucleocytoplasmic DNA viruses that infect ectothermic vertebrates. Here we report the results of a scientometric analysis of the field of ranavirology for the last 10 years. Using bibliometric tools we analyse trends, identify top publications and journals, and visualise the ranavirus collaboration landscape. The Web of Science core collection contains 545 ranavirus-related publications from 2010 to 2019, with more publications produced every year and a total of 6830 citations. Research output is primarily driven by the United States and People’s Republic of China, who together account for more than 60% of ranavirus publications. We also observed a positive correlation between the average number of co-authors on ranavirus publications and the year of publication, indicating that overall collaboration is increasing. A keyword analysis of ranavirus publications from 2010 to 2019 reveals several areas of research interest including ecology, immunology, virology/molecular biology, genetics, ichthyology, and herpetology. While ranavirus research is conducted globally, relatively few publications have co-authors from both European and Asian countries, possibly because closer countries (geographical distance) are more likely to share co-authors. To this end, efforts should be made to foster collaborations across geopolitical and cultural boundaries, especially between countries with shared research interests as ultimately, understanding global pathogens, like ranaviruses, will require global collaboration.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2018
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.VIROL.2017.08.001
Abstract: Ranaviruses are pathogens of ectothermic vertebrates, including hibians. We reviewed patterns of host range and virulence of ranaviruses in the context of virus genotype and postulate that patterns reflect significant variation in the historical and current host range of three groups of Ranavirus: FV3-like, CMTV-like and ATV-like ranaviruses. Our synthesis supports previous hypotheses about host range and jumps: FV3s are hibian specialists, while ATVs are predominantly fish specialists that switched once to caudate hibians. The most recent common ancestor of CMTV-like ranaviruses and FV3-like forms appears to have infected hibians but CMTV-like ranaviruses may circulate in both hibian and fish communities independently. While these hypotheses are speculative, we hope that ongoing efforts to describe ranavirus genetics, increased surveillance of host species and targeted experimental assays of susceptibility to infection and/or disease will facilitate better tests of the importance of hypothetical evolutionary drivers of ranavirus virulence and host range.
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 15-06-2022
DOI: 10.1371/JOURNAL.PONE.0269806
Abstract: Toxic metal exposure is a threat to green sea turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) inhabiting and foraging in coastal seagrass meadows and are of particular concern in local bays of the Great Barrier Reef (GBR), as numerous sources of metal contaminants are located within the region. Seagrass species tend to bioaccumulate metals at concentrations greater than that detected in the surrounding environment. Little is known regarding ecotoxicological impacts of environmental metal loads on seagrass or Chelonia mydas ( C . mydas ), and thus this study aimed to investigate and describe seagrass metal loads in three central GBR coastal sites and one offshore site located in the northern GBR. Primary seagrass forage of C . mydas was identified, and s les collected from foraging sites before and after the 2018/2019 wet season, and multivariate differences in metal profiles investigated between sites and s ling events. Most metals investigated were higher at one or more coastal sites, relative to data obtained from the offshore site, and cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) were found to be higher at all coastal sites. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) found that metal profiles in the coastal sites were similar, but all were distinctly different from that of the offshore data. Coastal foraging sites are influenced by land-based contaminants that can enter the coastal zone via river discharge during periods of heavy rainfall, and impact sites closest to sources. Bioavailability of metal elements are determined by complex interactions and processes that are largely unknown, but association between elevated metal loads and turtle disease warrants further investigation to better understand the impact of environmental contaminants on ecologically important seagrass and associated macrograzers.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2017.12.062
Abstract: Ocean contamination by plastics is a global issue. Although ingestion of plastic debris by sea turtles has been widely documented, contamination by microplastics ( 100μm. Two macroplastics and seven microplastics (two plastic paint chips and five synthetic fabric particles) were isolated from subs les of two green turtles. Our results highlight the need for more research towards understanding the impact of microplastics on these threatened marine reptiles.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 23-11-2021
DOI: 10.1111/AVJ.13039
Publisher: PeerJ
Date: 12-12-2018
DOI: 10.7717/PEERJ.6083
Abstract: Ranaviruses can infect many vertebrate classes including fish, hibians and reptiles, but for the most part, research has been focused on non-reptilian hosts, hibians in particular. More recently, reports of ranaviral infections of reptiles are increasing with over 12 families of reptiles currently susceptible to ranaviral infection. Reptiles are infected by ranaviruses that are genetically similar to, or the same as, the viruses that infect hibians and fish however, physiological and ecological differences result in differences in study designs. Although ranaviral disease in reptiles is often influenced by host species, viral strain and environmental differences, general trends in pathogenesis are emerging. More experimental studies using a variety of reptile species, life stages and routes of transmission are required to unravel the complexity of wild ranavirus transmission. Further, our understanding of the reptilian immune response to ranaviral infection is still lacking, although the considerable amount of work conducted in hibians will serve as a useful guide for future studies in reptiles.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.JVIROMET.2018.04.004
