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Dr. David Williams
CSIRO Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP, formerly AAHL), 5 Portarlington Road, Geelong, Victoria, 3220, Australia

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0 Molecular Epidemiology
0 Pathogenesis
0 african swine fever
0 Host response
0 Viral diagnostics

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Journal article
Published: 01 July 2021 in Microbiology Resource Announcements
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Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the African swine fever virus (ASFV) isolate ASFV/Timor-Leste/2019/1, isolated from a domestic pig during the first outbreak of ASF in Timor-Leste in 2019. Using target enrichment short-read Illumina data combined with long-read Oxford Nanopore data, we assembled a full-length genome sequence of 192,237 bp.

ACS Style

Patrick Mileto; Felisiano da Conceição; Vittoria Stevens; David Cummins; Andrea Certoma; Matthew J. Neave; Joanita Bendita Da Costa Jong; David T. Williams. Complete Genome Sequence of African Swine Fever Virus Isolated from a Domestic Pig in Timor-Leste, 2019. Microbiology Resource Announcements 2021, 10, e0026321 .

AMA Style

Patrick Mileto, Felisiano da Conceição, Vittoria Stevens, David Cummins, Andrea Certoma, Matthew J. Neave, Joanita Bendita Da Costa Jong, David T. Williams. Complete Genome Sequence of African Swine Fever Virus Isolated from a Domestic Pig in Timor-Leste, 2019. Microbiology Resource Announcements. 2021; 10 (26):e0026321.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Patrick Mileto; Felisiano da Conceição; Vittoria Stevens; David Cummins; Andrea Certoma; Matthew J. Neave; Joanita Bendita Da Costa Jong; David T. Williams. 2021. "Complete Genome Sequence of African Swine Fever Virus Isolated from a Domestic Pig in Timor-Leste, 2019." Microbiology Resource Announcements 10, no. 26: e0026321.

Journal article
Published: 08 March 2021 in Viruses
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Significant mortalities of racing pigeons occurred in Australia in late 2011 associated with a pigeon paramyxovirus serotype 1 (PPMV-1) infection. The causative agent, designated APMV-1/pigeon/Australia/3/2011 (P/Aus/3/11), was isolated from diagnostic specimens in specific pathogen free (SPF) embryonated eggs and was identified by a Newcastle Disease virus (NDV)-specific RT-PCR and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) test using reference polyclonal antiserum specific for NDV. The P/Aus/3/11 strain was further classified as PPMV-1 using the HI test and monoclonal antibody 617/161 by HI and phylogenetic analysis of the fusion gene sequence. The isolate P/Aus/3/11 had a slow haemagglutin-elution rate and was inactivated within 45 min at 56 °C. Cross HI tests generated an R value of 0.25, indicating a significant antigenic difference between P/Aus/3/11 and NDV V4 isolates. The mean death time (MDT) of SPF eggs infected with the P/Aus/3/11 isolate was 89.2 hr, characteristic of a mesogenic pathotype, consistent with other PPMV-1 strains. The plaque size of the P/Aus/3/11 isolate on chicken embryo fibroblast (CEF) cells was smaller than those of mesogenic and velogenic NDV reference strains, indicating a lower virulence phenotype in vitro and challenge of six-week-old SPF chickens did not induce clinical signs. However, sequence analysis of the fusion protein cleavage site demonstrated an 112RRQKRF117 motif, which is typical of a velogenic NDV pathotype. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the P/Aus/3/11 isolate belongs to a distinct subgenotype within class II genotype VI of avian paramyxovirus type 1. This is the first time this genotype has been detected in Australia causing disease in domestic pigeons and is the first time since 2002 that an NDV with potential for virulence has been detected in Australia.

ACS Style

Songhua Shan; Kerri Bruce; Vittoria Stevens; Frank Wong; Jianning Wang; Dayna Johnson; Deborah Middleton; Kim O’Riley; Sam McCullough; David Williams; Jemma Bergfeld. In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of a Pigeon Paramyxovirus Type 1 Isolated from Domestic Pigeons in Victoria, Australia 2011. Viruses 2021, 13, 429 .

AMA Style

Songhua Shan, Kerri Bruce, Vittoria Stevens, Frank Wong, Jianning Wang, Dayna Johnson, Deborah Middleton, Kim O’Riley, Sam McCullough, David Williams, Jemma Bergfeld. In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of a Pigeon Paramyxovirus Type 1 Isolated from Domestic Pigeons in Victoria, Australia 2011. Viruses. 2021; 13 (3):429.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Songhua Shan; Kerri Bruce; Vittoria Stevens; Frank Wong; Jianning Wang; Dayna Johnson; Deborah Middleton; Kim O’Riley; Sam McCullough; David Williams; Jemma Bergfeld. 2021. "In Vitro and In Vivo Characterization of a Pigeon Paramyxovirus Type 1 Isolated from Domestic Pigeons in Victoria, Australia 2011." Viruses 13, no. 3: 429.

Original article
Published: 05 January 2021 in Transboundary and Emerging Diseases
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Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is an emerging virus that has caused significant human morbidity and mortality since its detection in late 2019. With the rapid emergence has come an unprecedented programme of vaccine development with at least 300 candidates under development. Ferrets have proven to be an appropriate animal model for testing safety and efficacy of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccines due to quantifiable virus shedding in nasal washes and oral swabs. Here we outline our efforts early in the SARS‐CoV‐2 outbreak to propagate and characterise an Australian isolate of the virus in vitro and in an ex vivo model of human airway epithelium, as well as to demonstrate the susceptibility of domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo) to SARS‐CoV‐2 infection following intranasal challenge.

