Publications by authors named "I M Mombo"
Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a tick-borne viral disease with a mortality rate reaching up to 40% in humans. Currently, CCHF affects three continents: Asia, Europe, and Africa. An increase in confirmed cases in Africa has been observed since 2000.
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- - Caliciviruses and astroviruses are major causes of non-bacterial foodborne illnesses and gastroenteritis in humans, with rodents being key hosts for these viruses and many zoonotic pathogens that can affect humans.
- - A study screened 245 rodent intestine samples for these viruses, finding no caliciviruses but detecting astroviruses in 18 samples, specifically from the Rattus rattus species.
- - Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the detected astroviruses are closely related to strains found in Gabon, Kenya, and Asia, indicating that transportation methods may promote the spread of these viruses through rodent populations.
Article Synopsis
- * Researchers found that 4 out of 163 tested wild ruminants were positive for RVFV, with a genetic link to a virus from Namibia, indicating RVF's presence in Gabon's wildlife.
- * In a separate survey of 306 domestic animals, they found 15.4% had RVFV-specific antibodies, predominantly in goats, emphasizing the need for improved surveillance and control measures for RVF in the region.
Article Synopsis
- - Coronaviruses are a diverse group of viruses that can infect various animals, including humans, with some strains like SARS-CoV-1, SARS-CoV-2, and MERS-CoV affecting global health significantly and originating from bats through intermediary hosts.
- - A study in Gabon screened 229 faecal samples from wild great apes and mandrills for coronaviruses using nested PCR, but all samples tested negative for CoVs.
- - The negative results might be due to a small sample size, the temporary nature of infections, or the unsuitability of faecal samples for detection, indicating the need for future studies using larger sample sizes and alternative non-invasive methods to better understand CoV circulation
Article Synopsis
- - The study focused on screening astroviruses (AstVs), enteroviruses (EVs), and caliciviruses (CaVs) in domestic animals to understand their potential to spread zoonotic diseases in rural Central Africa, where these animals interact closely with wildlife.
- - Researchers collected rectal swabs from 123 goats, 41 sheep, and 76 dogs across 10 villages in northeastern Gabon, using PCR to detect various viruses by amplifying specific genes.
- - Out of 240 samples, 23 tested positive for the viruses, with the majority found in goats, and some sequences clustering with known viruses that could pose a risk to humans, suggesting these animals could harbor pathogens that affect human health.