Article
Microbiology
Yannick Ngnindji-Youdje, Adama Zan Diarra, Michel Lontsi-Demano, Timoleon Tchuinkam, Philippe Parola
Summary: Ticks in Cameroon carry a variety of microorganisms and pose a risk of zoonotic diseases.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Maria Rodrigues da Costa, Joana Pessoa, Truls Nesbakken, Diana Meemken
Summary: Safe beef is a priority for consumers, policy makers, official veterinarians, and producers. This systematic review aims to update the recent knowledge on pre-harvest interventions to control main foodborne pathogens in beef and to assess their effectiveness. The studies found that vaccination, cleaning and disinfection, management, and biosecurity were the most tested and effective interventions for controlling or reducing the detection and shedding of Salmonella and STEC pathogens in cattle.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Tatenda Chiuya, Daniel K. Masiga, Laura C. Falzon, Armanda D. S. Bastos, Eric M. Fevre, Jandouwe Villinger
Summary: The distributional ranges of emerging infectious diseases have expanded in recent decades due to increased global travel, trade connectivity, and climate change. Transboundary range shifts due to human and livestock movement across borders are a concern for disease control. The presence of pathogens of public health and veterinary importance in ticks from livestock in western Kenya highlights the risk of under-diagnosed zoonotic diseases, calling for continuous surveillance and preventative measures.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2021)
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Sultan Ali, Abdullah F. F. Alsayeqh
Summary: The importance of meat-borne pathogens to global disease transmission and food safety is significant, with bacteria being the main pathogens. Consuming contaminated meat or meat products can lead to various diseases.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Tatenda Chiuya, Jandouwe Villinger, Daniel K. Masiga, Dickens O. Ondifu, Maurice K. Murungi, Lillian Wambua, Armanda D. S. Bastos, Eric M. Fevre, Laura C. Falzon
Summary: This study identified various tick-borne pathogens in cattle in western Kenya and found that exotic breeds were more susceptible to certain pathogens, while the presence of ticks was a significant predictor for Anaplasma and Ehrlichia infection.
BMC VETERINARY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Joseph Wang'ang'a Oundo, Daniel Masiga, Quirine ten Bosch, Jandouwe Villinger, Constantianus J. M. Koenraadt, Shewit Kalayou
Summary: Tick-borne diseases are a significant issue in livestock health in sub-Saharan Africa, including coastal Kenya. This study investigates the epidemiology and management factors of tick-borne diseases in zebu cattle in coastal Kenya.
PREVENTIVE VETERINARY MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Infectious Diseases
Vito Colella, Lucas Huggins, Adnan Hodzic, Clemence Galon, Rebecca Traub, Amer Alic, Roberta Iatta, Lenaig Halos, Domenico Otranto, Muriel Vayssier-Taussat, Sara Moutailler
Summary: A lack of information and awareness about zoonotic vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) in low-middle income countries such as Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) hinders control efforts. By using a microfluidic qPCR assay, we found high prevalence of VBPs among dogs in BiH, including some previously unreported pathogens.
TRANSBOUNDARY AND EMERGING DISEASES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Evan J. Kipp, Laramie L. Lindsey, Benedict Khoo, Christopher Faulk, Jonathan D. Oliver, Peter A. Larsen
Summary: Technological and computational advancements in genomics and bioinformatics are being utilized to enhance pathogen discovery and genomic surveillance. The use of single-molecule nucleotide sequence data from ONT sequencing platforms allows for real-time bioinformatic analysis for monitoring various animal-origin zoonotic diseases. The NAS strategy enables immediate mapping of nucleotide molecules to a reference genome, allowing for selective sequencing of DNA from multiple bacterial tick-borne pathogens in wild populations of the blacklegged tick vector, Ixodes scapularis.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Manisha Pandey, Hira Choudhury, Bapi Gorain, Shao Qin Tiong, Grace Yee Seen Wong, Kai Xin Chan, Xuan They, Wei Shen Chieu
Summary: Skin cancer is a significant public health issue with increasing prevalence and mortality rates, requiring the development of effective and safe treatment options. Research focuses on understanding the biological barriers in skin cancer therapeutics for optimal formulation development. Various vesicular drug delivery systems, such as liposomes and niosomes, show promise in delivering chemotherapeutics for skin cancer treatment, offering targeted drug delivery and minimizing systemic toxicity.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sibgha Batool, Saba Sohail, Fakhar Ud Din, Ali H. Alamri, Ahmad S. Alqahtani, Mohammad A. Alshahrani, Mohammed A. Alshehri, Han Gon Choi
Summary: Nanotechnology has revolutionized cancer treatment by improving drug delivery systems and enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs. Nanocarriers have overcome the limitations of conventional delivery systems, leading to targeted drug accumulation, sustained release, improved bioavailability, and enhanced apoptosis of cancer cells. This review discusses cancer targeting techniques, surface modification on nanoparticles, and the potential challenges and opportunities in this field.
