Interests and areas of expertise

• Avian diseases and health
• Wildlife diseases
• Veterinary pathology
• Veterinary histopathology
• Diagnostic investigation of diseases of farm livestock

Background

Rod Reece graduated with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science degree from the University of Sydney Faculty of Veterinary Science in 1971. He worked in veterinary practice in Wingham, NSW, from 1971 to 1972, during which time he was involved in tuberculosis testing, vaccination against brucellosis and abattoir inspection. Rod enrolled in a Master’s program at James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland, from 1973 to 1974 and graduated with a Master of Science in Veterinary Tropical Science in 1975. His thesis was based on the pathogenesis and diagnosis of Tritrichomonas foetus infection in cattle. Rod was appointed as a veterinarian for the Australian Development Assistance Bureau in the Solomon Islands from 1974 to 1977, working on the Cattle Development Programme.

Rod worked as a veterinary pathologist specialising in avian diseases for the Victorian Department of Agriculture at the Veterinary Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, from 1977 to 1987. He was involved in the diagnosis of a wide range of diseases of poultry, in extension work and in research into inclusion body hepatitis and runting and stunting syndrome of broiler chickens. He also supervised the serology laboratory at the Veterinary Research Institute. Rod contributed to the Poultry Diseases Workshop for Victorian Department of Agriculture Veterinarians in October 1979 and to Australian Veterinary Poultry Association Histopathology Training Courses in February 1980 and 1987. He also contributed to training of undergraduate veterinary students at the University of Melbourne and training of visiting veterinarians from China. Rod was a member of the Victorian Poultry Disease Liaison Group. He attained Membership of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists in Avian Health in 1985 and became a Fellow of the College in 1987.

Rod then moved to the United Kingdom and was Principal Veterinary Research Officer at the Houghton Poultry Research Station, Institute for Animal Health, Houghton, from 1987 to 1992. He supervised the serological monitoring of specific pathogen free flocks and was in charge of the Histology Unit and Electron Microscopy Unit. Rod performed research on infectious stunting syndrome of broilers and avian nephritis viruses, as well as being involved in a wide range of other projects. Rod contributed to the Poultry Diseases Course at the Houghton Laboratory in 1988. He was awarded a PhD from the University of Bristol in 1995 for his work on “Studies into infectious stunting syndrome of chickens”.
Rod was part-time Registrar of the Comparative Animal Pathology Registry at Taronga Zoo, Sydney, from 1992 to 1994 and part-time Registrar of the National Registry of Domestic Animal Pathology (NRDAP) at the Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI), Menangle, from 1992 to 1997. He undertook an Australian Animal Health Council sponsored tour of the United Kingdom in September 1996 to study bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) and was involved in the National Workshop on BSE held in Werribee, Victoria, in November 1997, as well as delivering training courses on the differential diagnosis of BSE and related diseases in Australia.

Rod has worked as a veterinary pathologist in the Regional Veterinary Laboratory and State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (SVDL) at EMAI since 1994, acting as Officer-in-Charge at various times on a short term basis and longer term from 2007 to 2008. He was Acting Laboratory Leader of the SVDL from 2010 to 2011. Rod was registered as a Specialist in Avian Medicine in 1995 and is an Honorary Associate of the University of Sydney Faculty of Veterinary Science. While at EMAI, he has delivered training courses for veterinary pathologists on avian influenza, Newcastle disease, Marek’s disease, avian leucosis, ostrich fading syndrome and poultry respiratory diseases. Rod has also conducted further research on the proventricular form of infectious stunting syndrome of broiler chickens. He has been a coordinator of the Australian Society for Veterinary Pathology Slide of the Month, an Examiner for the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists and an External Examiner at the University of Melbourne. Rod was a member of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Australia (AFFA) Risk Assessment Panel for importation of psittacine birds and flamingos. He continues to act as a caretaker of the NRDAP collection. Rod maintains a broad interest in diagnostic veterinary pathology, with longstanding special interests in avian diseases and diseases of wildlife. More recently, he has developed an interest in the pathology of equine influenza and equine viral neurological disorders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Veterinary Science (BVSc) - University of Sydney - 1971
• Master of Science (Veterinary Tropical Science) (MSc) - James Cook University - 1975
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) - Bristol University - 1995
• Member of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (Avian Health) (MACVSc) - 1985
• Fellow of the Australian College of Veterinary Scientists (Avian Management and Diseases) (FACVSc) - 1987
• Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons - 1987
• Registered Specialist in Avian Medicine (Poultry) - New South Wales - 1997

