Effect of Brucella Infection on Reproduction Conditions of Female Breeding Cattle and Its Public Health Significance in Western Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

The most common clinical manifestations of brucellosis in livestock are associated with reproduction. This paper reports the result of a cross-sectional study conducted between October, 2007 and April, 2008 in Western Tigray, North Ethiopia, with the objectives of assessing the effect of Brucella infection on reproduction conditions of female breeding bovine and to explore the presence of Brucella seroreactors in vulnerable humans. A total of 1,354 and 246 sera were collected from female cattle and humans, respectively. The sera were screened using Rose Bengal plate test (RBPT), and positive samples were confirmed by complement fixation test (CFT). Reproductive conditions for female cattle and risk to human brucellosis seropositivity were tested by using logistic regression analysis. The result indicated that the overall prevalence in female cattle was 6.1%. The study showed 1.2% prevalence among human risk groups, all of which were herdsmen. Logistic regression identified parity status, calving interval, abortion history, and abortion period were significantly associated with seropositivity. The association was not significant with reproductive status and parity number. Proper hygienic practices and team work between veterinary and health personnel should improve the efforts to combat disease transmission

El procés de desistiment de les persones empresonades : obstacles i suports

La voluntat d'aconseguir els millors resultats en les polítiques de reinserció és compartida tant per les persones que lideren les institucions de rehabilitació com pels equips que fan recerca en aquesta matèria. Aquest treball pretén contribuir-hi analitzant el procés de transició entre la presó i la vida en llibertat. Enfront els enfocaments que consideren que la predisposició inicial -antecedents personals, familiars i d'entorn- és el principal factor que explica la continuïtat o el cessament de l'activitat delictiva d'una persona, la recerca que aquí es presenta parteix de la premissa que, en el decurs de la vida adulta, existeixen nous esdeveniments que expliquen la trajectòria futura. En aquest sentit, es presta especial atenció als mecanismes de transició entre la presó i la vida en llibertat i, particularment, al paper que aquests juguen en els processos de desistiment del delicte.La voluntad de conseguir mejores resultados en las políticas de reinserción es compartida tanto por las personas que lideran las instituciones de rehabilitación como por los equipos que investigan en esta materia. Este trabajo pretende contribuir a esta voluntad analizando el proceso de transición entre la cárcel y la vida en libertad. Frente a los enfoques que consideren que la predisposición inicial -antecedentes personales, familiares y de entorno- es el principal factor que explica la continuidad o el cese de la actividad delictiva de una persona, la investigación que aquí se presenta parte de la premisa que, en el transcurso de la vida adulta, existen nuevos acontecimientos que explican la trayectoria futura. En consecuencia, se presta especial atención a los mecanismos de transición entre la prisión y la vida en libertad y, particularmente, al papel que estos juegan en los procesos de desistimiento del delito

Tsetse bloodmeal analyses incriminate the common warthog Phacochoerus africanus as an important cryptic host of animal trypanosomes in smallholder cattle farming communities in Shimba Hills, Kenya

Trypanosomes are endemic and retard cattle health in Shimba Hills, Kenya. Wildlife in the area act as reservoirs of the parasites. However, wild animal species that harbor and expose cattle to tsetse-borne trypanosomes are not well known in Shimba Hills. Using xeno-monitoring surveillance to investigate wild animal reservoirs and sources of trypanosomes in Shimba Hills, we screened 696 trypanosome-infected and uninfected tsetse flies for vertebrate DNA using multiplegene PCR-High Resolution Melting analysis and amplicon sequencing. Results revealed that tsetse flies fed on 13 mammalian species, preferentially Phacochoerus africanus (warthogs) (17.39%, 95% CI: 14.56–20.21) and Bos taurus (cattle) (11.35%, 95% CI: 8.99–13.71). Some tsetse flies showed positive cases of bloodmeals from multiple hosts (3.45%, 95% CI: 2.09–4.81), including warthog and cattle (0.57%, 95% CI: 0.01–1.14). Importantly, tsetse flies that took bloodmeals from warthog had significant risk of infections with Trypanosoma vivax (5.79%, 95% CI: 1.57–10.00), T. congolense (7.44%, 95% CI: 2.70–12.18), and T. brucei sl (2.48%, 95% CI: 0.33–5.29). These findings implicate warthogs as important reservoirs of tsetse-borne trypanosomes affecting cattle in Shimba Hills and provide valuable epidemiological insights to underpin the parasites targeted management in Nagana vector control programs in the area.Table S1: Data on tsetse fly bloodmeal hosts and trypanosome infections in the different study-blocks in Shimba Hills, Kenya.Data Availability Statement: The dataset used and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding author FIE on reasonable request. DNA sequences of vertebrate species generated during the current study are available in the GenBank under accession numbers: MZ816958-MZ816971.A German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in-region postgraduate scholarship; the BioVision Foundation Switzerland; European Union’s Integrated Biological Control Applied Research Programme—tsetse repellent component; the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit; UK’s Department for International Development (DFID); Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); and the Kenyan Government.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/pathogensam2022Zoology and Entomolog

