Endogenous ZAP is associated with altered Zika virus infection phenotype.

The zinc finger antiviral protein 1 (ZAP) has broad antiviral activity. ZAP is an interferon (IFN)-stimulated gene, which itself may enhance type I IFN antiviral response. In a previous study, Zika virus was identified as ZAP-resistant and not sensitive to ZAP antiviral activity.

Endogenous ZAP affects Zika virus RNA interactome.

One of the most recent advances in the analysis of viral RNA-cellular protein interactions is the Comprehensive Identification of RNA-binding Proteins by Mass Spectrometry (ChIRP-MS). Here, we used ChIRP-MS in mock-infected and Zika-infected wild-type cells and cells knockout for the zinc finger CCCH-type antiviral protein 1 (ZAP). We characterized 'ZAP-independent' and 'ZAP-dependent' cellular protein interactomes associated with flavivirus RNA and found that ZAP affects cellular proteins associated with Zika virus RNA.

Asian Zika virus can acquire generic African-lineage mutations during infection.

The Zika virus 2015 epidemic showed an unusual phenotype for human flaviviruses, specifically fetal infection. We previously showed that inoculation with the Asian Zika virus isolated from the human sample causes persistent infection in porcine fetuses. Here, we characterized the evolution of the Asian Zika virus in the fetal brain and placenta.

Characterisation of the whole genome sequence of an avian hepatitis E virus directly from clinical specimens reveals possible recombination events between European and USA strains.

Avian hepatitis E virus (aHEV) is the causative agent of an important disease of broiler breeders and layers. aHEV cannot be readily propagated in cell culture and is characterised primarily by sequencing of amplicons generated through several RT-PCRs that target individual genes. This study aims to uncover the origin of current Australian aHEV isolates based on whole genome sequencing using clinical liver tissues.

Phylogenetic Relationships within the Nematode Subfamily (Nematoda: ) from Australian Macropodid and Vombatid Marsupials.

The strongyloid nematode subfamily Phascolostrongylinae comprises parasites of the large intestine and stomach of Australian macropods and wombats. In this study, we tested the phylogenetic relationships among the genera of the Phascolostrongylinae using the first and second internal transcribed spacers of the nuclear ribosomal DNA. Monophyly was encountered in the tribe Phascolostrongylinea comprising two genera, and , found exclusively in the large intestine of wombats.

Full genomic characterisation of an emerging infectious laryngotracheitis virus class 7b from Australia linked to a vaccine strain revealed its identity.

Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) is an alphaherpesvirus that infects chickens, causing upper respiratory tract illness and substantial economic losses to the commercial poultry industry worldwide. Due to its geographical isolation, Australia has had a unique population of ILTV genotypes, and this has provided the researchers with an excellent opportunity to examine the evolution of herpesviruses. Recent studies on the evolution of ILTV have reported the emergence of recombinant ILTVs in Australian poultry flocks.

Investigation onto the correlation between systemic antibodies to surface glycoproteins of infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) and protective immunity.

Infectious laryngotracheitis virus (ILTV) is an alphaherpesvirus that causes upper respiratory tract disease in chickens and significant losses to the poultry industry worldwide. Both antibody and cell-mediated responses are generated against ILTV infection; however, the correlation of humoral immune response with protection against ILTV infection is debatable. To examine if whether antibody responses to individual ILTV glycoproteins are correlated with disease and protection, four ILTV glycoproteins (gD, gE, gG and gJ) were expressed as recombinant proteins and used in conjunction with commercially available recombinant gC and gI in indirect ELISAs to measure post-vaccination and/or post-challenge chicken serum antibodies.

A review on epidemiology, global prevalence and economical losses of fasciolosis in ruminants.

Fasciolosis is an important plant borne trematode zoonosis in ruminants caused by the Fasciola hepatica and Fasciola gigentica, It is classified as a neglected tropical disease and found in more than 50 countries especially where sheep and cattle are reared. Fasciolosis is a serious animal health problems in many rural and urban areas of world, causing significant financial losses due to decrease in production and viscera condemnation in animals. Accurate diagnosis of fasciolosis is always remained a challenging task for the field practitioners.