Professional associations

• Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists (Pathobiology Chapter)
• Australian Society for Veterinary Pathology
• Australian Veterinary Poultry Alliance
• World’s Poultry Science Association (NSW Division and Australian Branch)
• Australian Christian Veterinary Fellowship
• Wildlife Diseases Association (Australasia)

Co-joint appointments

Honorary Lectureship, University of Sydney

Selected publications

Begg AP, Reece RL, Hum S, Townsend W, Gordon A, Carrick J. Pathological changes in horses dying with equine influenza in Australia, 2007. Australian Veterinary Journal 2011;89(Suppl):19-22.

Gabor M, Gabor LJ, Srivastava M, Booth M, Reece R. Chronic myositis in an Australian alpaca (Llama pacos) associated with Sarcocystis spp. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation 2010;22:966-969.

Bourke CA, Bunker EC, Reece RL, Whittaker SJ. Cerebellar ataxia in sheep grazing pastures infested with Romulea rosea (onion grass or Guildford grass). Australian Veterinary Journal 2008;86:354-356.

Reece RL. Chapter 15: Neoplastic diseases. Other tumors of unknown etiology. In: Saif YM (Editor-in-Chief). Diseases of Poultry, 12th Edition. Blackwell Publishing, Ames, Iowa, USA, 2008. pp. 593-616.

Chousalkar KK, Roberts JR, Reece R. Histopathology of two serotypes of infectious bronchitis virus in laying hens vaccinated in the rearing phase. Poultry Science 2007;86:59-62.

Chousalkar KK, Roberts JR, Reece R. Comparative histopathology of two serotypes of infectious bronchitis virus (T and N1/88) in laying hens and cockerels. Poultry Science 2007;86:50-58.

Colgan S, Reece R, Hughes KJ. Polysaccharide storage myopathy in an Australian quarter horse. Australian Veterinary Journal 2006;84:436-438.

Ignjatovic J, Sapats S, Reece R, Gould A, Gould G, Selleck P, Lowther S, Boyle D, Westbury H. Virus strains from a flock exhibiting unusually high mortality due to infectious bursal disease. Australian Veterinary Journal 2004;82:763-768.

McOrist S, Thornton E, Peake A, Walker R, Robson S, Finlaison D, Kirkland P, Reece R, Ross A, Walker K, Hyatt A, Morrissy C. An infectious myocarditis syndrome affecting late-term and neonatal piglets. Australian Veterinary Journal 2004;82:509-511.

Ignjatovic J, Reece R, Ashton F. Susceptibility of three genetic lines of chicks to infection with a nephropathogenic T strain of avian infectious bronchitis virus. Journal of Comparative Pathology 2003;128:92-98.

Selleck PW, Arzey G, Kirkland PD, Reece RL, Gould AR, Daniels PW, Westbury HA. An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza in Australia in 1997 caused by an H7N4 virus. Avian Diseases 2003;47(Suppl):806-811.

Reece RL. Chapter 15: Neoplastic diseases. Other tumors of unknown etiology. In: Saif YM (Editor-in-Chief). Diseases of Poultry, 11th Edition. Iowa State Press, Ames, Iowa, USA, 2003. pp. 541-564.

Philbey AW, Andrew PL, Gestier AW, Reece RL, Arzey KE. Spironucleosis in Australian king parrots (Alisterus scapularis). Australian Veterinary Journal 2002;80:154-160.

Ignjatovic J, Ashton DF, Reece R, Scott P, Hooper P. Pathogenicity of Australian strains of avian infectious bronchitis virus. Journal of Comparative Pathology 2002;126:115-123.

Reece RL. Chapter 33: Infectious stunting syndrome and related diseases. In: Jordan FTW, Pattison M, Alexander DJ, Faragher T (Editors). Poultry Diseases, 5th Edition. Harcourt Health Sciences, London, UK, 2001. pp. 374-383.

Reece RL. Prions: Infectious proteins, mad cows and human health. Food Australia 1998;50:340-342.

Kusewitt DF, Reece RL, Miska KB. S-100 immunoreactivity in melanomas of two marsupials, a bird, and a reptile. Veterinary Pathology 1997;34:615-618.