Abstract: The number of reptilian viruses detected are continuously increasing due to improvements and developments of new diagnostic techniques. In this case we used primary cell culture and qPCR to describe the first Australian Chelonia mydas papillomavirus. Commercial chelonian cell lines are limited to one cell line from a terrestrial turtle (Terrapene Carolina). To establish primary cultures from green turtles (Chelonia mydas), turtle eggs were collected from Heron Island, Queensland, Australia. From day 35 of incubation at 29°, the embryos were harvested to establish primary cultures. The primary cell cultures were grown in Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium, 90% and foetal bovine serum, 10%. The cells became uniformly fibroblastic-shaped after 15 passages. The growth rate resembled that of cells originating from other cold-blooded animals and the average doubling time was ∼5 days from the 20th passage. Karyotyping and molecular analysis of mitochondrial DNA D-loop gene were carried out for cell authentication. The primary cell cultures were screened to exclude mycoplasma contamination. Two primary cell lineages were found to be susceptible to Bohle iridovirus. The primary cell cultures were used to screen s les from green turtles foraging along the East Coast of Queensland for the presence of viruses. Homogenates from eight skin tumour s les caused cytopathic effects and were confirmed by qPCR to be infected with papillomavirus.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 15-05-2019
Abstract: Green turtles are endangered marine herbivorous hindgut fermenters that contribute to a variety of marine ecosystems. Debilitated turtles are often rehabilitated in turtle hospitals. Since accurate diagnosis of disease is difficult, broad-spectrum antibiotics are routinely used as a general treatment, potentially causing collateral damage to the gut microbiome of the patient. Here, we evaluated the concept of the application of bacteriophage (phages) to eliminate targeted intestinal bacteria as an alternative to a broad-spectrum antibiotic (enrofloxacin) in clinically healthy, captive green turtles. Additionally, the impact of a broad-spectrum antibiotic (enrofloxacin) and phage therapy on the gut bacterial communities of green turtles was evaluated. Gut bacterial communities in faecal s les were analysed by sequencing the V1-V3 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA. Bacteria-specific phage cocktails significantly (P < 0.05) reduced targeted Acinetobacter in phage-treated turtles during the therapy. Compared to control, no significant difference was observed in the bacterial ersity and compositions in phage-treated turtles. In contrast, bacterial ersity was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in antibiotic-treated turtles at day 15 and throughout the trial. The alteration in the bacterial microbiota of antibiotic-treated turtles was largely due to an increase in abundance of Gram-positive Firmicutes and a concurrent decrease in Gram-negative Bacteroidetes, Proteobacteria and Verrucomicrobia. Additionally, we observed the relative abundance of several bacteria at lower taxonomic level was much less affected by phages than by antibiotics. These data offer the proof of concept of phage therapy to manipulate transient as well as indigenous bacterial flora in gut-related dysbiosis of turtles.
Publisher: Microbiology Society
Date: 05-2015
DOI: 10.1099/VIR.0.000043
Abstract: Amphibian populations suffer massive mortalities from infection with frog virus 3 FV3, genus Ranavirus, family Iridoviridae, a pathogen also involved in mortalities of fish and reptiles. Experimental oral infection with FV3 in captive-raised adult wood frogs, Rana sylvatica Lithobates sylvaticus, was performed as the first step in establishing a native North American animal model of ranaviral disease to study pathogenesis and host response. Oral dosing was successful LD50 was 10(2.93 2.423.44) p.f.u. for frogs averaging 35mm in length. Onset of clinical signs occurred 614days post-infection p.i. median 11 days p.i. and time to death was 1014 days p.i. median 12 days p.i.. Each tenfold increase in virus dose increased the odds of dying by 23-fold and accelerated onset of clinical signs and death by approximately 15. Ranavirus DNA was demonstrated in skin and liver of all frogs that died or were euthanized because of severe clinical signs. Shedding of virus occurred in faeces 710 days p.i. 34.5days before death and skin sheds 10 days p.i. 01.5days before death of some frogs dead from infection. Most common lesions were dermal erosion and haemorrhages haematopoietic necrosis in bone marrow, kidney, spleen and liver and necrosis in renal glomeruli, tongue, gastrointestinal tract and urinary bladder mucosa. Presence of ranavirus in lesions was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies probably viral were present in the bone marrow and the epithelia of the oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, renal tubules and urinary bladder. Our work describes a ranaviruswood frog model and provides estimates that can be incorporated into ranavirus disease ecology models.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2012
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 21-11-2017
DOI: 10.3354/DAO03172
Abstract: Ranaviruses have been isolated from many ectothermic vertebrates, and serological surveys of both hibians and reptiles have shown the presence of ranaviral antibodies in a proportion of these populations. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed to measure serum antibodies against ranavirus in Australian reptiles. The ELISA was validated with serum from challenge trials with Bohle iridovirus (BIV) in 6 reptilian species. A preliminary sero-survey of northern Queensland riparian reptile fauna (saw-shelled turtles Myuchelys latisternum, Krefft's river turtles Emydura macquarii krefftii, freshwater crocodiles Crocodylus johnstoni, as well as the snakes Boiga irregularis, Dendrelaphis punctulatus, Tropidonophis mairii, Morelia spilota, Liasis childreni and L. fuscus) revealed evidence of past exposure to Bohle iridoviral antigens in part of the population at several locations s led. Furthermore, in Krefft's river turtles and freshwater crocodiles, a statistically significant trend was apparent for larger reptiles to be more likely to have BIV-reactive sera than smaller in iduals. The use of adult tortoise populations as sentinels can assist in monitoring the presence of BIV in northern Australian freshwater streams, and thereby the potential dangers to native fauna from this agent.
Publisher: IBIMA Publishing
Date: 05-2013
DOI: 10.5171/2013.569032
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.MARPOLBUL.2017.04.046
Abstract: This study investigated Enterobacteriales and their antimicrobial resistance in green sea turtles captured adjacent to the central Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and proximate to urban development. Cloacal swabs were taken from 73 green turtles between 2015 and 2016. A total of 154 out of 341 Gram-negative bacterial isolates were identified as Enterobacteriales that represent 16 different species from 9 different genera. The dominant isolates were Citrobacter (30.52%), Edwardsiella (21.43%) and Escherichia (12.34%). The resistance against 12 antibiotics belonging to 6 different classes was determined. The isolates showed highest resistance to β-lactam antibiotics (78.57%) followed by quinolone (50%) and tetracycline classes (46.1%). Approximately one-third (37.7%) of the isolates identified exhibited multidrug-resistance. Isolates recovered from rehabilitated turtles were significantly multidrug resistant (p<0.009) compared to isolates from other study sites. These results provide baseline information on antimicrobial resistance while revealing gaps for further research to evaluate the level of pollution in the GBR.
