Characterizing poorly controlled type 2 diabetes using H-NMR metabolomics.

Introduction: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes has surged to epidemic proportions and despite treatment administration/adherence, some individuals experience poorly controlled diabetes. While existing literature explores metabolic changes in type 2 diabetes, understanding metabolic derangement in poorly controlled cases remains limited.

Objective: This investigation aimed to characterize the urine metabolome of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes in a South African cohort.

Identification and molecular characterization of DNA in GeneXpert® MTB/RIF ultra-positive, culture-negative sputum from a rural community in South Africa.

This study investigated the presence of () DNA in archived human sputum samples previously collected from residents who reside adjacent to the -endemic Hluhluwe-iMfolozi wildlife park, South Africa (SA). Sixty-eight sputum samples were GeneXpert MTB/RIF Ultra-positive for complex (MTBC) DNA but culture negative for . Amplification and Sanger sequencing of and genes from DNA extracted from stored heat-inactivated sputum samples confirmed the presence of detectable amounts of MTBC from 20 out of the 68 sputum samples.

Human alveolar macrophage response to Mycobacterium tuberculosis: immune characteristics underlying large inter-individual variability.

Background: (, the causative bacterium of tuberculosis (TB), establishes residence and grows in human alveolar macrophages (AMs). Inter-individual variation in -human AM interactions can indicate TB risk and the efficacy of therapies and vaccines; however, we currently lack an understanding of the gene and protein expression programs that dictate this variation in the lungs.

Results: Herein, we systematically analyze interactions of a virulent strain HR with freshly isolated human AMs from 28 healthy adult donors, measuring host RNA expression and secreted candidate proteins associated with TB pathogenesis over 72h.

Understanding the biology, morbidity and social contexts of adolescent tuberculosis: a prospective observational cohort study protocol (Teen TB).

Introduction: A considerable burden of the tuberculosis (TB) epidemic is found in adolescents. The reasons for increased susceptibility to TB infection and higher incidence of TB disease in adolescence, compared with the 5-10 years old age group, are incompletely understood. Despite the pressing clinical and public health need to better understand and address adolescent TB, research in this field remains limited.

DETECTION OF ELEPHANT ENDOTHELIOTROPIC HERPESVIRUS (EEHV) IN FREE-RANGING AFRICAN ELEPHANTS (LOXODONTA AFRICANA) IN THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK, SOUTH AFRICA.

Elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) infection can cause acute, often fatal, EEHV hemorrhagic disease in free-ranging and human-managed Asian elephants (Elephas maximus) and human-managed African elephants (Loxodonta africana). However, significant knowledge gaps exist pertaining to the presence of EEHV in free-ranging African elephant populations. We retrospectively screened 142 opportunistically collected samples (blood, n=98; bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid, n=21; trunk wash (TW) fluid, n=23) obtained between 2010 and 2020 from 98 free-ranging African elephants in the Kruger National Park, South Africa, for the presence of different EEHVs, as well as determining the real-time quantitative PCR positivity rate in this population.

Neutrophil degranulation, NETosis and platelet degranulation pathway genes are co-induced in whole blood up to six months before tuberculosis diagnosis.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb) causes tuberculosis (TB) and remains one of the leading causes of mortality due to an infectious pathogen. Host immune responses have been implicated in driving the progression from infection to severe lung disease.

Identification and Characterisation of Nontuberculous Mycobacteria in African Buffaloes (), South Africa.

Diagnosis of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) may be confounded by immunological cross-reactivity to antigens when animals are sensitised by certain nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTMs). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate NTM species diversity in African buffalo () respiratory secretions and tissue samples, using a combination of novel molecular tools. Oronasal swabs were collected opportunistically from 120 immobilised buffaloes in historically bTB-free herds.

African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) from the Kruger National Park, South Africa are currently not inbred but have low genomic diversity.

African wild dogs (Lycaon pictus) have undergone severe population reductions and are listed as endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List. Small, isolated populations have the potential to suffer from threats to their genetic diversity that may impact species viability and future survival. This study provides the first set of population-wide genomic data to address conservation concerns for this endangered species.

Transcriptional profiles predict treatment outcome in patients with tuberculosis and diabetes at diagnosis and at two weeks after initiation of anti-tuberculosis treatment.

Background: Globally, the tuberculosis (TB) treatment success rate is approximately 85%, with treatment failure, relapse and death occurring in a significant proportion of pulmonary TB patients. Treatment success is lower among people with diabetes mellitus (DM). Predicting treatment outcome early after diagnosis, especially in TB-DM patients, would allow early treatment adaptation for individuals and may improve global TB control.

Culture-Independent PCR Detection and Differentiation of spp. in Antemortem Respiratory Samples from African Elephants () and Rhinoceros (, ) in South Africa.

Since certain complex (MTBC) members, such as , are endemic in specific South African wildlife reserves and zoos, cases of clinically important nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) in wildlife may be neglected. Additionally, due to the inability of tests to differentiate between the host responses to MTBC and NTM, the diagnosis of MTBC may be confounded by the presence of NTMs. This may hinder control efforts.