Reddacliff LA, Kirkland PD, Hartley WJ, Reece RL. Encephalomyocarditis virus infections in an Australian zoo. Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 1997;28:153-157.

Hartley WJ, Reece RL. Nervous diseases of Australian native and aviary birds. Australian Veterinary Practitioner 1997;27:91-96.

Randall CJ, Reece RL. Color Atlas of Avian Histopathology. Mosby-Wolfe, London, UK, 1996. 232 pp.

Reece RL. Chapter 39: Infectious stunting syndrome. In: Jordan FTW, Pattison M (Editors). Poultry Diseases, 4th Edition. Saunders, London, UK, 2001. pp. 375-388.

Reece RL. Chapter 17: Neoplastic diseases. Tumors of unknown etiology. In: Calnek BW, Barnes HJ, Beard CW, Saif YM, McDougald LR (Editors). Diseases of Poultry, 10th Edition. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa, USA, 1997. pp. 489-510.

Reece RL. Some observations on naturally occurring neoplasms of domestic fowls in the State of Victoria, Australia (1977-87). Avian Pathology 1996;25:407-447.

Reece RL, Lister SA. An abdominal teratoma in a domestic goose (Anseriformes, Anser anser domesticus). Avian Pathology 1993;22:193-196.

Bumstead N, Reece RL, Cook JKA. Genetic differences in susceptibility of chicken lines to infection with infectious bursal disease virus. Poultry Science 1993;72:403-410.

McOrist S, Reece RL. Clostridial enteritis in free-living lorikeets (Trichoglossus spp.). Avian Pathology 1992;21:503-507.

Reece RL, Howes K, Frazier JA. Experimental factors affecting mortality following inoculation of chickens with avian nephritis virus (G-4260). Avian Diseases 1992;36:619-624.

Reece RL, Scott PC, Barr DA. Some unusual diseases in the birds of Victoria, Australia. Veterinary Record 1992;130:178-185.

Reece RL. Observations on naturally occurring neoplasms in birds in the state of Victoria, Australia. Avian Pathology 1992;21:3-32.

Reece RL, Beddome VD, Barr DA, Scott PC. Common necropsy findings in captive birds in Victoria, Australia (1978-1987). Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine 1992;23:301-312.

Reece RL. The role of infectious agents in leg abnormalities in growing birds. In: Whitehead CC (Editor). Bone Biology and Skeletal Disorders in Poultry. Poultry Science Symposium No. 23. Carfax Publishers, Abingdon, UK, 1992. pp. 231-263.

Reece RL. Ascites syndrome in SPF Light Sussex chickens. Journal of Comparative Pathology 1991;105:445-453.

Hoop RK, Reece RL. The use of immunofluorescence and immunoperoxidase staining in studying the pathogenesis of chicken anaemia agent in experimentally infected chickens. Avian Pathology 1991;20:349-355.

Bayliss CD, Peters RW, Cook JKA, Reece RL, Howes K, Binns MM, Boursnell MEG. A recombinant fowlpox virus that expresses the VP2 antigen of infectious bursal disease virus induces protection against mortality caused by the virus. Archives of Virology 1991;120:193-205.

Frazier JA, Reece RL. Infectious stunting syndrome of chickens in Great Britain: Intestinal ultrastructural pathology. Avian Pathology 1990;19:759-777.

Reece RL, Frazier JA. Infectious stunting syndrome of chickens in Great Britain: Field and experimental studies. Avian Pathology 1990;19:723-758.

Arzey KE, Arzey GG, Reece RL. Chlamydiosis in commercial ducks. Australian Veterinary Journal 1990;67:333-334.

Frazier JA, Howes K, Reece RL, Kidd AW, Cavanagh D. Isolation of non-cytopathic viruses implicated in the aetiology of nephritis and baby chick nephropathy and serologically related to avian nephritis virus. Avian Pathology 1990;19:139-160.

Karunajeewa H, Ijagbuji EG, Reece RL. Effect of dietary levels of rapeseed meal and polyethylene-glycol on the performance of male broiler-chickens. British Poultry Science 1990;31:545-555.

Reece RL. Hepatic coccidiosis (Eimeria sp) in a wild magpie-lark (Grallina cyanoleuca). Avian Pathology 1989;18:357-362.

Reece RL, Foster MP, Gilchrist PT. Observations on brooding conditions of broiler chickens in Australia. Zootechnica 1989;9:44-45.