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 29-12-2016
Abstract: The pike-perch iridovirus (PPIV) was isolated in Finland from apparently healthy pike-perch fingerlings during routine disease surveillance. Our phylogenomic analysis revealed that PPIV is the first fish member of a clade of ranaviruses previously described from European and Chinese hibians.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2011
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 23-10-2020
Publisher: Microbiology Society
Date: 10-2019
DOI: 10.1099/JGV.0.001324
Abstract: Ranaviral infections cause mass die-offs in wild and captive turtle populations. Two experimental studies were performed to first determine the susceptibility of an Australian turtle species ( Emydura macquarii krefftii ) to different routes of infection and second examine the effect of viral titre on the morbidity in hatchlings. All inoculation routes (intracoelomic, intramuscular and oral) produced disease, but the clinical signs, histopathology and time to onset of disease varied with the route. The median infectious and lethal doses for intramuscularly inoculated hatchlings were 10 2 . 52 (1.98–2.93) and 10 4.43 (3.81–5.19) TCID 50 ml −1 , respectively. Clinical signs began 14 to 29 days post-inoculation and the median survival time was 22 days (16–25) across all dose groups. For every 10-fold increase in dose, the odds of developing any clinical signs or severe clinical signs increased by 3.39 [ P .01, 95 % confidence interval (CI): 1.81–6.36] and 3.71 ( P .01, 95 % CI: 1.76–7.80), respectively. Skin lesions, previously only reported in ranaviral infection in lizards, were observed in the majority of intramuscularly inoculated hatchlings that developed ranaviral disease. The histological changes were consistent with those in previous reports for reptiles and consisted of necrosis at or near the site of injection, in the spleen, liver and oral cavity. Systemic inflammation was also observed, predominantly affecting necrotic organs. The estimates reported here can be used to model ranaviral disease and quantify and manage at-risk populations.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2016
DOI: 10.1016/J.TVJL.2015.10.041
Abstract: Despite being identified in 1938, many aspects of the pathogenesis and epidemiology of fibropapillomatosis (FP) in marine turtles are yet to be fully uncovered. Current knowledge suggests that FP is an emerging infectious disease, with the prevalence varying both spatially and temporally, even between localities in close proximity to each other. A high prevalence of FP in marine turtles has been correlated with residency in areas of reduced water quality, indicating that there is an environmental influence on disease presentation. Chelonid herpesvirus 5 (ChHV5) has been identified as the likely aetiological agent of FP. The current taxonomic position of ChHV5 is in the family Herpesviridae, subfamily Alphaherpesvirinae, genus Scutavirus. Molecular differentiation of strains has revealed that a viral variant is typically present at specific locations, even within sympatric species of marine turtles, indicating that the disease FP originates regionally. There is uncertainty surrounding the exact path of transmission and the conditions that facilitate lesion development, although recent research has identified atypical genes within the genome of ChHV5 that may play a role in pathogenesis. This review discusses emerging areas where researchers might focus and theories behind the emergence of FP globally since the 1980s, which appear to be a multi-factorial interplay between the virus, the host and environmental factors influencing disease expression.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2009
Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Date: 21-04-2023
DOI: 10.1007/S10096-023-04605-W
Abstract: Consensus PCR assays that can be used to sensitively detect several herpesvirus (HV) species across the different subfamilies were developed in this study. Primers containing degenerate bases were designed to lify regions of the DNA polymerase (DPOL) gene of alpha- and gamma-HVs, and the glycoprotein B (gB) gene of beta-HVs in a singleplex, non-nested touchdown PCR format. The singleplex touchdown consensus PCR (STC-PCR) was used to lify the DNA of eight human and 24 animal HVs. The assay was able to detect the lowest DNA dilution of 10 −5 for alpha-HVs and 10 −3 for beta- and gamma-HVs. In comparison, lowest detection limits of 10 −5 , 10 −3 , and 10 −2 were obtained for alpha-, beta-, and gamma-HVs respectively when a nested PCR was used. The findings in this study suggest that the STC-PCR assays can be employed for the molecular surveys and clinical detection of novel and known HVs.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2009
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 09-09-2022
DOI: 10.1177/03009858221122591
Abstract: Ranaviruses have been detected in over 12 families of reptiles including many genera of turtles, tortoises, and terrapins, but the pathogenesis of these infections is still poorly understood. Krefft’s river turtle hatchlings ( N = 36 Emydura macquarii krefftii) were inoculated intramuscularly with Bohle iridovirus (BIV, Ranavirus, isolate) or saline, and euthanized at 9 timepoints (3 infected and 1 control per timepoint) over a 24-day period. S les of lung, liver, kidney, and spleen were collected for quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) internal organs, skin, and oral cavity s les were fixed for histopathological examination. The earliest lesions, at 8 days postinoculation (dpi), were lymphocytic inflammation of the skin and fibrinoid necrosis of regional vessels at the site of inoculation, and mild ulcerative necrosis with lymphocytic and heterophilic inflammation in the oral, nasal, and tongue mucosae. Fibrinonecrotic foci with heterophilic inflammation were detected in spleen and gonads at 16 dpi. Multifocal hepatic necrosis, heterophilic inflammation, and occasional basophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were observed at 20 dpi, along with ulcerative lymphocytic and heterophilic tracheitis and bronchitis. Tracheitis, bronchitis, and rare bone marrow necrosis were present at 24 dpi. Of the viscera tested for ranaviral DNA by PCR, the liver and spleen had the highest viral loads throughout infection, and thus appeared to be major targets of viral replication. Testing of whole blood by qPCR was the most-effective ante-mortem method for detecting ranaviral infection compared with oral swabs. This study represents the first time-dependent pathogenesis study of a ranaviral infection in turtles.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2009
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 26-01-2023
DOI: 10.3354/MEPS14216
Abstract: Satellite trackers can be used for studying sea turtle movement, illuminating their migrations and behaviours. However, many studies have focused on adult turtles, with uneven species representation, despite the importance of understanding movement and habitat use of turtles at all life-stages. Furthermore, few publications detail successful satellite tracker attachment methods, particularly for juveniles. Smaller-sized juvenile sea turtles often have an irregularly shaped carapace and are fast growing, rendering the attachment of rigid trackers in a safe and durable manner challenging. Juvenile hawksbill turtles’ specific carapace shape and imbricated scute arrangement further complicate satellite tracker attachment compared to juveniles of other turtle species. This study’s objective was to confirm the feasibility of an attachment method that would allow small-sized juvenile hawksbill turtles (~267-345 mm curved carapace length) to continue growing, without tracker loss or damage to underlying scutes. Replica trackers were made of resin (simulating Wildlife Computer Spot-387 trackers), and attached with epoxy, silicone and neoprene, using a technique modified from those used on neonate loggerheads and Kemp’s ridleys. Throughout the study (3.5 mo), replica trackers remained attached, the turtles grew up to 114% heavier and 25% longer, and all turtles appeared clinically healthy and active. Furthermore, all scutes were undamaged after tracker removal. As a critically endangered species, the paucity of data on hawksbill turtles, and specifically juveniles, can hinder evidence-based management decision-making. The improved ability to satellite track juvenile hawksbills can, therefore, help better our understanding of their ecology and inform management and conservation practices for this species.
