Prof EH Venter

Professor of Veterinary Education
Course Coordinator: Veterinary Science

BSc (Hons), MSc, PhD (Virology)

Prof EH Venter

Office
Building 97 - 013
College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences
Discipline: Veterinary Science
James Cook University, Townsville Qld 4810
Australia

Telephone
(61)(07)478 13159

Email
[email protected]

ORCID ID
0000-0001-7351-0827

Biography

Estelle Venter obtained a BSc degree at the University of the Free State (UF) (cum laude) with major subjects Microbiology and Biochemistry. She obtained her MSc degree in 1984 in Microbiology (Virology) at the UF. The area of research was in virology, specifically on RVF virus. The title of her PhD thesis was the development of a group-specific diagnostic probe for the detection of the 24 serotypes for bluetongue virus (BTV) which she obtained in 1993. She was appointed as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Veterinary Tropical Diseases in 1988 and was promoted to Associate Professor in 1997 and Professor in 2013. Her research findings have been presented at 50 international and 86 national conferences. She is the author/co-author of 81 scientific publications and 3 chapters in books. During the past five years I refereed 48 manuscripts, for journals including the Onderstepoort Journal of Veterinary Research, Theriogenology, Medical and Veterinary Entomology, Veterinary Microbiology, African Journal of Biotechnology, BioMed Central (BMC) Veterinary Research, Comparative Immunology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, the Journal of the South African Veterinary Association, Vaccine, Epidemiology and Infection, PLoS Pathogens and Transboundary and Emerging Diseases Journal. She was a referee for nine Grant proposals of the NRF and has assisted in the rating process of eight scientists. She had supervised/co-supervised a total of 42 postgraduate students that obtained their degrees. She is currently co- or supervising 10 registered postgraduate students and 1 post doc fellow: 6 PhDs, 1 MMedVet student and 3 research Masters students. She has been an external examiner for 9 Masters and 2 PhD students and internal examiner for 4 MSc and 2 PhD students. She is a NRF C2 rated scientist.

Click here to view my CV.

Professional and academic experience

Virology and Molecular Biology

Professional memberships

South African Council for Natural Scientists as a Natural Scientist

Subjects taught at undergraduate and postgraduate levels

  • Viral diseases
  • Diagnostic virology and molecular biology

Research interests

Research Focus: Bluetongue and lumpy skin disease viruses

Research Interests: Bluetongue is an economical important endemic disease in South Africa and recently caused major outbreaks in Europe. The characteristics of reassortants of BTV serotype 6 vaccine strain with the European BTV serotype 8 strain are evaluated. Transplacental crossing of BTV 8 in SA goats has been established. In vitro, cell-virus interaction and in vivo virulence studies using reassortant BTV’s have been reported. A reverse genetic system for BTV has been established. Lumpy skin disease is an economic important viral disease of cattle of all breeds occurring in Africa and parts of the Middle-East. The disease is of economic importance due to its association with abortions, reduced fertility in males and females, weight loss and a sharp drop in milk yield during outbreaks. Ulceration of nodular pox lesions leaves permanent scars which decrease the value of the hides for use in the leather industry. She has investigated aspects of lumpy skin disease virus infection, including detection, transmission, vector studies, antibody protection, secretion and its effect on semen.

Current and Future Research Focus: Reassortant BTV’s and their characteristics e.g. virulence markers and pathogenicity as well as oral susceptibility studies in the Culicoides vector will be studied. Lumpy skin disease virus replication kinetics as well as virogenesis studies in ticks will be done.

Postgraduate Students

Studies completed 

Name of student

Degree/Title of dissertation/ thesis and date

Supervisor

Co-supervisor(s)

Duration of studies (years)

1. J G K Kangumba

MMedVet (Microbiology)

The effect of the lactoperoxidase system and souring on certain pathogens in cows' milk

UP March 1997

Supervisor
E H Venter

Co-supervisor
JAW Coetzer

5 years Part-time

2. J J N Ngeranwa

PhD (Protozoology)

Characterization of two Anaplasma species from elands (Taurotragus oryx), and a serologic survey of Anaplasma in wild and domestic animals in Kenya.

