AN IRIDOVIRUS-LIKE AGENT ISOLATED FROM THE ORNATE BURROWING FROG LIMNODYNASTES-ORNATUS IN NORTHERN AUSTRALIA

An enveloped, icosahedral DNA virus of 128 +/- 8 nm was isolated from metamorphs of the ornate burrowing frog Limnodynastes ornatus (Gray) in Australia. At 25-degrees-C the virus grew readily in 11 mammalian and 4 fish cell lines (TCID50 ml-1 = 1 X 10(5.43) to 10(8-85)), grew less well in the Atlantic salmon cell line (TCID50 ml-1 = 1 X 10(3.85)) and failed to grow in 5 insect cell lines. Growth was inhibited at temperatures above 33-degrees-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 haematopoeitic necrosis virus of redfin perch Perca fluviatilis.