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 17-02-2010
DOI: 10.3354/DAO02169
Abstract: We examined the occurrence of viral haemorrhagic septicaemia virus (VHSV) in the main spawning stocks of wild European river l rey L etra fluviatilis in the rivers of Finland from 1999 to 2008. Pooled s les of internal organs (kidney, liver and heart or brain) from 2621 l reys were examined for the presence of VHSV by standard virological techniques. VHSV was isolated from 5 s les from the rivers Lestijoki and Kalajoki, which flow from Finland into the Bothnian Bay of the Baltic Sea. The presence of VHSV was confirmed by immunofluorescent antibody technique (IFAT), ELISA and RT-PCR. Phylogenetic analysis based on the full-length VHSV glycoprotein (G) gene sequence revealed that the isolates were most closely related to the VHSV strain isolated in 1996 from herring Clupea harengus and sprat Sprattus sprattus in the Eastern Gotland Basin of the Baltic Sea, and were therefore assigned to VHSV genotype II. The partial G gene sequences obtained (nt 1 to 672-1129) of all 5 l rey VHSV isolates were identical, and so were the entire G genes (nt 1 to 1524) of 2 isolates sequenced. The virulence of one of the l rey isolates was evaluated by an experimental infection trial in rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss fry. No mortality was induced postinfection by waterborne and intraperitoneal challenge, respectively, while 2 genotype Id isolates originating from Finnish rainbow trout caused marked mortality under the same conditions. The infection in the European river l rey is thought to be independent from the epidemic in farmed rainbow trout in Finnish brackish waters, because the isolates from rainbow trout were of a different genotype. This is the first report of VHSV found in the European river l rey. The role of wild river l reys in maintaining the infection in the marine environment remains unclear.
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 20-08-2015
DOI: 10.3354/DAO02889
Abstract: Ranaviruses are able to infect multiple species of fish, hibian and reptile, and some strains are capable of interclass transmission. These numerous potential carriers and reservoir species compound efforts to control and contain infections in cultured and wild populations, and a comprehensive knowledge of susceptible species and life stage is necessary to inform such processes. Here we report on the challenge of 6 water-associated reptiles with Bohle iridovirus (BIV) to investigate its potential pathogenicity in common native reptiles of the aquatic and riparian fauna of northern Queensland, Australia. Adult tortoises Elseya latisternum and Emydura krefftii, snakes Boiga irregularis, Dendrelaphis punctulatus and Amphiesma mairii, and yearling crocodiles Crocodylus johnstoni were exposed via intracoelomic inoculation or co-habitation with infected con-specifics, but none were adversely affected by the challenge conditions applied here. Bohle iridovirus was found to be extremely virulent in hatchling tortoises E. latisternum and E. krefftii via intracoelomic challenge, as demonstrated by distinct lesions in multiple organs associated with specific immunohistochemistry staining and a lethal outcome (10/17) of the challenge. Virus was re-isolated from 2/5 E. latisternum, 4/12 E. krefftii and 1/3 brown tree snakes B. irregularis. Focal necrosis, haemorrhage and infiltration of granulocytes were frequently observed histologically in the pancreas, liver and sub-mucosa of the intestine of challenged tortoise hatchlings. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated the presence of ranavirus antigens in the necrotic lesions and in in idual cells of the vascular endothelium, the connective tissue and in granulocytes associated with necrosis or present along serosal surfaces. The outcome of this study confirms hatchling tortoises are susceptible to BIV, thereby adding Australian reptiles to the host range of ranaviruses. Additionally, given that BIV was originally isolated from an hibian, our study provides additional evidence that interclass transmission of ranavirus may occur in the wild.
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 07-05-2018
DOI: 10.3354/DAO03214
Abstract: Ranaviruses are globally emerging pathogens negatively impacting wild and cultured fish, hibians, and reptiles. Although conventional and diagnostic real-time PCR (qPCR) assays have been developed to detect ranaviruses, these assays often have not been tested against the known ersity of ranaviruses. Here we report the development and partial validation of a TaqMan real-time qPCR assay. The primers and TaqMan probe targeted a conserved region of the major capsid protein (MCP) gene. A series of experiments using a 10-fold dilution series of Frog virus 3 (FV3) MCP plasmid DNA revealed linearity over a range of 7 orders of magnitude (107-101), a mean correlation coefficient (R2) of >0.99, and a mean efficiency of 96%. The coefficient of variation of intra- and inter-assay variability ranged from <0.1-3.5% and from 1.1-2.3%, respectively. The analytical sensitivity was determined to be 10 plasmid copies of FV3 DNA. The qPCR assay detected a panel of 33 different ranaviral isolates originating from fish, hibian, and reptile hosts from all continents excluding Africa and Antarctica, thereby representing the global ersity of ranaviruses. The assay did not lify highly ergent ranaviruses, members of other iridovirus genera, or members of the alloherpesvirus genus Cyprinivirus. DNA from fish tissue homogenates previously determined to be positive or negative for the ranavirus Epizootic hematopoietic necrosis virus by virus isolation demonstrated a diagnostic sensitivity of 95% and a diagnostic specificity of 100%. The reported qPCR assay provides an improved expedient diagnostic tool and can be used to elucidate important aspects of ranaviral pathogenesis and epidemiology in clinically and sublinically affected fish, hibians, and reptiles.
