21 research outputs found
Epidemiology of equine herpesviruses (EHVs) in Ethiopian equids and invasion characteristics of EHV-1 and EHV-3 in respiratory and genital mucosae
No full textThe equine herpesviruses (EHVs) are ubiquitous pathogens in equine populations worldwide. They establish a lifelong latent infection, which ensures the survival of herpesviruses in equine populations. The currently available modified live and inactivated products of EHV-1 and EHV-4 vaccines are not reliably providing protection against infection. A better understanding of the epidemiology of EHV infections in natural outbreaks is particularly important to formulate an effective intervention strategy. However, many data gaps exist and more investigation needs to be done. It is very well known that the respiratory mucosal epithelium is the primary site of EHV-1 replication. However, EHV-1 infection in the vaginal mucosa is largely unknown. Moreover, information regarding the pathogenesis of EHV-3 in the nasal and vaginal mucosa is limited
Updating the global occurrence of Culicoides imicola, a vector for emerging viral diseases
No full textMolecular detection and assessment of the epidemiological risk factors associated with equine herpesvirus 2 and 5 in working equids in central Ethiopia
No full textAbstract Background Respiratory disease is the most common presenting complaint at veterinary clinics and a priority concern for equid owners and veterinary practitioners in Ethiopia. Objectives This study aimed to report the molecular detection of EHV‐2 and EHV‐5 and to assess the risk factors associated with infection in working equids in central Ethiopia. Methods Nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from 58 horses and donkeys to detect EHV‐2 and EHV‐5 using PCR targeting the conserved region of glycoprotein B (gB) genes. Results From 58 equids, EHV‐5 and EHV‐2 were detected in 20 (34.5%) and 19 (32.8%) equids, respectively. Concurrent infection with EHV‐2 and EHV‐5 was found in 6 (10.3%) equids who exhibited respiratory clinical signs. EHV‐2 was detected in a significantly higher (p = 0.002) proportion of horses (54.5%; n = 18) than donkeys (4%; n = 1). In contrast, EHV‐5 was detected in a significantly higher (p = 0.004) proportion of donkeys (56%; n = 14) compared to horses (18.2% n = 6). EHV‐2‐positive equids were seven times more likely to display clinical signs of respiratory disease than EHV‐2‐negative equids (Odds ratio (OR) = 6.9; 95%CI: 1.72‐27.60). However, statistically significant (p = 0.832) difference was not observed for EHV‐5. EHV‐2 was detected in a significantly higher (p = 0.004) proportion of female (50%; n = 16) compared to male equids (11.5%; n = 3). Conclusions This study revealed the molecular detection of EHV‐2 and EHV‐5 in horses and donkeys residing in central Ethiopia. The association between EHV‐2‐test‐positive equids and displaying of clinical signs of respiratory disease was observed, which suggests EHV‐2 involvement in the development of respiratory disease; however, it deserves further investigation
African Journal of Microbiology Research
No full textA7 combined expressing iron regulated outer membrane protein as a vaccine against intratracheal challenge exposure in shee
Epidemiological study and dairy farmers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices on foot and mouth disease in central Ethiopia
No full textFoot and mouth disease (FMD) is consistently ranked as the most economically significant viral disease and one of the top five livestock diseases in Ethiopia. Although FMD is endemic in Ethiopia, the epidemiology and the farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding FMD were poorly quantified. Thus, a cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2021 to April 2022 to estimate the seroprevalence, identify the FMD serotypes, and assess the farmers' knowledge, attitudes, and practices on FMD in Addis Ababa city and Sebeta special zone, central Ethiopia. A total of 384 serum samples were collected from cattle and tested using a 3ABC enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In this study, an overall 56% seroprevalence was recorded. Two types of FMD serotypes were detected in which serotype O was the dominant serotype (75.5%) followed by serotype A (45.5%). A significantly higher seroprevalence (P = 0.00) was recorded in Addis Ababa (85%) compared to Sebeta (28.7%). Seropositivity in older and semi-intensively managed cattle was 2.9 (95% CI: 1.36–6.50; P = 0.006) and 2.1 (95% CI: 1.34–3.26; P = 0.001) times higher compared to young and intensively managed cattle, respectively. A survey on knowledge, attitude, and practice of 103 farmers revealed that 90.2% knew of FMD and the majority of them can recognize its clinical pictures. However, 12.7% of farmers who knew FMD didn't practice any prevention methods. Additionally, 70% of the farmers responded that their cattle roamed outside of their farms for communal grazing, watering, breeding purposes, and vaccination which might put them more at risk of FMD. The current study demonstrated that the majority of farmers have gaps in biosecurity practices and vaccination of cattle against FMD. Therefore, educating farmers on FMD prevention measures is necessary for successful disease control programs
Equine herpesvirus-1 myeloencephalopathy, an emerging threat of working equids in Ethiopia
