An iridovirus-like agent isolated from the ornate burrowing frog Limnodynastes ornatus in northern Australia

Abstract

An enveloped, icosahedral DNA virus of 128 ± 8 nm was isolated from metarnorphs of the ornate burrowing frog Limnodynastes ornatus (Gray) in Australia. At 25 °C the virus grew readily in 11 mammalian and 4 fish cell hes (TCID50 ml-1 = 1 × 105.43 to 108.85), grew less well in the Atlantic salmon cell line (TCID50 ml-1 = 1 × 103.85 and failed to grow in 5 insect cell lines. Growth was inhibited at temperatures above 33 °C. Cytopathic effects consisted of basophilic cytoplasmic inclusion bodies, rounding of infected cells, lifting from substrate and extensive destruction of the monolayer usually by 24 to 48 h postinfection. Methylation of DNA occurred during growth. The virus shares characteristics with Iridoviridae of amphibian origin, e.g. Ranavirus, and piscine origin, e.g. epizootic haernatopoeitic necrosis virus of redfin perch Perca fluviatilis.