A5000799761- Mycobacterium research and diagnosis
- Tuberculosis Research and Epidemiology
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- vaccines and immunoinformatics approaches
- Infectious Diseases and Tuberculosis
- Diagnosis and treatment of tuberculosis
- Immune Response and Inflammation
- interferon and immune responses
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Molecular Biology Techniques and Applications
- Erythrocyte Function and Pathophysiology
- Hemoglobinopathies and Related Disorders
- Blood groups and transfusion
- T-cell and B-cell Immunology
- Pneumonia and Respiratory Infections
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Cytokine Signaling Pathways and Interactions
- Diphtheria, Corynebacterium, and Tetanus
- Leptospirosis research and findings
- Saffron Plant Research Studies
- Animal Virus Infections Studies
- Identification and Quantification in Food
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
Onderstepoort Veterinary Academic Hospital
2006-2024
University of Pretoria
2006-2024
South African Medical Research Council
2013-2023
Stellenbosch University
2014-2023
National Research Foundation
2015-2023
South African Tuberculosis Vaccine Initiative
2016-2019
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
2019
South African National Parks
2017-2019
National Zoological Gardens of South Africa
2018-2019
Gansu Agricultural University
2018
Tuberculosis (TB) affects humans and other animals is caused by bacteria from the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC). Previous studies have shown that there are at least nine members of MTBC infecting than humans; these also been referred to as ecotypes. However, ecology evolution animal-adapted ecotypes poorly understood. Here we screened 12,886 publicly available genomes newly sequenced 17 strains, gathering a total 529 strains. Phylogenomic comparative analyses confirm paraphyletic...
The molecular determinants of the immune response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis HN878 infection in a rabbit model pulmonary cavitary were studied. Aerosol rabbits resulted highly differentially expressed global transcriptome lungs at 2 weeks, which dropped 4 weeks and then gradually increased. While IFNγ was progressively upregulated throughout infection, several other genes network not. T-cell activation maximally induced 12 weeks. Similarly, IL4 B-cell networks upregulated, many reaching...
Abstract The organism that causes tuberculosis in meerkats (Suricata suricatta) has been poorly characterized. Our genetic analysis showed it to be a novel member of the Mycobacterium complex and closely related dassie bacillus. We have named this epidemiologically genetically unique strain M. suricattae.
Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), the causative agent of (TB), is an exquisitely adapted human pathogen capable surviving for decades in lungs immune-competent individuals absence disease. The World Health Organization estimates that 2 billion people have latent TB infection (LTBI), defined by a positive immunological response to Mtb antigens, with no clinical signs A better understanding host and determinants LTBI subsequent reactivation would benefit control efforts. Animal models been...
Baboons on South Africa's Cape Peninsula come in frequent contact with humans. To determine potential health risks for both species, we screened 27 baboons from 5 troops 10 infections. Most (56%) had antibodies reactive or cross-reactive to human viruses. Spatial overlap between these species poses low but risks.
ABSTRACT African buffaloes ( Syncerus caffer ) are maintenance hosts of Mycobacterium bovis , the causative agent bovine tuberculosis. They act as reservoirs this infection for a wide range wildlife and domestic species, detection infected animals is important to control geographic spread transmission disease. Interferon gamma (IFN-γ) release assays (IGRAs) utilizing pathogen-derived peptide antigens highly specific tests M. infection; however, diagnostic sensitivities these suboptimal. We...
Tuberculosis (TB) in humans is a global public health concern and the discovery of animal cases Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infection disease, especially multi-host settings, also has significant implications for health, veterinary disease control conservation endeavours. This paper describes fatal case Mtb free-ranging African elephant (Loxodonta africana) high human TB burden region. Necropsy revealed extensive granulomatous pneumonia, from which was isolated identified as member...
The most widely used ante-mortem diagnostic tests for tuberculosis in cattle are the tuberculin skin test and interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assay, both of which measure cell-mediated immune responses to Mycobacterium bovis infection. However, limitations performance these results a failure identify all infected animals. In attempting increase range tuberculosis, measurement cytokine IP-10 antigen-stimulated blood has previously been shown improve detection M. infection, humans African...
Abstract The study describes the novel use of Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay for detection Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) DNA in samples from white rhinoceros ( Ceratotherium simum ) and African elephants Loxodonta africana ). Culture negative respiratory sample matrices were spiked to determine if could detect MTBC elephant samples. Rhinoceros bronchial alveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was found have an inhibitory effect on Ultra. In this study, limit (LOD) M. H37Rv all animal 2 CFU/ml...
Diagnosis of tuberculosis in wildlife often relies on postmortem samples because logistical challenges and lack field-friendly techniques for live animal testing. Confirmation infection through detection infectious organisms is essential studying the pathogenesis epidemiology disease. We describe application a technique to obtain respiratory from free-ranging living lions facilitate viable Mycobacterium bovis under field conditions. identified M. by mycobacterial culture PCR tracheobronchial...
Mycobacterium bovis infection, the cause of bovine tuberculosis (BTB), is endemic in wildlife Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa. In lions, a high infection prevalence and BTB mortalities have been documented KNP; however, ecological consequences this disease are currently unknown. Sensitive assays for detection species therefore required. Blood from M. bovis-exposed, bovis-unexposed, tuberculosis-exposed bovis-infected lions was incubated QuantiFERON®-TB Gold (QFT) tubes containing...
Abstract In 2016, an emaciated black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) was found in Kruger National Park, South Africa. An interferon-γ response detected against mycobacterial antigens, and lung tissue positive for Mycobacterium bovis. This case highlights the risk that tuberculosis presents to M. bovis–endemic areas.
Abstract We screened African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) in Kruger National Park, South Africa, for Mycobacterium bovis infection using an interferon-gamma release assay. detected M. sensitization 20 of 21 packs; overall apparent prevalence was 83%. These animals experience high pressure, which may affect long-term survival and conservation strategies.