No full textAlthough equine herpesvirus myeloencephalopathy (EHM) is a sporadic and relatively uncommon manifestation of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1), it has the potential for causing devastating outbreaks in horses. Up till now, there were no reported EHM outbreaks in donkeys and mules. This study describes the isolation and molecular characterization of EHV-1 from clinically EHM-affected horses (n = 6), mules (n = 3) and donkeys (n = 82) in Ethiopia during outbreaks from May 2011 to December 2013. The incidence of EHM cases was higher from April to mid-June. EHM in donkeys was more severe and death without clinical signs of paralysis, and recumbency was frequently observed. The main age of affected equines ranged from 7 to 10 years (n = 51; 56.0%), and females (n = 58; 63.7%) were more affected than males. The incidence of neuropathogenic (D752) and non-neuropathogenic (N752) variants of EHV-1 from EHM-affected equines in Ethiopia was assessed by sequencing the DNA polymerase gene (ORF30) of the EHV-1 isolates. The results indicated that from the total of 91 clinically affected equines, 90 (98.9%) of them had an ORF30 D752 genotype. An ORF30 N752 variant was only found in one donkey. Analysis of ORF68 as grouping marker for geographical differences showed that the Ethiopian EHV-1 isolates belong to geographical group 4. Due to the fatal nature of EHV-1 in donkeys, it would be interesting to examine the pathogenesis of EHM in this species. At present, there is no vaccine available in Ethiopia, and therefore, outbreaks of EHV-1 should be controlled by proper management adaptations. In addition, it is important to test the efficacy of the commercial vaccines not only in horses, but also in donkeys and mules
Literary Activities for the Teaching of English in a Namibian High School Setting: A Case Study
No full text*MEAL Candidate, Department of communication, FoHS at NUST, Namibia ** Corresponding author; Associate Professor and MEAL Coordinator, Department of communication, FoHS at NUST, NamibiaThe Namibian school syllabus covers literature as from the primary level to the high school although the teachers fail to use appropriate methodologies and models to interpret and present literary texts creating uplifting opportunities and engaging learners develop their passion for literature. Lack of sound subject delivery methods hinders the performance of learners in English as a second language (ESL). Namibian teachers have been introduced and trained to base their classroom practices on the learner-centered principle which promotes participatory pedagogy and active learning. Much focus has not been given to learners‟ participation in the English classroom setting. A questionnaire with 5 open-ended and 15 close-ended questions was distributed to English teachers and learners to find out the effects that literature had on the views, experiences, and practices of the teachers regarding lack of participation and performance in their English classes. FGDS and observations were also conducted to triangulate data. It was found out that the commonly used method of learner involvement was the discussion method and learners responding to questions. The teachers‟ roles were merely to give instruction and facilitate the learning process. In many situations, learners did not ask realistic questions and teachers preferred arranging learners to sit in groups. Teachers used the discovery and experiential methods through questioning techniques. However, despite the efforts to enhance participation, factors such as poor subject knowledge, little understanding of the topic, being coy, fear of making mistakes, lack of subject interest, hunger/tiredness, fear of teasing by classmates, and poor language proficiency hinder the performance of learners in ESL
Dual infections of equine herpesvirus 1 and equine arteritis virus in equine respiratory mucosa explants
No full textEquine herpesvirus 1 (EHV-1) and equine arteritis virus (EAV) induce respiratory problems and abortion in horses and are considered as two serious threats to equine industry. Both EHV-1 and EAV misuse patrolling leukocytes in the upper respiratory tract to breach the basement membrane (BM) and to migrate to blood vessels. So far, the behavior and impact of a double infection in the respiratory mucosa of a horse are unknown. In the present study, the outcome of double infections with EHV-1 and the low virulent EAV strain 08P187 (superinfection with an interval of 12 h or co-infection) were compared with single infections in fully susceptible RK-13 cells and equine upper respiratory mucosa explants. When RK-13 cells were inoculated with either EHV-1 or EAV 12 h prior to the subsequent EAV or EHV-1 inoculation, the latter EAV or EHV-1 infection was clearly suppressed at 24 hpi or 36 hpi, respectively, without EHV-1 and EAV co-infecting the same RK-13 cells. After simultaneous infection with EHV-1 and EAV, higher numbers of EAV infected cells but similar numbers of EHV-1 infected cells were found compared to the single infections, with a low number of EHV-1 and EAV co-infected RK-13 cells at 48 hpi and 72 hpi. In the upper respiratory mucosa exposed to EAV 12 h prior to EHV-1, the number and size of the EHV-1-induced plaques were similar to those of the EHV-1 single infected mucosa explants. In nasal and nasopharyngeal mucosae, EAV and EHV-1 pre-infections slightly reduced the number of EHV-1 and EAV infected leukocytes compared to the single infections and co-infection. In double EAV and EHV-1 infected explants, no co-infected leukocytes were detected. From these results, it can be concluded that EAV and EHV-1 are only slightly influencing each other's infection and that they do not infect the same mucosal leukocytes
