35 research outputs found
Is penguin circovirus circulating only in the antarctic circle? Lack of viral detection in namibia
The known host range of circoviruses is continuously expanding because of more intensive diagnostic activities and advanced sequencing tools. Recently, a new circovirus (penguin
circovirus (PenCV)) was identified in the guano and cloacal samples collected from Adélie penguins
(Pygoscelis adeliae) and chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) in Antarctica. Although the virus
was detected in several asymptomatic subjects, a potential association with feather disease was
speculated. To investigate the occurrence and implications of PenCV in other penguin species located
outside of Antarctica, a broad survey was undertaken in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) on
two islands off the southern Namibian coast. For this purpose, specific molecular biology assays
were developed and validated. None of the 151 blood samples tested positive for PenCV. Several
reasons could explain the lack of PenCV positive samples. African penguins and Pygoscelis species are
separated by approximately 6000 km, so there is almost no opportunity for transmission. Similarly,
host susceptibility to PenCV might be penguin genus-specific. Overall, the present study found no
evidence of PenCV in African penguin colonies in Namibia. Further dedicated studies are required
to assess the relevance of PenCV among different penguin species
Antibodies against Schmallenberg virus detected in cattle in the Otjozondjupa region, Namibia
Several ruminant species have been shown to be susceptible to Schmallenberg virus (SBV), but adult animals usually recover after showing mild or no clinical signs. However, transplacental infection can occur and lead to abortion, malformations and stillborn lambs, calves and goat kids. During November and December 2014, malformations were observed in 11 stillborn calves from two farms in the north-eastern region of Namibia. Blood samples were collected from 9 of the 11 cows that delivered stillborn and malformed calves. All these animals tested negative for Rift Valley fever, bovine viral diarrhoea and infectious bovine rhinotracheitis and were serologically positive for bluetongue virus, SBV and epizootic haemorrhagic disease virus. Clinical findings and serological results suggested that SBV may be circulating in Namibia
Temporal occurrence of Cryptosporidium in the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in northern Adriatic Italian lagoons.
In order to evaluate the temporal occurrence of Cryptosporidium oocysts in Ruditapes philippinarum clams bred along the northeastern Italian Adriatic coast and molecularly characterize the isolates, 2,160 specimens (180 clams per month) were collected from three clam farms from January to December 2004. Two farms (sites A and B) were located in Venice (Chioggia, Veneto region) and one (site C) in the Marano Lagoons (Friuli Venezia Giulia region). Clams from 36 pools (i.e., one pool of 60 clams per month per site) were subjected to a high-sensitivity seminested PCR assay specific for a 360-bp diagnostic region internal to the Cryptosporidium spp. outer wall protein gene. Positive amplicons were sequenced and analyzed. Cryptosporidium DNA was found in clams from seven pools (sites A and B) during 1 month of sampling at site A and 6 months of sampling at site B, with Cryptosporidium hominis and Cryptosporidium parvum being detected. The expected infection rate of the clams was 0.36%. Site B showed a significantly higher expected infection rate (1.15%) than did the other sites (A = 0.14% and C = 0%). Given its high sensitivity and specificity, this seminested PCR assay can be considered a reliable tool for detecting and distinguishing species within the Cryptosporidium genus. The seasonal pattern of contamination and the related public health risks are of particular concern
West Nile Virus Seroprevalence in a Selected Donkey Population of Namibia
West Nile Virus (WNV) is a mosquito-borne virus enzootically maintained in birds. However, it can incidentally infect other species, leading to sometimes severe clinical consequences like in horses and especially human beings. Despite the topic relevance, the presence and distribution of WNV are currently unknown in Namibia. Several countries implement surveillance systems based on virus detection in birds, mosquitoes, and vertebrate species including horses. The present study aimed to fill this knowledge gap by serologically evaluating WNV exposure in Namibian donkeys, whose population is remarkably bigger than the horse one. Forty-seven out of 260 sampled animals showed neutralizing antibodies against WNV (18.07% [95% CI = 13.59–23.30%]), demonstrating its circulation in all country territory, although, with apparent regional differences. On the contrary, no association with animal age or sex could be identified. The present study demonstrates the widespread presence of WNV in Namibia as well as the practical utility and effectiveness of donkeys as sentinels for infection surveillance. Due to clinical relevance, vaccination campaigns should be considered for horses of high economic or genetic value. Additionally, the burden of WNV infection on human health should be carefully evaluated
Is Penguin Circovirus Circulating Only in the Antarctic Circle? Lack of Viral Detection in Namibia
The known host range of circoviruses is continuously expanding because of more intensive diagnostic activities and advanced sequencing tools. Recently, a new circovirus (penguin circovirus (PenCV)) was identified in the guano and cloacal samples collected from Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) in Antarctica. Although the virus was detected in several asymptomatic subjects, a potential association with feather disease was speculated. To investigate the occurrence and implications of PenCV in other penguin species located outside of Antarctica, a broad survey was undertaken in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) on two islands off the southern Namibian coast. For this purpose, specific molecular biology assays were developed and validated. None of the 151 blood samples tested positive for PenCV. Several reasons could explain the lack of PenCV positive samples. African penguins and Pygoscelis species are separated by approximately 6000 km, so there is almost no opportunity for transmission. Similarly, host susceptibility to PenCV might be penguin genus-specific. Overall, the present study found no evidence of PenCV in African penguin colonies in Namibia. Further dedicated studies are required to assess the relevance of PenCV among different penguin species
