A5053619701- Viral Infections and Vectors
- Rabies epidemiology and control
- Viral Infections and Outbreaks Research
- Virology and Viral Diseases
- Mosquito-borne diseases and control
- Poxvirus research and outbreaks
- Vector-Borne Animal Diseases
- Zoonotic diseases and public health
- Yersinia bacterium, plague, ectoparasites research
- Microbial infections and disease research
- Vector-borne infectious diseases
- Viral gastroenteritis research and epidemiology
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Animal Disease Management and Epidemiology
- Streptococcal Infections and Treatments
- Bacillus and Francisella bacterial research
- COVID-19 epidemiological studies
- Bat Biology and Ecology Studies
- Virus-based gene therapy research
- Malaria Research and Control
- Bacteriophages and microbial interactions
- Respiratory viral infections research
- Venomous Animal Envenomation and Studies
- SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19 Research
- Parasites and Host Interactions
University of Pretoria
2013-2025
National Health Laboratory Service
2016-2025
University of the Witwatersrand
2013-2025
National Center for Communicable Diseases
2009-2024
National Institute for Communicable Diseases
2014-2024
EcoHealth Alliance
2024
University of Johannesburg
2023
South African Medical Research Council
2023
Education Labour Relations Council
2023
Respiratory and Meningeal Pathogens Research Unit
2007-2021
Lujo virus (LUJV), a new member of the family Arenaviridae and first hemorrhagic fever–associated arenavirus from Old World discovered in three decades, was isolated South Africa during an outbreak human disease characterized by nosocomial transmission unprecedented high case fatality rate 80% (4/5 cases). Unbiased pyrosequencing RNA extracts serum tissues victims enabled identification detailed phylogenetic characterization within 72 hours sample receipt. Full genome analyses LUJV showed it...
Abstract Phylogenetic relationships were examined for 198 Rift Valley fever virus isolates and 5 derived strains obtained from various sources in Saudi Arabia 16 countries Africa during a 67-year period (1944–2010). A maximum-likelihood tree prepared with sequence data 490-nt section of the Gn glycoprotein gene showed that 95 unique sequences sorted into 15 lineages. 2010 isolate patient South potentially exposed to co-infection live animal vaccine wild was reassortant. The potential...
A nosocomial outbreak of disease involving 5 patients, 4 whom died, occurred in South Africa during September-October 2008. The first patient had been transferred from Zambia to for medical management. Three cases involved secondary spread infection the patient, and 1 was a tertiary infection. novel arenavirus identified. source patient's remains undetermined.
Species within the Neoromicia bat genus are abundant and widely distributed in Africa. It is common for these insectivorous bats to roost anthropogenic structures urban regions. Additionally, capensis have previously been identified as potential hosts Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS)-related coronaviruses. This study aimed ascertain gastrointestinal virome of bats, viruses excreted fecal material or which may be replicating rectal intestinal tissues greatest opportunities coming into...
This paper reports on the development and validation of a real-time reverse transcription-loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay (RT-LAMP) targeting genomic large RNA segment Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV). The set six designed RT-LAMP primers identified strains RVFV isolated in geographically distinct areas over period 50 years; there was no cross-reactivity with other genetically related unrelated arboviruses. When testing serial sera plasma from sheep experimentally infected...
During 2008, Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus re-emerged in South Africa as focal outbreaks several provinces.To investigate an outbreak affecting cattle farmers and farm workers, the staff students of a veterinary school, assess prevalence infection during outbreak, document clinical presentation cases, identify potential risk factors.We conducted cross-sectional serological survey exposed veterinarians farmers, who were examined to determine presence current or recent illness. Blood specimens...
Abstract Rift Valley fever (RVF) is an emerging zoonosis posing a public health threat to humans in Africa. During sporadic RVF outbreaks 2008–2009 and widespread epidemics 2010–2011, 302 laboratory-confirmed human infections, including 25 deaths (case-fatality rate, 8%) were identified. Incidence peaked late summer early autumn each year, which coincided with incidence rate patterns livestock. Most case-patients adults (median age 43 years), men (262; 87%), who worked farming, animal or...