Publisher: Wildlife Disease Association
Date: 31-03-2020
DOI: 10.7589/2019-05-115
Abstract: An epizootic of coccidiosis in free-ranging green turtles (
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 13-02-2018
Abstract: To improve understanding of pathophysiologic processes occurring in green sea turtles ( Chelonia mydas) stranded along the east coast of Australia, we retrospectively examined the hematologic and biochemical blood parameters of 127 green turtles admitted to 2 rehabilitation facilities, Dolphin Marine Magic (DMM) and Taronga Zoo (TZ), between 2002 and 2016. The predominant size class presented was small immature animals (SIM), comprising 88% and 69% of admissions to DMM and TZ, respectively. Significant differences in blood profiles were noted between facility, size, and outcome. Elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and heterophils were poor prognostic indicators in animals from TZ, but not DMM. SIM animals at both institutions had lower protein levels than large older (LO) animals. SIM animals at DMM also had lower hematocrit and monocyte concentration SIM animals at TZ had lower heterophil counts. Urea was measured for 27 SIM animals from TZ, but the urea-to-uric acid ratio was not prognostically useful. Strong correlations were seen between AST and glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH r = 0.68) and uric acid and bile acids ( r = 0.72) in the 45 SIM animals from DMM in which additional analytes were measured. χ 2 contingency tests showed that the most recently published reference intervals were not prognostically useful. A paired t-test showed that protein levels rose and heterophil numbers fell in the 15 SIM animals from TZ during the rehabilitation process. Our results indicate that further work is required to identify reliable prognostic biomarkers for green turtles.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 05-2021
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 08-10-2005
DOI: 10.1021/JM0505866
Abstract: Structure-based virtual screening was performed against the target dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) to identify good chemical starting points for medicinal chemistry. A database of available compounds was filtered by calculated physical properties and undesired chemistry. This database was matched against two in-house designed DPP-IV pharmacophores, and the hits from these pharmacophore searches were docked into a DPP-IV crystal structure. Compounds were then selected for testing and 51 active compounds were identified from a list of 4000 compounds tested. These had activities ranging from 30% to 82% when tested at a concentration of 30 microM in an enzyme inhibition assay.
Publisher: Springer International Publishing
Date: 2015
Publisher: American Society for Microbiology
Date: 21-09-2017
Abstract: Ranaviruses were isolated from wild edible frogs ( Pelophylax esculentus ) during epizootics in Denmark and Italy. Phylogenomic analyses revealed that these isolates are closely related and belong to a clade of ranaviruses that includes the Andrias davidianus ranavirus (ADRV), common midwife toad ranavirus (CMTV), Testudo hermanni ranavirus (THRV), and pike-perch iridovirus (PPIV).
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 06-01-2017
Abstract: Wood frogs ( Rana sylvatica) are highly susceptible to infection with Frog virus 3 (FV3, Ranavirus, Iridoviridae), a cause of mass mortality in wild populations. To elucidate the pathogenesis of FV3 infection in wood frogs, 40 wild-caught adults were acclimated to captivity, inoculated orally with a fatal dose of 10 4.43 pfu/frog, and euthanized at 0.25, 0.5, 1, 2, 4, 9, and 14 days postinfection (dpi). Mild lesions occurred sporadically in the skin (petechiae) and bone marrow (necrosis) during the first 2 dpi. Severe lesions occurred 1 to 2 weeks postinfection and consisted of necrosis of medullary and extramedullary hematopoietic tissue, lymphoid tissue in spleen and throughout the body, and epithelium of skin, mucosae, and renal tubules. Viral DNA was first detected (polymerase chain reaction) in liver at 4 dpi by dpi 9 and 14, all viscera tested (liver, kidney, and spleen), skin, and feces were positive. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) first detected viral antigen in small areas devoid of histologic lesions in the oral mucosa, lung, and colon at 4 dpi by 9 and 14 dpi, IHC labeling of viral antigen associated with necrosis was found in multiple tissues. Based on IHC staining intensity and lesion severity, the skin, oral, and gastrointestinal epithelium and renal tubular epithelium were important sites of viral replication and shedding, suggesting that direct contact (skin) and fecal-oral contamination are effective routes of transmission and that skin tissue, oral, and cloacal swabs may be appropriate antemortem diagnostic s les in late stages of disease ( week postinfection) but poor s les to detect infection in clinically healthy frogs.
