scholarly journals Experimental Babesia rossi infection induces hemolytic, metabolic, and viral response pathways in the canine host

BMC Genomics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel L. Smith ◽  
Amelia Goddard ◽  
Arun Boddapati ◽  
Steven Brooks ◽  
Johan P. Schoeman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Blood ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Diminazene Aceturate ◽  
Babesia Rossi ◽  
Parasite Biology ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Host Parasite

Abstract Background Babesia rossi is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among the canine population of sub-Saharan Africa, but pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Previous studies of B. rossi infection were derived from clinical cases, in which neither the onset of infection nor the infectious inoculum was known. Here, we performed controlled B. rossi inoculations in canines and evaluated disease progression through clinical tests and whole blood transcriptomic profiling. Results Two subjects were administered a low inoculum (104 parasites) while three received a high (108 parasites). Subjects were monitored for 8 consecutive days; anti-parasite treatment with diminazene aceturate was administered on day 4. Blood was drawn prior to inoculation as well as every experimental day for assessment of clinical parameters and transcriptomic profiles. The model recapitulated natural disease manifestations including anemia, acidosis, inflammation and behavioral changes. Rate of disease onset and clinical severity were proportional to the inoculum. To analyze the temporal dynamics of the transcriptomic host response, we sequenced mRNA extracted from whole blood drawn on days 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, and 8. Differential gene expression, hierarchical clustering, and pathway enrichment analyses identified genes and pathways involved in response to hemolysis, metabolic changes, and several arms of the immune response including innate immunity, adaptive immunity, and response to viral infection. Conclusions This work comprehensively characterizes the clinical and transcriptomic progression of B. rossi infection in canines, thus establishing a large mammalian model of severe hemoprotozoal disease to facilitate the study of host-parasite biology and in which to test novel anti-disease therapeutics. The knowledge gained from the study of B. rossi in canines will not only improve our understanding of this emerging infectious disease threat in domestic dogs, but also provide insight into the pathobiology of human diseases caused by Babesia and Plasmodium species.

scholarly journals Experimental Babesia Rossi Infection Induces Hemolytic, Metabolic, and Viral Response Pathways in the Canine Host

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel L. Smith ◽  
Amelia Goddard ◽  
Arun Boddapati ◽  
Steven Brooks ◽  
Johan Schoeman ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Blood ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Diminazene Aceturate ◽  
Babesia Rossi ◽  
Parasite Biology ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Host Parasite

Abstract Background: Babesia rossi is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among the canine population of sub-Saharan Africa, but pathogenesis remains poorly understood. Previous studies of B. rossi infection were derived from clinical cases, in which neither the onset of infection nor the infectious inoculum was known. Here, we performed controlled B. rossi inoculations in canines and evaluated disease progression through clinical tests and whole blood transcriptomic profiling.Results: Three subjects were administered a low inoculum (104 parasites) while two received a high (109 parasites). Subjects were monitored for 8 consecutive days; anti-parasite treatment with diminazene aceturate was administered on day 4. Blood was drawn prior to inoculation as well as every experimental day for assessment of clinical parameters and transcriptomic profiles. The model recapitulated natural disease manifestations including anemia, acidosis, inflammation and behavioral changes. Rate of disease onset and clinical severity were proportional to the inoculum. To analyze the temporal dynamics of the transcriptomic host response, we sequenced mRNA extracted from whole blood drawn on days 0, 1, 3, 4, 6, and 8. Differential gene expression, hierarchical clustering, and pathway enrichment analyses identified genes and pathways involved in response to hemolysis, metabolic changes, and several arms of the immune response including innate immunity, adaptive immunity, and response to viral infection. Conclusions: This work comprehensively characterizies the clinical and transcriptomic progression of B. rossi infection in canines, thus establishing a large mammalian model of severe hemoprotozoal disease to facilitate the study of host-parasite biology and in which to test novel anti-disease therapeutics. The knowledge gained from the study of B. rossi in canines will not only improve our understanding of this emerging infectious disease threat in domestic dogs, but also provide insight into the pathobiology of human diseases caused by Babesia and Plasmodium species.

scholarly journals Modeling the temporal dynamics of cervicovaginal microbiota identifies targets that may promote reproductive health

Microbiome ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander Munoz ◽  
Matthew R. Hayward ◽  
Seth M. Bloom ◽  
Muntsa Rocafort ◽  
Sinaye Ngcapu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Bacterial Communities ◽  
High Probability ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Transition Probabilities ◽  
Low Risk ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Reproductive Outcomes ◽  
Bacterial Composition ◽  
Sub Saharan