UP March 1997

Promoter
P B Penzhorn

Co-promoter
E H Venter

Full-time

3. N Bryson

MMedVet: (Ectoparasitology)

The detection of Cowdria ruminantium infection rates in free-living unfed Amblyomma hebraeum collected in heartwater endemic regions of South Africa.

UP September 2000

Supervisor
E H Venter

Co-supervisor
I Horak

12 years Part-time

I was his supervisor only for the last 2 years of his studies

4. Oumou Sangare

PhD (Virology)

The molecular epidemiology of Foot-and Mouth disease virus in West Africa.

UP November 2002

Promoter
E H Venter

 

Co-promoters
W Vosloo
R Dwarka

4 years Full-time student

5. Darshana Morar

MSc (Microbiology – Bacteriology and Molecular Biology)     

The development of an interferon-gamma assay for the diagnosis of tuberculosis in African elephants (Loxodonta africana) and black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis)

UP November 2003

Supervisor
E H Venter

Co-supervisor
V Rutten

2 years Full-time

I was her supervisor only for the last part of her studies

6. Mesfin Sahle

PhD (Virology)

An epidemiological study on the genetic relationships of foot-and-mouth disease viruses in East Africa

UP April 2004

Promoter
E H Venter

Co-promoters
Wilna Vosloo
R Dwarka

4 years Full-time

7. Eeva Tupperainen:

MSc Veterinary Science (Virology)

The detection of lumpy skin disease virus in samples of experimentally infected cattle using different diagnostic techniques

UP November 2004

Supervisor
E H Venter

Co-supervisor
JAW Coetzer

3 years Full-time

8. Antje Bartkowiak-Higgo

MSc Veterinary Science (Veterinary Public Health)

A survey of post-evisceration contamination of broiler carcasses and ready-to-sell livers and intestines (mala) with Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli in a high throughput South African poultry abattoir.

UP November 2005

Supervisor
C M Veary

Co- supervisor
E H Venter

4 years Part-time

9. Victor Bagla

MSc Veterinary Science (Virology)

The demonstration of lumpy skin disease virus in semen of experimentally infected bulls using different diagnostic techniques

UP May 2006

Supervisor
E H Venter

None

2 years - Full-time

10. U I Osuagwuh

MSc Veterinary Science (Theriogenology)

Semen quality and the excretion of lumpy skin disease virus in semen following vaccination and experimental challenge of vaccinated bulls

UP May 2006

Supervisor
P Irons

Co-supervisor
E H Venter

2 years Full-time

11. Theresa Sethusa

MSc Veterinary Science

Evaluation of a method to detect Mycobacterium bovis and M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of domestic and wild animals

UP November 2006

Supervisor
E H Venter

Co-supervisor
A Michel

4 years – Part-time

12. Petra Ros
S 23362376

BSc Hons Genetics
Faculty of Natural and Biological Sciences

The molecular characterization of Ehrlichia species in dogs

UP April 2007

Supervisor for research project
E H Venter

None

1 year Full-time

13. Henry Annandale

MMedVet (Theriogenology)

Mechanisms by which lumpy skin disease virus is shed in the semen of artificially infected bulls

UP April 2007

Supervisor
P Irons

Co-supervisor
E H Venter

4 years Part-time

14. Peter Irons

PhD

The bull as a source of trichomonosis and lumpy skin disease: an African perspective

University of Utrecht The Netherlands October 2007

Promoter
B Colenbrander

Co-promoter
E H Venter

5 years Part-time

15. Jacob Modumo

MSc (VTD)

Determination of the minimum protective dose for bluetongue serotype 2, 4 and 8 vaccines in sheep

UP April 2009

Supervisor
E H Venter

None

3 years Part-time

16. Tracey Schmidt

MSc (VTD) - Cum Laude

Detection of Campylobacter fetus in preputial specimens using culture and PCR assays

UP April 2009

Supervisor
J Picard

Co-supervisor
E H Venter

2 years Part-time

17. Akin Jenkins

MSc Veterinary Science - Cum Laude

Identification and genotyping of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex infections at the human/domestic animals/wildlife interface in Nigeria and South Africa

UP April 2009

Supervisor
J Godfroid

Co-supervisor
E H Venter

2 years Full-time

18. Eulalie Kashwantale

MSc (VTD)

Genetic, antigenic and phenotypic comparisons between strains of feline herpesvirus type I isolated from domestic and wild felids

