Molecular identification of tsetse fly (Diptera: Glossinidae) species based on mitochondrial DNA (COII and CytB) sequences

Tsetse fly (Diptera: Glossinidae) anti-vector measures are reliant upon accurate identification of species and their subpopulations. Two species were studied, Glossina palpalis palpalis and Glossina morsitans submorsitans using two mitochondrial DNA: cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) and cytochrome b (CytB). Sequencing data were used to perform phylogenetic analysis of the two reared species together with other Glossina species’ sequences from the DNA data base. For each gene, members of the same species group, palpalis or morsitans demonstrated a common ancestry and closer relatedness by belonging to one cluster. Within each species group members of the same species clustered together, an indication of common ancestry and relatedness too. Inspite of the few mixed clusters, the pattern produced in the phylogenetic trees can provide a good guide to support any other method of Glossina identification. It was recommended that evaluations be made to validate other genetic markers that can produce better resolutions to identify tsetse fly species using phylogenetic tree.Key words: Trypanosomiasis, Glossina palpalis palpalis, Glossina morsitans submorsitans, cytochrome oxidase II, cytochrome b, neighbour joining tree

High incidence of Epstein-Barr virus, cytomegalovirus and human herpesvirus 6 infections in children with cancer

BACKGROUND: A prospective single-center study was performed to study infection with lymphotropic herpesviruses (LH) Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6) in children with cancer. METHODS: The group of 186 children was examined for the presence of LH before, during and 2 months after the end of anticancer treatment. Serology of EBV and CMV was monitored in all children, serology of HHV-6 and DNA analysis of all three LH was monitored in 70 children. RESULTS: At the time of cancer diagnosis (pre-treatment), there was no difference between cancer patients and age-matched healthy controls in overall IgG seropositivity for EBV (68.8% vs. 72.0%; p = 0.47) and CMV (37.6% vs. 41.7%; p = 0.36). During anticancer therapy, primary or reactivated EBV and CMV infection was present in 65 (34.9%) and 66 (35.4%) of 186 patients, respectively, leading to increased overall post-treatment IgG seropositivity that was significantly different from controls for EBV (86.6% vs. 72.0%; p = 0.0004) and CMV (67.7% vs. 41.7%; p < 0.0001). Overall pre-treatment IgG seropositivity for HHV-6 was significantly lower in patients than in controls (80.6% vs. 91.3%; p = 0.0231) which may be in agreement with Greaves hypothesis of protective effect of common infections in infancy to cancer development. Primary or reactivated HHV-6 infection was present in 23 (32.9%) of 70 patients during anticancer therapy leading to post-treatment IgG seropositivity that was not significantly different from controls (94.3% vs. 91.3%; p = 0.58). The LH infection occurred independently from leukodepleted blood transfusions given. Combination of serology and DNA analysis in detection of symptomatic EBV or CMV infection was superior to serology alone. CONCLUSION: EBV, CMV and HHV-6 infections are frequently present during therapy of pediatric malignancy

Molecular detection of African swine fever virus in apparently healthy domestic pigs in Nasarawa state, Nigeria

A cross-sectional survey was carried out to investigate the presence of African swine fever virus (ASFV) in domestic pigs in Nasarawa state. This state is  surrounded by other states that had earlier reported ASF outbreaks in domestic pigs. Pig blood was collected and screened for ASFV DNA by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique. Apparent healthy pigs from Doma, Awe, Obi, Keana and Lafia local government areas of Nasarawa state were screened. A total of 1.9% (2/103) of the samples were found to be positive from Keana and Lafia. Of the 103 farmers surveyed, 58.3 % were females and 41.7% males. Management of pigs was predominantly semi-intensive (87.4%) with most of the pens built with mud bricks (51.5%), 31% built with concrete and 18.4% with wooden materials. Most of the farmers have formal education while 14.6% do not have any form of education. However, 23.3% of farms had a history of tick infestation around pens which is a predisposing factor for ASF. In conclusion, Nasarawa state is not free of ASFV. Pigs in the state are owned by smallholder farmers (within an average range of 1-20 pigs) with a sizeable number without education. More females are involved in production compared to males should be supported as a strategy for poverty alleviation.Keywords: Apparently healthy, ASFV, Nasarawa state, PCR, Production characteristic

Seroprevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia in Plateau state, North-central Nigeria

This survey was undertaken to establish the prevalence of contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP) in Plateau State, Nigeria by screening 528 cattle for Mycoplasma mycoides subspecies mycoides (Mmm) antibodies using competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (c-ELISA). Sera samples were collected from 6 randomly selected local government areas (LGAs) of the State over a 14-month period (May, 2013 – June, 2014). Results showed an overall CBPP seroprevalence of 14.39% for the State. Antibodies to Mmm were detected in all the LGAs sampled with prevalence ranging from 7.50% to 31.58%, indicating a significant association (P&lt;0.05). Seasons (P&lt;0.05, χ2=34.00) and sample collection points (P&lt;0.05, χ2=8.848) were also significantly associated with the seroprevalence of CBPP. There was however, no significant association (P&gt;0.05, χ2=0.47) between the sex of cattle and seroprevalence of CBPP. This study confirms that CBPP is widespread, and the findings could serve as a baseline for initiation of effective control programmes against the disease to improve cattle health and production in the State.Key words: Contagious bovine pleuropneumonia, seroprevalence, Plateau State

Personalizing health care: feasibility and future implications

Considerable variety in how patients respond to treatments, driven by differences in their geno- and/ or phenotypes, calls for a more tailored approach. This is already happening, and will accelerate with developments in personalized medicine. However, its promise has not always translated into improvements in patient care due to the complexities involved. There are also concerns that advice for tests has been reversed, current tests can be costly, there is fragmentation of funding of care, and companies may seek high prices for new targeted drugs. There is a need to integrate current knowledge from a payer’s perspective to provide future guidance. Multiple findings including general considerations; influence of pharmacogenomics on response and toxicity of drug therapies; value of biomarker tests; limitations and costs of tests; and potentially high acquisition costs of new targeted therapies help to give guidance on potential ways forward for all stakeholder groups. Overall, personalized medicine has the potential to revolutionize care. However, current challenges and concerns need to be addressed to enhance its uptake and funding to benefit patients