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Functional morphology of the brain of the African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse, 1840)
2014
Ibe, Chikera S(Ahmadu Bello University) | Onyeanusi, Barth I(Ahmadu Bello University) | Hambolu, Joseph O(Ahmadu Bello University)
A gross morphological study of the brain of the African giant pouched rat (Cricetomys gambianus Waterhouse, 1840) was undertaken in order to document its normal features and assess the structure-function paradigm. The study was conducted by direct observation of 29 adult African giant pouched rats' brains. In the telencephalon, the cerebral cortex was devoid of prominent gyri and sulci, but the large olfactory bulb and tract relaying impulses to the olfactory cortex were very prominent. The large size of the olfactory bulb correlated with the established sharp olfactory acuity of the rodent. In the mesencephalic tectum, the caudal colliculi were bigger than the rostral colliculi, indicating a more acute sense of hearing than sight. In the metencephalon, the cerebellar vermis, the flocculus and the paraflocculus were highly coiled and, thus, well developed. The myelencephalon revealed a better organised ventral surface than dorsal surface; the cuneate fascicle, the intermediate sulcus and the lateral sulcus were not evident on the dorsal surface, but there were clearly visible pyramids and olivary prominence on the ventral surface. In conclusion, the highly coiled cerebellar vermis, flocculus and paraflocculus, as well as the conspicuous pyramids and olivary prominence are indicative of a good motor coordination and balance in the African giant pouched rat.
Show more [+] Less [-]The changing landscape for health research in Africa: The focus of the Southern African Centre for Infectious Diseases and Surveillance
2014
Rweyemamu, Mark M(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Karimuribo, Esron D(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Mboera, Leonard E.G(National Institute for Medical Research)
Screening for foot-and-mouth disease virus in livestock-wildlife interface areas of Tanzania
2014
Peter, Emma(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Kasanga, Christopher J(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Sallu, Raphael(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Mathias, Mkama(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Yongolo, Mmeta(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Mulumba, Misheck(Southern African Development Community Secretariat) | Ranga, Ezekia(Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries) | Wambura, Philemon N(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Rweyemamu, Mark M(Sokoine University of Agriculture)
Full genome sequencing to study the evolutionary characteristics of foot-and-mouth disease virus in southern Africa
2014
Kasanga, Christopher J(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Valdazo-González, Begoña(The Pirbright Institute) | Dwarka, Rahana(University of Pretoria) | Wadsworth, Jemma(The Pirbright Institute) | Knowles, Nick J(The Pirbright Institute) | Wambura, Philemon N(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Rweyemamu, Mark M(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Mulumba, Misheck(Southern African Development Community Secretariat) | Deve, Jimis(Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock) | King, Donald P(The Pirbright Institute)
The changing landscape of the molecular epidemiology of foot-and-mouth disease virus in southern Africa north of Limpopo and east Africa
2014
Kasanga, Christopher J(Sokoine University of Agriculture)
Spatial and temporal distribution of foot-and-mouth disease virus in the eastern zone of Tanzania
2014
Joseph, Julius(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Kasanga, Christopher J(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Yongolo, Mmeta(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Mpelumbe-Ngeleja, Chanasa(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Sallu, Raphael(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Mkama, Mathias(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Masambu, Joseph(Sokoine University of Agriculture)
Molecular biological characteristics of foot-and-mouth disease virus in the African buffalo in southern Africa
2014
Kasanga, Christopher J(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Dwarka, Rahana(University of Pretoria) | Thobokwe, Gaothlele(Botswana Vaccine Institute) | Wadsworth, Jemma(The Pirbright Institute) | Knowles, Nick J.(The Pirbright Institute) | Mulumba, Misheck(Southern African Development Community Secretariat) | Ranga, Ezekia(Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries) | Deve, Jimis(Southern African Development Community) | Mundia, Cornelius(Southern African Development Community) | Chikungwa, Patrick(Southern African Development Community) | Joao, Laureta(Southern African Development Community) | Sallu, Raphael(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Yongolo, Mmeta(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Wambura, Philemon N(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Rweyemamu, Mark M(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | King, Donald P(The Pirbright Institute)
Serosurveillance of foot-and-mouth disease virus in selected livestock-wildlife interface areas of Tanzania
2014
Mkama, Mathias(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Kasanga, Christopher J(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Sallu, Raphael(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Ranga, Ezekia(Ministry of Livestock Development and Fisheries) | Yongolo, Mmeta(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Mulumba, Misheck(Southern African Development Community Secretariat) | Rweyemamu, Mark(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Wambura, Philemon(Sokoine University of Agriculture)
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is caused by a virus of the genus Aphthorvirus of the family Picornaviridae. There is great scientific need for determining the transmission dynamics of FMD virus (FMDV) by drawing more attention to the livestock-wildlife interface areas. A variety of literature suggests that buffalo could serve as reservoir of FMDV in wildlife and cattle. However, many FMDV research studies conducted on experimentally infected cattle as carriers and groups of animal highly susceptible to FMDV (i.e. bovine calves) have shown lower chances of transmission of the virus between carriers and the susceptible groups. These findings underscore the importance of continued research on the role played by carrier animals on FMDV transmission dynamics under natural conditions. The aim of this research study was to determine FMDV infection status among buffalo and cattle herds in selected livestock-wildlife interface areas. The sampled areas included Mikumi, Mkomazi and Ruaha national parks, where a total of 330 buffalo and bovine sera samples were collected. Laboratory analysis of the samples was done through the NSP ELISA technique using the PrioCHECK® FMDV NS Kit for detection of antibodies directed against 3ABC non-structural proteins and confirming natural infections. Results showed that 76.3% of tested sera samples were positive for FMDV. However, serotyping of NSP ELISA seroreactors with LPBE is yet to be done. This information is important for further epidemiological studies towards developing effective FMD control strategies.