ACS Style

Glenn A. Marsh; Alexander J. McAuley; Sheree Brown; Elizabeth A. Pharo; Sandra Crameri; Gough G. Au; Michelle L. Baker; Jennifer A. Barr; Jemma Bergfeld; Matthew P. Bruce; Kathie Burkett; Peter A. Durr; Clare Holmes; Leonard Izzard; Rachel Layton; Suzanne Lowther; Matthew J. Neave; Timothy Poole; Sarah‐Jane Riddell; Brenton Rowe; Elisha Soldani; Vittoria Stevens; Willy W. Suen; Vinod Sundaramoorthy; Mary Tachedjian; Shawn Todd; Lee Trinidad; Sinéad M. Williams; Julian D. Druce; Trevor W. Drew; Seshadri S. Vasan. In vitrocharacterisation of SARS‐CoV‐2 and susceptibility of domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Transboundary and Emerging Diseases 2021, 1 .

AMA Style

Glenn A. Marsh, Alexander J. McAuley, Sheree Brown, Elizabeth A. Pharo, Sandra Crameri, Gough G. Au, Michelle L. Baker, Jennifer A. Barr, Jemma Bergfeld, Matthew P. Bruce, Kathie Burkett, Peter A. Durr, Clare Holmes, Leonard Izzard, Rachel Layton, Suzanne Lowther, Matthew J. Neave, Timothy Poole, Sarah‐Jane Riddell, Brenton Rowe, Elisha Soldani, Vittoria Stevens, Willy W. Suen, Vinod Sundaramoorthy, Mary Tachedjian, Shawn Todd, Lee Trinidad, Sinéad M. Williams, Julian D. Druce, Trevor W. Drew, Seshadri S. Vasan. In vitrocharacterisation of SARS‐CoV‐2 and susceptibility of domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo). Transboundary and Emerging Diseases. 2021; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Glenn A. Marsh; Alexander J. McAuley; Sheree Brown; Elizabeth A. Pharo; Sandra Crameri; Gough G. Au; Michelle L. Baker; Jennifer A. Barr; Jemma Bergfeld; Matthew P. Bruce; Kathie Burkett; Peter A. Durr; Clare Holmes; Leonard Izzard; Rachel Layton; Suzanne Lowther; Matthew J. Neave; Timothy Poole; Sarah‐Jane Riddell; Brenton Rowe; Elisha Soldani; Vittoria Stevens; Willy W. Suen; Vinod Sundaramoorthy; Mary Tachedjian; Shawn Todd; Lee Trinidad; Sinéad M. Williams; Julian D. Druce; Trevor W. Drew; Seshadri S. Vasan. 2021. "In vitrocharacterisation of SARS‐CoV‐2 and susceptibility of domestic ferrets (Mustela putorius furo)." Transboundary and Emerging Diseases , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 17 December 2020 in Journal of General Virology
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Bluetongue virus (BTV) is an arbovirus (genus: Orbivirus) that occurs worldwide. It infects domestic and wild ruminant species and can cause disease in livestock, producing high economic impact. Recently, it gained extra prominence throughout Europe, with disease occurring in regions traditionally free of BTV. BTV enters Australia from Southeast Asia via wind-borne infected Culicoides spp. The first Australian isolation was 1975 (BTV-20) and further serotypes were isolated between 1979–86 (BTV-1, -3, -9, -15, -16, -21, -23). Despite increased, more sensitive, monitoring, no more were detected in over two decades, implying a stable BTV episystem of eastern ancestry. Isolations of BTV-2, -7 and -5 then occurred between 2007–15, with the latter two possessing genome segments with high sequence identity to western isolates. We report on the first isolation and genomic characterization of BTV-12, which revealed that three more novel western topotype gene segments have entered northern Australia.

ACS Style

John R. White; David T. Williams; Kelly Davies; Jianning Wang; Honglei Chen; Andrea Certoma; Steven S. Davis; Richard P. Weir; Lorna F. Melville; Debbie Eagles. Bluetongue virus serotype 12 enters Australia – a further incursion of novel western lineage genome segments. Journal of General Virology 2020, jgv001536 .

AMA Style

John R. White, David T. Williams, Kelly Davies, Jianning Wang, Honglei Chen, Andrea Certoma, Steven S. Davis, Richard P. Weir, Lorna F. Melville, Debbie Eagles. Bluetongue virus serotype 12 enters Australia – a further incursion of novel western lineage genome segments. Journal of General Virology. 2020; ():jgv001536.

Chicago/Turabian Style

John R. White; David T. Williams; Kelly Davies; Jianning Wang; Honglei Chen; Andrea Certoma; Steven S. Davis; Richard P. Weir; Lorna F. Melville; Debbie Eagles. 2020. "Bluetongue virus serotype 12 enters Australia – a further incursion of novel western lineage genome segments." Journal of General Virology , no. : jgv001536.

Journal article
Published: 07 August 2020 in Microorganisms
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The detection of bluetongue virus (BTV) antigens in formalin-fixed tissues has been challenging; therefore, only a limited number of studies on suitable immunohistochemical approaches have been reported. This study details the successful application of antibodies for the immunohistochemical detection of BTV in BSR variant baby hamster kidney cells (BHK-BSR) and infected sheep lungs that were formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded (FFPE). BTV reactive antibodies raised against non-structural (NS) proteins 1, 2, and 3/3a and viral structural protein 7 (VP7) were first evaluated on FFPE BTV-infected cell pellets for their ability to detect BTV serotype 1 (BTV-1). Antibodies that were successful in immunolabelling BTV-1 infected cell pellets were further tested, using similar methods, to determine their broader immunoreactivity against a diverse range of BTV and other orbiviruses. Antibodies specific for NS1, NS2, and NS3/3a were able to detect all BTV isolates tested, and the VP7 antibody cross-reacted with all BTV isolates, except BTV-15. The NS1 antibodies were BTV serogroup-specific, while the NS2, NS3/3a, and VP7 antibodies demonstrated immunologic cross-reactivity to related orbiviruses. These antibodies also detected viral antigens in BTV-3 infected sheep lung. This study demonstrates the utility of FFPE-infected cell pellets for the development and validation of BTV immunohistochemistry.