Additional file 4: Table S2. of Comparative proteomic analysis of Neisseria meningitidis wildtype and dprA null mutant strains links DNA processing to pilus biogenesis

Proteins identified interact with DprA, PilG, or PilE by Co-Immunopricipitation (Co-IP). During CO-IP DprA, PilG, or PilE was used as bait proteins. In order for DprA, PilG or PilE target their interacting proteins, the antibody (Ab) against the bait proteins were incubated with the cell lysates from Nm wild type (Wt), also incubated with the cell lysates from ΔdprA, or ΔpilG mutant Nm (in the mutant the bait protein is absent), subsequently the antibody bind the bait protein. The bait protein coupled with the antibody binds its interacting partner, and form antibody-bait-prey protein complex. The “+” sign designates the formation of antibody-bait-prey protein complex whereas the “-” sign designates the absence of complex formation/interaction. (PDF 256 kb

Molecular characterization of Trypanosoma vivax in tsetse flies confirms the presence of the virulent Tvv4 genotype in Kenya : potential implications for the control of trypanosomiasis in Shimba Hills

Trypanosoma vivax is a vector-borne protozoan parasite of livestock endemic to Africa and South America. To date, fifteen genotypes of the parasite have been described in vertebrate and insect hosts in East Africa. However, information regarding T. vivax diversity remains limited in many endemic countries in the sub-region, including Kenya. Such information could deepen insight into the local epidemiology of animal trypanosomiasis in Shimba Hills, a wildlife area in southeast Kenya where T. vivax is endemic and infects livestock. We employed two-gene conventional-PCR-sequencing and phylogenetic analysis to characterize T. vivax genotypes in tsetse flies collected between November 2018 and September 2019 in the wildlife-livestock interface of the Shimba Hills National Reserve. Phylogenetic analysis of Internal Transcribed Spacer-1 (ITS-1) sequences of T. vivax isolates confirmed the presence of two T. vivax genotypes in Shimba Hills of which >80% of T. vivax isolates from tsetse flies clustered within the virulent Tvv4-genotype clade. Tsetse infections with the Tvv4 genotype were also confirmed based on 18S rRNA gene sequencing. Expanded gene characterization identified three closely related haplotypes within the Tvv4-clade. The Tvv4-isolates were detected in male and female Glossina pallidipes tsetse flies, most of which were collected from grasslands and within two kilometres of the Shimba Hills National Reserve boundary. Considering that T. vivax is the most common trypanosome in the Shimba Hills area and causes severe clinical conditions in livestock, the Tvv4 genotype reported here for the first time in Kenya contributes to our understanding of these pathologies. The effectiveness of trypanocidal drugs in the management of Tvv4 is presently not clearly understood. Therefore, the parasite management in Shimba Hills should focus on vector control to reduce the density of G. pallidipes, especially in grasslands near the wildlife protectorate.A German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) in-region postgraduate scholarship; the BioVision Foundation Switzerland; European Union’s Integrated Biological Control Applied Research Programme – tsetse repellent component (EUIBCARP tsetse) awarded to icipe; UK’s Department for International Development (DFID); Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA); the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC); and the Kenyan Government.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/meegidam2022Zoology and Entomolog

Epidemiology of tick-borne pathogens of cattle and tick control practices in coastal Kenya

Tick-borne diseases (TBD) are a major constraint to livestock health and productivity in sub-Saharan Africa. Nonetheless, there are relatively few robust epidemiologic studies documenting TBD and its management in different endemic settings in Kenya. Therefore, a cross-sectional study using multi-stage cluster sampling was undertaken to characterize the epidemiology of TBD and management factors among zebu cattle reared under an extensive system in coastal Kenya. Blood samples from 1486 cattle from 160 herds in 14 villages were screened for the presence of tick-borne bacterial and protozoan pathogens using PCR with high-resolution melting analysis and sequencing. Standardized questionnaires were used to collect data on herd structure and herd management practices, and a mixed-effect logistic regression model to identify risk factors for tick-borne pathogens (TBPs). The application of chemical acaricide was the primary method for tick control (96.3%, 154/160), with the amidine group (mainly Triatix®, amitraz) being the most frequently used acaricides. Respondents identified East Coast fever as the most important disease and Butalex® (buparvaquone) was the most commonly administered drug in response to perceived TBD in cattle. The overall animal- and herd-level prevalence for TBPs were 24.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 22.0–26.4%) and 75.6% (95% CI: 68.2–82.1%), respectively. Cattle were infected with Anaplasma marginale (10.9%, 95% CI: 9.4–12.6), Theileria parva (9.0%, 95% CI: 7.5–10.5), Anaplasma platys (2.6%, 95% CI: 1.9–3.6), Theileria velifera (1.1%, 95% CI: 0.7–1.8), Babesia bigemina (0.5%, 95% CI: 0.2–1.0), and Anaplasma sp. (0.1%, 95% CI: 0.0–0.4). Moreover, 21 cattle (1.4%) were co-infected with two TBPs. None of the assessed potential risk factors for the occurrence of either A. marginale or T. parva in cattle were statistically significant. The intra-herd correlation coefficients (lCCs) computed in this study were 0.29 (A. marginale) and 0.14 (T. parva). This study provides updated molecular-based information on the epidemiological status of TBPs of cattle and herd management practices in coastal Kenya. This information can be used in designing cost-effective control strategies for combating these TBD in the region