Show more [+] Less [-]The risk factors for human cysticercosis in Mbulu District, Tanzania
2014
Mwang'onde, Beda J(University of Dar es Salaam) | Nkwengulila, Gamba(University of Dar es Salaam) | Chacha, Mwita(University of Dar es Salaam)
The objective of this study was to explore the reasons for the persistence of human cysticercosis (HCC) transmission in Mbulu District, northern Tanzania. The study was carried out in 25 villages, whereby five major risks were identified. The risks were indiscriminate defaecation and improper use of toilets; a free-range system of keeping pigs; indiscriminate or unregulated slaughtering and inadequate meat hygiene and inspection; consumption of undercooked and porcine cysticerci infected pork; and social structure and roles. All of the identified risks were backed up by the immanent lifestyles of the community involved. These findings are important for the development of intervention strategies in the study area.
Show more [+] Less [-]Investigation of foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in the Mbala and Kazungula districts of Zambia
2014
Banda, Frank(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Kasanga, Christopher J(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Sallu, Raphael(Tanzania Veterinary Laboratory Agency) | Sinkala, Yona(University of Zambia) | Sinkombe, Tingiya W(Central Veterinary Research Institute) | Mulumba, Misheck(Southern African Development Community Secretariat) | Rweyemamu, Mark M(Sokoine University of Agriculture) | Wambura, Philemon N(Sokoine University of Agriculture)
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is an acute, highly contagious viral infection of domestic and wild cloven-hoofed animals. It is known to be endemic in Zambia, with periodic outbreaks occurring in different geographical areas of the country. This study was conducted to investigate the presence of FMD virus (FMDV) in reported FMD-suspected cases in cattle from the Kazungula and Mbala districts of Zambia. Sixty epithelial tissues or oesophageal- pharyngeal (OP) scrapings (probang samples) were collected from Mbala (n = 51) and Kazungula (n = 9) and examined for FMDV. The FMDV viral RNA and serotypes were examined by realtime reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and antigen Enzyme- linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), respectively. Twenty-two samples (36.7%) were positive for the FMDV genome by qRT-PCR with Cycle threshold (Ct) values ranging from 13 to 31. The FMDV-positive samples from epithelial tissues showed relatively higher Ct values compared to those obtained from OP scrapings, irrespective of geographical location. Forty percent (40%; n = 4) of epithelial tissues from Mbala were serotyped into SAT 2 serotype by antigen ELISA. Kazungula samples were serotyped into SAT 1. These findings indicated that Mbala and Kazungula districts had FMD outbreaks in 2012 that were ascribed to at least FMDV serotype SAT 2 and SAT 1 field strains. Furthermore, regular interaction between buffalos from the Mosi-o Tunya Park and domestic animals from surrounding areas could contribute to the occurrence of regular FMD outbreaks in Kazungula, whilst the uncontrolled animal movements across borders between Mbala and Nsumbawanga could be responsible for disease outbreaks in Mbala. In-depth molecular biological studies, including sequencing and phylogeny of the viruses, should be conducted to elucidate the complex epidemiology of FMD in Zambia, thereby providing valuable information needed for the rational control strategy of FMD in Zambia and neighbouring countries.
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