ACS Style

Fabian Z. X. Lean; Jean Payne; Jennifer Harper; Joanne Devlin; David T. Williams; John Bingham. Evaluation of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) Antibodies for the Immunohistochemical Detection of BTV and Other Orbiviruses. Microorganisms 2020, 8, 1207 .

AMA Style

Fabian Z. X. Lean, Jean Payne, Jennifer Harper, Joanne Devlin, David T. Williams, John Bingham. Evaluation of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) Antibodies for the Immunohistochemical Detection of BTV and Other Orbiviruses. Microorganisms. 2020; 8 (8):1207.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fabian Z. X. Lean; Jean Payne; Jennifer Harper; Joanne Devlin; David T. Williams; John Bingham. 2020. "Evaluation of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) Antibodies for the Immunohistochemical Detection of BTV and Other Orbiviruses." Microorganisms 8, no. 8: 1207.

Journal article
Published: 24 June 2020 in Viruses
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The respiratory Influenza A Viruses (IAVs) and emerging zoonotic viruses such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome-Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pose a significant threat to human health. To accelerate our understanding of the host–pathogen response to respiratory viruses, the use of more complex in vitro systems such as normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cell culture models has gained prominence as an alternative to animal models. NHBE cells were differentiated under air-liquid interface (ALI) conditions to form an in vitro pseudostratified epithelium. The responses of well-differentiated (wd) NHBE cells were examined following infection with the 2009 pandemic Influenza A/H1N1pdm09 strain or following challenge with the dsRNA mimic, poly(I:C). At 30 h postinfection with H1N1pdm09, the integrity of the airway epithelium was severely impaired and apical junction complex damage was exhibited by the disassembly of zona occludens-1 (ZO-1) from the cell cytoskeleton. wdNHBE cells produced an innate immune response to IAV-infection with increased transcription of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and the antiviral viperin but reduced expression of the mucin-encoding MUC5B, which may impair mucociliary clearance. Poly(I:C) produced similar responses to IAV, with the exception of MUC5B expression which was more than 3-fold higher than for control cells. This study demonstrates that wdNHBE cells are an appropriate ex-vivo model system to investigate the pathogenesis of respiratory viruses.

ACS Style

Elizabeth A. Pharo; Sinéad M. Williams; Victoria Boyd; Vinod Sundaramoorthy; Peter A. Durr; Michelle L. Baker. Host–Pathogen Responses to Pandemic Influenza H1N1pdm09 in a Human Respiratory Airway Model. Viruses 2020, 12, 679 .

AMA Style

Elizabeth A. Pharo, Sinéad M. Williams, Victoria Boyd, Vinod Sundaramoorthy, Peter A. Durr, Michelle L. Baker. Host–Pathogen Responses to Pandemic Influenza H1N1pdm09 in a Human Respiratory Airway Model. Viruses. 2020; 12 (6):679.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Elizabeth A. Pharo; Sinéad M. Williams; Victoria Boyd; Vinod Sundaramoorthy; Peter A. Durr; Michelle L. Baker. 2020. "Host–Pathogen Responses to Pandemic Influenza H1N1pdm09 in a Human Respiratory Airway Model." Viruses 12, no. 6: 679.

Journal article
Published: 29 April 2020 in Veterinary Research
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Bovine ephemeral fever is a vector-borne disease of ruminants that occurs in tropical and sub-tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Australia. The disease is caused by a rhabdovirus, bovine ephemeral fever virus (BEFV), which occurs as a single serotype globally. Although several other closely related ephemeroviruses have been isolated from cattle and/or arthropods, only kotonkan virus from Nigeria and (tentatively) Mavingoni virus from Mayotte Island in the Indian Ocean have been previously associated with febrile disease. Here, we report the isolation of a novel virus (Hayes Yard virus; HYV) from blood collected in February 2000 from a bull (Bos indicus) in the Northern Territory of Australia. The animal was suffering from a severe ephemeral fever-like illness with neurological involvement, including recumbency and paralysis, and was euthanised. Histological examination of spinal cord and lung tissue identified extensive haemorrhage in the dura mata with moderate perineuronal oedema and extensive emphysema. HYV displayed cone-shaped morphology, typical of rhabdoviruses, and was found to be most closely related antigenically to Puchong virus (PUCV), isolated in 1965 from mosquitoes in Malaysia. Analysis of complete genome sequences of HYV (15 025 nt) and PUCV (14 932 nt) indicated that each has a complex organisation (3′ N-P-M-G-GNS-α1-α2-β-γ-L 5′) and expression strategy, similar to that of BEFV. Based on an alignment of complete L protein sequences, HYV and PUCV cluster with other rhabdoviruses in the genus Ephemerovirus and appear to represent two new species. Neutralising antibody to HYV was also detected in a retrospective survey of cattle sera collected in the Northern Territory.

ACS Style

Kim R. Blasdell; Steven S. Davis; Rhonda Voysey; Dieter M. Bulach; Deborah Middleton; Sinead Williams; Margaret B. Harmsen; Richard P. Weir; Sandra Crameri; Susan J. Walsh; Grantley R. Peck; Robert B. Tesh; David B. Boyle; Lorna F. Melville; Peter J. Walker. Hayes Yard virus: a novel ephemerovirus isolated from a bull with severe clinical signs of bovine ephemeral fever is most closely related to Puchong virus. Veterinary Research 2020, 51, 1 -13.

AMA Style

Kim R. Blasdell, Steven S. Davis, Rhonda Voysey, Dieter M. Bulach, Deborah Middleton, Sinead Williams, Margaret B. Harmsen, Richard P. Weir, Sandra Crameri, Susan J. Walsh, Grantley R. Peck, Robert B. Tesh, David B. Boyle, Lorna F. Melville, Peter J. Walker. Hayes Yard virus: a novel ephemerovirus isolated from a bull with severe clinical signs of bovine ephemeral fever is most closely related to Puchong virus. Veterinary Research. 2020; 51 (1):1-13.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Kim R. Blasdell; Steven S. Davis; Rhonda Voysey; Dieter M. Bulach; Deborah Middleton; Sinead Williams; Margaret B. Harmsen; Richard P. Weir; Sandra Crameri; Susan J. Walsh; Grantley R. Peck; Robert B. Tesh; David B. Boyle; Lorna F. Melville; Peter J. Walker. 2020. "Hayes Yard virus: a novel ephemerovirus isolated from a bull with severe clinical signs of bovine ephemeral fever is most closely related to Puchong virus." Veterinary Research 51, no. 1: 1-13.

