Investigating and combatting the key drivers of viral zoonoses in Africa: an analysis of eight epidemics
Braz J Biol. 2023 Jul 28;84:e270857. doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.270857. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTInvestigating the interplay of factors that result in a viral zoonotic outbreak is difficult, though it is increasingly important. As anthropogenic influences shift the delicate balance of ecosystems, new zoonoses emerge in humans. Sub-Saharan Africa is a notable hotspot for zoonotic disease due to abundant competent mammalian reservoir hosts. Furthermore, poverty, corruption, and an overreliance on natural resources play considerable roles in depleting biological resources, exacerbating the population's susceptibility. Unsurprisin...
Source: Braz J Biol - August 2, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: P O Isibor O O Onwaeze I I Kayode-Edwards D O Agbontaen I-A M Ifebem-Ezima O Bilewu C Onuselogu A P Akinniyi Y D Obafemi M I Oniha Source Type: research
Investigating and combatting the key drivers of viral zoonoses in Africa: an analysis of eight epidemics
Braz J Biol. 2023 Jul 28;84:e270857. doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.270857. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTInvestigating the interplay of factors that result in a viral zoonotic outbreak is difficult, though it is increasingly important. As anthropogenic influences shift the delicate balance of ecosystems, new zoonoses emerge in humans. Sub-Saharan Africa is a notable hotspot for zoonotic disease due to abundant competent mammalian reservoir hosts. Furthermore, poverty, corruption, and an overreliance on natural resources play considerable roles in depleting biological resources, exacerbating the population's susceptibility. Unsurprisin...
Source: Braz J Biol - August 2, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: P O Isibor O O Onwaeze I I Kayode-Edwards D O Agbontaen I-A M Ifebem-Ezima O Bilewu C Onuselogu A P Akinniyi Y D Obafemi M I Oniha Source Type: research
Investigating and combatting the key drivers of viral zoonoses in Africa: an analysis of eight epidemics
Braz J Biol. 2023 Jul 28;84:e270857. doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.270857. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTInvestigating the interplay of factors that result in a viral zoonotic outbreak is difficult, though it is increasingly important. As anthropogenic influences shift the delicate balance of ecosystems, new zoonoses emerge in humans. Sub-Saharan Africa is a notable hotspot for zoonotic disease due to abundant competent mammalian reservoir hosts. Furthermore, poverty, corruption, and an overreliance on natural resources play considerable roles in depleting biological resources, exacerbating the population's susceptibility. Unsurprisin...
Source: Braz J Biol - August 2, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: P O Isibor O O Onwaeze I I Kayode-Edwards D O Agbontaen I-A M Ifebem-Ezima O Bilewu C Onuselogu A P Akinniyi Y D Obafemi M I Oniha Source Type: research
Investigating and combatting the key drivers of viral zoonoses in Africa: an analysis of eight epidemics
Braz J Biol. 2023 Jul 28;84:e270857. doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.270857. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTInvestigating the interplay of factors that result in a viral zoonotic outbreak is difficult, though it is increasingly important. As anthropogenic influences shift the delicate balance of ecosystems, new zoonoses emerge in humans. Sub-Saharan Africa is a notable hotspot for zoonotic disease due to abundant competent mammalian reservoir hosts. Furthermore, poverty, corruption, and an overreliance on natural resources play considerable roles in depleting biological resources, exacerbating the population's susceptibility. Unsurprisin...
Source: Braz J Biol - August 2, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: P O Isibor O O Onwaeze I I Kayode-Edwards D O Agbontaen I-A M Ifebem-Ezima O Bilewu C Onuselogu A P Akinniyi Y D Obafemi M I Oniha Source Type: research
Investigating and combatting the key drivers of viral zoonoses in Africa: an analysis of eight epidemics
Braz J Biol. 2023 Jul 28;84:e270857. doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.270857. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTInvestigating the interplay of factors that result in a viral zoonotic outbreak is difficult, though it is increasingly important. As anthropogenic influences shift the delicate balance of ecosystems, new zoonoses emerge in humans. Sub-Saharan Africa is a notable hotspot for zoonotic disease due to abundant competent mammalian reservoir hosts. Furthermore, poverty, corruption, and an overreliance on natural resources play considerable roles in depleting biological resources, exacerbating the population's susceptibility. Unsurprisin...