Is penguin circovirus circulating only in the Antarctic circle? Lack of viral detection in Namibia
The known host range of circoviruses is continuously expanding because of more intensive diagnostic activities and advanced sequencing tools. Recently, a new circovirus (penguin circovirus (PenCV)) was identified in the guano and cloacal samples collected from Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) in Antarctica. Although the virus was detected in several asymptomatic subjects, a potential association with feather disease was speculated. To investigate the occurrence and implications of PenCV in other penguin species located outside of Antarctica, a broad survey was undertaken in African penguins (Spheniscus demersus) on two islands off the southern Namibian coast. For this purpose, specific molecular biology assays were developed and validated. None of the 151 blood samples tested positive for PenCV. Several reasons could explain the lack of PenCV positive samples. African penguins and Pygoscelis species are separated by approximately 6000 km, so there is almost no opportunity for transmission. Similarly, host susceptibility to PenCV might be penguin genus-specific. Overall, the present study found no evidence of PenCV in African penguin colonies in Namibia. Further dedicated studies are required to assess the relevance of PenCV among different penguin species.The number of circovirus species is continuously expanding thanks to improved diagnostic and sequencing technologies. Recently, a new circovirus (penguin circovirus (PenCV)) was identified in the guano and cloacal samples collected from Adélie penguins (Pygoscelis adeliae) and chinstrap penguins (Pygoscelis antarcticus) in Antarctica, and a potential association with disease was proposed. The present study investigates the occurrence of PenCV infection in Namibian African penguin (Spheniscus demersus) colonies. No evidence of viral circulation was observed, suggesting that PenCV distribution could be limited to Antarctica or to particular penguin species.MeerWissen-African–German Partners
for Ocean Knowledge Initiative,National Geographic Society and IAEA Peaceful Uses
Initiative (PUI) VETLAB Network.https://www.mdpi.com/journal/animalsCentre for Veterinary Wildlife StudiesProduction Animal Studie
SARS-CoV-2 in Namibian Dogs
The pandemic of coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) has focused the attention of researchers, and especially public opinion, on the role of the human-animal-environment interface in disease emergence. At the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, media reports regarding the role of pets in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) caused significant concern and social anxiety. Although nowadays proven negligible in developed countries, essentially no studies have been performed in low-income African areas where companion animals are often raised differently from high income countries, and the contact patterns occurring in these scenarios could affect the epidemiological scenario. An extensive molecular biology survey was performed from March 2022 to September 2022 on Namibian dogs residing in urban and rural areas, showing a low but not negligible SARS-CoV-2 prevalence (1%; 95CI: 0.33–2.32%) of 5 out of 500. In only one instance (i.e., a 4-year-old female Labrador) was there a clear association that could be established between the infections of the owner and animal. In all other cases, no evidence of human infection could be obtained and no episodes of COVID-19 were reported by the owners. Although no consistent evidence of pet-to-pet transmission was proven in the present study, a cautionary principle suggests intensive and dedicated investigation into companion animal populations, especially when animal contact is frequent and a particularly susceptible population is present
Molecular Investigation of Porcine Circovirus Type 3 Infection in Pigs in Namibia
Porcine circovirus type 3 (PCV-3) infection is widely distributed in domestic pig populations in America, Europe, and Asia. However, no data is currently available about its presence and distribution in Africa. This study investigated the presence of PCV-3 in pigs (n = 122) in Namibia, by means of biomolecular methods. The pig samples collected (n = 122) were representative of the swine industry in Namibia, covering the major pig production facilities in the country. All of the samples tested were negative for PCV-3, and this indicated that the virus was either not present in the country or was circulating at low levels. Further studies are needed to better understand the distribution, if any, of PCV-3 in Namibia
Molecular characterization of lumpy skin disease virus in Namibia,2017
AbstractBetween January and July 2017, lumpy skin disease (LSD) outbreaks were reported in cattle in Namibia. DNA was extractedfrom skin biopsies taken from 32 cattle, and the RNA polymerase 30 kDa subunit (RPO30) gene of the LSD virus (LSDV)was successfully amplified by PCR. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the newly sequenced LSDV isolates from Namibiawere identical to LSDV isolates identified previously in Burkina Faso, Egypt, Greece, Niger, Serbia and South Africa. Giventhat only unvaccinated herds were affected by LSD, it is recommended that the current vaccination programmes in Namibiabe re-evaluated to allow nationwide coverage
Development of Specific Oligonucleotide Probes to DetectVibrioSpecies
Many species of Vibrio are responsible for diseases in marine organisms and for economic losses to the aquaculture industry. The aim of this preliminary study was to obtain species-specific DNA zones to be used as potential probes from a phylogenetic analysis of the 23S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene of different Vibrio species from marine and human organisms. Species-specific probes were identified for V. parahaemolyticus, V. fortis, V. splendidus, and for two clusters of taxonomically related species, namely V. harveyi/campbelli and V. lentus/aestuarianus. A reverse line blot assay showed that the designed probes can specifically detect the different Vibrio species, thereby proving that these probes can be used to evaluate the presence of pathogenic and nonpathogenic Vibrio species in the sea and in marine organisms to assist in the investigation of environmental risks