Case reports
Published: 01 August 2019 in Emerging Infectious Diseases
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We studied the clinical and epidemiologic features of an outbreak of Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Herat Province, Afghanistan. The study comprised 63 patients hospitalized in 2017. The overall case-fatality rate was 22.2%; fatal outcome was significantly associated with a negative IgM test result, longer prothrombin time, and nausea.

ACS Style

Aziz-Ur-Rahman Niazi; Mohammad Jawed Jawad; Ahmad Amirnajad; Peter A. Durr; David T. Williams. Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Herat Province, Afghanistan, 2017. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2019, 25, 1596 -1598.

AMA Style

Aziz-Ur-Rahman Niazi, Mohammad Jawed Jawad, Ahmad Amirnajad, Peter A. Durr, David T. Williams. Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Herat Province, Afghanistan, 2017. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2019; 25 (8):1596-1598.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Aziz-Ur-Rahman Niazi; Mohammad Jawed Jawad; Ahmad Amirnajad; Peter A. Durr; David T. Williams. 2019. "Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever, Herat Province, Afghanistan, 2017." Emerging Infectious Diseases 25, no. 8: 1596-1598.

Journal article
Published: 26 May 2019 in Viruses
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The embryonated chicken egg (ECE) is routinely used for the laboratory isolation and adaptation of Bluetongue virus (BTV) in vitro. However, its utility as an alternate animal model has not been fully explored. In this paper, we evaluated the pathogenesis of BTV in ovo using a pathogenic isolate of South African BTV serotype 3 (BTV-3) derived from the blood of an infected sheep. Endothelio- and neurotropism of BTV-3 were observed by immunohistochemistry of non-structural protein 1 (NS1), NS3, NS3/3a, and viral protein 7 (VP7) antigens. In comparing the pathogenicity of BTV from infectious sheep blood with cell-culture-passaged BTV, including virus propagated through a Culicoides-derived cell line (KC) or ECE, we found virus attenuation in ECE following cell-culture passage. Genomic analysis of the consensus sequences of segments (Seg)-2, -5, -6, -7, -8, -9, and -10 identified several nucleotide and amino-acid mutations among the cell-culture-propagated BTV-3. Deep sequencing analysis revealed changes in BTV-3 genetic diversity in various genome segments, notably a reduction of Seg-7 diversity following passage in cell culture. Using this novel approach to investigate BTV pathogenicity in ovo, our findings support the notion that pathogenic BTV becomes attenuated in cell culture and that this change is associated with virus quasispecies evolution.

ACS Style

Fabian Z. X. Lean; Matthew J. Neave; John R. White; Jean Payne; Teresa Eastwood; Jemma Bergfeld; Antonio Di Rubbo; Vittoria Stevens; Kelly R. Davies; Joanne Devlin; David T. Williams; John Bingham. Attenuation of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) in an in ovo Model Is Related to the Changes of Viral Genetic Diversity of Cell-Culture Passaged BTV. Viruses 2019, 11, 481 .

AMA Style

Fabian Z. X. Lean, Matthew J. Neave, John R. White, Jean Payne, Teresa Eastwood, Jemma Bergfeld, Antonio Di Rubbo, Vittoria Stevens, Kelly R. Davies, Joanne Devlin, David T. Williams, John Bingham. Attenuation of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) in an in ovo Model Is Related to the Changes of Viral Genetic Diversity of Cell-Culture Passaged BTV. Viruses. 2019; 11 (5):481.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Fabian Z. X. Lean; Matthew J. Neave; John R. White; Jean Payne; Teresa Eastwood; Jemma Bergfeld; Antonio Di Rubbo; Vittoria Stevens; Kelly R. Davies; Joanne Devlin; David T. Williams; John Bingham. 2019. "Attenuation of Bluetongue Virus (BTV) in an in ovo Model Is Related to the Changes of Viral Genetic Diversity of Cell-Culture Passaged BTV." Viruses 11, no. 5: 481.

Original article
Published: 21 January 2019 in Veterinary Medicine and Science
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Bluetongue virus (BTV), transmitted by midges (Culicoides sp), is distributed worldwide and causes disease in ruminants. In particular, BT can be a debilitating disease in sheep causing serious trade and socio‐economic consequences at both local and global levels. Across Australia, a sentinel cattle herd surveillance program monitors the BTV activity. Prior to 2014, BTV‐1, ‐2, ‐3, ‐7, ‐9, ‐15, ‐16, ‐20, ‐21 and ‐23 had been isolated in Australia, but no bluetongue disease has occurred in a commercial Australian flock. We routinely use a combination of serology, virus isolation, RT‐PCR and next generation and conventional nucleotide sequencing technologies to detect and phylogenetically characterize incursions of novel BTV strains into Australia. Screening of Northern Territory virus isolates in 2015 revealed BTV‐5, a serotype new to Australia. We derived the complete genome of this isolate and determined its phylogenetic relationship with exotic BTV‐5 isolates. Gene segments 2, 6, 7 and 10 exhibited a close relationship with the South African prototype isolate RSArrrr/5. This was the first Australian isolation of a Western topotype of segment 10. Serological surveillance data highlighted the antigenic cross‐reactivity between BTV‐5 and BTV‐9. Phylogenetic investigation of segments 2 and 6 of these serotypes confirmed their unconventional relationships within the BTV serogroup. Our results further highlighted a need for a revision of the current serologically based system for BTV strain differentiation and importantly, implied a potential for genome segments of pathogenic Western BTV strains to rapidly enter Southeast Asia. This emphasized a need for continued high‐level surveillance of vectors and viruses at strategic locations in the north of Australia The expansion of routine characterization and classification of BTV to a whole genome approach is recommended, to better monitor the presence and level of establishment of novel Western topotype segments within the Australian episystem.