Source: Braz J Biol - August 2, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: P O Isibor O O Onwaeze I I Kayode-Edwards D O Agbontaen I-A M Ifebem-Ezima O Bilewu C Onuselogu A P Akinniyi Y D Obafemi M I Oniha Source Type: research
Investigating and combatting the key drivers of viral zoonoses in Africa: an analysis of eight epidemics
Braz J Biol. 2023 Jul 28;84:e270857. doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.270857. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTInvestigating the interplay of factors that result in a viral zoonotic outbreak is difficult, though it is increasingly important. As anthropogenic influences shift the delicate balance of ecosystems, new zoonoses emerge in humans. Sub-Saharan Africa is a notable hotspot for zoonotic disease due to abundant competent mammalian reservoir hosts. Furthermore, poverty, corruption, and an overreliance on natural resources play considerable roles in depleting biological resources, exacerbating the population's susceptibility. Unsurprisin...
Source: Braz J Biol - August 2, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: P O Isibor O O Onwaeze I I Kayode-Edwards D O Agbontaen I-A M Ifebem-Ezima O Bilewu C Onuselogu A P Akinniyi Y D Obafemi M I Oniha Source Type: research
Investigating and combatting the key drivers of viral zoonoses in Africa: an analysis of eight epidemics
Braz J Biol. 2023 Jul 28;84:e270857. doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.270857. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTInvestigating the interplay of factors that result in a viral zoonotic outbreak is difficult, though it is increasingly important. As anthropogenic influences shift the delicate balance of ecosystems, new zoonoses emerge in humans. Sub-Saharan Africa is a notable hotspot for zoonotic disease due to abundant competent mammalian reservoir hosts. Furthermore, poverty, corruption, and an overreliance on natural resources play considerable roles in depleting biological resources, exacerbating the population's susceptibility. Unsurprisin...
Source: Braz J Biol - August 2, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: P O Isibor O O Onwaeze I I Kayode-Edwards D O Agbontaen I-A M Ifebem-Ezima O Bilewu C Onuselogu A P Akinniyi Y D Obafemi M I Oniha Source Type: research
Investigating and combatting the key drivers of viral zoonoses in Africa: an analysis of eight epidemics
Braz J Biol. 2023 Jul 28;84:e270857. doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.270857. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTInvestigating the interplay of factors that result in a viral zoonotic outbreak is difficult, though it is increasingly important. As anthropogenic influences shift the delicate balance of ecosystems, new zoonoses emerge in humans. Sub-Saharan Africa is a notable hotspot for zoonotic disease due to abundant competent mammalian reservoir hosts. Furthermore, poverty, corruption, and an overreliance on natural resources play considerable roles in depleting biological resources, exacerbating the population's susceptibility. Unsurprisin...
Source: Braz J Biol - August 2, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: P O Isibor O O Onwaeze I I Kayode-Edwards D O Agbontaen I-A M Ifebem-Ezima O Bilewu C Onuselogu A P Akinniyi Y D Obafemi M I Oniha Source Type: research
Investigating and combatting the key drivers of viral zoonoses in Africa: an analysis of eight epidemics
Braz J Biol. 2023 Jul 28;84:e270857. doi: 10.1590/1519-6984.270857. eCollection 2023.ABSTRACTInvestigating the interplay of factors that result in a viral zoonotic outbreak is difficult, though it is increasingly important. As anthropogenic influences shift the delicate balance of ecosystems, new zoonoses emerge in humans. Sub-Saharan Africa is a notable hotspot for zoonotic disease due to abundant competent mammalian reservoir hosts. Furthermore, poverty, corruption, and an overreliance on natural resources play considerable roles in depleting biological resources, exacerbating the population's susceptibility. Unsurprisin...
