Insight into the genetic diversity of Mycobacterium bovis isolated from cattle in Malawi.

We describe the genetic diversity and phylogenetic relationships of Mycobacterium bovis, isolated from cattle in Malawi. Deletion analysis, spoligotyping, and MIRU-VNTR typing were used to genotype the isolates. Combined with a larger dataset from neighboring countries, the overall M.

Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Rift Valley Fever in Livestock from Three Ecological Zones of Malawi.

The epidemiology of Rift Valley fever (RVF) is poorly understood in Malawi. Here, a cross-sectional study was conducted (March-June 2020) to investigate the seroprevalence and potential risk factors of RVF virus (RVFV) in cattle, goats, and sheep in three ecological zones of Malawi. A total of 1523 serum samples were tested for anti-RVFV IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA.

Isolation and characterization of an orthoreovirus from Indonesian fruit bats.

Nelson Bay orthoreovirus (NBV) is an emerging bat-borne virus and causes respiratory tract infections in humans sporadically. Over the last two decades, several strains genetically related to NBV were isolated from humans and various bat species, predominantly in Southeast Asia (SEA), suggesting a high prevalence of the NBV species in this region. In this study, an orthoreovirus (ORV) belonging to the NBV species was isolated from Indonesian fruit bats' feces, tentatively named Paguyaman orthoreovirus (PgORV).

An unusually long Rift valley fever inter-epizootic period in Zambia: Evidence for enzootic virus circulation and risk for disease outbreak.

Rift valley fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne disease of animals and humans. Although RVF outbreaks are usually reported at 5-15-year intervals in sub-Saharan Africa, Zambia has experienced an unusually long inter-epizootic/-epidemic period of more than three decades. However, serological evidence of RVF virus (RVFV) infection in domestic ruminants during this period underscores the need for comprehensive investigation of the mechanisms of virus perpetuation and disease emergence.

Glu in rabies virus glycoprotein is involved in virus attenuation through astrocyte infection and interferon responses.

The amino acid residue at position 333 of the rabies virus (RABV) glycoprotein (G333) is a major determinant of RABV pathogenicity. Virulent RABV strains possess Arg, whereas the attenuated strain HEP-Flury (HEP) possesses Glu. To investigate the potential attenuation mechanism dependent on a single amino acid at G333, comparative analysis was performed between HEP and HEPR mutant with Arg.

in Ornithodoros Porcinus Ticks, Zambia.

Rickettsial pathogens are amongst the emerging and re-emerging vector-borne zoonoses of public health importance. Though traditionally considered to be transmitted by ixodid ticks, the role of argasid ticks as vectors of these pathogens is increasingly being recognized. While bat-feeding () and chicken-feeding () argasid ticks have been shown to harbor pathogens in Zambia, there are currently no reports of infection in southern Africa from warthog-feeding () soft ticks, particularly and .

SARS-CoV-2 Bearing a Mutation at the S1/S2 Cleavage Site Exhibits Attenuated Virulence and Confers Protective Immunity.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) possesses a discriminative polybasic cleavage motif in its spike protein that is recognized by the host furin protease. Proteolytic cleavage activates the spike protein, thereby affecting both the cellular entry pathway and cell tropism of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we investigated the impact of the furin cleavage site on viral growth and pathogenesis using a hamster animal model infected with SARS-CoV-2 variants bearing mutations at the furin cleavage site (S gene mutants).

Immunization Coverage and Antibody Retention against Rabies in Domestic Dogs in Lusaka District, Zambia.

Rabies remains endemic in Zambia. Despite conducting canine vaccinations in Lusaka district, the vaccination coverage and actual seropositivity in the dog population in Lusaka district are rarely evaluated. This study estimated the seropositivity-based immunization coverage in the owned dog population in Lusaka district using the expanded program on immunization cluster survey method.

Domestic dog demographics and estimates of canine vaccination coverage in a rural area of Zambia for the elimination of rabies.

Background: An estimated 75% or more of the human rabies cases in Africa occur in rural settings, which underscores the importance of rabies control in these areas. Understanding dog demographics can help design strategies for rabies control and plan and conduct canine mass vaccination campaigns effectively in African countries.

Methodology/principal Findings: A cross-sectional survey was conducted to investigate domestic dog demographics in Kalambabakali, in the rural Mazabuka District of Zambia.

Co-Circulation of Multiple Serotypes of Bluetongue Virus in Zambia.

Bluetongue (BT) is an arthropod-borne viral disease of ruminants with serious trade and socio-economic implications. Although the disease has been reported in a number of countries in sub-Saharan Africa, there is currently no information on circulating serotypes and disease distribution in Zambia. Following surveillance for BT in domestic and wild ruminants in Zambia, BT virus (BTV) nucleic acid and antibodies were detected in eight of the 10 provinces of the country.

Evidence for exposure of asymptomatic domestic pigs to African swine fever virus during an inter-epidemic period in Zambia.

African swine fever (ASF) causes persistent outbreaks in endemic and non-endemic regions in Zambia. However, the epidemiology of the disease is poorly understood, particularly during the inter-epidemic periods. We conducted surveillance for ASF in asymptomatic domestic pigs and soft ticks in selected Zambian provinces.

West Nile Virus in Farmed Crocodiles, Zambia, 2019.

We detected West Nile virus (WNV) nucleic acid in crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) in Zambia. Phylogenetically, the virus belonged to lineage 1a, which is predominant in the Northern Hemisphere. These data provide evidence that WNV is circulating in crocodiles in Africa and increases the risk for animal and human transmission.

Molecular detection and characterization of genotype 1 bovine leukemia virus from beef cattle in the traditional sector in Zambia.

Whilst bovine leukemia virus (BLV) causes considerable economic losses to the dairy industry worldwide, information on its molecular epidemiology and economic impact in beef cattle is limited. Here, blood from 880 animals from Zambia's major cattle-rearing provinces was screened for BLV by nested PCR. Positive pools were sequenced and phylogenetically analyzed.

Seroprevalence of Rift Valley fever in cattle of smallholder farmers in Kwilu Province in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Rift Valley fever (RVF) is a zoonotic mosquito-borne disease caused by RVF virus (RVFV) that causes abortions and high mortalities in livestock and is also associated with acute and fatal disease in humans. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), information on the epidemiology of RVF is limited, particularly among cattle reared by smallholder farmers. This cross-sectional study was conducted to investigate the seroprevalence of RVF in cattle raised by smallholder farmers in Kwilu Province of DRC, which has not yet reported an RVF epidemic.