Serological survey of Australian native reptiles for exposure to ranavirus

Ariel, E., Elliott, E., Meddings, J.I., Miller, J., Santos, M.B., and Owens, L. (2017) Serological survey of Australian native reptiles for exposure to ranavirus. Diseases of Aquatic Organisms, 126 (3). pp. 173-183.

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Abstract

Ranaviruses have been isolated from many ectothermic vertebrates, and serological surveys of both amphibians 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 serosurvey 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 sampled. 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 individuals. 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.

Item ID: 51761
Item Type: Article (Research - C1)
ISSN: 1616-1580
Keywords: Bohle iridovirus, serological survey, ELISA, reptiles, crocodiles, turtles, snakes
Additional Information:

Postprints of articles published without 'Gold' Open Access may be deposited 12 months after publication under a Creative Commons by Attribution Licence (CC-BY).

Funders: Australian Postgraduate Research Award
Date Deposited: 13 Dec 2017 07:33
FoR Codes: 30 AGRICULTURAL, VETERINARY AND FOOD SCIENCES > 3009 Veterinary sciences > 300914 Veterinary virology @ 100%
SEO Codes: 96 ENVIRONMENT > 9604 Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species > 960406 Control of Pests, Diseases and Exotic Species in Fresh, Ground and Surface Water Environments @ 100%
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