Article
Oncology
Nako Maishi, Yu Sakurai, Hiroto Hatakeyama, Yui Umeyama, Takashi Nakamura, Rikito Endo, Mohammad Towfik Alam, Cong Li, Dorcas Akuba-Muhyia Annan, Hiroshi Kikuchi, Hirofumi Morimoto, Masahiro Morimoto, Kosuke Akiyama, Noritaka Ohga, Yasuhiro Hida, Hideyoshi Harashima, Kyoko Hida
Summary: This study explored the therapeutic effect of biglycan inhibition in renal cell carcinoma by using a specific nanodevice to deliver siRNA against biglycan into tumor endothelial cells (TECs). The results showed that biglycan silencing by the nanodevice inhibited tumor growth and normalized tumor microenvironmental factors.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Yunjian Yu, Jie Li, Yufei Zhang, Zhuang Ma, Haonan Sun, Xiaosong Wei, Yayun Bai, Zhongming Wu, Xinge Zhang
Summary: Intracellular bacteria-mediated antibiotic tolerance is important in chronic and recurrent infections. A novel therapeutic approach has been developed to deliver antibiotics into bacteria-infected macrophages and enhance drug accumulation and bactericidal activity. This platform effectively eliminates intracellular pathogens through multiple mechanisms.
Article
Parasitology
Atambekova Zhyldyz, Kamarli Aitakin, Berdikulov Atabek, Jetigenov Elmurat, Nurgaziev Rysbek, Orozov Jailobek, Believe Ahedor, Davaajav Otgonsuren, Ngigi Noel Muthoni Mumbi, Azirwan Guswanto, Thillaiampalam Sivakumar, Naoaki Yokoyama
Summary: Cattle production is economically important in Kyrgyzstan, but infections with vector-borne pathogens (VBPs) are widespread and control methods are lacking. This study surveyed cattle in Kyrgyzstan for VBPs, and found that six out of eight targeted pathogens were present, with the most common being Theileria orientalis.
PARASITOLOGY INTERNATIONAL
(2023)
Article
Microbiology
Latifa Elhachimi, Carolien Rogiers, Stijn Casaert, Siham Fellahi, Thomas Van Leeuwen, Wannes Dermauw, Felix Valcarcel, Angeles Sonia Olmeda, Sylvie Daminet, Sarah El Hamiani Khatat, Hamid Sahibi, Luc Duchateau
Summary: Tick-borne pathogens were investigated in cattle in the Rabat-Sale-Kenitra region of Morocco, revealing a high prevalence and diversity of tick species, with Anaplasma/Ehrlichia spp. having the highest infection rate. Risk factors for pathogen abundance included crossbreeds, females, older age, and high tick infestation. Locations with the highest prevalence of tick-borne pathogens were Jorf El Melha, Sidi Yahya Zaer, Ait Ichou, and Arbaoua.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Gianmarco Ferrara, Giuseppina Brocherel, Beatrice Falorni, Roberta Gori, Ugo Pagnini, Serena Montagnaro
Summary: Urbanization leads to increased interactions between wildlife, domestic animals, and humans, with red foxes being a common wild carnivore in Italy. A retrospective survey conducted in the Tuscany region revealed the exposure of red foxes to various zoonotic and carnivore-specific pathogens. The study highlights the need for large-scale surveillance to fully understand the epidemiological significance of these findings.
ACTA VETERINARIA SCANDINAVICA
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Olivia J. S. Macleod, Jean-Mathieu Bart, Paula MacGregor, Lori Peacock, Nicholas J. Savill, Svenja Hester, Sophie Ravel, Jack D. Sunter, Camilla Trevor, Steven Rust, Tristan J. Vaughan, Ralph Minter, Shabaz Mohammed, Wendy Gibson, Martin C. Taylor, Matthew K. Higgins, Mark Carrington
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2020)
Article
Biology
Mathieu Cayla, Lindsay McDonald, Paula MacGregor, Keith Matthews
Article
Infectious Diseases
Federico Rojas, Mathieu Cayla, Keith R. Matthews
Summary: The study demonstrates the ability to generate stumpy forms in vitro by including a basement membrane extract in the culture medium. Cells exposed to extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins are capable of efficiently differentiating into cell-cycle arrested stumpy forms, with the differentiation signal depending on the stumpy induction signalling pathway. This method provides a way to generate stumpy forms in vitro for experimental analysis, reducing the need for mice in research.
PLOS NEGLECTED TROPICAL DISEASES
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Emma M. Briggs, Federico Rojas, Richard McCulloch, Keith R. Matthews, Thomas D. Otto
Summary: This study models the developmental steps of Trypanosoma brucei using oligopeptide-induced differentiation in vitro, capturing the transcriptomes of parasites through single cell transcriptomics. It details the relative order of biological events during asynchronous development, profiles dynamic gene expression patterns, identifies putative regulators, and provides a paradigm for dissecting differentiation events in parasites.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Ailie Robinson, Jack Bickford-Smith, Oumer Abdurahman Shafi, Muluadam Abraham Aga, Gemeda Shuka, Dereje Debela, Gebreyes Hordofa, Wondu Alemayehu, Virginia Sarah, Anna Last, David MacLeod, Matthew J. Burton, James G. Logan
Summary: Musca sorbens is a synanthropic filth fly that aggressively attacks people to feed from mucous membranes of the eyes, nose or mouth, from open sores, or from sweat. Control options are limited but a homemade trap design using The Buzz lure has been found to be the most effective in trapping M. sorbens. Further studies are needed to assess the impact of this trap on local fly populations and the transmission of trachoma.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Guy Oldrieve, Mylene Verney, Kamil S. Jaron, Laurent Hebert, Keith R. Matthews
Summary: This study conducted a taxonomic analysis of Trypanosoma brucei evansi and T. brucei equiperdum, identifying at least four distinct monomorphic T. brucei clades. Lineage-specific variation in selection efficacy and heterozygosity of the monomorphic lineages was also observed, supporting their distinct evolutionary histories. The evolutionary position of IVM-t1 suggests its reassignment to the T. brucei evansi type B clade, challenging the relationship between Trypanozoon species, infected hosts, mode of transmission, and associated pathological phenotypes.
MICROBIAL GENOMICS
(2021)
Review
Biology
Frank Venter, Keith R. Matthews, Eleanor Silvester
Summary: Laboratory studies of pathogens often overlook the interactions between pathogens and hosts, despite the fact that hosts frequently sustain co-infections with multiple pathogens. These interactions between co-infecting pathogens and the host immune system are complex and can greatly affect disease outcomes. Researchers have used ecological and experimental studies of trypanosome and malaria infections to examine these interactions.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Paula MacGregor, Vishvanath Nene, R. Ellen R. Nisbet
Article
Biology
Guy R. Oldrieve, Beatrice Malacart, Javier Lopez-Vidal, Keith R. Matthews
Summary: This study explores the host and vector specificity between Trypanosoma theileri and Trypanosoma melophagium, non-pathogenic parasites of bovines and sheep, respectively. The contrasting genomic features of these species are likely associated with their mode of transmission from their insect vector to their mammalian host.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Mabel Deladem Tettey, Federico Rojas, Keith R. Matthews
Summary: This study identifies secreted peptidases released by trypanosomes and systematically assesses their role in stumpy formation in vivo. The results demonstrate the dominance of oligopeptidase B and metallocarboxypeptidase 1 in quorum sensing.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Review
Parasitology
Mathieu Cayla, Y. Romina Nievas, Keith R. Matthews, Jeremy C. Mottram
Summary: Trypanosomatid parasitic protozoa have evolved unique mechanisms, such as protein kinases, to regulate their complex life cycles and adapt to different hosts, distinguishing them from other eukaryotes.
TRENDS IN PARASITOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biology
Desislava P. Staneva, Stefan Bresson, Tatsiana Auchynnikava, Christos Spanos, Juri Rappsilber, A. Arockia Jeyaprakash, David Tollervey, Keith R. Matthews, Robin C. Allshire
Summary: This study reveals the unique gene expression regulation mechanism in kinetoplastids, a highly divergent lineage of eukaryotes. The researchers identified a complex called SPARC, which consists of SET27 and CRD1, among other components, that is involved in establishing accurate promoter position and directionality.
Review
Immunology
Liam J. J. Morrison, Pieter C. C. Steketee, Mabel D. D. Tettey, Keith R. R. Matthews
Summary: African trypanosomes are protozoa that are transmitted by vectors and cause significant disease in humans and animals. The severity of infection varies depending on the species of Trypanosoma and the host, making intervention design challenging. This review provides an overview of the current understanding of trypanosome determinants of infection progression and severity, highlighting knowledge gaps and opportunities for developing novel interventions.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ailie Robinson, Laura Reis de Oliveira Gomes, Oumer Shafi Abdurahman, Wondu Alemayehu, Gemeda Shuka, Ewunetu Melese, Meseret Guye, Demitu Legesse, Eden Elias, Kedir Temam, Korso Hirpo Koro, Dereje Adugna, Fikre Seife, Muluadam Abraham Aga, Virginia Sarah, Saba M. Lambert, Stephen L. Walker, Esmael Habtamu, Anthony W. Solomon, Anna Last, David Macleod, Matthew J. Burton, James G. Logan
Summary: This study investigated the effectiveness of permethrin-treated scarves in reducing contact with eye-seeking flies. The results showed a significant decrease in fly-eye, -nose, and -mouth contacts with the use of permethrin-treated scarves.