Live vaccines for Theileria parva: deployment in eastern, Central and Southern Africa. Proceedings of an FAO/OAU-IBAR/ILRI workshop

The aim of this workshop was to consider methods of immunisation against East Coast Fever (ECF) and other forms of T. parva infection using the infection and treatment method or infection without treatment, and to identify needs for further research to improve vaccine quality and suitability; to consider present and future demands for T. parva vaccine and how these can be met; to review recent progress in developing alternative vaccines for the control of theileriosis caused by T. parva, to consider related research needs, and to identify training and information needs. The workshop participants discussed the deployment of live ECF vaccines and focused on the problems associated with their delivery and the solutions to these problems. These proceedings provide a record of all the country presentations, invited papers, group discussions and recommendations of the workshop. Topics of discussion include production of Theileria parva stabilates and preparation of a composite stabilate for immunisation, application of molecular tools in support of development, standards for live vaccines, infection and delivery method, vaccine delivery, socio-economics and impact assessment, alternative vaccines, and training requirements for vaccine delivery

Genome analysis of protozoan parasites. Proceedings of a workshop

This workshop proceeding reviews the current state of some of the major genome programs in the world, reviews recent developments in the genome analysis of the important protozoan parasites such as leishmania, toxoplasma, trypanosoma and theileria; reviews major technological advancements contributing towards eukaryotic genome analysis; identifies major applications of the knowledge gained from the genome analysis projects; identifies ILRAD's (International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases) needs for theileria and trypanosoma genome analysis, and explores possibilities of collaboration with an international group of scientists involved in genome analysis projects. Topics of discussion include molecular dissection of genomes, establishing a laboratory for parasite genome analysis, genetic analysis of theileria and plasmodium, genetic analysis of trypanosomes and techniques for physical and functional analysis

Salt marsh restoration surprise: A subordinate species accumulates and shares nitrogen while outcompeting salt marsh dominants

Selectively planting native species could guide ecosystem development toward wetland restoration targets, once we understand how influential species function, alone and in combination. Knowing that Triglochin concinna (arrow grass, Juncaceae) accumulates N in its perennial roots, we asked how it would influence N dynamics on an excavated salt marsh plain at Tijuana Estuary, in southern California. We hypothesized that it would (a) accumulate N in roots and shoots, (b) reduce biomass of other marsh plain plants or, alternatively, (c) share N with neighbors as its litter decomposed and released N. We used 15N stable isotope enrichment to quantify N transfer between Triglochin and the marsh plain’s seven-species halophyte assemblage in field and greenhouse experiments. We also examined the effect of Triglochin on individual marsh plain species’ biomass and N accumulation. Triglochin had low shoot biomass (0.96 ± 0.5 g m−2 in field plots and 17.64 ± 2.2 g m−2 in greenhouse pots), high root:shoot ratios (4.3 in the field and 2.0 in the greenhouse), and high tissue N content (1.9 ± 0.2% in the field and 1.7 ± 0.1% in the greenhouse). Two productive perennials, Sarcocornia pacifica (pickleweed) and Frankenia salina (alkali heath), outgrew Triglochin; yet these biomass dominants produced 44%–45% less shoot biomass in greenhouse pots with Triglochin than without. However, we did not find this reduction in the field where roots were unconfined. In the greenhouse, δ15N values were higher for species grown with 15N-enriched Triglochin, indicating that this species made N available to its neighbors. The δ15N values for plants grown in the field exceeded background levels, also indicating that the marsh plain assemblage took up N released by Triglochin. We conclude that Triglochin can influence the restoration of salt marsh vegetation by accumulating N and releasing its tissue N to neighbors as leaves and roots decompose, while simultaneously reducing the biomass of neighbors. The seasonally deciduous Triglochin is low in shoot biomass, yet competitively superior in N uptake. Because this often-ignored species has limited tidal dispersal, we suggest restoration plantings, including tests of its ability to facilitate diversity where S. pacifica, the marsh plain dominant, might otherwise form monocultures

A Comparative Overview of the Livestock-Environment Interactions in Asia and Sub-saharan Africa

Understanding the interactions between livestock and the environment in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa is essential to sustainable livestock sector development. In this comparative overview, we review the available evidence on the extent of grassland degradation, land, and water pollution by nutrients and microorganisms, water stress, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions and their relation to livestock production in Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. We also draw on Asia's past livestock development trajectories and their impacts to provide guidance for future sustainable livestock development in Sub-Saharan Africa. Forward-looking policies and programs that anticipate long-term changes in the livestock sector and that assess trade-offs between policies and investments in multiple environmental domains in Sub-Saharan Africa are required to support sustainable development and guide policy decisions in the years ahead, from an environmental, social and public health perspective

Caracterizacao genetica do Trypanosoma vivax isolado no pantanal do Estado de Mato Grosso e o diagnostico diferencial da infeccao por Trypanosoma evansi pela reacao em cadeia da polimerase (PCR).

bitstream/item/137690/1/PESQ-EM-ANDAMENTO-49.pdfCNPGC

Modelling H5N1 in Bangladesh across spatial scales : model complexity and zoonotic transmission risk

Highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 remains a persistent public health threat, capable of causing infection in humans with a high mortality rate while simultaneously negatively impacting the livestock industry. A central question is to determine regions that are likely sources of newly emerging influenza strains with pandemic causing potential. A suitable candidate is Bangladesh, being one of the most densely populated countries in the world and having an intensifying farming system. It is therefore vital to establish the key factors, specific to Bangladesh, that enable both continued transmission within poultry and spillover across the human–animal interface. We apply a modelling framework to H5N1 epidemics in the Dhaka region of Bangladesh, occurring from 2007 onwards, that resulted in large outbreaks in the poultry sector and a limited number of confirmed human cases. This model consisted of separate poultry transmission and zoonotic transmission components. Utilising poultry farm spatial and population information a set of competing nested models of varying complexity were fitted to the observed case data, with parameter inference carried out using Bayesian methodology and goodness-of-fit verified by stochastic simulations. For the poultry transmission component, successfully identifying a model of minimal complexity, which enabled the accurate prediction of the size and spatial distribution of cases in H5N1 outbreaks, was found to be dependent on the administration level being analysed. A consistent outcome of non-optimal reporting of infected premises materialised in each poultry epidemic of interest, though across the outbreaks analysed there were substantial differences in the estimated transmission parameters. The zoonotic transmission component found the main contributor to spillover transmission of H5N1 in Bangladesh was found to differ from one poultry epidemic to another. We conclude by discussing possible explanations for these discrepancies in transmission behaviour between epidemics, such as changes in surveillance sensitivity and biosecurity practices