Publications by authors named "Vuyokazi E Mareledwane"
Article Synopsis
- Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a significant zoonotic disease impacting economies globally, with this study aimed at assessing its prevalence in livestock at abattoirs using a gamma interferon assay.
- The study involved collecting and analyzing blood samples from 410 animals (369 cattle and 41 sheep) across 15 abattoirs in Gauteng province, revealing a bTB prevalence of 4.4% in cattle, with variation among different locations.
- Results highlight the limitations of traditional meat inspection methods for disease surveillance, as all sampled animals were initially deemed bTB-free, raising concerns about the potential zoonotic transmission risk to workers and consumers.
Rift Valley fever virus (RVFV) infects humans and livestock, causing haemorrhaging and abortions in animals. Three major RVF epizootics have occurred in South Africa since the 1950s and the outbreak in 2010 had a mortality rate of 10.7% in humans.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFValidation of an IgM antibody capture ELISA based on a recombinant nucleoprotein for identification of domestic ruminants infected with Rift Valley fever virus.
J Virol Methods
November 2011
The presence of competent vectors in some countries currently free of Rift Valley fever (RVF) and global changes in climate, travel and trade have increased the risk of RVF spreading to new regions and have emphasised the need for accurate and reliable diagnostic tools for early diagnosis during RVF outbreaks. Highly sensitive viral detection systems like PCR have a limited use during outbreaks because of the short duration of viraemia, whereas antibodies like specific IgM which are serological indicators of acute infection, can be detected for up to 50 days after infection. Using the highly conserved and immunogenic recombinant nucleoprotein of RVF virus in an IgM capture ELISA, the risk of laboratory infection associated with traditional serological methods is avoided.
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