ACS Style

John R. White; David Williams; Jianning Wang; Honglei Chen; Lorna F. Melville; Steven S. Davis; Richard P. Weir; Andrea Certoma; Antonio Di Rubbo; Gemma Harvey; Ross A. Lunt; Debbie Eagles. Identification and genomic characterization of the first isolate of bluetongue virus serotype 5 detected in Australia. Veterinary Medicine and Science 2019, 5, 129 -145.

AMA Style

John R. White, David Williams, Jianning Wang, Honglei Chen, Lorna F. Melville, Steven S. Davis, Richard P. Weir, Andrea Certoma, Antonio Di Rubbo, Gemma Harvey, Ross A. Lunt, Debbie Eagles. Identification and genomic characterization of the first isolate of bluetongue virus serotype 5 detected in Australia. Veterinary Medicine and Science. 2019; 5 (2):129-145.

Chicago/Turabian Style

John R. White; David Williams; Jianning Wang; Honglei Chen; Lorna F. Melville; Steven S. Davis; Richard P. Weir; Andrea Certoma; Antonio Di Rubbo; Gemma Harvey; Ross A. Lunt; Debbie Eagles. 2019. "Identification and genomic characterization of the first isolate of bluetongue virus serotype 5 detected in Australia." Veterinary Medicine and Science 5, no. 2: 129-145.

Original article
Published: 26 October 2018 in Archives of Virology
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In this study, an alphavirus vector platform was used to deliver replicon particles (RPs) expressing African swine fever virus (ASFV) antigens to swine. Alphavirus RPs expressing ASFV p30 (RP-30), p54 (RP-54) or pHA-72 (RP-sHA-p72) antigens were constructed and tested for expression in Vero cells and for immunogenicity in pigs. RP-30 showed the highest expression in Vero cells and was the most immunogenic in pigs, followed by RP-54 and RP-sHA-p72. Pigs primed with two doses of the RP-30 construct were then boosted with a naturally attenuated ASFV isolate, OURT88/3. Mapping of p30 identified an immunodominant region within the amino acid residues 111–130. However, the principal effect of the prime-boost was enhanced recognition of an epitope covered by the peptide sequence 61–110. The results suggest that a strategy incorporating priming with a vector-expressed antigen followed by boosting with an attenuated live virus may broaden the recognition of ASFV epitopes.

ACS Style

Maria V. Murgia; Mark Mogler; Andrea Certoma; Diane Green; Paul Monaghan; David Williams; Raymond R. R. Rowland; Natasha N. Gaudreault. Evaluation of an African swine fever (ASF) vaccine strategy incorporating priming with an alphavirus-expressed antigen followed by boosting with attenuated ASF virus. Archives of Virology 2018, 164, 359 -370.

AMA Style

Maria V. Murgia, Mark Mogler, Andrea Certoma, Diane Green, Paul Monaghan, David Williams, Raymond R. R. Rowland, Natasha N. Gaudreault. Evaluation of an African swine fever (ASF) vaccine strategy incorporating priming with an alphavirus-expressed antigen followed by boosting with attenuated ASF virus. Archives of Virology. 2018; 164 (2):359-370.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Maria V. Murgia; Mark Mogler; Andrea Certoma; Diane Green; Paul Monaghan; David Williams; Raymond R. R. Rowland; Natasha N. Gaudreault. 2018. "Evaluation of an African swine fever (ASF) vaccine strategy incorporating priming with an alphavirus-expressed antigen followed by boosting with attenuated ASF virus." Archives of Virology 164, no. 2: 359-370.

Journal article
Published: 04 October 2018 in Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease
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Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) is closely related to the classical rabies virus and has been associated with three human fatalities and two equine fatalities in Australia. ABLV infection in humans causes encephalomyelitis, resulting in fatal disease, but has no effective therapy. The virus is maintained in enzootic circulation within fruit bats (Pteropid spp.) and at least one insectivorous bat variety (Saccolaimus flaviventris). Most frequently, laboratory testing is conducted on pteropodid bat brains, either following a potential human exposure through bites, scratches and other direct contacts with bats, or as opportunistic assessment of sick or dead bats. The level of medical intervention and post-exposure prophylaxis is largely determined on laboratory testing for antigen/virus as the demonstrable infection status of the in-contact bat. This study evaluates the comparative diagnostic performance of a lateral flow test, Anigen Rabies Ag detection rapid test (RDT), in pteropodid variant of ABLV-infected bat brain tissues. The RDT demonstrated 100% agreement with the reference standard fluorescent antibody test on 43 clinical samples suggesting a potential application in rapid diagnosis of pteropodid variant of ABLV infection. A weighted Kappa value of 0.95 confirmed a high level of agreement between both tests.

ACS Style

Andrea Certoma; Ross A. Lunt; Wilna Vosloo; Ina Smith; Axel Colling; David T. Williams; Thao Tran; Stuart D. Blacksell. Assessment of a Rabies Virus Rapid Diagnostic Test for the Detection of Australian Bat Lyssavirus. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease 2018, 3, 109 .

AMA Style

Andrea Certoma, Ross A. Lunt, Wilna Vosloo, Ina Smith, Axel Colling, David T. Williams, Thao Tran, Stuart D. Blacksell. Assessment of a Rabies Virus Rapid Diagnostic Test for the Detection of Australian Bat Lyssavirus. Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease. 2018; 3 (4):109.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Andrea Certoma; Ross A. Lunt; Wilna Vosloo; Ina Smith; Axel Colling; David T. Williams; Thao Tran; Stuart D. Blacksell. 2018. "Assessment of a Rabies Virus Rapid Diagnostic Test for the Detection of Australian Bat Lyssavirus." Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease 3, no. 4: 109.