Egyptian fruit bats (Rousettus aegyptiacus) were inoculated subcutaneously (n = 22) with Marburg virus (MARV). No deaths, overt signs of morbidity, or gross lesions was identified, but microscopic pathological changes seen in the liver infected bats. The detected 15 different tissues and plasma only sporadically mucosal swab samples, urine, fecal samples. Neither seroconversion nor viremia could be demonstrated any in-contact susceptible 14) up to 42 days after exposure In rechallenged 4) on...
Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe tick-borne viral zoonosis endemic to parts of Africa, Europe, the Middle East and Central Asia. Human cases are reported annually in South with 25% case fatality rate since first was recognized 1981. We investigated CCHF virus (CCHFV) seroprevalence risk factors associated infection cattle humans, presence CCHFV Hyalomma spp. ticks central Africa 2017–18. IgG 74.2% (95%CI: 64.2–82.1%) 700 3.9% 2.6–5.8%) 541 farm wildlife workers. No...
In addition to several emerging viruses, bats have been reported host multiple bacteria but their zoonotic threats remain poorly understood, especially in Africa where the diversity of is important. Here, we investigated presence and Bartonella Rickettsia spp. ectoparasites (Diptera Siphonaptera) collected across South Swaziland. We 384 blood samples 14 29 different bat species found positive four insectivorous two frugivorous species, as well Nycteribiidae flies. Phylogenetic analyses...
A lack of surveillance and diagnostics for zoonotic diseases in rural human clinics limits clinical awareness these diseases. We assessed the prevalence nine pathogens a pastoral, low-income, HIV-endemic community bordering wildlife reserves South Africa. Two groups participants were included: malaria-negative acute febrile illness (AFI) patients, called febrilers, at three (n = 74) second, farmers, herders, veterinary staff found five government cattle dip-tanks, dip-tanksters 64). Blood...
ABSTRACT Eleven different lyssavirus species, four of which occur on the African continent, are presently recognized. These viruses cause rabies, burden is highest in developing world, where routine laboratory diagnosis often not available. From an epidemiological and control perspective, it necessary that diagnostic methods detect diversity lyssaviruses present regions world. A published widely used heminested reverse transcription-PCR (hnRT-PCR) was evaluated for its ability to a panel...
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...
SUMMARY Sindbis virus (SINV), the prototype positive-sense RNA alphavirus, causes febrile arthritis and is present throughout Afro-Eurasia. Little known of epidemiology fever due to insufficient surveillance in most endemic countries. The epidemiological features humans South Africa are described here based on a retrospective study suspected arbovirus cases submitted for laboratory investigation from 2006 2010. Cases were detected annually mostly during late summer/early autumn months an...
As part of a larger survey for detection pathogens among wildlife in sub-Saharan Africa conducted during 2007-2012, multiple diverse paramyxovirus sequences were detected renal tissues bats. Phylogenetic analysis supports the presence at least 2 major viral lineages and suggests that paramyxoviruses are strongly associated with several bat genera.
Since the first reported epidemic of dengue in Pemba, capital Cabo Delgado province, 1984–1985, no further cases have been Mozambique. In March 2014, Provincial Health Directorate a suspected outbreak associated with recent increase frequency patients nonmalarial febrile illness. An investigation conducted between and June detected total 193 clinically Pemba Nampula, neighboring Nampula Province. Dengue virus-type 2 (DENV-2) was by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction sera from...
A high diversity of corona- and paramyxoviruses have been detected in different bat species at study sites worldwide, including Africa, however no biosurveillance studies from Rwanda reported. In this study, samples bats collected caves Ruhengeri, Rwanda, were tested for the presence paramyxoviral RNA using reverse transcription PCR assays. Positive results further characterized by DNA sequencing phylogenetic analysis. addition to morphological identification species, we also did molecular...