A5058978865- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Viral Infections and Immunology Research
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Genetic and phenotypic traits in livestock
- Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Biodiversity
- Conservation, Biodiversity, and Resource Management
- Rangeland Management and Livestock Ecology
- Fish Biology and Ecology Studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Ruminant Nutrition and Digestive Physiology
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Animal Diversity and Health Studies
- Fish Ecology and Management Studies
- T-cell and Retrovirus Studies
- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Genomics and Phylogenetic Studies
- Insect Pest Control Strategies
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Cancer-related molecular mechanisms research
- Climate change impacts on agriculture
- African Botany and Ecology Studies
- Ethnobotanical and Medicinal Plants Studies
Makerere University
2015-2024
McMaster University
2008
University of California, Berkeley
2008
Save the Elephants
2008
Kenya Wildlife Service
2008
University of Copenhagen
2008
Strong genetic structure has prompted discussion regarding giraffe taxonomy,1Bercovitch F.B. Berry P.S.M. Dagg A. Deacon F. Doherty J.B. Lee D.E. Mineur Muller Z. Ogden R. Seymour et al.How many species of are there?.Curr. Biol. 2017; 27: R136-R137Abstract Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (34) Google Scholar,2Bercovitch Giraffe taxonomy, geographic distribution and conservation.Afr. J. Ecol. 2020; 58: 150-158Crossref (4) Scholar,3Petzold Hassanin A comparative approach for delimitation based on...
Abstract Several African mammals exhibit a phylogeographic pattern where closely related taxa are split between West/Central and East/Southern Africa, but their evolutionary relationships histories remain controversial. Bushpigs ( Potamochoerus larvatus ) red river hogs P. porcus recognised as separate species due to morphological distinctions, perceived lack of interbreeding at contact, putatively old divergence times, historically, they were considered conspecific. Moreover, the presence...
SUMMARY Most viruses are maintained by complex processes of evolution that enable them to survive but also complicate efforts achieve their control. In this paper, we study patterns in foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) serotype C virus isolates from Kenya, one the few places world where has been endemic and is suspected remain. The nucleotide sequences encoding capsid protein VP1 eight collected between 1967 2004 were analysed for sequence divergence evolution. Very low diversity (π=0·0025)...
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Uganda with control strategies focusing on vaccination of cattle, while small ruminants are largely ignored. In order for to establish effective strategies, it crucial that the epidemiology fully understood. This study summarizes results serological investigations sheep and goats antibodies FMDV from four districts 2006 following an FMD outbreak region attempted comprehensive random sampling two 2007. Antibodies were quantified serotyped using...
Abstract Background To study the role of African buffalos ( Syncerus caffer ) in maintenance foot-and-mouth disease Uganda, serum samples were collected from 207 buffalos, 21 impalas Aepyceros melampus ), 1 giraffe Giraffa camelopardalis common eland Taurotragus oryx 7 hartebeests Alcelaphus buselaphus and 5 waterbucks Kobus ellipsiprymnus four major National Parks Uganda between 2005 2008. Serum screened to detect antibodies against virus (FMDV) non-structural proteins (NSP) using Ceditest...
Abstract Background Accurate diagnosis is pertinent to any disease control programme. If Eastern Africa work towards of foot-and-mouth (FMD) using the Progressive Control Pathway for FMD (PCP-FMD) as a tool, then capacity national reference laboratories (NRLs) mandated diagnose should match this task. This study assessed laboratory 14 NRLs Region Laboratory Network member countries semi-structured questionnaire and retrospective data from World Reference annual reports Genbank® through...
Abstract African wild pigs have a contentious evolutionary and biogeographic history. Until recently, desert warthog (Phacochoerus aethiopicus) common (P. africanus) were considered single species. Molecular evidence surprisingly suggested they diverged at least 4.4 million years ago, possibly outside of Africa. We sequenced the first whole-genomes four warthogs 35 from throughout their range. show that these two species much later than previously estimated, 400,000–1,700,000 ago depending...
Climate change impacts threaten sustainable development efforts. The magnitude of the impacts, however, varies with socio-ecological characteristics locations. This is reason there consensus on necessity for climate adaptive capacity building that country driven, and based on, responsive to, local needs. However, information context specific needs in developing countries not readily available. objective this study was to establish location awareness, training, educational research technology...
To investigate the foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) serotypes circulating in Uganda's cattle population, both serological and virological analyses of samples from outbreaks that occurred during 2012–2013 were performed. Altogether, 79 sera 60 oropharyngeal fluid (OP)/tissue/oral swab collected herds with reported FMD seven different Ugandan districts. Overall, 61/79 (77%) positive for antibodies against FMDV by PrioCHECK NS ELISA solid phase blocking detected titres ≥ 80 O, SAT 1, 2 3 41,...
