Giant toads Bufo marinus in Australia and Venezuela have antibodies against 'ranaviruses'.
A serological survey was conducted for antibodies against 'ranaviruses' in the giant toad Bufo marinus in Australia and Venezuela. Sera containing antibodies against 'ranaviruses' were found in both countries. In Australia positive antibodies were identified in populations throughout most of the known range of B. marinus. Results were confirmed by immunofluorescence and immunoelectron microscopy where a characteristic staining pattern of 'ranaviruses' in infected cells was observed. Whilst a 'ranavirus(es)' has been isolated from populations of B. marinus in Venezuela, no virus has been isolated from Australian B. marinus populations. The significance of 'ranavirus' sero-positive B. marinus in Australia is discussed.
CSIRO, Division of Animal Health, Australian Animal Health Laboratory, Victoria, Australia.
Z
Z
Zupanovic
G
G
Lopez
A D
AD
Hyatt
B
B
Green
G
G
Bartran
H
H
Parkes
R J
RJ
Whittington
R
R
Speare
D000818:Animals; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002024:Bufo marinus; D004199:Disease Vectors; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay / Q000662:veterinary; D005455:Fluorescent Antibody Technique / Q000662:veterinary; D016253:Microscopy, Immunoelectron / Q000662:veterinary; D015995:Prevalence; D012327:RNA Virus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission / Q000662:veterinary*; D017995:Ranavirus / Q000276:immunology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D014687:Venezuela / Q000453:epidemiology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral