A5076387327- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Hepatitis Viruses Studies and Epidemiology
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Virus-based gene therapy research
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Enzyme function and inhibition
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- interferon and immune responses
- Congenital Anomalies and Fetal Surgery
- Coagulation, Bradykinin, Polyphosphates, and Angioedema
- Viral Infectious Diseases and Gene Expression in Insects
- Crystallography and molecular interactions
- Invertebrate Immune Response Mechanisms
- Parasite Biology and Host Interactions
- Renin-Angiotensin System Studies
- Cytomegalovirus and herpesvirus research
- Parasites and Host Interactions
- Infant Nutrition and Health
- Gastrointestinal disorders and treatments
- Vitamin C and Antioxidants Research
- Immune Response and Inflammation
- Probiotics and Fermented Foods
University of the Free State
2012-2024
North-West University
2009-2014
University of Cape Town
2008-2010
Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute
2006-2007
Identifying when past exposure to an infectious disease will protect against newly emerging strains is central understanding the spread and severity of epidemics, but prediction viral cross-protection remains important unsolved problem. For foot-and-mouth virus (FMDV) research in particular, improved methods for predicting this are critical outbreaks within endemic settings where multiple serotypes subtypes commonly co-circulate, as well deciding whether appropriate vaccine(s) exist how much...
Abstract High mortality rates caused by rotaviruses are associated with several strains such as G2, G8, G9, and G12 rotaviruses. Rotaviruses G9 genotypes emerged worldwide in the past two decades. G2 G8 however also characterized frequently across Africa. To understand genetic constellation of African rotavirus their possible origin, sequence‐independent cDNA synthesis, amplification, 454 ® pyrosequencing whole genomes five human were performed. RotaC phylogenetic analysis used to assign...
Rotaviruses (RVs) are known to infect various avian and mammalian hosts, including swine. The most common RVs associated with infection in pigs A, B, C H (RVA-C; RVH). In this study we analysed rotavirus strains circulating on a porcine farm the Western Cape province of South Africa over two-year period. Whole genomes were determined by sequencing using Illumina MiSeq without prior genome amplification. Fifteen RVA genomes, one RVB partial RVC identified. Phylogenetic analyses data suggested...
Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) outer capsid proteins 1B, 1C and 1D contribute to the serotype distribution antigenic variants that exist within each of seven serotypes. This study presents phylogenetic, genetic analyses South African Territories (SAT) serotypes prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we show high levels diversity P1-coding region SAT are reflected properties these viruses therefore have implications for selection vaccine strains would provide best match against emerging...
The results of a simple pairwise-scanning analysis designed to identify inter-serotype recombination fragments, applied genome data from 156 isolates Foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) representing all seven serotypes, are reported. Large numbers candidate recombinant fragments were identified parts the FMDV genome, with exception capsid genes, within which such infrequent. As expected, intertypic fragment exchange is most common between geographically sympatric serotypes. After accounting...
Human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) has two homologous domains, the N and C with differing substrate preferences. X-ray crystal structures of domains complexed various inhibitors have allowed identification active site residues that might be important for molecular basis this selectivity. However, it is unclear to what extent different contribute domain Here, cocrystal human testis ACE, equivalent domain, been determined novel domain-selective ketomethylene inhibitors, (5 S)-5-[(...
Human rotavirus A (RVA) causes acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children. The broad use of two vaccines, which are based on RVA strains from Europe North America, significantly reduced disease burden worldwide. However, a lower vaccine effectiveness is recorded some regions the world, such as sub-Saharan Africa, where diverse circulating. Here, plasmid-based reverse genetics system was used to generate simian reassortants with VP4 VP7 proteins derived African human not previously...
Group A rotavirus (RVA) remains the most important etiological agent associated with severe acute diarrhea in children. Rotarix® monovalent vaccine was introduced into Mozambique’s Expanded Program on Immunization September 2015. In present study, we report diversity and prevalence of genotypes, pre- (2012–2015) post-vaccine (2016–2019) introduction Mozambique, among diarrheic children less than five years age. Genotyping data were analyzed for sentinel sites periods indicated. The primary...
Human somatic angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) is a membrane-bound dipeptidyl carboxypeptidase that contains two extracellular domains (N and C). Although highly homologous, they exhibit different substrate inhibition profiles. The phosphinic inhibitors RXPA380 RXP407 are selective for the C- N-domains, respectively. A number of residues, implicated by structural data, likely to contribute this selectivity. However, extent which these interactions responsible domain selectivity unclear....
Human ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) (EC 3.4.15.1) is an important drug target because of its role in the regulation blood pressure via renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system. Somatic comprises two homologous domains, differing substrate preferences which present a new avenue for domain-selective inhibitor design. We have co-crystallized lisW-S, C-domain-selective derivative lisinopril, with human testis and determined structure using X-ray crystallography to resolution 2.30 Å (1 Å=0.1...
In Mozambique rotavirus (RV) was shown to be the greatest cause of acute diarrhoea in infants from 0 11 months, and 2015, national vaccination introduced. As with other developing countries, there is very limited active strain characterisation. Rotavirus positive clinical specimens, collected between 2012 2013, have now provided information on genotypes circulating southern prior vaccine introduction. Genotypes G2 (32.4%), G12 (28.0%), P[4] (41.4%) P[6] (22.9%) (n = 157) strains were...
The gut of healthy neonates is devoid viruses at birth, but rapidly becomes colonised by normal viral commensals that aid in important physiological functions like metabolism can, some instances, result gastrointestinal illnesses. However, little known about how this colonisation begins, its variability and factors shaping the virome composition. Thus, understanding development, assembly, progression enteric communities over time key. To explore early-life metagenomic sequencing was employed...
Mozambique introduced the Rotarix® vaccine into National Immunization Program in September 2015. Following introduction, rotavirus A (RVA) genotypes, G9P[4] and G9P[6], were detected for first time since surveillance programs implemented country. To understand emergence of these strains, whole genomes 47 ELISA RVA positive strains between 2015 2018 characterized using an Illumina MiSeq-based sequencing pipeline. Of 29 G9 characterized, 14 exhibited a typical Wa-like genome constellation 15...
Establishing a diverse gut microbiota after birth is essential for preventing illnesses later in life. However, little knowledge exists about the total viral population (virome) present of infants during early developmental stage, with RNA viruses being generally overlooked. Therefore, this small pilot longitudinal study investigated diversity and changes enteric virome healthy from South Africa. Faecal samples (n = 12) were collected four at three time points (on average 8, 13, 25 weeks),...
A high prevalence of G12 rotavirus strains has previously been reported in southern Mozambique. In this study, the full genomes five Mozambican were determined directly from stool using an Illumina Miseq platform. One sample (0060) contained intergenogroup co-infection a G12P[8] Wa-like strain and GXP[14] DS-1-like strain. The sequences seven genome segments, detected for strain, clustered with diverse group mostly animal strains, suggesting possible origin. samples G12P[6] backbones....
Abstract The N and C domains of somatic angiotensin-converting enzyme (sACE) differ in terms their substrate specificity, inhibitor profiling, chloride dependency thermal stability. domain is thermally less stable than sACE or the domain. Since both are heavily glycosylated, effect glycosylation on stability was investigated by assessing catalytic physicochemical properties. Testis ACE (tACE) expressed mammalian cells, cells presence a glucosidase insect yielded proteins with altered...
Enterovirus (EV) infections are widespread and associated with a range of clinical conditions, from encephalitis to meningitis, gastroenteritis, acute flaccid paralysis. Knowledge about the circulation EVs in neonatal age early infancy is scarce, especially Africa. This study aimed unveil frequency diversity circulating apparently healthy newborns Free State Province, South Africa (SA). For this purpose, longitudinally collected faecal specimens (May 2021–February 2022) cohort 17...