Editorial review: Male circumcision, gender and HIV prevention in sub-Saharan Africa: a (social science) research agenda

No Abstract.SAHARA J Vol. 4 (3) 2007: pp. 658-66

Chiroptera as a Potential Reservoir of Dangerous for Humans Viruses in the Territory of the Republic of Guinea. Part 2

Among the viruses transmitted by Chiroptera, filoviruses, lissaviruses, henipaviruses, and coronaviruses pose the major threat to humans. The featured review is devoted to the analysis of the results of studies on the role of African Chiropterans in the circulation sustenance of the viruses. Chronology of investigations on the search of natural reservoir of Filoviruses and the evidence of Chiroptera participation in their circulation are described in the paper. Presented are summarized data on the involvement of chiropterans in the circulation of lissaviruses on the African continent. Given is the information concerning the role of African species of Chiroptera in the circulation of henipaviruses - dangerous for humans viruses of Paramyxoviridae family, associated with chiropterans of South-Eastern Asia. Considered is the possibility of SARS and MERS-like coronaviruses circulation in the populations of certain species of African Chiroptera. Engagement of the Chiroptera from Guinean Republic in maintenance of circulation of the mentioned above viruses in potential natural foci in the territory of the country and possibility of occurrence of dangerous human infection outbreaks is also assessed. The necessity for further investigation of the role of Chiroptera as carriers of the stated viruses to clarify the current epidemiological and epizootiological situation on the viral pathogens in the Republic of Guinea is substantiated

Chiroptera as a Potential Reservoir of Dangerous for Humans Viruses in the territory of the Republic of Guinea. Part 1

Chiroptera is one of the largest in numbers orders of mammals which can take on the role of natural host and vector of various viruses, bacteria, and pathogenic fungi. Over the period of 2007–2013, 248 new viruses pertaining to 24 families were detected in chiropterans. Lately, a range of novel infections that provoked severe diseases in humans were associated with bats-carriers. Presently they are viewed as a potential reservoir of Ebola, Marburg, and Hendra viruses, severe acute respiratory syndrome agents, as well as many other lethal diseases. Chiropterans started drawing particular attention after establishment of the fact that they are involved in circulation of ebolavirus Zaire and possibly participate in the formation of natural foci of this infection. Currently chiropterans are considered to be natural reservoirs of ebolavirus Zaire and some other filoviruses (Filoviridae). Accept from filoviruses, other significant for public healthcare viruses were isolated from chiropterans on the African continent – lyssaviruses (Rhabdoviridae, Lyssavirus), henipaviruses (Paramixoviridae, Henipavirus), and coronaviruses (Coronaviridae, Alphacoronavirus, Betacoronavirus) that can also circulate among chiropterans in West Africa. The data available from literature sources on dissemination of chiropterans in the territory of the African continent, their species diversity, peculiarities of ecology and behavior are analyzed in this paper. The information on the infections for which chiropterans can serve as potential reservoirs is also provided. Specifics of interaction between the population residing on African continent and bats of different species are described too. The review is devoted to the assessment of results of studies on population, ecological, and epidemiological factors contributing to maintenance of circulation of a number of dangerous for humans viruses (filoviruses, lyssaviruses, henipaviruses, and coronaviruses) among African chiropterans. The need for further investigation of the mentioned factors affecting chiropteran populations in the Republic of Guinea is substantiated

Investigating the zoonotic origin of the West African Ebola epidemic

The severe Ebola virus disease epidemic occurring in West Africa stems from a single zoonotic transmission event to a 2‐year‐old boy in Meliandou, Guinea. We investigated the zoonotic origins of the epidemic using wildlife surveys, interviews, and molecular analyses of bat and environmental samples. We found no evidence for a concurrent outbreak in larger wildlife. Exposure to fruit bats is common in the region, but the index case may have been infected by playing in a hollow tree housing a colony of insectivorous free‐tailed bats (Mops condylurus). Bats in this family have previously been discussed as potential sources for Ebola virus outbreaks, and experimental data have shown that this species can survive experimental infection. These analyses expand the range of possible Ebola virus sources to include insectivorous bats and reiterate the importance of broader sampling efforts for understanding Ebola virus ecology

Detection of Specific Antibodies to Arboviruses in Blood Sera of Persons Residing in Kindia Province, the Republic of Guinea

The aim of the work was to detect specific antibodies to West Nile, dengue, CCHF, and chikungunya viruses in blood sera of Guinean Kindia Province residents.Materials and methods. The obtained sera were analyzed in ELISA to discover IgG antibodies to abovementioned viruses.Results and conclusions. Detected were 267 (82 %) positive samples out of 326, containing immunoglobulins of G class to these arboviruses. The obtained data provide evidence for active circulation of dengue and West Nile fevers agents in this territory. Further studies of immune strata of the population, and possible carriers and vectors of arboviruses were demonstrated to be advisable for optimization of approaches to prophylactic (anti-epidemic) measures implementation

Experience of Application of the ELISA Method for Detection of Antibodies to Ebola Virus during the SAET Team Work in the Republic of Guinea

The aim of the work was to develop a kit for detection of IgM and IgG antibodies to Ebola virus in ELISA.Materials and methods. Ebola virus strain Zaire H.sapiens-wt/GIN/2015/Kalidie-Kindia-1022 grown on cell culture was used as antigen.Results and conclusions. The kit was used by the Rospotrebnadzor SAET team in its work in Guinea while investigating cases during Ebola fever epidemics. It was established that specific IgG antibodies persisted in Ebola fever survivors for 2 years. Application of this kit in the laboratory diagnostics permits ELISA to become the main and confirmatory laboratory method of Ebola fever detection

Detection of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Markers in Samples of Ixodes Ticks Collected in the Territory of the Republic of Guinea

Objective of the study. This work was carried out to identify markers (antigen and RNA) of CrimeanCongo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) virus in samples from ticks, collected in all landscape-geographical areas of Guinea: Lower, Middle, Upper and Forest, to obtain up-to-date data on the distribution of the pathogen in the country.Materials and methods. Total of 4276 specimens of 8 species of ticks collected in 2016–2019 in the territory of the Republic of Guinea were studied, which were compiled into 1406 samples. Ectoparasites were collected from livestock animals, dogs, and small mammals. Viral antigen was detected using enzyme immunoassay (ELISA). The presence of RNA of the CCHF virus was determined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results and discussion. As a result of the studies, the antigen of the CCHF virus was detected in 21 samples (1.5 %), and RNA – in 37 (2.6 %). All samples, in which the viral antigen was detected, contained RNA of the CCHF virus. Positive results were obtained in samples from all geographical areas of the country. The main vectors and reservoirs of the pathogen in Guinea are ticks of the species Rh. sanguineus, Rh. geigyi, Rh. annulatus and Am. variegatum. The data obtained confirm the previously available information on the possibility of the pathogen circulation in this region and determine the need for further study of the spread of the CCHF virus in the territory of the Republic of Guinea

Fight Ebola virus disease in Africa: a question related to the environment?

Repetitive outbreaks of Ebola virus disease is a major public health problem in Africa. Indeed, since September 1976, date of its isolation and its first description in the north of the ex-Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo) and in the south Sudan, many African countries continue to live recurring episodes of epidemics from Ebola virus disease with its corollaries of human suffering, deaths and economic loss. This article, through a review of the literature, a brief overview of the possible environmental origin of these Ebola viruses, before describing how environmental changes may contribute to the emergence or reemergence of these viruses Ebola in Africa