86 research outputs found
Characterization of a Novel Bat Adenovirus Isolated from Straw-Colored Fruit Bat (Eidolon helvum).
Bats are important reservoirs for emerging zoonotic viruses. For extensive surveys of potential pathogens in straw-colored fruit bats (Eidolon helvum) in Zambia, a total of 107 spleen samples of E. helvum in 2006 were inoculated onto Vero E6 cells. The cell culture inoculated with one of the samples (ZFB06-106) exhibited remarkable cytopathic changes. Based on the ultrastructural property in negative staining and cross-reactivity in immunofluorescence assays, the virus was suspected to be an adenovirus, and tentatively named E. helvum adenovirus 06-106 (EhAdV 06-106). Analysis of the full-length genome of 30,134 bp, determined by next-generation sequencing, showed the presence of 28 open reading frames. Phylogenetic analyses confirmed that EhAdV 06-106 represented a novel bat adenovirus species in the genus Mastadenovirus. The virus shared similar characteristics of low G + C contents with recently isolated members of species Bat mastadenoviruses E, F and G, from which EhAdV 06-106 diverged by more than 15% based on the distance matrix analysis of DNA polymerase amino acid sequences. According to the taxonomic criteria, we propose the tentative new species name "Bat mastadenovirus H". Because EhAdV 06-106 exhibited a wide in vitro cell tropism, the virus might have a potential risk as an emerging virus through cross-species transmission
The contribution of veterinary medicine to public health and poverty reduction in developing countries
Few studies have explicitly examined the linkages between human health, animal disease
control and poverty alleviation. This paper reviews the contribution that veterinary medicine
can make to poverty alleviation in sub-Saharan Africa. Our analysis attempts to explore
aspects of this contribution under five themes: food production; food safety; impact and
control of zoonotic infections; promotion of ecotourism; and environmental protection. While
these areas of human activity have, more or less, fallen under the influence of the veterinary
profession to varying degrees, we attempt to unify this mandate using a āOne Healthā narrative,
for the purpose of providing clarity on the linkages between the veterinary and other
professions, livestock production and poverty alleviation. Future opportunities for improving
health and reducing poverty in the context of developing African countries are also discussed.
We conclude that veterinary science is uniquely positioned to play a key role in both poverty
reduction and the promotion of health, a role that can be enhanced through the reorientation
of the professionās goals and the creation of synergies with allied and related professions.Le relazioni tra salute umana, controllo delle patologie animali e programmi di riduzione
della povertĆ raramente sono state oggetto di analisi. Questo articolo analizza il contributo
che la medicina veterinaria puĆ² fornire ai processi di riduzione della povertĆ nellāAfrica
subāsahariana. In particolare, vengono analizzate le implicazioni della medicina veterinaria
su: produzione di alimenti, igiene alimentare, impatto e controllo delle zoonosi, promozione
di ecoturismo e protezione dellāambiente. Lo studio ha lāobiettivo di riconsiderare questi
aspetti sulla base dellāapproccio āOne Healthā e di chiarire le relazioni che la professione
veterinaria ha con le altre professioni, gli allevamenti animali e i programmi di riduzione
della povertĆ . Lāarticolo esamina le opportunitĆ future per migliorare le condizioni di salute
e ridurre il sottosviluppo nei paesi africani, evidenziando il ruolo determinante delle scienze
veterinarie. Ruolo che puĆ² essere ancor piĆ¹ potenziato attraverso la ridefinizione degli
obiettivi professionali e la creazione di sinergie con le altre professioni.http://www.izs.it/vet_italiana/issues_vet_it.htmhb201
Genetic characterisation of African swine fever virus from 2017 outbreaks in Zambia: Identification of p72 genotype II variants in domestic pigs
African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious haemorrhagic disease associated with causing heavy economic losses to the swine industry in many African countries. In 2017, Zambia experienced ASF outbreaks in Mbala District (Northern province) and for the first time in Isoka and Chinsali districts (Muchinga province). Meanwhile, another outbreak was observed in Chipata District (Eastern province). Genetic analysis of part of theĀ B646LĀ gene,Ā E183LĀ gene,Ā CP204LĀ gene and the central variable region of theĀ B602LĀ gene of ASF virus (ASFV) associated with the outbreaks in Mbala and Chipata districts was conducted. The results revealed that the ASFV detected in Mbala District was highly similar to that of the Georgia 2007/1 isolate across all the genome regions analysed. In contrast, while showing close relationship with the Georgia 2007/1 virus in theĀ B646LĀ gene, the ASFV detected in Chipata District showed remarkable genetic variation in the rest of the genes analysed. These results suggest that the Georgia 2007/1-like virus could be more diverse than what was previously thought, underscoring the need of continued surveillance and monitoring of ASFVs within the south-eastern African region to better understand their epidemiology and the relationships between outbreaks and their possible origin