Anaplasma and Theileria Pathogens in Cattle of Lambwe Valley, Kenya: A Case for Pro-Active Surveillance in the Wildlife–Livestock Interface

Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) are major constraints to livestock production and a threat to public health in Africa. This cross-sectional study investigated the risk of infection with TBPs in cattle of Lambwe Valley, Kenya. Blood samples of 680 zebu cattle from 95 herds in six geospatial clusters within 5 km of Ruma National Park were screened for bacterial and protozoan TBPs by high-resolution melting analysis and sequencing of PCR products. We detected Anaplasma bovis (17.4%), Anaplasma platys (16.9%), Anaplasma marginale (0.6%), Theileria velifera (40%), and Theileria mutans (25.7%), as well as an Anaplasma sp. (11.6%) that matched recently reported Anaplasma sp. sequences from Ethiopia. Babesia, Rickettsia, and Ehrlichia spp. were not detected. The animal and herd-level prevalences for TBPs were 78.5% (95% confidence intervals (CI): 75.3, 81.5) and 95.8% (95% CI: 91.8, 99.8), respectively. About 31.6% of cattle were co-infected with 13 combinations of TBPs. The prevalence of TBPs differed between clusters and age, but the risk of infection was not associated with sex, herd size, or the distance of homesteads from Ruma. This study adds insight into the epidemiology of TBPs around Ruma and highlights the need for proactive surveillance of TBPs in livestock–wildlife interfaces

Using SILAC proteomics to investigate the effect of the mycotoxin, alternariol, in the human H295R steroidogenesis model

Journal of Cell Biol Toxicol (2014) 30:pp. 361–376The mycotoxin alternariol (AOH) is an impor- tant contaminant of fruits and cereal products. The current study sought to address the effect of a non-toxic AOH concentration on the proteome of the steroidogenic H295R cell model. Quantitative proteomics based on stable iso- tope labeling by amino acids in cell culture (SILAC) coupled to 1D-SDS-PAGE-LC-MS/MS was applied to subcellular-enriched protein samples. Gene ontology (GO) and ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) were further carried out for functional annotation and identification of protein interaction networks. Furthermore, the effect of AOH on apoptosis and cell cycle distribution was also determined by the use of flow cytometry analysis. This work identified 22 proteins that were regulated significant- ly. The regulated proteins are those involved in early stages of steroid biosynthesis (SOAT1, NPC1, and ACBD5) and C21-steroid hormone metabolism (CYP21A2 and HSD3B1). In addition, several proteins known to play a role in cellular assembly, organization, protein synthesis, and cell cycle were regulated. These findings provide a new framework for studying the mechanisms by which AOH modulates steroidogenesis in H295R cell model

Proteome Profiling of Mycobacterium tuberculosis Cells Exposed to Nitrosative Stress

Reactive nitrogen species (RNS) are secreted by human cells in response to infection by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Although RNS can kill Mtb under some circumstances, Mtb can adapt and survive in the presence of RNS by a process that involves modulation of gene expression. Previous studies focused primarily on stress-related changes in the Mtb transcriptome. This study unveils changes in the Mtb proteome in response to a sub-lethal dose of nitric oxide (NO) over several hours of exposure. Proteins were identified using liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS). A total of 2911 Mtb proteins were identified, of which 581 were differentially abundant (DA) after exposure to NO in at least one of the four time points (30 min, 2 h, 6 h, and 20 h). The proteomic response to NO was marked by two phases, with few DA proteins in the early phase and a multitude of DA proteins in the later phase. The efflux pump Rv1687 stood out as being the only protein more abundant at all the time points and might play a role in the early protection of Mtb against nitrosative stress. These changes appeared to be compensatory in nature, contributing to iron homeostasis, energy metabolism, and other stress responses. This study thereby provides new insights into the response of Mtb to NO at the level of proteomics