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Shilton CM, Jerrett IV, Davis S, Walsh S, Benedict S, Isberg SR, Webb GJW, Manolis C, Hyndman TH, Phalen D, Brown GP, Melville L. Diagnostic investigation of new disease syndromes in farmed Australian saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) reveals associations with herpesviral infection. J Vet Diagn Invest 2016; 28:279-90. [PMID: 27075848 DOI: 10.1177/1040638716642268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Since 2006, 3 new disease syndromes have emerged in farmed saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in the Northern Territory of Australia. We describe the syndromes through a retrospective study of laboratory findings from 187 diagnostic cases submitted to Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories between 2005 and 2014. The first syndrome was characterized by conjunctivitis and/or pharyngitis (CP), primarily in hatchlings. Herpesviruses were isolated in primary crocodile cell culture, or were detected by PCR directly from conjunctiva or pharyngeal tissue, in 21 of 39 cases of CP (54%), compared with 9 of 64 crocodiles without the syndrome (14%, p < 0.0001). Chlamydiaceae were detected by PCR in conjunctiva or pharyngeal tissue of 55% of 29 CP cases tested, and of these, 81% also contained herpesvirus. The second syndrome occurred in juveniles and growers exhibiting poor growth, and was characterized histologically by systemic lymphoid proliferation and nonsuppurative encephalitis (SLPE). Herpesviruses were isolated or detected by PCR from at least 1 internal organ in 31 of 33 SLPE cases (94%) compared with 5 of 95 crocodiles without the syndrome (5%, p < 0.0001). The third syndrome, characterized by multifocal lymphohistiocytic infiltration of the dermis (LNS), occurred in 6 harvest-sized crocodiles. Herpesviruses were isolated from at least 1 skin lesion in 4 of these 6 cases. Although our study revealed strong associations between herpesvirus and the CP and SLPE syndromes, the precise nature of the role of herpesvirus, along with the pathogenesis and epidemiology of the syndromes, requires further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine M Shilton
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Shilton, Davis, Walsh, Benedict, Melville)AgriBio Centre, Victorian Government, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Jerrett)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Isberg, Phalen, Brown)Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia (Isberg)Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb, Manolis)Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb)School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia (Hyndman)
| | - Ian V Jerrett
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Shilton, Davis, Walsh, Benedict, Melville)AgriBio Centre, Victorian Government, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Jerrett)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Isberg, Phalen, Brown)Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia (Isberg)Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb, Manolis)Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb)School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia (Hyndman)
| | - Steven Davis
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Shilton, Davis, Walsh, Benedict, Melville)AgriBio Centre, Victorian Government, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Jerrett)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Isberg, Phalen, Brown)Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia (Isberg)Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb, Manolis)Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb)School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia (Hyndman)
| | - Susan Walsh
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Shilton, Davis, Walsh, Benedict, Melville)AgriBio Centre, Victorian Government, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Jerrett)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Isberg, Phalen, Brown)Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia (Isberg)Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb, Manolis)Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb)School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia (Hyndman)
| | - Suresh Benedict
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Shilton, Davis, Walsh, Benedict, Melville)AgriBio Centre, Victorian Government, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Jerrett)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Isberg, Phalen, Brown)Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia (Isberg)Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb, Manolis)Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb)School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia (Hyndman)
| | - Sally R Isberg
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Shilton, Davis, Walsh, Benedict, Melville)AgriBio Centre, Victorian Government, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Jerrett)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Isberg, Phalen, Brown)Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia (Isberg)Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb, Manolis)Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb)School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia (Hyndman)
| | - Grahame J W Webb
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Shilton, Davis, Walsh, Benedict, Melville)AgriBio Centre, Victorian Government, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Jerrett)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Isberg, Phalen, Brown)Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia (Isberg)Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb, Manolis)Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb)School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia (Hyndman)
| | - Charlie Manolis
