p.falciparum.qPCR.docx

This study revealed an improved molecular diagnostic method for P.falciparum detection from low parasite density with better sensitivity. </p

The impact of armed conflict on animal well-being and welfare, and analyzing damage assessment on the veterinary sector: The case of Ethiopia's Tigray region

Tigray war broke out on November 4, 2020, and lasted until November 3, 2022. The war has caused a significant loss of human life and a catastrophic economic and humanitarian crisis. The war affected the food and water supplies to farmers to care their livestock and this led to animal death, malnutrition, and suffering. In addition, a significant number of animals have been subjected to flee the region and killed during the warfare. The veterinary sector is significantly damaged and animals became a victim. Veterinarians and animal health workers have fled the region because of the war, and this adds an extra burden to the sector. Although the impact of this war on animal life, welfare and overall, on the livestock infrastructure is significant, no study has been conducted so far. We analyzed the level of damage to the veterinary sector and number of animal loss following the war. Our analytical study showed the war has claimed a total loss of 2,487,047 cattle, 1,690,096 sheep, 3,803,860 goats, 610,976 donkey, 4,280,815 poultry, and 231,985 beehives. This caused an estimated total financial loss of 53.56 billion Ethiopian birr (∼1.01 billion USD). We also analyzed the destruction level of the veterinary infrastructures in percentage, and the associated financial loss due to facility damage and animal disappearances from the region. A complete destruction (100 %) of veterinary facilities was reported in 10 districts and this accounts to an estimated financial loss of 68.59 million Ethiopian birrs (1.3 million USD). In conclusion, Tigray war has caused an immense impact to animal welfare and veterinary sector and a collaborative effort between governmental and nongovernmental organizations, and professional bodies is required to restore the sector. This study also highlighted how the war jeopardize animal right and wellbeing. Thus, we believe this study will be an input for national and international policy makers working on international convention for animal protection and rights

Measuring the Manipulation of T Helper Immune Responses by <i>Schistosoma mansoni</i>

Schistosoma mansoni uses different mechanisms to escape its host’s immunity. Understanding the ability of memory T cells to withstand this pathogen’s manipulation is important for the development of effective vaccines against this immunomodulatory pathogen. In this study, ovalbumin (OVA) transgenic S. mansoni is used as a tool to investigate whether fully differentiated Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells are able to withstand pathogen manipulation. Naïve T cells from OT-II T cell receptor transgenic mice with a specificity for OVA were differentiated into Th1, Th2, and Th17 polarised memory cells in vitro. These cells were adoptively transferred into recipient mice to investigate whether these polarised immune memory T cells are resilient in the face of pathogen-mediated manipulation. After transferring memory cells, mice were challenged with OVA-transduced S. mansoni eggs as well as wild-type controls. The in vitro differentiated Th1, Th2 and Th17 memory cells continued to produce the same cytokines when challenged by OVA-expressing S. mansoni eggs as to these they produced when transferred in vivo, suggesting that the Th phenotypes of the memory T cells remains unaltered in the face of stimulation by S. mansoni. The ability of memory T cells to remain resilient to manipulation by the parasite suggests that vaccines might be able to produce immune memory responses able to withstand S. mansoni immune manipulation and hence protect the host from infection

Validating Immunomodulatory Responses of r-<i>Ld</i>ODC Protein and Its Derived HLA-DRB1 Restricted Epitopes against Visceral Leishmaniasis in BALB/c Mice

Vaccination is considered the most appropriate way to control visceral leishmaniasis (VL). With this background, the r-LdODC protein as well as its derived HLA-DRB1-restricted synthetic peptides (P1: RLMPSAHAI, P2: LLDQYQIHL, P3: GLYHSFNCI, P4: AVLEVLSAL, and P5: RLPASPAAL) were validated in BALB/c mice against visceral leishmaniasis. The study was initiated by immunization of the r-LdODC protein as well as its derived peptides cocktail with adjuvants (r-CD2 and MPL-A) in different mice groups, separately. Splenocytes isolated from the challenged and differentially immunized mice group exhibited significantly higher IFN-γ secretion, which was evidenced by the increase in the expression profile of intracellular CD4+IFN-γ T cells. However, the IL-10 secretion did not show a significant increase against the protein and peptide cocktail. Subsequently, the study confirmed the ability of peptides as immunoprophylactic agents, as the IE-I/AD-I molecule overexpressed on monocytes and macrophages of the challenged mice group. The parasitic load in macrophages of the protein and peptides cocktail immunized mice groups, and T cell proliferation rate, further established immunoprophylactic efficacy of the r-LdODC protein and peptide cocktail. This study suggests that the r-LdODC protein, as well as its derived HLA-DRB1-restricted synthetic peptides, have immunoprophylactic potential and can activate other immune cells’ functions towards protection against visceral leishmaniasis. However, a detailed study in a humanized mice model can explore its potential as a vaccine candidate