Determination of virulence of L. monocytogenes strains of environmental and food sources using an invertebrate model

The virulence potential of 9 L. monocytogenes strains isolated from food products at different stages of the fresh produce supply chain and a food processing facility was determined using G. mellonella. Strains were used to infect G. mellonella larvae through the haemocoel with a dose of 106 CFU, which were then compared to a L. monocytogenes reference EGD-e and also L. ivanovii. Virulence was assessed by evaluating mortality rates, larvae health index score (HIS), counting viable bacteria in larvae, and the larval immunological response to infection. Significant differences in ability to cause larval mortality were observed between strains. L. monocytogenes strains NLmo4 and NLmo5 caused the most mortality rates, 98.8% and 96.7%, respectively, at 7 d after infection, whilst NLmo20 induced a mortality rate of 65% at the same time point, significantly differing from NLmo4&5 (p<0.5). Six isolates that caused the least to most mortality rates we selected and tested for ability to replicate in vitro, in vivo and their effect on larvae haemocyte density. Growth rates in vitro were significantly not different amongst L. monocytogenes strains as well as when compared to L. ivanovii. However, whilst L. monocytogenes strains replicated and persisted in larvae for up to 7 d after infection L. ivanovii was gradually cleared from larvae decreasing by 5 Logs CFU at the end of the 7 d time course. The persistence of these strain in larvae caused damage to larval organs as seen by increasing melanisation and consequently larval death. Insignificant fluctuations in haemocyte density was observed after larvae infection, however, increased expressions of the antimicrobial peptides galiomycin and gallerimycin were noted upon infection with NLmo4, EGD-e and L. ivanovii. Taken together, results of this study suggest L. monocytogenes strains found in fresh produce products have different pathogenic potentials and are potential hazards for human health

Resurgence of Ebola Virus Disease in Guinea Linked to a Survivor With Virus Persistence in Seminal Fluid for More Than 500 Days.

We report on an Ebola virus disease (EVD) survivor who showed Ebola virus in seminal fluid 531 days after onset of disease. The persisting virus was sexually transmitted in February 2016, about 470 days after onset of symptoms, and caused a new cluster of EVD in Guinea and Liberia

Assessing The Impact Of Covid-19 Lockdown And Social Distancing Measures On The Supply Chain Of The Brewery Industry In Sierra Leone: Case Study Of The Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL)

Setelah wabah penyakit virus korona baru (Covid-19) pada akhir Desember 2019, banyak rantai pasokan (SC) dan industri di seluruh dunia yang sangat terpengaruh oleh dampak virus tersebut. Tindakan seperti penutupan bandara internasional, pelabuhan laut, perbatasan darat, penguncian nasional, jarak sosial, tindakan karantina, dan kerja dari rumah telah berdampak pada banyak perusahaan produksi dan konsumen di seluruh dunia. Tujuan keseluruhan dari penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menilai dampak dari penguncian covid-19 dan tindakan jarak sosial di SC Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) yang berlokasi di Sierra Leone, Afrika Barat. Studi ini memberikan wawasan tentang pemahaman SC dalam kaitannya dengan pandemi Covid-19 dengan mengungkap isu-isu utama dari tindakan Covid�19 terhadap operasi normal perusahaan yang memberikan dasar bagi perusahaan dalam pengambilan keputusan jika ada hal yang tidak terduga. gangguan ke SC�nya. Penelitian ini mengadopsi metode penelitian kualitatif studi kasus, memberikan kuesioner terbuka untuk mengidentifikasi masalah utama yang disebabkan oleh tindakan covid-19. Penelitian mengidentifikasi enam (6) masalah utama dari tanggapan peserta dan mengusulkan inisiatif perbaikan dengan menggunakan quality function deployment (QFD). ====================================================================================================== After the outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in late December 2019, many supply chains (SCs) and industries around the world have been greatly affected by the impacts of the virus. Measures such as closure of international airports, seaports, land borders, nationwide lockdown, social distancing, quarantine measures, and work-from-home has impacted many production firms and consumers around the globe. The overall objective of the research aimed at assessing the impact of the covid-19 lockdowns and social distancing measures on the SC of the Sierra Leone Brewery Limited (SLBL) located in Sierra Leone, West Africa. The study gives insights into the understanding of SC in relation to the covid-19 pandemic by uncovering key issues of the covid-19 measures to the normal operations of the company that provides a baseline for the company in decision making should there be such an unforeseen disruption to its SC. The research adopted a case study qualitative research method, administering open-ended questionnaires to identify the key problems caused by the covid-19 measures. The research identified six (6) key problems from the responses of participants and proposes improvement initiatives by the use of quality function deployment (QFD) framework