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Shilton, Davis, Walsh, Benedict, Melville)AgriBio Centre, Victorian Government, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Jerrett)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Isberg, Phalen, Brown)Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia (Isberg)Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb, Manolis)Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb)School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia (Hyndman)
| | - Timothy H Hyndman
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Shilton, Davis, Walsh, Benedict, Melville)AgriBio Centre, Victorian Government, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Jerrett)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Isberg, Phalen, Brown)Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia (Isberg)Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb, Manolis)Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb)School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia (Hyndman)
| | - David Phalen
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Shilton, Davis, Walsh, Benedict, Melville)AgriBio Centre, Victorian Government, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Jerrett)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Isberg, Phalen, Brown)Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia (Isberg)Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb, Manolis)Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb)School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia (Hyndman)
| | - Gregory P Brown
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Shilton, Davis, Walsh, Benedict, Melville)AgriBio Centre, Victorian Government, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Jerrett)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Isberg, Phalen, Brown)Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia (Isberg)Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb, Manolis)Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb)School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia (Hyndman)
| | - Lorna Melville
- Berrimah Veterinary Laboratories, Northern Territory Government, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Shilton, Davis, Walsh, Benedict, Melville)AgriBio Centre, Victorian Government, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia (Jerrett)The University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia (Isberg, Phalen, Brown)Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, Northern Territory, Australia (Isberg)Wildlife Management International Pty Limited, Berrimah, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb, Manolis)Research Institute for the Environment and Livelihoods, Charles Darwin University, Darwin, Northern Territory, Australia (Webb)School of Veterinary and Life Sciences, Murdoch University, Murdoch, Western Australia, Australia (Hyndman)
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Chong AY, Kojima KK, Jurka J, Ray DA, Smit AFA, Isberg SR, Gongora J. Evolution and gene capture in ancient endogenous retroviruses - insights from the crocodilian genomes. Retrovirology 2014; 11:71. [PMID: 25499090 PMCID: PMC4299795 DOI: 10.1186/s12977-014-0071-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/27/2013] [Accepted: 08/07/2014] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Crocodilians are thought to be hosts to a diverse and divergent complement of endogenous retroviruses (ERVs) but a comprehensive investigation is yet to be performed. The recent sequencing of three crocodilian genomes provides an opportunity for a more detailed and accurate representation of the ERV diversity that is present in these species. Here we investigate the diversity, distribution and evolution of ERVs from the genomes of three key crocodilian species, and outline the key processes driving crocodilian ERV proliferation and evolution. Results ERVs and ERV related sequences make up less than 2% of crocodilian genomes. We recovered and described 45 ERV groups within the three crocodilian genomes, many of which are species specific. We have also revealed a new class of ERV, ERV4, which appears to be common to crocodilians and turtles, and currently has no characterised exogenous counterpart. For the first time, we formally describe the characteristics of this ERV class and its classification relative to other recognised ERV and retroviral classes. This class shares some sequence similarity and sequence characteristics with ERV3, although it is phylogenetically distinct from the other ERV classes. We have also identified two instances of gene capture by crocodilian ERVs, one of which, the capture of a host KIT-ligand mRNA has occurred without the loss of an ERV domain. Conclusions This study indicates that crocodilian ERVs comprise a wide variety of lineages, many of which appear to reflect ancient infections. In particular, ERV4 appears to have a limited host range, with current data suggesting that it is confined to crocodilians and some lineages of turtles. Also of interest are two ERV groups that demonstrate evidence of host gene capture. This study provides a framework to facilitate further studies into non-mammalian vertebrates and highlights the need for further studies into such species. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12977-014-0071-2) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda Y Chong
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
| | - Kenji K Kojima
- Genetic Information Research Institute, Los Altos, CA, 94022, USA.
| | - Jerzy Jurka
- Genetic Information Research Institute, Los Altos, CA, 94022, USA.
| | - David A Ray
- Department of Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Plant Pathology and Entomology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi State, 39762, USA. .,Institute for Genomics, Biocomputing and Biotechnology, Mississippi State University, Starkville, Mississippi State, 39762, USA. .,Current Address: Department of Biological Sciences, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.
| | - Arian F A Smit
- Institute for Systems Biology, Seattle, WA, 98109-5234, USA.
| | - Sally R Isberg
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia. .,Centre for Crocodile Research, Noonamah, NT, 0837, Australia.
| | - Jaime Gongora
- Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, 2006, Australia.
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