Reece RL, Osborne HG, Beattie AW. The reproductive performance of cattle in Solomon Islands. Australian Veterinary Journal 1988;65:328-329.

Barr DA, Reece RL, O'Rourke D, Button C, Faragher JT. Isolation of infectious bronchitis virus from a flock of racing pigeons. Australian Veterinary Journal 1988;65:228.

Reece RL, MacWhirter P. Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis in a lovebird. Veterinary Record 1988;122:187.

Smart IJ, Barr DA, Reece RL, Forsyth WM, Ewing I. Experimental reproduction of the runting-stunting syndrome of broiler chickens. Avian Pathology 1988;17:617-627.

Reece RL. Adverse effects associated with the use of chemotherapeutic agents in poultry. World’s Poultry Science Journal 1988;44:193-216

Reece RL, Barr DA, Grix DC. Pathogenicity studies with a strain of fowl adenovirus serotype 8 (VRI-33) in chickens. Australian Veterinary Journal 1987;64:365-367.

Reece RL, Barr DA, Badman RT, Hill J, McOrist S. Diseases of Anseriformes associated with intranuclear inclusion bodies in epithelial cells. Australian Veterinary Journal 1987;64:290-291.

Reece RL. Reproductive diseases. In: Burr EW (Editor). Companion Bird Medicine. Iowa State University Press, Ames, Iowa, USA, 1987. pp. 89-100.

Reece RL, Beddome VD, Barr DA. Diseases diagnosed in replacement layer and breeder chicken flocks in Victoria, Australia, 1977 to 1985. Veterinary Record 1986;119:471-475.

Reece RL, Dickson DB, Butler R. An osteopetrosis-like condition in a juvenile rhinocerus iguana (Cyclura cornuta). Australian Veterinary Journal 1986;63:343-344.

Scott PC, Condron RJ, Reece RL. Inclusion body hepatitis associated with adenovirus-like particles in a cockatiel (Psittaciformes; Nymphicus hollandicus). Australian Veterinary Journal 1986;63:337-338.

Reece RL, Barr DA, Gould JA. Poisoning in a chicken flock caused by sulphachloropyrazine. Veterinary Record 1986;119:324-325.

Reece RL, Kerr PJ, Galvin JW. Flaccid paralysis of undetermined aetiology in commercial game-birds. Australian Veterinary Journal 1986;63:230-231.

Reece RL, Barr DA, Grix DC, Forsyth WM, Condron RJ, Hindmarsh M. Observations on naturally occurring inclusion body hepatitis in Victorian chickens. Australian Veterinary Journal 1986;63:201-202.

Reece RL, Dickson DB, Burrowes PJ. Zinc toxicity (new wire disease) in aviary birds. Australian Veterinary Journal 1986;63:199.

Reece RL, Butler R, Hooper PT. Cerebellar defects in parrots. Australian Veterinary Journal 1986;63:197-198.

Reece RL, Taylor TK, Dickson DB, Kerr PJ. Mycosis of commercial Japanese quail, ducks and turkeys. Australian Veterinary Journal 1986;63:196-197.

Barr DA, Kelly AP, Badman RT, Campey AR, O'Rourke MD, Grix DC, Reece RL. Avian influenza on a multi-age chicken farm. Australian Veterinary Journal 1986;63:195-196.

Reece RL, Ireland L, Barr DA. Infectious sinusitis associated with Mycoplasma gallisepticum in game-birds. Australian Veterinary Journal 1986;63:167-168.

Reece RL, Ireland L, Scott PC. Mycoplasmosis in racing pigeons. Australian Veterinary Journal 1986;63:166-167.

Reece RL, Dickson DB. A syndrome of pathological fractures in the proximal tibiotarsi of White Leghorn x New Hampshire pullets. Avian Pathology 1986;15:305-312.

Reece RL, Grix DC, Barr DA. An unusual case of inclusion body hepatitis in a cockerel. Avian Diseases 1986;30:224-227.

Reece RL, Pass DA. Inclusion body pancreatitis in guinea fowl (Numida meleagris). Australian Veterinary Journal 1986;63:26-27.

Reece RL, Pass DA, Butler R. Inclusion body hepatitis in a tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides: Caprimulgiformes). Australian Veterinary Journal 1985;62:426.