Interplay Between the Immune and Endocrine Systems in the Lung: Implications for TB Susceptibility.

The role of the endocrine system on the immune response, especially in the lung, remains poorly understood. Hormones play a crucial role in the development, homeostasis, metabolism, and response to the environment of cells and tissues. Major infectious and metabolic diseases, such as tuberculosis and diabetes, continue to converge, necessitating the development of a clearer understanding of the immune and endocrine interactions that occur in the lung.

Improved detection of and in African wildlife samples using cationic peptide decontamination and mycobacterial culture supplementation.

In South Africa, mycobacterial culture is regarded as the gold standard for the detection of complex (MTBC) infection in wildlife even though it is regarded as "imperfect." We compared a novel decontamination and mycobacterial culture technique (TiKa) to the conventional mycobacterium growth indicator tube (MGIT) system using known amounts of bacilli and clinical samples from MTBC-infected African buffaloes (), white rhinoceros (), and African elephants (). Use of the TiKa-KiC decontamination agent on samples spiked with 10,000 to 10 colony forming units (cfu) of (SB0121) and (H37Rv) had no effect on isolate recovery in culture.

SEROLOGICAL EVIDENCE OF INFECTION IN THE WHITE RHINOCEROS () IN SOUTH AFRICA.

Coxiellosis, or Query (Q) fever, a disease caused by the intracellular bacteria , was recently described in a managed breeding herd of white rhinoceros () in the southeastern United States. Clinical disease often results in abortion and could represent a conservation challenge for this species. In addition to the reproductive and herd management consequences, coxiellosis is also a zoonotic disease.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis-stimulated whole blood culture to detect host biosignatures for tuberculosis treatment response.

Host markers to monitor the response to tuberculosis (TB) therapy hold some promise. We evaluated the changes in concentration of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb)-induced soluble biomarkers during early treatment for predicting short- and long-term treatment outcomes.

Novel molecular transport medium used in combination with Xpert MTB/RIF ultra provides rapid detection of Mycobacterium bovis in African buffaloes.

Mycobacterium bovis is the causative agent of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) in wildlife. Confirmation of M. bovis infection relies on mycobacterial culture, which is time-consuming.

Cell-Mediated Immunological Biomarkers and Their Diagnostic Application in Livestock and Wildlife Infected With .

has the largest host range of the complex and infects domestic animal species, wildlife, and humans. The presence of global wildlife maintenance hosts complicates bovine tuberculosis (bTB) control efforts and further threatens livestock and wildlife-related industries. Thus, it is imperative that early and accurate detection of in all affected animal species is achieved.

The Peripheral Blood Transcriptome Is Correlated With PET Measures of Lung Inflammation During Successful Tuberculosis Treatment.

Pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) is characterized by lung granulomas, inflammation and tissue destruction. Here we used within-subject peripheral blood gene expression over time to correlate with the within-subject lung metabolic activity, as measured by positron emission tomography (PET) to identify biological processes and pathways underlying overall resolution of lung inflammation. We used next-generation RNA sequencing and [F]FDG PET-CT data, collected at diagnosis, week 4, and week 24, from 75 successfully cured PTB patients, with the [F]FDG activity as a surrogate for lung inflammation.

Higher SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in workers with lower socioeconomic status in Cape Town, South Africa.

Background: Inequality is rife throughout South Africa. The first wave of COVID-19 may have affected people in lower socioeconomic groups worse than the affluent. The SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence and the specificity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody tests in South Africa is not known.

Mycobacterium bovis Infection in Free-Ranging African Elephants.

Mycobacterium bovis infection in wildlife species occurs worldwide. However, few cases of M. bovis infection in captive elephants have been reported.

Review of Diagnostic Tests for Detection of Infection in South African Wildlife.

Wildlife tuberculosis is a major economic and conservation concern globally. Bovine tuberculosis (bTB), caused by (), is the most common form of wildlife tuberculosis. In South Africa, to date, infection has been detected in 24 mammalian wildlife species.

Development of a cytokine gene expression assay for the relative quantification of the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) cell-mediated immune responses.

Immunological assays are the basis for many diagnostic tests for infectious diseases in animals and humans. Application in wildlife species, including the African elephant (Loxodonta africana), is limited however due to lack of information on immune responses. Since many immunoassays require both identified biomarkers of immune activation as well as species-specific reagents, it is crucial to have knowledge of basic immunological responses in the species of interest.

Optimisation of the tuberculin skin test for detection of Mycobacterium bovis in African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer).

Effective screening methods are critical for preventing the spread of bovine tuberculosis (bTB) among livestock and wildlife species. The tuberculin skin test (TST) remains the primary test for bTB globally, although performance is suboptimal. African buffaloes (Syncerus caffer) are a maintenance host of Mycobacterium bovis in South Africa, tested using the single intradermal tuberculin test (SITT) or comparative test (SICTT).