East Coast fever (ECF) is a fatal sickness affecting cattle populations of eastern, central, and southern Africa. The disease transmitted by the tick Rhipicephalus appendiculatus, caused protozoan Theileria parva parva, which invades host lymphocytes promotes their clonal expansion. Importantly, indigenous show tolerance to infection in ECF-endemically stable areas. Here, putative genetic bases underlying ECF-tolerance were investigated using molecular data epidemiological information from...
Complete genome sequences of five African swine fever virus isolates were determined directly from clinical material obtained domestic pigs in Uganda. Four essentially identical to each other, and all closely related the only known sequence p72 genotype IX.
A confirmed African swine fever (ASF) outbreak in Nigeria was further investigated by partial sequencing of B464L and E183L genes the ASF virus (ASFV). Results revealed first-time presence ASFV genotype II West Africa. This finding has serious implications for control measures food security.
Abstract The blue wildebeest ( Connochaetes taurinus ) is a keystone species in savanna ecosystems from southern to eastern Africa, and well known for its spectacular migrations locally extreme abundance. In contrast, the black C. gnou endemic barely escaped extinction 1900s feared be danger of genetic swamping wildebeest. Despite ecological importance wildebeest, there lack understanding how unique migratory ecology has affected gene flow, structure phylogeography. Here, we analyze whole...
Non-clinical Theileria parva infection among indigenous cattle occurs upon recovery from primary disease during the first year of life. Continuous exposure to through contaminated tick infestations with absence clinical gives rise endemic stability. Endemic stable populations may become sources if vectors are shared susceptible exotic cattle. This study aimed at establishing a nationwide distribution non-clinical T. inform novel control strategies. The occurrence apparently healthy 925 209...
Livestock trading through live animal markets are potential pathways for the introduction and spread of economically important pathogens like African swine fever virus (ASFV) to new areas in several countries. Due high demand pigs Nigeria both restocking slaughter, sold at designated pig (LPM) country. This involves movement over long distances. Despite, reports ASF outbreaks following bought from LPMs, there is paucity information on role LPMs epidemiology ASF. In this study, data samples...
We investigated population genetic structure and regional differentiation among African savannah elephants in Kenya using mitochondrial microsatellite markers. observed DNA (mtDNA) nucleotide diversity of 1.68% variation terms average number alleles, expected heterozygosities the total study 10.20, 0.75, 0.69, respectively. Hierarchical analysis molecular variance mtDNA revealed significant 3 geographical regions studied (FCT = 0.264; P < 0.05) a relatively lower populations within (FSC...
BackgroundGlossina fuscipes is the major vector of human African trypanosomiasis, commonly referred to as sleeping sickness, in Uganda. In western and eastern Africa, disease has distinct clinical manifestations caused by two different parasites: Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense T. b. gambiense. Uganda exceptional that it harbors both parasites, which are separated a narrow 160-km belt. This separation puzzling considering there no restrictions on movement people animals across this...
In East Africa, foot-and-mouth disease virus serotype SAT 1 is responsible for occasional severe outbreaks in livestock and known to be maintained within the buffalo populations. Little about evolutionary forces underlying its epidemiology region. To enhance our appreciation of epidemiological status region, we inferred phylogeographic history by means genealogy-based coalescent methods using 53 VP1 coding sequences covering a sampling period from 1948-2007. The sequence 11 FMD viruses...
In April 2008, foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreaks were reported in Kamuli district of the eastern region Uganda. Soon after lifting quarantines this area, further FMD northern Uganda, which spread to more than 10 districts. The aim study was identify serotype and compare variable protein (VP)1 coding sequences viruses responsible for during 2008 2009, trace transmission pathways Probang epithelial swab samples collected from cattle with clinical signs two regions, presence FMDV RNA these...
Understanding the epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), including roles played by different hosts, is essential for improving control. The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) a reservoir SAT serotypes FMD virus (FMDV). Large populations commonly intermingle with livestock in Kenya, yet earlier studies have focused on domestic livestock, hence contribution to largely unknown. This study analysed 47 epithelia collected from outbreaks Kenyan cattle between 2008 and 2012, 102 probang serum...
In East Africa, the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) virus (FMDV) isolates have over time included serotypes O, A, C, Southern African Territories (SAT) 1 and SAT 2, mainly from livestock. 3 has only been isolated in a few cases buffalos (Syncerus caffer). To investigate presence of antibodies against FMDV wildlife Uganda, serological studies were performed on buffalo serum samples collected between 2001 2003. Thirty-eight Lake Mburo, Kidepo Valley, Murchison Falls Queen Elizabeth National Parks...