Emergence of epizootic ulcerative syndrome in native fish of the Murray-Darling River System, Australia: hosts, distribution and possible vectors.

Epizootic ulcerative syndrome (EUS) is a fish disease of international significance and reportable to the Office International des Epizootics. In June 2010, bony herring Nematalosa erebi, golden perch Macquaria ambigua, Murray cod Maccullochella peelii and spangled perch Leiopotherapon unicolor with severe ulcers were sampled from the Murray-Darling River System (MDRS) between Bourke and Brewarrina, New South Wales Australia. Histopathology and polymerase chain reaction identified the fungus-like oomycete Aphanomyces invadans, the causative agent of EUS.

Gill-associated virus and its association with decreased production of Penaeus monodon in Australian prawn farms.

Gill-associated virus (GAV) was found to be associated with decreased prawn, Penaeus monodon, production when prawns from three farms (n = 45 ponds, 1800 prawns) were monitored for GAV over the production season using a graded RT-nPCR. The grading system used was a visualization of either the outer or inner nested PCR products. Prevalence and loading of GAV were associated with disease severity.

Dermatitis, branchitis and mortality in empire gudgeon Hypseleotris compressa exposed naturally to runoff from acid sulfate soils.

Severe dermatitis and branchitis are described in a wild population of empire gudgeon Hypseleotris compressa, an Australian eleotrid, exposed naturally to runoff from acid sulfate soils (ASS) in a drained estuarine embayment in eastern Australia. After at least 2 d exposure to pH < 4, and up to 7 d exposure to pH < 6, approximately 50% of the fish sampled had moderate to severe diffuse epidermal hyperplasia, usually at scale margins, and scattered areas of moderate to severe, focal to locally extensive, subacute, necrotising dermatitis. Saprolegnia spp.

Fatal, virus-associated peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy in farmed Penaeus monodon in eastern Australia. II. Outbreak descriptions.

Outbreaks of 'peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy' (PNR) occurring during 2 consecutive growout periods (typically October-April) are described for an intensive Penaeus monodon farm in eastern Australia. In the 1998/99 growout period, outbreaks graded minor to severe occurred in 22 of 25 ponds, 12 to 25 wk post-stocking. In the severely affected index pond, harvested 8 wk after outbreak recognition in mid-January, estimated survival for the period late December to harvest was 50%.

Fatal, virus-associated peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy in farmed Penaeus monodon in eastern Australia. I. Pathology.

Lesions are described in farmed Penaeus monodon affected with a previously unreported, fatal disease, 'peripheral neuropathy and retinopathy' (PNR). Outbreaks, associated with minor to heavy mortalities, occurred in 22 of 25 ponds on a farm in eastern Australia during the mid to late 1998/99 growout period. Moribund prawns, 5 to 26 g mean body weight, gathered at pond edges and were typically reddish in colour, lethargic, with mild to moderate epibiotic fouling and 1 or more partially amputated appendages.

Further observations on the epidemiology and spread of epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) in farmed rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss in southeastern Australia and a recommended sampling strategy for surveillance.

Epizootic haematopoietic necrosis virus (EHNV) is an iridovirus confined to Australia and is known only from rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and redfin perch Perca fluviatilis. Outbreaks of disease caused by EHNV in trout populations have invariably been of low severity, affecting only 0+ post-hatchery phase fingerlings < 125 mm in length. To date the virus has been demonstrated in very few live in-contact fish, and anti-EHNV antibodies have not been found in survivors of outbreaks, suggesting low infectivity but high case fatality rates in trout.

Occurrence of cutaneous infections of Myxobolus episquamalis (Myxozoa:Myxobolidae) in sea mullet, Mugil cephalus L, in Australia.

Objective: To report the occurrence of Myxobolus episquamalis in sea mullet, Mugil cephalus L, caught in estuaries in eastern and western Australia.

Design: A prospective study of commercial catches of mullet in the Clarence River of NSW and individual cases from other areas.

Results: The organism caused pale, white to pink, raised lesions on the scales and fins of sea mullet.

Enterocolitis in cattle associated with Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection.

A syndrome in cattle of diarrhoea and death associated with enteric Yersinia pseudotuberculosis infection is described. Outbreaks occurred during winter and early spring in adult cattle grazing pastures waterlogged by recent flooding or persistent heavy rain. Antibiotic therapy was effective early in the course of the syndrome.

Mortalities associated with herpesvirus infection in captive macropods.

Fatal cases of herpesvirus infection in a quokka (Setonix brachyurus), eight grey dorcopsis wallabies (Dorcopsis muelleri luctuosa) in two separate outbreaks, as well as presumptive fatal herpesvirus infection in a western grey kangaroo (Macropus fuliginosus) are described. All were captive animals and deaths were preceded by a period of stress. Lesions occurred most often in alimentary tract epithelium, respiratory tract, skin, genital epithelium, conjunctivae, liver and adrenal cortex.

An outbreak of disease in pigeons associated with a herpesvirus.

An outbreak of disease in young pigeons associated with a herpesvirus is reported. The clinical history, macroscopic and microscopic appearance of lesions and virus isolation are described. Most affected birds showed lesions in the upper alimentary tract epithelium as well as in skin, nasal mucosa and salivary glands.

Haemophilus parasuis infection in swine.

Septicemic disease occurred in 49 of 126 pigs several days after being transported 80 km. All affected pigs died. The main changes in acutely affected pigs were skin discoloration, pulmonary edema, arthritis, meningitis, and renal glomerular thrombosis.