Article
Published: 15 August 2018 in Journal of Virology
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We describe the evolutionary origins and antigenic properties of influenza A viruses isolated from two separate Australian swine populations from 2012 to 2016, showing that these viruses are distinct from each other and from those isolated from swine globally. Whole-genome sequencing of virus isolates revealed a high genotypic diversity that had been generated exclusively through the introduction and establishment of human influenza viruses that circulated in past seasons. We detected six reassortants with gene segments derived from human H1N1/H1N1pdm09 and various human H3N2 viruses that circulated during various periods since 1968. We also found that these swine viruses were not related to swine viruses collected elsewhere, indicating independent circulation. The detection of unique lineages and genotypes in Australia suggests that isolated swine populations that are sufficiently large can sustain influenza virus for extensive periods; we show direct evidence of a sustained transmission for at least 4 years between 2012 and 2016.

ACS Style

Frank Y. K. Wong; Celeste Donato; Yi-Mo Deng; Don Teng; Naomi Komadina; Chantal Baas; Joyanta Modak; Mark O'Dea; David W. Smith; Paul V. Effler; Julie Cooke; Kelly R. Davies; Aeron Hurt; Nina Kung; Avram Levy; Richmond Loh; Songhua Shan; Mustaghfira W. Shinwari; Vittoria Stevens; Joanne Taylor; David T. Williams; James Watson; Debbie Eagles; Sam McCullough; Ian G. Barr; Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran. Divergent Human-Origin Influenza Viruses Detected in Australian Swine Populations. Journal of Virology 2018, 92, e00316-18 .

AMA Style

Frank Y. K. Wong, Celeste Donato, Yi-Mo Deng, Don Teng, Naomi Komadina, Chantal Baas, Joyanta Modak, Mark O'Dea, David W. Smith, Paul V. Effler, Julie Cooke, Kelly R. Davies, Aeron Hurt, Nina Kung, Avram Levy, Richmond Loh, Songhua Shan, Mustaghfira W. Shinwari, Vittoria Stevens, Joanne Taylor, David T. Williams, James Watson, Debbie Eagles, Sam McCullough, Ian G. Barr, Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran. Divergent Human-Origin Influenza Viruses Detected in Australian Swine Populations. Journal of Virology. 2018; 92 (16):e00316-18.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Frank Y. K. Wong; Celeste Donato; Yi-Mo Deng; Don Teng; Naomi Komadina; Chantal Baas; Joyanta Modak; Mark O'Dea; David W. Smith; Paul V. Effler; Julie Cooke; Kelly R. Davies; Aeron Hurt; Nina Kung; Avram Levy; Richmond Loh; Songhua Shan; Mustaghfira W. Shinwari; Vittoria Stevens; Joanne Taylor; David T. Williams; James Watson; Debbie Eagles; Sam McCullough; Ian G. Barr; Vijaykrishna Dhanasekaran. 2018. "Divergent Human-Origin Influenza Viruses Detected in Australian Swine Populations." Journal of Virology 92, no. 16: e00316-18.

Research article
Published: 01 January 2018 in Microbiology Australia
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Of the viruses transmitted by mosquitoes in the Australasian region, Murray Valley encephalitis (MVE) virus is the major cause of brain disease in humans. There is no vaccine to prevent MVE, nor are there effective antiviral drugs available to treat infections. Therefore, surveillance of MVE is essential to control efforts. A key element to this is understanding the virus at a genetic level, which allows the tracking and identification of known or novel genetic types and can tell us about their circulation patterns.

ACS Style

David Williams. The molecular epidemiology of Murray Valley encephalitis virus in Australasia. Microbiology Australia 2018, 39, 106 .

AMA Style

David Williams. The molecular epidemiology of Murray Valley encephalitis virus in Australasia. Microbiology Australia. 2018; 39 (2):106.

Chicago/Turabian Style

David Williams. 2018. "The molecular epidemiology of Murray Valley encephalitis virus in Australasia." Microbiology Australia 39, no. 2: 106.

Journal article
Published: 31 August 2017 in Scientific Reports
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African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a macrophage-tropic virus responsible for ASF, a transboundary disease that threatens swine production world-wide. Since there are no vaccines available to control ASF after an outbreak, obtaining an understanding of the virus-host interaction is important for developing new intervention strategies. In this study, a whole transcriptomic RNA-Seq method was used to characterize differentially expressed genes in pigs infected with a low pathogenic ASFV isolate, OUR T88/3 (OURT), or the highly pathogenic Georgia 2007/1 (GRG). After infection, pigs infected with OURT showed no or few clinical signs; whereas, GRG produced clinical signs consistent with acute ASF. RNA-Seq detected the expression of ASFV genes from the whole blood of the GRG, but not the OURT pigs, consistent with the pathotypes of these strains and the replication of GRG in circulating monocytes. Even though GRG and OURT possess different pathogenic properties, there was significant overlap in the most upregulated host genes. A small number of differentially expressed microRNAs were also detected in GRG and OURT pigs. These data confirm previous studies describing the response of macrophages and lymphocytes to ASFV infection, as well as reveal unique gene pathways upregulated in response to infection with GRG.

ACS Style

Crystal Jaing; Raymond R. R. Rowland; Jonathan Allen; Andrea Certoma; James B. Thissen; John Bingham; Brenton Rowe; John White; James Wynne; Dayna Johnson; Natasha N. Gaudreault; David Williams. Gene expression analysis of whole blood RNA from pigs infected with low and high pathogenic African swine fever viruses. Scientific Reports 2017, 7, 1 -14.

AMA Style

Crystal Jaing, Raymond R. R. Rowland, Jonathan Allen, Andrea Certoma, James B. Thissen, John Bingham, Brenton Rowe, John White, James Wynne, Dayna Johnson, Natasha N. Gaudreault, David Williams. Gene expression analysis of whole blood RNA from pigs infected with low and high pathogenic African swine fever viruses. Scientific Reports. 2017; 7 (1):1-14.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Crystal Jaing; Raymond R. R. Rowland; Jonathan Allen; Andrea Certoma; James B. Thissen; John Bingham; Brenton Rowe; John White; James Wynne; Dayna Johnson; Natasha N. Gaudreault; David Williams. 2017. "Gene expression analysis of whole blood RNA from pigs infected with low and high pathogenic African swine fever viruses." Scientific Reports 7, no. 1: 1-14.

