Spatial distribution of mortality in Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas: reflection on mechanisms of OsHV-1 transmission

The ostreid herpesvirus (OsHV-1) has the potential to devastate Crassostrea gigas culture in Australia as it has done in many other countries, highlighting the need for a better understanding of disease expression and transmission. The aim of this study was to assess the spatial distribution of OsHV-1 associated mortalities in one of only two infected areas in Australia, Woolooware Bay (Botany Bay New South Wales). In October 2011, healthy sentinel Pacific oysters were placed in three different locations at three different tidal levels and OsHV-1 associated mortalities were closely monitored over 7 months. The outbreak started in November 2011 and the disease remained active until April 2012. Three major mortality events were detected. Rather than being a propagating epizootic, it appeared that most oysters were infected from the same environmental source. The distribution of OsHV-1 associated mortalities was spatially clustered, highly variable and clearly dependent on the age of oysters and their position in the water column. Non-random distribution of mortalities at macro scale (sites several km apart) and micro scale (within rearing trays), and vertical clustering patterns in the water column are discussed in relation to mechanisms of transmission in water. We hypothesise that OsHV-1 may be carried through water by particles, possibly plankton. Key words: Crassostrea gigas, Ostreid herpesvirus 1, summer mortalities, spatial distribution, plankton, disease transmissionFunded by the Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, the University of Sydney and the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authorit

Experimental infections of Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas using the Australian OsHV-1 µVar strain

In Australia the spread of the Ostreid herpesvirus OsHV-1 microvariant (OsHV-1 µVar) threatens the Pacific oyster industry. There was an urgent need to develop an experimental infection model in order to study the pathogenesis of the virus in controlled laboratory conditions. The present study constitutes the first attempt to use archived frozen oysters as a source of inoculum, based on the Australian OsHV-1 µVar strain. Experiments were conducted to test (i) the virus infectivity, (ii) the dose-response relationship for OsHV-1, and (iii) the best storage conditions to keep infective viral inoculum. Intramuscular injection of a viral inoculum consistently led to an onset of mortality 48h post injection and a final cumulative mortality exceeding 90%, in association with high viral loads (1 x 105 – 3 x 107 copies of virus mg-1) in dead individuals. For the first time an infective inoculum was produced from frozen oysters (tissues stored at -80°C for 6 months). Storage of purified viral inoculum at +4°C for 3 months provided similar results to use of fresh inoculum whereas storage at -20°C, -80°C and room temperature was detrimental to infectivity. A dose-response relationship for OsHV-1 was identified but further research is recommended to determine the most appropriate viral concentration for development of infection models that would be used for different purposes. Overall, this work highlights the best practices and potential issues that may occur in the development of a reproducible and transferable infection model for studying the pathogenicity of the Australian OsHV-1 strain in C. gigas under experimental conditions. Keywords: Ostreid herpesvirus 1; Crassostrea gigas; experimental infection model; dose-response; inoculum preparation; storage condition

Descriptive epidemiology of mass mortality due to Ostreid herpesvirus-1 (OsHV-1) in commercially farmed Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) in the Hawkesbury River estuary, Australia

postprintMortality of farmed triploid Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) associated with Ostreid herpesvirus-1 (OsHV-1) was first recorded in Australia in the Georges River/Botany Bay estuary (New South Wales) in late 2010. Two years later, the first sign of possible inter-estuarine spread was observed when commercial triploid Pacific oysters in the Hawkesbury River estuary, located 50 km north of Botany Bay, were affected by mass mortality. The aim of this study was to describe the epidemiological features of the Hawkesbury outbreak via a formal investigation which was conducted in real time and comprised: an assessment of stock levels, past oyster acquisitions and a trace forward investigation to identify stock at greatest risk due to transfers of oysters; passive surveillance of the spread of mortalities in the estuary; active surveillance using PCR to identify the distribution of OsHV-1 infection on farms in the estuary and mortality estimates to identify age and size classes affected; identification of the time of first infection using data from sentinel oysters; and assessment of environmental risk factors. Mortalities were recorded in all age classes but were greater in spat and juveniles than in adults. The incubation period for mass mortality was < 4 days, however subclinical OsHV-1 infection was detected three months prior to the first signs of mortality in the index case (first location affected), which suggests that low viral loads of OsHV-1 are insufficient to induce the disease. While inefficient oyster-to-oyster transmission occurred at two locations, a synchronous infection arising from a common environmental source was required to explain the mass mortalities at the index case (Mullet Creek). Estuarine hydrodynamics then assisted rapid dispersal of viral particles throughout the estuary. Seawater temperatures were consistently above 24°C during the month preceding mass mortalities with variations (± 3°C) being observed over a few days during this period; however this did not necessarily lead to mortality events when the virus was present. There was no evidence of prior movement of potentially infected oysters or farming equipment into the Hawkesbury River estuary to explain the outbreak. Key words: Disease outbreak investigation; Pacific oysters; Ostreid herpesvirus-1; disease transmission; incubation period; water temperature; epidemiologyFunded by the Fisheries Research Development and Corporation (FRDC), The University of Sydney and the Sydney Metropolitan Catchment Management Authorit

