A5023251818- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Animal Nutrition and Physiology
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Bacterial biofilms and quorum sensing
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Effects of Environmental Stressors on Livestock
- Meat and Animal Product Quality
- Helminth infection and control
- Insect symbiosis and bacterial influences
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- Toxin Mechanisms and Immunotoxins
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Trypanosoma species research and implications
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Plant and Fungal Interactions Research
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
University of Pretoria
2016-2025
Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital
2012-2024
Laboratoire National de Référence
2023
University of Cape Town
2023
National Institute for Communicable Diseases
2023
Stellenbosch University
2023
University of the Witwatersrand
2001-2023
National Veterinary Research Institute
2011
University of Amsterdam
1989
University of the Free State
1978
ABSTRACT Bacillus cereus , a dairy-associated toxigenic bacterium, readily forms biofilms on various surfaces and was used to gain better understanding of biofilm development by gram-positive aerobic rods. B. DL5 shown adapt an attached mode growth, with dense structures developing within 18 h after inoculation when glass wool as surface. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2DE) revealed distinct reproducible phenotypic differences between 2- 18-h-old planktonic cells (grown both in the...
ABSTRACT Babesiosis in a sable antelope ( Hippotragus niger Harris, 1838) was first reported 1930; the parasite named Babesia irvinesmithi . Recently, specimens from an adult that presented with sudden onset of disease and subsequently died during immobilization were submitted for molecular characterization. Microscopic examination thin blood smears revealed presence small piroplasms. DNA extracted samples; V4 variable region 18S rRNA gene amplified analyzed using reverse line blot (RLB)...
The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a host for many pathogens known to cause economically important diseases and often considered an reservoir livestock diseases. Theileriosis, heartwater, babesiosis anaplasmosis are the most tick-borne of in sub-Saharan Africa, resulting extensive economic losses farmers endemic areas. Information on distribution ticks scarce Northern Botswana. Nevertheless, this data necessary targeting surveillance control measures production at national level. In...
Many individual hosts are infected with multiple parasite species, and this may increase or decrease the pathogenicity of infections. This phenomenon is termed heterologous reactivity potentially an important determinant both patterns morbidity mortality impact disease control measures at population level. Using infections Theileria parva (a tick-borne protozoan, related to Plasmodium) in indigenous African cattle [where it causes East Coast fever (ECF)] as a model system, we obtain first...
The development of sensitive surveillance technologies using PCR-based detection microbial DNA, such as the reverse line blot assay, can facilitate gathering epidemiological information on tick-borne diseases, which continue to hamper productivity livestock in many parts Africa and elsewhere. We have employed a assay detect prevalence parasites an intensively studied cohort indigenous calves western Kenya. were recruited close birth monitored for presence infectious disease up 51 weeks....
The Bushbuckridge-East community in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa is bordered by nature reserves, including the Manyeleti Game Reserve. Murid rodents are prevalent both and communal rangelands adjoining households. Although reservoir hosts for a broad range of viral, bacterial parasitic pathogens, rodent microbial diversity transmission zoonotic agents to humans understudied. In this study we investigated wild commensal sampled from different habitats. 16S rRNA gene was amplified DNA...
A participatory epidemiological (PE) study was conducted with livestock keepers in Moroto and Kotido districts, Karamoja Region, Uganda, between October December 2013 to determine the management options relative importance of tick-borne diseases (TBDs) amongst transhumant zebu cattle. Data collection involved 24 focus group discussions (each comprising 8–12 people) settlement areas (manyattas), key informant interviews (30), direct observation, a review surveillance data, clinical...
Although reported sporadically from various countries, feline babesiosis appears to be a significant clinical entity only in South Africa, where Babesia felis is usually incriminated as the causative agent. lengau, recently described asymptomatic cheetahs, has now possibly been agent two severe cases domestic cats.Both cats were euthanised extremis. While typical Africa an afebrile disease with chronic manifestation, there was acute onset of signs both and their body temperatures above...
DNA samples from 74 patients with non-malarial acute febrile illness (AFI), 282 rodents, 100 cattle, 56 dogs and 160 Rhipicephalus sanguineus ticks were screened for the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum using a quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay targeting msp2 gene. The test detected both A. sp. SA/ZAM dog DNA. Microbiome sequencing confirmed low levels in blood while high platys dogs. Directed 16S rRNA gltA genes selected revealed humans, rodents highlighted its importance as possible...
Organisms in the genus Anaplasma are obligate intracellular alphaproteobacteria. Bovine anaplasmosis, predominantly caused by marginale, is most prevalent tick-borne disease (TBD) of cattle worldwide. Other species known to cause disease; these include A. ovis, platys dogs, capra goats and humans, phagocytophilum humans. The rapid advancement next-generation sequencing technologies has led discovery many novel sequences ascribed Anaplasma, with over 20 putative new being proposed since last...
The biofilm proteome of a dairy-associated Bacillus cereus strain (B. 5) was investigated. Biofilm biomass sufficient concentration for 2D-PAGE obtained by growing the culture in presence glass wool. B. 5 readily attached to wool and biofilms formed within 18 h. whole-cell proteins revealed that 10 were synthesized as result surface attachment which four unique profile. Seven appeared be absent altered proteomes indicated changes took place regulation protein expression when cells surfaces.
ABSTRACT In a previous paper, we reported on large number of cheetah blood specimens that gave positive signals only for Babesia and/or Theileria genus-specific probes the reverse line blot (RLB) assay, indicating presence novel species or variant an existing species. Some these were investigated further by microscopic, serological, sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses. The near-full-length 18S rRNA genes 13 samples, as well second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) region, amplified,...
A quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assay based on the cox III gene was evaluated for simultaneous detection and discrimination of Theileria species in buffalo cattle blood samples from South Africa Mozambique using melting curve analysis. The results obtained were compared to those reverse line blot (RLB) hybridization differentiation spp. mixed infections, 18S rRNA qPCR specific parva. parva, sp. (buffalo), taurotragi, buffeli mutans detected by assay. velifera not any analysed. Seventeen...
Babesia rossi, which is transmitted by Haemaphysalis spp. and highly virulent to domestic dogs, occurs only in sub-Saharan Africa. Since dogs are not native the region, it has been postulated that natural host of B. rossi an indigenous African canid. Although various attempts at artificial infection indicated black-backed jackals (Canis mesomelas) could become subclinically infected with data on occurrence free-ranging was lacking. A long-term behaviour study were radio-collared offered...