Evidence of Yersinia pestis DNA from fleas in an endemic plague area of Zambia
BACKGROUND: Yersinia pestis is a bacterium that causes plague which infects a variety of mammals throughout the world. The disease is usually transmitted among wild rodents through a flea vector. The sources and routes of transmission of plague are poorly researched in Africa, yet remains a concern in several sub-Saharan countries. In Zambia, the disease has been reported on annual basis with up to 20 cases per year, without investigating animal reservoirs or vectors that may be responsible in the maintenance and propagation of the bacterium. In this study, we undertook plague surveillance by using PCR amplification of the plasminogen activator gene in fleas. FINDINGS: Xenopsylla species of fleas were collected from 83 rodents trapped in a plague endemic area of Zambia. Of these rodents 5 had fleas positive (6.02%) for Y. pestis plasminogen activator gene. All the Y. pestis positive rodents were gerbils. CONCLUSIONS: We conclude that fleas may be responsible in the transmission of Y. pestis and that PCR may provide means of plague surveillance in the endemic areas of Zambia
DETECTION OF VIRAL GENOME IN NON-NEURAL TISSUES OF CATTLE EXPERIMENTALLY INFECTED WITH BOVINE HERPESVIRUS 1
To obtain further information on the latent infection with bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV-1) in the natural host, we examined the nasal secretions and various tissues of experimentally infected calves using virus isolation, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and immuno-PCR/antigen (Immuno-PCR/Ag) assays. In the nasal secretions, viral DNA was detected in samples with virus isolation titers of 10^ TCID_ or more by PCR. On the same samples, Immuno-PCR/Ag remained positive up to day 19 p.i. the last day of test. BHV-1 DNA was detected from the following tissues in all the calves at day 22 p.i. : trigeminal ganglia, ovaries, lungs, nasal and tracheal mucosae, spleen, prescapular and precrural lymph nodes, and peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), but not skeletal muscles. Virus was not recovered from any of these tissues. The present findings suggest a possible role of leukocytes in BHV-1 latent infection
Viral and bacterial diseases in livestock in Mongolia
This review focuses on the status of infectious diseases that are serious for animal health and have adverse economic effects in Mongolia. Data presented here are limited due to the lack of published or other easily available documents. Foot-and-mouth disease continues to cause substantial economic losses as exemplified by the outbreak of infection with serotype O PanAsia lineage virus. In the case of the 2001 outbreak, a 65% reduction in export revenues was recorded. In order to ascertain the free status of Mongolia from rinderpest, sero-epidemiological surveillance has been carried out since 2001.
In 2004, Mongolia was certified free from rinderpest by Office International des Epizootiesļ¼OIEļ¼. A sharp rise in both animal and human brucellosis incidence has become a serious problem. Rabies and anthrax remain endemic with occasional human cases. Other prevailing infectious diseases are contagious pustular dermatitis, contagious agalactia, enterotoxemia and pasteurellosis. The current programs for the control of infectious diseases in livestock in Mongolia lack a definite policy that would enable rapid implementation. A large-scale surveillance of infectious diseases in animals and management of appropriate preventive measures are urgently required in Mongolia
BOVINE CLOSTRIDIAL INFECTIONS IN ZAMBIA (1985-1994)
Retrospective surveillance study of clostridial infections of cattle in Zambia, for the period 1985 to 1994,showed that out of the 318 cases observed, 62.8% and 24.2% were from Western and Southern provinces, respectively. Of the 6 clostridia species identified, Clostridium septicum (38.1%) followed by C. chauvoei (36.2%) and C. perfringens (13.2%) were dominant. Although the highest incidence for clostridial infections was in 1989 (75 cases) and 1990 (77 cases), the number of C. perfringens cases seemed to increase. More cases were found in the dry season until the onset of the rains, that is, the period August to December
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