Abstract Background Cervicovaginal bacterial communities composed of diverse anaerobes with low Lactobacillus abundance are associated with poor reproductive outcomes such as preterm birth, infertility, cervicitis, and risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Women in sub-Saharan Africa have a higher prevalence of these high-risk bacterial communities when compared to Western populations. However, the transition of cervicovaginal communities between high- and low-risk community states over time is not well described in African populations. Results We profiled the bacterial composition of 316 cervicovaginal swabs collected at 3-month intervals from 88 healthy young Black South African women with a median follow-up of 9 months per participant and developed a Markov-based model of transition dynamics that accurately predicted bacterial composition within a broader cross-sectional cohort. We found that Lactobacillus iners-dominant, but not Lactobacillus crispatus-dominant, communities have a high probability of transitioning to high-risk states. Simulating clinical interventions by manipulating the underlying transition probabilities, our model predicts that the population prevalence of low-risk microbial communities could most effectively be increased by manipulating the movement between L. iners- and L. crispatus-dominant communities. Conclusions The Markov model we present here indicates that L. iners-dominant communities have a high probability of transitioning to higher-risk states. We additionally identify transitions to target to increase the prevalence of L. crispatus-dominant communities. These findings may help guide future intervention strategies targeted at reducing bacteria-associated adverse reproductive outcomes among women living in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Salivarian Trypanosomes Have Adopted Intricate Host-Pathogen Interaction Mechanisms that Ensure Survival in Plain Sight of the Adaptive Immune System

Pathogens ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 679
Author(s):  
Stefan Magez ◽  
Joar Esteban Pinto Torres ◽  
Seoyeon Oh ◽  
Magdalena Radwanska
Keyword(s):  
Immune System ◽  
Trypanosoma Brucei ◽  
Adaptive Immune System ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Survival Strategies ◽  
Mechanical Transmission ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Animal Trypanosomiasis ◽  
Host Parasite ◽  
Treatment And Diagnosis

Salivarian trypanosomes are extracellular parasites affecting humans, livestock and game animals. Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense and Trypanosoma brucei gambiense are human infective sub-species of T. brucei causing human African trypanosomiasis (HAT—sleeping sickness). The related T. b. brucei parasite lacks the resistance to survive in human serum, and only inflicts animal infections. Animal trypanosomiasis (AT) is not restricted to Africa, but is present on all continents. T. congolense and T. vivax are the most widespread pathogenic trypanosomes in sub-Saharan Africa. Through mechanical transmission, T. vivax has also been introduced into South America. T. evansi is a unique animal trypanosome that is found in vast territories around the world and can cause atypical human trypanosomiasis (aHT). All salivarian trypanosomes are well adapted to survival inside the host’s immune system. This is not a hostile environment for these parasites, but the place where they thrive. Here we provide an overview of the latest insights into the host-parasite interaction and the unique survival strategies that allow trypanosomes to outsmart the immune system. In addition, we review new developments in treatment and diagnosis as well as the issues that have hampered the development of field-applicable anti-trypanosome vaccines for the implementation of sustainable disease control.

Effect of a comprehensive clinical care program on disease course in severely ill children with sickle cell anemia in a sub-Saharan African setting

Blood ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 102 (3) ◽  
pp. 834-838 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohamed Cherif Rahimy ◽  
Annick Gangbo ◽  
Gilbert Ahouignan ◽  
Roselyn Adjou ◽  
Chantal Deguenon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sickle Cell ◽  
Sickle Cell Anemia ◽  
Parental Education ◽  
Clinical Care ◽  
Care Program ◽  
Clinical Severity ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Physical Growth ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
African Setting

Abstract Clinical severity of sickle cell anemia (SS) in Africa may not be solely determined by genetic factors. This study evaluated the effects of intensive parental education and adequate clinical care on the course of SS in children in Benin. SS children referred to the National Teaching Hospital in Cotonou were included in the study. Teaching about SS was repeated frequently, emphasizing the importance of keeping clinic appointments, improving the nutrition of the affected children, and instituting antipneumococcal and antimalarial prophylaxis. Frequency and severity of SS-related events, changes in physical growth, frequency of malarial attacks, causes of transfusion, and causes of death were the principal variables assessed. 236 young children with repeated SS-related acute complications were studied from July 1, 1993, to December 31, 1999 (983 patient-years). A marked reduction in the frequency and severity of SS-related acute events was observed. Improvement in general status and physical growth was noted in 184 patients (78%); in addition, 22 of the remaining 52 patients showed similar improvement after remotivating the parents for compliance. There were 10 deaths, primarily in this cohort of 52 patients. Intensive sociomedical intervention can produce sustained clinical improvement in many severely ill SS children in sub-Saharan Africa.

