Transmission dynamics of rabies virus in Thailand: Implications for disease control

BACKGROUND: In Thailand, rabies remains a neglected disease with authorities continuing to rely on human death statistics while ignoring the financial burden resulting from an enormous increase in post-exposure prophylaxis. Past attempts to conduct a mass dog vaccination and sterilization program have been limited to Bangkok city and have not been successful. We have used molecular epidemiology to define geographic localization of rabies virus phylogroups and their pattern of spread in Thailand. METHODS: We analyzed 239 nucleoprotein gene sequences from animal and human brain samples collected from all over Thailand between 1998 and 2002. We then reconstructed a phylogenetic tree correlating these data with geographical information. RESULTS: All sequences formed a monophyletic tree of 2 distinct phylogroups, TH1 and TH2. Three subgroups were identified in the TH1 subgroup and were distributed in the middle region of the country. Eight subgroups of TH2 viruses were identified widely distributed throughout the country overlapping the TH1 territory. There was a correlation between human-dependent transportation routes and the distribution of virus. CONCLUSION: Inter-regional migration paths of the viruses might be correlated with translocation of dogs associated with humans. Interconnecting factors between human socioeconomic and population density might determine the transmission dynamics of virus in a rural-to-urban polarity. The presence of 2 or more rabies virus groups in a location might be indicative of a gene flow, reflecting a translocation of dogs within such region and adjacent areas. Different approaches may be required for rabies control based on the homo- or heterogeneity of the virus. Areas containing homogeneous virus populations should be targeted first. Control of dog movement associated with humans is essential

Community structure and dynamics of ectomycorrhizal fungi in a dipterocarp forest fragment and plantation in Thailand

<p><b><i>Background</i></b>: Ectomycorrhizal (EcM) associations have been reported with trees of the plant family Dipterocarpaceae. We hypothesised that a dipterocarp forest fragment, with more host species, would yield a higher diversity of associated EcM fungal species than that of a <i>Dipterocarpus alatus</i> monoculture plantation.</p> <p><b><i>Aims</i></b>: To examine the above- and below-ground EcM community structure of a dry dipterocarp forest fragment and a <i>D. alatus</i> plantation in Thailand.</p> <p><b><i>Methods</i></b>: Sporocarps were collected and identified, and EcM root tips were collected in the dry and wet seasons and identified by terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism and internal transcribed spacer sequencing.</p> <p><b><i>Results</i></b>: Higher EcM fungal diversity was observed in the dry dipterocarp forest fragment than in the <i>D. alatus</i> plantation, with a larger number of species found in the wet seasons than the dry seasons. Sporocarp species richness was greater than root-tip EcM richness. Different dominant EcM taxa were observed in the above- and below-ground communities.</p> <p><b><i>Conclusions</i></b>: Our results suggest that host tree diversity may explain the greater EcM fungal diversity in the dry dipterocarp forest fragment than the <i>D. alatus</i> monoculture plantation. Seasonal dynamics also influences the composition of the EcM communities, with different dominant taxa and relative abundance in the dry and wet seasons. Further research would be of great help in providing useful information for management of dipterocarp forests as well as restoration of disturbed landscapes.</p

Companion modelling for integrated renewable resource management: a new collaborative approach to create common values for sustainable development

International audienceSustainable management of renewable resources is often complicated by diversity and dynamic nature of the ecological and socioeconomic systems involved. As these system dynamics and interactions are highly complex and frequently unpredictable, there is a need to opt for transdisciplinary research addressing adaptive and integrated renewable resource management. Companion Modeling (ComMod) is a multi-agent systems (MAS)-based approach relying on synergistic effects between Role-Playing Games (RPG) and Agent-Based Models (ABM) to facilitate information sharing, collective learning, and exchange of perceptions to support negotiation, facilitate collective decision-making, and to strengthen adaptive resource management capacity. Iterative and adaptive sequences of field work and modeling activities allow inclusive and interactive participation of stakeholders during design, implementation, calibration, and validation steps of the models, as well as joint use to explore possible future scenarios. ComMod was implemented in a study of a conflict between two ethnic communities and a newly proposed national park in Northern Thailand. Deforestation, biodiversity conservation, and livelihoods were key issues discussed during RPG sessions, and subsequently represented in an ABM simulator. Consequently, local stakeholders learned about agro-ecological and socioeconomic dynamics and gained an increased awareness of these key issues. Mutual understanding was improved, and the importance of collaborative discussion, essential to negotiation and decision-making, became obvious. Finally, this Northern Thailand experience has shown that collaborative interactions between researchers and local stakeholders mediated by ComMod tools were supportive of improved communication among the conflicting parties and joint learning for adaptive and integrated sustainable management of renewable resources