Journal article
Published: 07 August 2017 in Scientific Reports
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Hendra virus (HeV) is an emerging zoonotic pathogen harbored by Australian mainland flying foxes. HeV infection can cause lethal disease in humans and horses, and to date all cases of human HeV disease have resulted from contact with infected horses. Currently, diagnosis of acute HeV infections in horses relies on the productive phase of infection when virus shedding may occur. An assay that identifies infected horses during the preclinical phase of infection would reduce the risk of zoonotic viral transmission during management of HeV outbreaks. Having previously shown that the host microRNA (miR)-146a is upregulated in the blood of HeV-infected horses days prior to the detection of viremia, we have profiled miRNAs at the transcriptome-wide level to comprehensively assess differences between infected and uninfected horses. Next-generation sequencing and the miRDeep2 algorithm identified 742 mature miRNA transcripts corresponding to 593 miRNAs in whole blood of six horses (three HeV-infected, three uninfected). Thirty seven miRNAs were differentially expressed in infected horses, two of which were validated by qRT-PCR. This study describes a methodology for the transcriptome-wide profiling of miRNAs in whole blood and supports the notion that measuring host miRNA expression levels may aid infectious disease diagnosis in the future.

ACS Style

Christopher Cowled; Chwan-Hong Foo; Celine Deffrasnes; Christina L. Rootes; David T. Williams; Deborah Middleton; Lin-Fa Wang; Andrew G. D. Bean; Cameron R. Stewart. Circulating microRNA profiles of Hendra virus infection in horses. Scientific Reports 2017, 7, 1 -10.

AMA Style

Christopher Cowled, Chwan-Hong Foo, Celine Deffrasnes, Christina L. Rootes, David T. Williams, Deborah Middleton, Lin-Fa Wang, Andrew G. D. Bean, Cameron R. Stewart. Circulating microRNA profiles of Hendra virus infection in horses. Scientific Reports. 2017; 7 (1):1-10.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Christopher Cowled; Chwan-Hong Foo; Celine Deffrasnes; Christina L. Rootes; David T. Williams; Deborah Middleton; Lin-Fa Wang; Andrew G. D. Bean; Cameron R. Stewart. 2017. "Circulating microRNA profiles of Hendra virus infection in horses." Scientific Reports 7, no. 1: 1-10.

Journal article
Published: 01 August 2017 in Emerging Infectious Diseases
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In northern Western Australia in 2011 and 2012, surveillance detected a novel arbovirus in mosquitoes. Genetic and phenotypic analyses confirmed that the new flavivirus, named Fitzroy River virus, is related to Sepik virus and Wesselsbron virus, in the yellow fever virus group. Most (81%) isolates came from Aedes normanensis mosquitoes, providing circumstantial evidence of the probable vector. In cell culture, Fitzroy River virus replicated in mosquito (C6/36), mammalian (Vero, PSEK, and BSR), and avian (DF-1) cells. It also infected intraperitoneally inoculated weanling mice and caused mild clinical disease in 3 intracranially inoculated mice. Specific neutralizing antibodies were detected in sentinel horses (12.6%), cattle (6.6%), and chickens (0.5%) in the Northern Territory of Australia and in a subset of humans (0.8%) from northern Western Australia.

ACS Style

Cheryl A. Johansen; Simon Williams; Lorna F. Melville; Jay Nicholson; C. A. Johansen Et Al.; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Natalie Prow; Glenys R. Chidlow; Shani Wong; Rohini Sinha; David Williams; W. Ian Lipkin; David W. Smith. Characterization of Fitzroy River Virus and Serologic Evidence of Human and Animal Infection. Emerging Infectious Diseases 2017, 23, 1289 -1299.

AMA Style

Cheryl A. Johansen, Simon Williams, Lorna F. Melville, Jay Nicholson, C. A. Johansen Et Al., Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann, Natalie Prow, Glenys R. Chidlow, Shani Wong, Rohini Sinha, David Williams, W. Ian Lipkin, David W. Smith. Characterization of Fitzroy River Virus and Serologic Evidence of Human and Animal Infection. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2017; 23 (8):1289-1299.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cheryl A. Johansen; Simon Williams; Lorna F. Melville; Jay Nicholson; C. A. Johansen Et Al.; Helle Bielefeldt-Ohmann; Natalie Prow; Glenys R. Chidlow; Shani Wong; Rohini Sinha; David Williams; W. Ian Lipkin; David W. Smith. 2017. "Characterization of Fitzroy River Virus and Serologic Evidence of Human and Animal Infection." Emerging Infectious Diseases 23, no. 8: 1289-1299.

Journal article
Published: 14 March 2017 in Scientific Reports
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Human parechovirus types 1–16 (HPeV1–16) are positive strand RNA viruses in the family Picornaviridae. We investigated a 2015 outbreak of HPeV3 causing illness in infants in Victoria, Australia. Virus genome was extracted from clinical material and isolates and sequenced using a combination of next generation and Sanger sequencing. The HPeV3 outbreak genome was 98.7% similar to the HPeV3 Yamagata 2011 lineage for the region encoding the structural proteins up to nucleotide position 3115, but downstream of that the genome varied from known HPeV sequences with a similarity of 85% or less. Analysis indicated that recombination had occurred, may have involved multiple types of HPeV and that the recombination event/s occurred between March 2012 and November 2013. However the origin of the genome downstream of the recombination site is unknown. Overall, the capsid of this virus is highly conserved, but recombination provided a different non-structural protein coding region that may convey an evolutionary advantage. The indication that the capsid encoding region is highly conserved at the amino acid level may be helpful in directing energy towards the development of a preventive vaccine for expecting mothers or antibody treatment of young infants with severe disease.