Risk factors for feline infectious peritonitis in Australian cats

Objective: To determine whether patient signalment (age, breed, sex, and neuter status) are associated with naturally occurring feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in cats in Australia. Design: A retrospective comparison of the signalment between cats with confirmed FIP and the general cat population. Results: The patient signalment of 382 FIP confirmed cases were compared with the Companion Animal Register of NSW and the general cat population of Sydney. Younger cats were significantly over-represented amongst FIP cases. Domestic crossbred, Persian, and Himalayan cats were significantly under-represented in the FIP cohort while several breeds were over-represented including British Shorthair, Devon Rex, and Abyssinian. A significantly higher proportion of male cats had FIP compared to female cats. Conclusion: This study provides further evidence that FIP is primarily a disease of young cats and that significant breed and sex predilections exist in Australia. This opens further avenues to investigate the role of genetic factors in FIP

Risk factors for feline infectious peritonitis in Australian cats

Objective: To determine whether patient signalment (age, breed, sex, and neuter status) are associated with naturally occurring feline infectious peritonitis (FIP) in cats in Australia. Design: A retrospective comparison of the signalment between cats with confirmed FIP and the general cat population. Results: The patient signalment of 382 FIP confirmed cases were compared with the Companion Animal Register of NSW and the general cat population of Sydney. Younger cats were significantly over-represented amongst FIP cases. Domestic crossbred, Persian, and Himalayan cats were significantly under-represented in the FIP cohort while several breeds were over-represented including British Shorthair, Devon Rex, and Abyssinian. A significantly higher proportion of male cats had FIP compared to female cats. Conclusion: This study provides further evidence that FIP is primarily a disease of young cats and that significant breed and sex predilections exist in Australia. This opens further avenues to investigate the role of genetic factors in FIP

H-reflex amplitude asymmetry is an earlier sign of nerve root involvement than latency in patients with S1 radiculopathy

Abstract Background Based on our clinical experience, the H-reflex amplitude asymmetry might be an earlier sign of nerve root involvement than latency in patients with S1 radiculopathy. However, no data to support this assumption are available. The purpose of this study was to review and report the electrophysiological changes in H-reflex amplitude and latency in patients with radiculopathy in order to determine if there is any evidence to support the assumption that H-reflex amplitude is an earlier sign of nerve root involvement than latency. Results Patients with radiculopathy showed significant amplitude asymmetry when compared with healthy controls. However, latency was not always significantly different between patients and healthy controls. These findings suggest nerve root axonal compromise that reduced reflex amplitude earlier than the latency parameter (demyelination) during the pathologic processes. Conclusion Contrary to current clinical thought, H-reflex amplitude asymmetry is an earlier sign/parameter of nerve root involvement in patients with radiculopathy compared with latency.</p

Review of Flywheel based Internal Combustion Engine Hybrid Vehicles

Hybrid vehicles of different configurations and utilizing different energy storage systems have existed in development for many decades and more recently in limited production. They can be grouped as parallel, series or complex hybrids. Another classification is micro, mild and full hybrids which makes the distinction on the basis of functionality. The common energy storage systems in hybrid vehicles are batteries, supercapacitors and high speed flywheels. This paper aims to review a specific type of hybrid vehicle which involves the internal combustion engine (ICE) as the prime mover and the high speed flywheel as an energy storage device. Such hybrids are now attracting considerable interest given their potential for low cost. It is hence timely to produce a review of research and development in this subject. The flywheel is coupled to the drive line with a continuous variable transmission (CVT). The CVT can be of various types such as electrical, hydraulic or mechanical but usually in this case it is a non-electrical one. Different configurations are possible and the paper provides a timeline of the development of such powertrains with various examples. These types of hybrid vehicles have existed as prototypes for many decades and the authors believe that their development has reached levels where they can be considered serious contenders for production vehicles