Reece RL, Scott PC, Forsyth WM, Gould JA, Barr DA. Toxicity episodes involving agricultural chemicals and other substances in birds in Victoria, Australia. Veterinary Record 1985;117:525-527.

Reece RL, Coloe PJ. The resistance to anti-microbial agents of bacteria isolated from pathological conditions of birds in Victoria, 1978 to 1983. Australian Veterinary Journal 1985;62:379-381 (Correction: Australian Veterinary Journal 1986;63:70).

Reece RL, Barr DA, Forsyth WM, Scott PC. Investigations of toxicity episodes involving chemotherapeutic agents in Victorian poultry and pigeons. Avian Diseases 1985;29:1239-1251.

Smart IJ, Embury DH, Barr DA, Sinclair AJ, Karunajeewa H, Ewing I, Reece RL, Forsyth WM, Hooper PT. Absence of a role for selenium deficiency in the runting syndrome of broiler chickens in Australia. Avian Diseases 1985;29:1201-1211.

Reece RL, O'Rourke MD, Barr DA, Grix DC. Haemagglutinating adenovirus in Victorian chicken flocks 1980-83. Australian Veterinary Journal 1985;62:174-175.

Reece RL, Barr DA, Grix DC. An investigation of vertical transmission of a fowl adenovirus serotype 8. Australian Veterinary Journal 1985;62:136-137.

Reece RL, Beddome VD, Barr DA. Diseases diagnosed in broiler chicken flocks in Victoria, Australia, 1977 to 1984. Veterinary Record 1985;116:315-320.

Reece RL, Butler R. Some observations on the development of the long bones of ratite birds. Australian Veterinary Journal 1984;61:403-405.

Reece RL, Hooper PT, Tate SH, Beddome VD, Forsyth WM, Scott PC, Barr DA. Field, clinical and pathological observations of a runting and stunting syndrome in broilers. Veterinary Record 1984;115:483-485.

Sinclair AJ, Embury DH, Smart IJ, Barr DA, Reece RL, Hooper PT, Gould JA. Pancreatic degeneration in broilers with runting and stunting syndrome. Veterinary Record 1984;115:485-488.

Reece RL, Hooper PT. Toxicity in utility pigeons caused by the coccidiostat dinitolmide. Australian Veterinary Journal 1984;61:259-261.

Barr DA, Sinclair AJ, Reece RL, Embury DH, Gould JA, Hooper PT, Smart IJ. "Stunting syndrome" in broiler chickens. Veterinary Record 1983;113:380-381.

Reece RL, Beddome VD. Causes of culling and mortality in three flocks of broiler chickens in Victoria during 1979. Veterinary Record 1983;112:450-452.

Reece RL, Dennett DP, Johnson RH. Some observations on cultural and transport conditions for Tritrichomonas foetus var. Brisbane. Australian Veterinary Journal 1983;60:62-63.

Reece RL, Handson P. Observations on the accidental poisoning of birds by organophosphate insecticides and other toxic substances. Veterinary Record 1982;111:453-455.

Reece RL, Gould JA, Hindmarsh M. Studies on a vaccine against infections bursal disease. Australian Veterinary Journal 1982;59:27-29.

Reece RL, Dennett DP, Johnson RH. Tritrichomonas foetus agglutination tests upon samples collected from cattle: Cross-reactions associated with vaccination against Campylobacter fetus subsp venerealis. Australian Veterinary Journal 1981;57:352-353.

Reece RL, Barr DA, Owen AC. The isolation of Haemophilus paragallinarum from Japanese quail. Australian Veterinary Journal 1981;57:350-351.

Reece RL, Grix D, Kotiw M. The distribution of naturally acquired antibodies against infectious bursal disease virus in Victoria. Australian Veterinary Journal 1981;57:201-202.

de Fredrick DF, Reece RL. Diseases of cattle in the Solomon Islands. Australian Veterinary Journal 1980;56:522-525.

Reece RL, Watson SE. The value of "weigh bands" for the estimation of body weight of cattle. Australian Veterinary Journal 1978;54:504.

Dennett DP, Reece RL, Barasa JO, Johnson RH. Observations on the incidence and distribution of serotypes of Tritrichomonas foetus in beef cattle in north-eastern Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal 1974;50:427-431.

Fields of research

• 070703 Veterinary Diagnosis and Diagnostics
• 070709 Veterinary Pathology

Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification (ANZSRC)