William N Batts
Bill loves to identify new fish viruses! Replicating viral agents are amplified by PCR and DNA sequenced to characterize the viruses. When novel viruses are found, he publishes manuscripts in scientific journals and presents findings at fish health conferences. Recently, Bill was an author on two chapters in the 2016 book, “Aquaculture Virology”.
Research Interests:
Research on all kinds of fish viruses. However, I am focused primarily on RNA viruses of fish. Provide technical assistance to fish health professionals whether they are from state, government, tribal, commercial or from other countries. Specialize in detection and identification methods for existing and novel viruses. I have studied a wide variety of virus types for genomic comparisons: IHNV, VHSV, and other rhabdoviruses of fish, paramyxoviruses, orthomyxoviruses, hepeviruses, nidoviruses, bunyaviruses, picornaviruses, reoviruses, birnaviruses, herpesviruses and iridoviruses. Have performed fish exposure studies to ascertain control and prevention strategies on fish viruses. Investigated various potential virus transmission modes. Overall, I'm just trying to understand how the various viruses do what they do and try to give the fish a better chance for survival.
Professional Experience
1983 to Present - Biologist, U.S. Geological Survey, Western Fisheries Research Center, Seattle, WA
Education and Certifications
M.S. 1990. Fisheries Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
B.S. 1983. Fisheries Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA
Honors and Awards
2006 - Citation for the Most Significant Paper in the Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, Volume 18
1998 - Citation for the Most Significant Paper in the Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, Volume 9
1991 - Citation for the Most Significant Paper in the Journal of Aquatic Animal Health, Volume 2
Science and Products
Inactivation of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus by low levels of iodine
The fish rhabdovirus infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) was rapidly inactivated by extremely low concentrations of iodine in water. A 99.9% virus reduction was obtained in 7.5 s when virus (105PFU/ml) and iodine (0.1 mg/liter, final concentration) were combined in distilled-deionized or hatchery water. Iodine efficacy decreased at pHs greater than 7.5 or when proteinaceous material was
In characteristics of the first North American isolates of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus
Multiplication of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in rainbow trout following immersion infection: whole-body assay and immunohistochemistry
Isolation of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus from a leech (Piscicola salmositica) and a copepod (Salmincola sp.), ectoparasites of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka
Concentration of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus from water samples by tangential flow filtration and polyethylene glycol precipitation
Comparison of infectious hematopoietic necrosis in natural and experimental infections of spawning salmonids by infectivity and immunohistochemistry
Enhanced detection of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus by pretreatment of cell monolayers with polyethylene glycol
Testing of male sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) for infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus detected by separation and incubation of cells from salmonid cavity fluid.
Science and Products
- Publications
Filter Total Items: 57
Inactivation of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus by low levels of iodine
The fish rhabdovirus infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) was rapidly inactivated by extremely low concentrations of iodine in water. A 99.9% virus reduction was obtained in 7.5 s when virus (105PFU/ml) and iodine (0.1 mg/liter, final concentration) were combined in distilled-deionized or hatchery water. Iodine efficacy decreased at pHs greater than 7.5 or when proteinaceous material was
AuthorsWilliam N. Batts, Marsha L. Landolt, James R. WintonIn characteristics of the first North American isolates of viral hemorrhagic septicemia virus
No abstract availableAuthorsJ. R. Winton, W.N. Batts, R. Brunson, K. Hopper, T. Nishizawa, C. StehrMultiplication of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus in rainbow trout following immersion infection: whole-body assay and immunohistochemistry
The sites of replication of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in infected tissues were detected in fingerling rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss by in situ histologic techniques following immersion infection. Virus antigens in tissues were detected by a neutralizing mouse monoclonal antibody and a one-step anti-mouse biotin-streptavidin conjugated to horseradish peroxidase. The efficieAuthorsT. Yamamoto, W.N. Batts, C.K. Arakawa, J. R. WintonIsolation of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus from a leech (Piscicola salmositica) and a copepod (Salmincola sp.), ectoparasites of sockeye salmon Oncorhynchus nerka
Infectious haematopoietic necrosis (IHN) virus was isolated from freshwater leeches Piscicola salmositica and copepods Salmincola sp. removed from the gills of spawning sockeye salmon, Oncorhynchus nerka. This is the first report of the isolation of IHN virus from an animal other than salmonid fishes. High levels of IHN virus were also found in leeches taken from the bottom gravel of the spawningAuthorsDaniel M. Mulcahy, D. Klaybor, W.N. BattsConcentration of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus from water samples by tangential flow filtration and polyethylene glycol precipitation
Infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) was concentrated from water samples by polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation, tangential flow filtration (TFF), and by a combination of TFF followed by PEG precipitation of the retentate. Used alone, PEG increased virus titers more than 200-fold, and the efficiency of recovery was as great as 100%. Used alone, TFF concentrated IHNV more than 20-foldAuthorsW.N. Batts, J. R. WintonComparison of infectious hematopoietic necrosis in natural and experimental infections of spawning salmonids by infectivity and immunohistochemistry
Infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) continues to be a serious virus disease of salmonids with epizootics recorded in both wild and hatchery populations (Williams and Amend 1976; Carlisle et al 1979; Groberg and Fryer 1983; Saft and Pratt 1986; Traxler 1987; Follett et al 1987; Meyers et al 1988). While originally enzootic in western North America, the virus appears to be spreading further (SanAuthorsT. Yamamoto, C.K. Arakawa, W.N. Batts, J. R. WintonEnhanced detection of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus by pretreatment of cell monolayers with polyethylene glycol
To improve quantification of very low levels of infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus (IHNV) in samples of tissue, ovarian fluid, or natural water supplies, we tested the ability of polyethylene glycol (PEG) to enhance the sensitivity and speed of the plaque assay system. We compared 4, 7, and 10% solutions of PEG of molecular weight 6,000, 8,000, or 20,000 applied at selected volumes and for vaAuthorsW.N. Batts, J. R. WintonTesting of male sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) and steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) for infectious hematopoietic necrosis virus
Infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) virus has been isolated only rarely from whole milt samples of male sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka). In 3 yr of testing, virus incidences in males ranged from 0 to 13% when milt was sampled but were 60–100% with spleen or kidney. When IHN virus was isolated from sockeye salmon milt at titers less than 3.00 log10 plaque-forming units (pfu)/mL, the level oAuthorsD. Mulcahy, R.J. Pascho, W.N. BattsInfectious hematopoietic necrosis virus detected by separation and incubation of cells from salmonid cavity fluid.
Infectious hematopoietic necrosis (IHN) virus is usually detected by inoculating susceptible cell cultures with cavity ("ovarian") fluid (CF) from spawning females. We identified additional adult carriers of virus in spawning populations of steelhead trout (Salmo gairdneri) and sockeye salmon (Oncorhynchus nerka) by collecting nonerythrocytic cells from CF samples by low-speed centrifugation, cultAuthorsD. Mulcahy, W.N. Batts - Science
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