ACS Style

Tiffanie Nelson; Peter Vuillermin; Jason Hodge; Julian Druce; David Williams; Rekha Jasrotia; Soren Alexandersen. An outbreak of severe infections among Australian infants caused by a novel recombinant strain of human parechovirus type 3. Scientific Reports 2017, 7, srep44423 .

AMA Style

Tiffanie Nelson, Peter Vuillermin, Jason Hodge, Julian Druce, David Williams, Rekha Jasrotia, Soren Alexandersen. An outbreak of severe infections among Australian infants caused by a novel recombinant strain of human parechovirus type 3. Scientific Reports. 2017; 7 (1):srep44423.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Tiffanie Nelson; Peter Vuillermin; Jason Hodge; Julian Druce; David Williams; Rekha Jasrotia; Soren Alexandersen. 2017. "An outbreak of severe infections among Australian infants caused by a novel recombinant strain of human parechovirus type 3." Scientific Reports 7, no. 1: srep44423.

Journal article
Published: 03 November 2016 in Australian Veterinary Journal
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Since its initial detection in Norway in 1998, atypical scrapie (‘atypical/Nor98 scrapie’) has been reported in sheep in the majority of European countries (including in regions free of classical scrapie) and in the Falkland Islands, the USA, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The diagnosis in Australia of atypical scrapie in four Merino and one Merino-cross sheep showing clinical signs of neurological disease was based on the detection of grey matter neuropil vacuolation (spongiform change) in the brain (particularly in the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex) and associated abnormal prion protein (PrPSc ) deposition in both grey and white matter. Changes were minimal in the caudal brainstem, the predilection site for lesions of classical scrapie. The distinctive lesion profile of atypical scrapie in these five sheep highlights the diagnostic importance of routine histological evaluation of the cerebellum for evidence of neuropil vacuolation and associated PrPSc deposition in adult sheep with suspected neurological disease.

ACS Style

Rw Cook; J Bingham; As Besier; Cl Bayley; M Hawes; Pl Shearer; M Yamada; J Bergfeld; Dt Williams; Dj Middleton. Atypical scrapie in Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal 2016, 94, 452 -455.

AMA Style

Rw Cook, J Bingham, As Besier, Cl Bayley, M Hawes, Pl Shearer, M Yamada, J Bergfeld, Dt Williams, Dj Middleton. Atypical scrapie in Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal. 2016; 94 (12):452-455.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rw Cook; J Bingham; As Besier; Cl Bayley; M Hawes; Pl Shearer; M Yamada; J Bergfeld; Dt Williams; Dj Middleton. 2016. "Atypical scrapie in Australia." Australian Veterinary Journal 94, no. 12: 452-455.

Research article
Published: 20 October 2016 in PLOS ONE
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The Mapputta group comprises antigenically related viruses indigenous to Australia and Papua New Guinea that are included in the family Bunyaviridae but not currently assigned to a specific genus. We determined and analyzed the genome sequences of five Australian viruses isolated from mosquitoes collected during routine arbovirus surveillance in Western Australia (K10441, SW27571, K13190, and K42904) and New South Wales (12005). Based on matching sequences of all three genome segments to prototype MRM3630 of Trubanaman virus (TRUV), NB6057 of Gan Gan virus (GGV), and MK7532 of Maprik virus (MPKV), isolates K13190 and SW27571 were identified as TRUV, 12005 as GGV, and K42904 as a Mapputta group virus from Western Australia linking GGV and MPKV. The results confirmed serum neutralization data that had linked SW27571 to TRUV. The fifth virus, K10441 from Willare, was most closely related to Batai orthobunyavirus, presumably representing an Australian variant of the virus. Phylogenetic analysis also confirmed the close relationship of our TRUV and GGV isolates to two other recently described Australian viruses, Murrumbidgee virus and Salt Ash virus, respectively. Our findings indicate that TRUV has a wide circulation throughout the Australian continent, demonstrating for the first time its presence in Western Australia. Similarly, the presence of a virus related to GGV, which had been linked to human disease and previously known only from the Australian southeast, was demonstrated in Western Australia. Finally, a Batai virus isolate was identified in Western Australia. The expanding availability of genomic sequence for novel Australian bunyavirus variants supports the identification of suitably conserved or diverse primer-binding target regions to establish group-wide as well as virus-specific nucleic acid tests in support of specific diagnostic and surveillance efforts throughout Australasia.

ACS Style

Thomas Briese; Sinead Williams; Vishal Kapoor; Sinead M. Diviney; Andrea Certoma; Jianning Wang; Cheryl A. Johansen; Rashmi Chowdhary; John S. MacKenzie; W. Ian Lipkin. Analysis of Arbovirus Isolates from Australia Identifies Novel Bunyaviruses Including a Mapputta Group Virus from Western Australia That Links Gan Gan and Maprik Viruses. PLOS ONE 2016, 11, e0164868 .

AMA Style

Thomas Briese, Sinead Williams, Vishal Kapoor, Sinead M. Diviney, Andrea Certoma, Jianning Wang, Cheryl A. Johansen, Rashmi Chowdhary, John S. MacKenzie, W. Ian Lipkin. Analysis of Arbovirus Isolates from Australia Identifies Novel Bunyaviruses Including a Mapputta Group Virus from Western Australia That Links Gan Gan and Maprik Viruses. PLOS ONE. 2016; 11 (10):e0164868.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Thomas Briese; Sinead Williams; Vishal Kapoor; Sinead M. Diviney; Andrea Certoma; Jianning Wang; Cheryl A. Johansen; Rashmi Chowdhary; John S. MacKenzie; W. Ian Lipkin. 2016. "Analysis of Arbovirus Isolates from Australia Identifies Novel Bunyaviruses Including a Mapputta Group Virus from Western Australia That Links Gan Gan and Maprik Viruses." PLOS ONE 11, no. 10: e0164868.