scholarly journals Understanding the Interdependence and Temporal Dynamics of Smallholders’ Adoption of Soil Conservation Practices: Evidence from Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (7) ◽  
pp. 2736
Author(s):  
Tolulope E. Oladimeji ◽  
Oyakhilomen Oyinbo ◽  
Abubakar A. Hassan ◽  
Oseni Yusuf
Keyword(s):  
Soil Conservation ◽  
Temporal Dynamics ◽  
Animal Manure ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Farm Income ◽  
Conservation Practices ◽  
Policy Interventions ◽  
Adoption Decisions ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Smart Agriculture

The adoption of soil conservation practices is widely recognized as essential in improving soil fertility and promoting climate-smart agriculture in general. Yet, smallholders’ adoption of soil conservation practices in Sub-Saharan Africa has not been adequately documented, especially in relation to the interdependence and temporal dynamics of adoption decisions. In this paper, we analyze the interdependence and temporal dynamics of smallholders’ adoption of soil conservation practices, such as animal manure, crop residue retention, intercropping, and crop rotation in northern Nigeria. We use data from two rounds of a farm-household panel survey among maize-based farming households and estimate econometric models, including pooled multivariate probit and random effects ordered probit. We found that there is a significant positive correlation between the soil conservation practices, suggesting that adoption decisions for these practices are interrelated and the practices are considered complements by the farmers. We found evidence of inter-temporal variability in the adoption of soil conservation practices, which suggests that some farmers do switch in and out of these practices and may likely explain the often-reported variability in maize yields. Also, we found that the farmers’ decisions to adopt soil conservation practices and the intensity of adoption are influenced by several factors, including farmer-, household-, farm-, institutional-, and biophysical-level factors. Yet, the factors that significantly influence the likelihood of adoption differ slightly from those that influence the intensity of adoption. Policy interventions to enhance the adoption intensity of conservation practices should strongly leverage important factors, such as contract farming, crop–livestock integration, and off-farm income diversification.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the practicability and virological performance of finger-stick whole-blood HIV self-testing in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa

PLoS ONE ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. e0189475 ◽  
Author(s):  
Serge Tonen-Wolyec ◽  
Salomon Batina-Agasa ◽  
Jérémie Muwonga ◽  
Franck Fwamba N’kulu ◽  
Ralph-Sydney Mboumba Bouassa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Whole Blood ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
Self Testing ◽  
French Speaking ◽  
Sub Saharan ◽  
Finger Stick

scholarly journals Whole blood pathogen reduction technology and blood safety in sub-Saharan Africa: A systematic review with regional discussion

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Asa'ah Nkohkwo ◽  
Gabriel Agbor ◽  
Emmanuel Asongalem ◽  
Claude Tagny ◽  
Tazoacha Asonganyi
Keyword(s):  
Blood Supply ◽  
Whole Blood ◽  
Randomised Clinical Trial ◽  
Sub Saharan Africa ◽  
World Health ◽  
Blood Safety ◽  
Toxicological Evaluation ◽  
Regional Office ◽  
Pathogen Reduction ◽  
Sub Saharan

Background: Despite vast improvements in transfusion services in sub-Saharan Africa over the last decade, there remain serious concerns on the safety and adequacy of the blood supply across the region.Objective: This review paper ascertains the role of pathogen reduction technology (PRT) in improving blood safety and supply adequacy in the region.Method: The state of blood safety in sub-Saharan Africa was reviewed. Meetings, seminars and correspondence were undertaken with key clinicians, scientists and professional bodies in the region, including the World Health Organization’s Regional Office for Africa, to examine the suitability of PRT for improving the safety of whole blood transfusion, a prevalent transfusion format in the region.Results: Existing literature suggests that combining PRT with current blood safety measures (such as serology) would improve the safety and adequacy of the blood supply for transfusions in sub-Saharan Africa. This was echoed by the findings of the stakeholder meetings.Conclusion: Following a detailed appraisal of two leading PRT systems, the Mirasol® PRT System and the Cerus S-303 System, we suggest that companies conduct comprehensive toxicological evaluation of the agents used for PRT and publish this in the scientific literature. We also recommend that the safety and efficacy of these technologies should be established in a randomised clinical trial conducted in sub-Saharan Africa.

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