Publisher: PeerJ
Date: 28-09-2018
DOI: 10.7717/PEERJ.5651
Abstract: A solid understanding of the spatial ecology of green turtles ( Chelonia mydas ) is fundamental to their effective conservation. Yet this species, like many marine migratory species, is challenging to monitor and manage because they utilise a variety of habitats that span wide spatio-temporal scales. To further elucidate the connectivity between green turtle rookeries and foraging populations, we sequenced the mtDNA control region of 278 turtles across three foraging sites from the northern Great Barrier Reef (GBR) spanning more than 330 km: Cockle Bay, Green Island and Low Isles. This was performed with a newly developed assay, which targets a longer fragment of mtDNA than previous studies. We used a mixed stock analysis (MSA), which utilises genetic data to estimate the relative proportion of genetically distinct breeding populations found at a given foraging ground. Haplotype and nucleotide ersity was also assessed. A total of 35 haplotypes were identified across all sites, 13 of which had not been found previously in any rookery. The MSA showed that the northern GBR (nGBR), Coral Sea (CS), southern GBR (sGBR) and New Caledonia (NC) stocks supplied the bulk of the turtles at all three sites, with small contributions from other rookeries in the region. Stock contribution shifted gradually from north to south, although sGBR/CS stock dominated at all three sites. The major change in composition occured between Cockle Bay and Low Isles. Our findings, together with other recent studies in this field, show that stock composition shifts with latitude as a natural progression along a coastal gradient. This phenomenon is likely to be the result of ocean currents influencing both post-hatchling dispersal and subsequent juvenile recruitment to erse coastal foraging sites.
Publisher: PeerJ
Date: 19-09-2018
DOI: 10.7717/PEERJ.5572
Abstract: Several anatomical studies provide evidence that green turtles ( Chelonia mydas) possess the necessary anatomy for colour vision. Behavioural experiments have previously been conducted with newly emerged hatchlings, concluding that they are attracted to shorter wavelengths compared to longer wavelengths within a terrestrial environment, suggesting a possible attraction towards blue. This paper assessed the colour vision of hatchlings within an aquatic environment, and investigated whether the attraction for shorter wavelengths remains consistent within water, whether the colour saturation of the chromatic stimuli was an important factor, and whether rearing and testing in idual animals in different coloured housing tanks has an impact on their visual choices. Forty-one hatchling green turtles were presented with a three-choice experiment where food was attached to three different coloured plates. The plates (blue, yellow, and red) were randomly arranged in the turtle’s tank and four different colour saturations were tested (100, 75, 50, and 25%). Turtles were in idually placed into their housing tanks (coloured either red, white, blue or grey) with three different colour plates in front of them, from the same saturation level. The colour of the plate with food first approached and bitten by the turtle was recorded. The colour of the tank in which an in idual was reared, and where experiments were conducted, significantly influenced which food item was selected on the different coloured plates. While in idual turtles preferred to select the food items associated with blue plates across the entire experiment (66.1% of the time compared to 18.2% and 15.7% for yellow and red plates respectively), the preference for blue plates was influenced by the colour of the rearing/experimental tank. In iduals raised in red, white or blue tanks appeared to consistently prefer food on blue plates, but there appeared to be no plate colour preference by turtles in grey tanks. There was no significant effect of either colour saturation or the spatial arrangement of the three colours within an experimental tank on colour choice, and no significant interaction between tank colour and colour saturation. These findings confirm that the terrestrial preference towards shorter wavelength colours, such as blue, compared to longer wavelength colours remains consistent within an aquatic environment. This preference for blue continues even as the colour saturation reduces from 100% down to 25%, and the colours become darker. Thus, it is suggested that green turtle hatchlings have a strong attraction towards blue. This attraction, however, is influenced by the colour of the tank the turtles were raised in. While this supports the notion that environmental colour may influence in idual turtle visual capabilities, it suggests that this relationship is more complicated, and requires further investigation.
Publisher: Oxford University Press (OUP)
Date: 23-10-2017
Abstract: Green turtles (Chelonia mydas) are endangered marine herbivores that break down food particles, primarily sea grasses, through microbial fermentation. However, the microbial community and its role in health and disease is still largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated and compared the fecal bacterial communities of eight wild-captured green turtles to four stranded turtles in the central Great Barrier Reef regions that include Bowen and Townsville. We used high-throughput sequencing analysis targeting the hypervariable V1-V3 regions of the bacterial 16S rRNA gene. At the phylum level, Firmicutes predominated among wild-captured green turtles, followed by Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria. In contrast, Proteobacteria (Gammaproteobacteria) was the most significantly dominant phylum among all stranded turtles, followed by Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes. In addition, Fusobacteria was also significantly abundant in stranded turtles. No significant differences were found between the wild-captured turtles in Bowen and Townsville. At the family level, the core bacterial community consisted of 25 families that were identified in both the wild-captured and stranded green turtles, while two unique sets of 14 families each were only found in stranded or wild-captured turtles. The predominance of Bacteroides in all groups indicates the importance of these bacteria in turtle gut health. In terms of bacterial ersity and richness, wild-captured green turtles showed a higher bacterial ersity and richness compared with stranded turtles. The marked differences in the bacterial communities between wild-captured and stranded turtles suggest the possible dysbiosis in stranded turtles in addition to potential causal agents.
Publisher: Hindawi Limited
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1155/2017/5798161
Abstract: This study aimed to test multidrug resistant isolates from hospitalised green turtles (Chelonia mydas) and their environment in North Queensland, Australia, for in vitro susceptibility to bacteriophages. Seventy-one Gram-negative bacteria were isolated from green turtle eye swabs and water s les. Broth microdilution tests were used to determine antibiotic susceptibility. All isolates were resistant to at least two antibiotics, with 24% being resistant to seven of the eight antibiotics. Highest resistance rates were detected to enrofloxacin (77%) and icillin (69.2%). More than 50% resistance was also found to amoxicillin/clavulanic acid (62.5%), ceftiofur (53.8%), and erythromycin (53.3%). All the enriched phage filtrate mixtures resulted in the lysis of one or more of the multidrug resistant bacteria, including Vibrio harveyi and V. parahaemolyticus . These results indicate that antibiotic resistance is common in Gram-negative bacteria isolated from hospitalised sea turtles and their marine environment in North Queensland, supporting global concern over the rapid evolution of multidrug resistant genes in the environment. Using virulent bacteriophages as antibiotic alternatives would not only be beneficial to turtle health but also prevent further addition of multidrug resistant genes to coastal waters.
Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing
Date: 2020
Abstract: Fish, hibians, and reptiles exhibit temperature-dependent ranaviral disease. We performed an experimental infection at four different environmental temperatures (16, 22, 28, and 34 °C) to investigate the effect of temperature on ranaviral infection in Krefft’s turtle ( Emydura macquarii krefftii). Infection rates and viral loads were determined by quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect ranaviral DNA in liver s les at 21 d postexposure. The rate of infection differed across the temperature treatment groups. Infection rates were 44%, 90%, 60%, and 10% for the 16, 22, 28, and 34 °C temperature groups, respectively. Highest viral load was observed in the 28 °C temperature group, and there was a statistically significant difference in viral load between the 16 and 28 °C temperature groups ( p = 0.027). Based on the results of this study, the temperature of maximal infection rate for ranaviral infection in Krefft’s river turtles is estimated to be 23.2 °C (SD = 4.5). The findings of this study can inform management decisions in terms of disease control and treatment and form a platform for modelling disease outbreaks.
Publisher: Canadian Science Publishing
Date: 2020
Abstract: Ranaviral infections have been associated with mass mortality events in captive and wild hibian, fish, and reptile populations globally. In Australia, two distinct types of ranaviruses have been isolated: epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus in fish and a Frog virus 3-like ranavirus in hibians. Experimental studies and serum surveys have demonstrated that several Australian native fish, hibian, and reptile species are susceptible to infection and supported the theory that ranavirus is naturally circulating in Australian herpetofauna. However, ranaviral infections have not been detected in captive or wild lizards in Australia. Oral-cloacal swabs were collected from 42 wild lizards from northern Queensland and 83 captive lizards from private collections held across three states/territories. S les were tested for ranaviral DNA using a quantitative PCR assay. This assay detected ranaviral DNA in 30/83 (36.1%) captive and 33/42 (78.6%) wild lizard s les. This is the first time molecular evidence of ranavirus has been reported in Australian lizards.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-05-2022
DOI: 10.1111/COBI.13724
Abstract: Wildlife health assessments help identify populations at risk of starvation, disease, and decline from anthropogenic impacts on natural habitats. We conducted an overview of available health assessment studies in noncaptive vertebrates and devised a framework to strategically integrate health assessments in population monitoring. Using a systematic approach, we performed a thorough assessment of studies examining multiple health parameters of noncaptive vertebrate species from 1982 to 2020 ( n = 261 studies). We quantified trends in study design and diagnostic methods across taxa with generalized linear models, bibliometric analyses, and visual representations of study location versus bio ersity hotspots. Only 35% of studies involved international or cross‐border collaboration. Countries with both high and threatened bio ersity were greatly underrepresented. Species that were not listed as threatened on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List represented 49% of assessed species, a trend likely associated with the regional focus of most studies. We strongly suggest following wildlife health assessment protocols when planning a study and using statistically adequate s le sizes for studies establishing reference ranges. Across all taxa blood analysis (89%), body composition assessments (81%), physical examination (72%), and fecal analyses (24% of studies) were the most common methods. A conceptual framework to improve design and standardize wildlife health assessments includes guidelines on the experimental design, data acquisition and analysis, and species conservation planning and management implications. Integrating a physiological and ecological understanding of species resilience toward threatening processes will enable informed decision making regarding the conservation of threatened species.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 11-1997
Publisher: Public Library of Science (PLoS)
Date: 09-01-2020
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 19-05-2017
DOI: 10.1080/08997659.2017.1330783
Abstract: Sea turtle fibropapillomatosis (FP) is a disease marked by the proliferation of benign but debilitating cutaneous and occasional visceral tumors, likely to be caused by chelonid alphaherpesvirus 5 (ChHV5). This study presents a phylogeny of ChHV5 strains found on the east coast of Queensland, Australia, and a validation for previously unused primers. Two different primer sets (gB-1534 and gB-813) were designed to target a region including part of the UL27 glycoprotein B (gB) gene and part of UL28 of ChHV5. Sequences obtained from FP tumors found on juvenile green turtles Chelonia mydas (<65 cm curved carapace length) had substantial homology with published ChHV5 sequences, while a skin biopsy from a turtle without FP failed to react in the PCRs used in this study. The resulting sequences were used to generate a neighbor-joining tree from which three clusters of ChHV5 from Australian waters were identified: north Australian, north Queensland, and Queensland clusters. The clusters reflect the collection sites on the east coast of Queensland with a definitive north-south trend. Received October 22, 2016 accepted May 7, 2017.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 04-1997
DOI: 10.1111/J.1751-0813.1997.TB10089.X
Abstract: Vitamin D deficiency distresses nearly 50% of the population globally and multiple studies have highlighted the association of Vitamin D with a number of clinical manifestations, including musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, and neurological disorders. In the current study, vitamin D oil-in-water (O/W) nanoemulsions were developed and incorporated in edible gummies to enhance bioavailability, stability, and patient compliance. The spontaneous emulsification method was employed to produce a nano-emulsion using corn oil with tween 20 and lecithin as emulsifiers. Optimization was carried out using pseudo-ternary phase diagrams and the average particle size and polydispersity index (PDI) of the optimized nanoemulsion were found to be 118.6 ± 4.3 nm and 0.11 ± 0.30, respectively. HPLC stability analysis demonstrated that the nano-emulsion prevented the degradation and it retained more than 97% of active vitamin D over 15 days compared to 94.5% in oil solution. Similar results were obtained over further storage analysis. Vitamin D gummies based on emulsion-based gelled matrices were then developed using gelatin as hydrocolloid and varying quantities of corn oil. Texture analysis revealed that gummies formulated with 10% corn oil had the optimum hardness of 3095.6 ± 201.7 g on the first day which remained consistent on day 45 with similar values of 3594.4 ± 210.6 g. Sensory evaluation by 19 judges using the nine-point hedonic scale highlighted that the taste and overall acceptance of formulated gummies did not change significantly (
Publisher: SAGE Publications
Date: 27-01-2019
Abstract: Juvenile eastern water dragons ( Intellagama lesueurii lesueurii) are highly susceptible to infection with Bohle iridovirus (BIV), a species of ranavirus first isolated from ornate burrowing frogs in Townsville, Australia. To investigate the progression of BIV infection in eastern water dragons, 11 captive-bred juveniles were orally inoculated with a dose of 10 4.33 TCID 50 and euthanized at 3, 6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 days postinfection (dpi). Viral DNA was detected via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in the liver, kidney, and cloacal swabs at 3 dpi. Mild lymphocytic infiltration was observed in the submucosa and mucosa of the tongue and liver at 3 dpi. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) first identified viral antigen in foci of splenic necrosis and in hepatocytes with intracytoplasmic inclusion or rare single-cell necrosis at 6 dpi. By 14 dpi, positive IHC labeling was found in association with lesions in multiple tissues. Selected tissues from an in idual euthanized at 14 dpi were probed using in situ hybridization (ISH). The ISH labeling matched the location and pattern detected by IHC. The progression of BIV infection in eastern water dragons, based on lesion severity and virus detection, appears to start in the spleen, followed by the liver, then other organs such as the kidney, pancreas, oral mucosa, and skin. The early detection of ranaviral DNA in cloacal swabs and liver and kidney tissue s les suggests these to be a reliable source of diagnostic s les in the early stage of disease before the appearance of clinical signs, as well as throughout the infection.
