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 h e s (TCIDsO ml-' = 1 x 105 43 to 10' "), grew less well in the Atlantic salmon cell line (TCIDS0 ml-l = 1 X 103 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.