Marked Effects of Larval Salt Exposure on the Life History and Gut Microbiota of the Malaria Vector (Diptera: Culicidae).

can breed in a range of saltwater concentrations. The consequences of this ability on the life history of adult are poorly understood. This study examined the effects of exposure to 0, 2.

Coding-Complete Genome Sequences for Two Confirmed Monkeypox Cases in South Africa 2022.

The coding-complete genome sequences of monkeypox virus (MPXV) were obtained from skin lesion swabs from two human cases detected in South Africa in June 2022. Sequence analyses indicated that the genetic sequences of the viruses associated with these two cases were related most closely to the genetic sequences of other MPXVs reported during the 2022 multicountry outbreak and belong to the monkeypox hMPXV-1 clade (previously West Africa clade) and B.1 lineage.

Identification of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant using spike gene target failure and genotyping assays, Gauteng, South Africa, 2021.

The circulation of Omicron BA.1 led to the rapid increase in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) cases in South Africa in November 2021, which warranted the use of more rapid detection methods. We, therefore, assessed the ability to detect Omicron BA.

Rapid epidemic expansion of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in southern Africa.

The SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in southern Africa has been characterized by three distinct waves. The first was associated with a mix of SARS-CoV-2 lineages, while the second and third waves were driven by the Beta (B.1.

Detection of a SARS-CoV-2 variant of concern in South Africa.

Continued uncontrolled transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in many parts of the world is creating conditions for substantial evolutionary changes to the virus. Here we describe a newly arisen lineage of SARS-CoV-2 (designated 501Y.V2; also known as B.

Genome Sequencing of a Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Isolate Obtained from a South African Patient with Coronavirus Disease 2019.

As a contribution to the global efforts to track and trace the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, here we present the sequence, phylogenetic analysis, and modeling of nonsynonymous mutations for a severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) genome that was detected in a South African patient with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Genomic differences among carriage and invasive nontypeable pneumococci circulating in South Africa.

Most pneumococci express a polysaccharide capsule, a key virulence factor and target for pneumococcal vaccines. However, pneumococci showing no serological evidence of capsule expression [nontypeable pneumococci (NTPn)] are more frequently isolated from carriage studies than in invasive disease. Limited data exist about the population structure of carriage NTPn from the African continent.

Two cases of serotypeable and non-serotypeable variants of Streptococcus pneumoniae detected simultaneously during invasive disease.

Background: More than 94 serotypes of Streptococcus pneumoniae have been described to date, however the majority of disease is caused by approximately 20 serotypes. Some pneumococci do not react with commercially available antisera used for serotyping and are thus regarded as non-serotypeable (NT). These pneumococci are commonly isolated during carriage studies and very rarely cause invasive disease.

Genomic analysis of nontypeable pneumococci causing invasive pneumococcal disease in South Africa, 2003-2013.

Background: The capsular polysaccharide is the principal virulence factor of Streptococcus pneumoniae and a target for current pneumococcal vaccines. However, some pathogenic pneumococci are serologically nontypeable [nontypeable pneumococci (NTPn)]. Due to their relative rarity, NTPn are poorly characterized, and, as such, limited data exist which describe these organisms.