Confirmation of Elsey virus infection in a Queensland horse with mild neurologic signs

In 2011, a 2-year-old horse in northern Queensland, Australia, was reported to have developed mild neurologic signs, and a blood sample was submitted for laboratory investigation. Virus isolation was performed using the blood sample, and an orbivirus was isolated. This was confirmed to be a strain of Elsey virus (ELSV) after transmission electron microscopy and nucleotide sequencing. The nucleotide sequence was compared with those in GenBank, and had 100% identity with ELSV previously reported from the Northern Territory, Australia. ELSV is taxonomically closely related to Peruvian horse sickness virus

Eradication of two incursions of the Red Imported Fire Ant in Queensland, Australia

Of the five known incursions of the highly invasive Red Imported Fire Ant in Australia, two are regarded to have been eradicated. As treatment efforts continue, and the programme evolves and new tools become available, eradication is still considered to be feasible for the remaining Red Imported Fire Ant populations with long-term commitment and support

Dingoes, domestic dogs, or hybrids? Genetics of peri-urban wild dogs in north-eastern Australia

Wild dogs are common residents in peri-urban areas of northeastern Australia. Improved knowledge of the ancestry of wild dogs can assist in determining management priorities, such as targeting source populations, in such areas. We studied the genetics of wild dogs from peri-urban and more regional areas in NE Australia to determine the degree of hybridisation of dog populations. Tissue or hair samples from free-ranging dogs captured through control and research programs were collected and DNA extracted. Seventeen microsatellite loci were examined. Each sample was classified as domestic dog, pure dingo, probable dingo, or hybrid through comparison of allelic data to known dingo/domestic dog reference samples (using the Average 3Q score). Total (pooled) results from all regions show that hybrid wild dogs dominate and less than 36% were of dingo/ probable dingo ancestry. Very few (~1%) were domestic dogs. Spatial and regional differences in dingo hybridisation also suggest trends of increased hybridisation with increased urbanisation. This paper presents the initial findings of the study into peri-urban wild dog genetics, and discusses how such information can assist in developing best practice management strategies and guidelines for implementing control in peri-urban areas

Alleles and algorithms: The role of genetic analyses and remote sensing technology in an ant eradication program

Eradication programs for invasive ants are often hampered by a lack of effective tools to detect, contain and kill the pests. Among the range of tools employed in the course of a 20-year eradication program for red imported fire ant, Solenopsis invicta, in Australia, two of the most crucial for success are genetic analysis at both individual colony and population scales, and remote sensing for the detection of S. invicta mounds over large areas. Several genetic analyses are used by the program as an everyday operational tool to guide the eradication effort; for example, genotyping of the social form determines where and how far we need to search and treat, whereas nest relatedness derived from microsatellites aids in deciding when and where to target investigations into human-assisted movement of the pest. Microsatellite genotyping can determine the origin of new invasions into the country and has been used to verify the eradication of six distinct incursions of S. invicta in Australia, as well as demonstrating the pressure being exerted on the remaining Queensland population by the current eradication activities. Remote sensing played a key role in delimiting the extent of the S. invicta infestation in southeast Queensland in 2015, and in the future will assist in both delimitation and in verifying eradication of this ant in treatment areas as part of the proof of freedom process. Unquestionably, without these tools, the battle to eradicate S. invicta from Australia would be severely constrained, if not lost. These technologies may be applicable in management or eradication programs for S. invicta worldwide, and potentially for other invasive ant species

A hypothetical model for VHML phage conversion of Vibrio harveyi

The bacteriophage VHML (Vibrio harveyi myoviruslike) originated from a toxin producing strain of Vibrio harveyi. It has been demonstrated previously that the presence of the VHML prophage can induce virulence to V. harveyi in the laboratory. Here, a hypothetical model for phage virulence conversion of V. harveyi is presented. Through the nucleotide sequence determination of the entire VHML genome (43,193 bp), we have identified putative phage structural genes consistent with the physical characteristics of the virions as observed by TEM. We have also identified putative genes consistent with integration of the genome,\ud supporting the theory that VHML integrates the host V. harveyi genome as a prophage. In addition, we have identified a potential toxin gene on the VHML genome. This gene includes DNA sequence similar to the reported active site of the ADP-ribosylating group of toxins. These ADP-RT's indude toxins from other bacteria reported previousiy to be a result of bacteriophage conversion. This presentation will illustrate how the phage genes could cause\ud infection of VIbrio harveyi host cells, integration of the phage genome into the hosts' chromosome and subsequent production of the putative toxin, thereby conferring virulence to Vibrio harveyi

Experimental bacteriophage-mediated virulence in strains of Vibrio harveyi

Vibriosis is a major disease problem in prawn aquaculture. Until now there has been no clear explanation why some strains of Vibrio are pathogenic, while others are not. This study demonstrated that the presence of the bacteriophage V. harveyi myovirus like (VHML) may confer virulence to V. harveyi Strain 642. This was demonstrated by infecting naïve avirulent V. harveyi Strains 12, 20, 45 and 645 with the bacteriophage and converting them into virulent strains. The previously naïve strains of Vibrio infected with Bacteriophage VHML from V. harveyi Strain 642 demonstrated up-regulation of haemolysin, up-regulation of protein excretion, additional proteins which were recognised as toxic proteins from Strain 642 by monoclonal antibodies specific to the exotoxin sub-units, and a significant increase in mortality of larval Penaeus monodon. It was concluded that Bacteriophage VHML conferred virulence to V. harveyi Strains 12, 20, 45 and 645 and that Bacteriophage VHML either fully or partly confers virulence in V. harveyi Strain 642