UP November 2009

Supervisor
M van Vuuren

Co-supervisor
E H Venter

3 years Full-time

19. Suzanna Bell

MSc (VTD)

Assessing the influence of farm management factors on the localized Culicoides species distribution and populations on a lowland farm in South-West England

UP April 2010

Supervisor
E H Venter

Co-supervisor
Philip Mellor

3 years Full-time

20. Anne-Mari Bosman

MSc (VTD)

Detection of Babesia species in Southern African felids by means of DNA probes

UP November 2010

Supervisor
B L Penzhorn

Co-supervisor
E H Venter

3 years - Part-time

21. Amy Ackermann

BSc Hons Genetics
Faculty of Natural and Biological Sciences

Molecular characterization of bluetongue virus serotype 8 isolated from an outbreak in southern Norway in 2008.

UP April 2011

Supervisor for research project
E H Venter

None

1 year Full-time

22. Hussaini Ularamu

MSc (Veterinary Science)

Development of a real-time PCR for the detection of BVD 

UP April 2011

Supervisor
M van Vuuren

Co-supervisor
E H Venter

2 years Full-time

23. Ben Dogonyaro

MSc (Veterinary Science)

Detection and characterization of canine parvovirus

UP April 2011

Supervisor
M van Vuuren

Co-supervisor
E H Venter

2 years Full-time

24. Enette van Dyk

PhD

Detection and characterization of papillomavirus in zebra (Equus zebra) and other South African wildlife species.

UP September 2011

Promoter
E H Venter

Co-promoter
M Oosthuizen
E Bailey

7 years Part-time

25. Lourenço Mapaco

MSc (VTD)

An investigation of an outbreak of Rift Valley fever on a cattle farm in Bela-Bela, South Africa in 2008.

UP April 2012

Supervisor
E H Venter

Co-supervisors
JAW Coetzer
J Paweska

4 years Part-time

26. Kutlwano Huamo

MSc (VTD)

Typing of Mycobacterium bovis in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues of selected wildlife species.

UP September 2012

Supervisor
J Godfroid

Co-supervisor
E H Venter

5 years Part-time

27. Shamsudeen Fagbo

MSc (VTD)

Seroprevalence of Rift Valley fever and lumpy skin disease in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) in the Kruger National and Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Parks, South Africa.

UP September 2012

Supervisor
E H Venter

 

Co-supervisor JAW Coetzer

6 years Part-time

28. Jane Raphela

MSc (VTD)

Molecular characterization of Mycoplasma synoviae in chickens in South Africa using single-stranded conformation polymorphism and high-resolution melting curve analysis of the vlha gene.

UP April 2013

Supervisor
E H Venter

Co-supervisor
Shahn Bisschop

4 years Part-time

29 Gcwali Zulu

MSc (VTD)

Cross-protection of selected BTV serotypes in sheep.

UP April 2013

Supervisor
E H Venter

None

4 years Part-time

30 Anthony Craig

BSc Agric Hons (Wildlife management)

A study evaluating biosecurity and farm management on ostrich farms in the Eastern and Western Cape Provinces of South Africa.

UP April 2013

Supervisor
D Morar

Co-supervisor
E H Venter

1year Full-time

31. Jimmy Lubinga

PhD

The role of Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) decoloratus, Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and Amblyomma hebraeum in the transmission of lumpy skin disease virus.

UP April 2014

Promoter
E H Venter

Co-promoters
E Tuppurainen
H Stoltsz

3 years Full-time

32. Leruo Keokilwe

MSc (VS) With Distinction

An investigation to determine the cause of enteritis in ostrich (Struthio camelus) chicks in the Western Cape Province of South Africa.