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-01-2011
DOI: 10.1111/J.1365-2761.2010.01224.X
Abstract: A survey was performed on ornamental fish imported into the EU to detect viral agents belonging to the genus Ranavirus. The objective was to gain knowledge of the potential for these systemic iridoviruses to gain entry into the EU via international trade in ornamental fish. A total of 208 pooled s les, representing 753 in idual fish, were tested. The s les included 13 orders and 37 families, originating from different countries and continents. Tissues from fish that died during or just after transport were collected and examined by standard virological techniques in epithelioma papulosum cyprini cells, by transmission electron microscopy and by PCR for the detection of the major capsid protein and DNA polymerase gene sequences of ranaviruses. Virus was isolated from nine fish species but ranavirus was not identified in those s les. The results suggest that ranaviruses are not highly prevalent in ornamental fish imported into the EU.
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 25-02-2009
DOI: 10.3354/DAO02021
Abstract: In order to study the pathogenicity of ranaviruses to a wild European freshwater fish species, pike Esox lucius fry were challenged with the following Ranavirus isolates: epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV), European sheatfish virus (ESV), European catfish virus (ECV), pike-perch iridovirus (PPIV), New Zealand eel virus (NZeelV) and frog virus 3 (FV3). The fry were infected using bath challenge at 12 and 22 degrees C. Significant mortalities were observed at 12 degrees C for EHNV, ESV, PPIV and NZeelV. Background mortality was too high in the experiments performed at 22 degrees C for any conclusions about viral pathogenicity at this temperature to be drawn. Viruses could be re-isolated from s les from all challenged groups, and their presence in infected tissue was demonstrated using immunohistochemistry. The findings suggest that pike fry are susceptible to EHNV, ESV, PPIV and NZeelV and can be a vector for ECV and FV3. Statistical analysis of the factors associated with positive virus re-isolation showed that the number of fish in the s le influenced the outcome of virus re-isolation. Moreover, the likelihood of positive virus re-isolation significantly differed among the 6 viral isolates. The temperature from where the s le was taken and the number of days after infection were not associated with the probability of a positive virus re-isolation.
Publisher: Inderscience Publishers
Date: 2014
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 31-01-2018
DOI: 10.3354/DAO03193
Abstract: Ranaviruses infect and have been associated with mass mortality events in fish, hibians and reptiles and are capable of interclass transmission. Eastern water dragons (EWDs), a semi-aquatic squamate, have an overlapping distribution with several species shown to be susceptible to Bohle iridovirus (BIV). However, this species has not been previously investigated, and no known mass mortalities have occurred in wild populations. Here we report the experimental infection of juvenile EWDs with BIV to investigate a water-dwelling lizards' susceptibility to a ranaviral strain present in northern Queensland, Australia. Lizards were exposed via oral inoculation, intramuscular injection, or cohabitation with orally infected lizards. All exposure methods were effective in establishing an infection as demonstrated by skin lesions and pathological changes in the internal organs. Necrosis, haemorrhage and inflammation were observed histologically in the pancreas, liver, spleen, kidney and submucosa of the gastrointestinal tract of BIV-exposed lizards. Variably sized basophilic intracytoplasmic inclusion bodies were observed in the liver of 6/14 BIV-exposed lizards. Virus was isolated from the liver and kidney of all BIV-infected lizards and confirmed with quantitative PCR (qPCR). The outcome of this study demonstrates that juvenile EWDs are susceptible to BIV, thereby adding Australian lizards to the broad host range of ranaviruses. Furthermore, this study provides additional evidence of BIV's ability to infect different classes of ecothermic vertebrates.
Publisher: Inter-Research Science Center
Date: 27-05-2009
DOI: 10.3354/DAO02060
Abstract: A survey for the hibian pathogens ranavirus and Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) was conducted in Denmark during August and September 2008. The public was encouraged via the media to register unusual mortalities in a web-based survey. All members of the public that registered cases were interviewed by phone and 10 cases were examined on suspicion of disease-induced mortality. All s les were negative for Bd. Ranavirus was isolated from 2 s les of recently dead frogs collected during a mass mortality event in an artificial pond near Slagelse, Denmark. The identity of the virus was confirmed by immunofluorescent antibody test. Sequencing of the major capsid protein gene showed the isolate had more than 97.3% nucleotide homology to 6 other ranaviruses.
Publisher: American Institute of Mathematical Sciences (AIMS)
Date: 2020
No related grants have been discovered for Ellen Ariel.