UP April 2014

Supervisor
Dr D Morar

Co-supervisor
E H Venter
W Burger
A Olivier

3 years Full-time

33. Hilda Joubert

PhD

Molecular characterisation, serotyping and vaccine development of two strains of South African fowl adenovirus

UP April 2014

Promoter
E H Venter

Co-promoter
Dr L Maartens

3years Part-time

34. Peter Coetzee

PhD

Bluetongue: Experimental studies on viral phenotype, genetic reassortment and transplacental transmission

University of Norway – June 2014

Promoter
Maria Stokstad

Co-promoter
E H Venter
M van Vuuren

5 years Full-time

35.Geoff Brown

MMedVet (Theriogenology)

The effect of Rift Valley fever virus clone 13 vaccine on semen quality in rams

UP April 2015

Supervisor
H Annandale

 

Co-supervisor
E H Venter

4 years Part-time

36. Jumari Steyn

MSc (VS) With Distinction

Epidemiology of bluetongue virus with special reference to the Mnisi area, Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

UP April 2015

Supervisor
EH Venter

Co-supervisors
G Venter
P Coetzee

 

3 years Full-time

37. Benjamin Mubemba

MSC (VS) With Distinction

Molecular characterization of Rift Valley fever virus using formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues

UP April 2015

Supervisor
EH Venter

Co-supervisor
P Thompson

 

2 years Full-time

38. Eeva Tuppurainen

PhD

Evaluation of vector potential of Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, Amblyomma hebraeum and Rhipicephalus decoloratus ticks for lumpy skin disease virus

University of Helsinki, Finland – March 2015

Promoter
Olli Vapalahti

 

Co-promoters
E H Venter
P Mertens

 

 

3 years Part-time

39. Shirley Lukhwareni

MSc

Attenuation and molecular characterization of ORF virus strains/isolates

UP April 2016

Supervisor
EH Venter

None

 

2 years Part-time

39. Shirley Lukhwareni

MSc

Attenuation and molecular characterization of ORF virus strains/isolates

UP April 2016

Supervisor
EH Venter

None

 

2 years Part-time

40. Carien vd Berg

MSc (VS)

Reassortment of bluetongue virus vaccine serotypes in cattle

UP April 2016

Supervisor
EH Venter

Co-supervisor
P Coetzee

 

 

2 years Full-time

41. Anthony Craig

MSc (AHE)

Comparison of equine orbivirus dinamics on two horse establishments on the East Rand, SA

UP April 2016

Supervisor
EH Venter

Co-supervisor
Alan Guthrie

3 years Part-time

42. P Burger

MSc (VS)

Investigation of African horse sickness virus vaccine transmission in weanlings vaccinated with a commercial attenuated live virus vaccine under field conditions

UP April 2016

Supervisor
Alan Guthrie

Co-supervisors
E H Venter
C Weyer

2 years Part-time

Post-doctoral fellows

Peter Coetzee

Post Doc

Development of a reverse genetics system and characterization of  BTV reassortants

Supervisor
E H Venter

 

2014-2016


Current post-graduate students
 

1. Peter Brothers

MMedVet (Wildlife)

RVF clone 13 in wildlife

Supervisor
E H Venter

Co-supervisor
Peter Thompson

6th Year

2. Carien vd Berg

PhD

RVF epidemiology

Promoter
E H Venter

Co-promoter
Peter Thompson

2016

3. Angelika Switala

PhD

Canine distemper virus in wild carnivores

Promoter
E H Venter

Co-supervisors
Desire Dalton
Emily Lane

2014

4. Rebecca Jeal

MSc (VS)

Serosurvey - Flaviviruses

Supervisor
E H Venter

Co-supervisor
B Gummow

2015

5. Ofelia Nhambirre

PhD

Epidemiology of RVF in Mozambique

Promoter
E H Venter

Co-supervisor
Jose Fafetine

2015

6. Lieza Odendaal

<p "="">PhD

Differential diagnosis of RVF

Promoter
E H Venter

Co-promoter
Bob Swanepoel

2016

7. Shirley Lukhwareni

PhD

Simbu virus characterization

Promoter
E H Venter

Co-promoters
Melvyn Quan
Bob Swanepoel

2016

8. Karen Ebersohn

MSc (VS)

Palyam virus characterization

Supervisor
E H Venter

Co-supervisors
Peter Coetzee
Bob Swanepoel

2016

CO-SUPERVISOR

9. Rachel Maluleke

PhD

RVF receptor sites

Promoter
P Majiwa

Co-promoters
E H Venter
Ben Mans

2013

10. Anh Tuan Tran

MSc (Course work)
James Cook University, Queensland Australia

Flaviviruses in horses

Supervisor
B Gummow

Co-supervisors
G Burgess
EH Venter

2015

 

Research output/publications

Click here to view a list of publications.

NRF rating

C2

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