Source: Braz J Biol - August 2, 2023 Category: Biology Authors: P O Isibor O O Onwaeze I I Kayode-Edwards D O Agbontaen I-A M Ifebem-Ezima O Bilewu C Onuselogu A P Akinniyi Y D Obafemi M I Oniha Source Type: research
Development of a new drug candidate for the inhibition of Lassa virus glycoprotein and nucleoprotein by modification of evodiamine as promising therapeutic agents
The Lassa virus (LASV), an RNA virus prevalent in West and Central Africa, causes severe hemorrhagic fever with a high fatality rate. However, no FDA-approved treatments or vaccines exist. Two crucial proteins, LASV glycoprotein and nucleoprotein, play vital roles in pathogenesis and are potential therapeutic targets. As effective treatments for many emerging infections remain elusive, cutting-edge drug development approaches are essential, such as identifying molecular targets, screening lead molecules, and repurposing existing drugs. Bioinformatics and computational biology expedite drug discovery pipelines, using data s...
Source: Frontiers in Microbiology - July 11, 2023 Category: Microbiology Source Type: research
Viruses, Vol. 15, Pages 1436: Passive Transfer of Animal-Derived Polyclonal Hyperimmune Antibodies Provides Protection of Mice from Lethal Lassa Virus Infection
Conclusions: Our findings support the consideration of animal-derived hyperimmune antibodies targeting GP as an effective treatment option for highly pathogenic LASV. (Source: Viruses)
Source: Viruses - June 26, 2023 Category: Virology Authors: Lisa Oestereich Helena M üller-Kräuter Elisa Pallasch Thomas Strecker Tags: Brief Report Source Type: research
New U.S. lab will work with deadly animal pathogens —in the middle of farm country
Virologist Robert Cross’s lab is equipped to handle some of the world’s most dangerous viruses. At the Galveston National Laboratory he has worked with guinea pigs infected with Ebola virus and macaques carrying Lassa fever. What it can’t accommodate are pigs, which are common carriers of the deadly Nipah virus. “We’re not really geared to handle large animals,” says Cross, who wears a pressurized biosafety suit for his studies. “You can’t just pick them up when you’re wearing these space suits.”
That’s one reason why Cross is welcoming tomorrow’s
ceremonial opening
of a massive new ...
Source: Science of Aging Knowledge Environment - May 23, 2023 Category: Geriatrics Source Type: research
Seroepidemiology of Lassa virus in pregnant women in Southern Nigeria: A prospective hospital-based cohort study
Conclusions/SignificanceOur study suggests that 50% of pregnant women were at risk of Lassa infection and that 35.0% of infections might be preventable by avoiding rodent exposure and conditions which facilitate infestation and the risk of human-rodent contact. While the evidence on rodent exposure is subjective and further studies are needed to provide a better understanding of the avenues of human-rodent interaction; public health measures to decrease the risk of rodent infestation and the risk of spill over events may be beneficial. With an estimated seroconversion risk of 20.8%, our study suggests an appreciable risk o...
Source: PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases - May 22, 2023 Category: Tropical Medicine Authors: Nzelle Delphine Kayem Source Type: research
Lassa Fever Natural History and Clinical Management
Curr Top Microbiol Immunol. 2023 Apr 28. doi: 10.1007/82_2023_263. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTLassa fever is caused by Lassa virus (LASV), an Old World Mammarenavirus that is carried by Mastomys natalensis and other rodents. It is endemic in Sierra Leone, Nigeria, and other countries in West Africa. The clinical presentation of LASV infection is heterogenous varying from an inapparent or mild illness to a fatal hemorrhagic fever. Exposure to LASV is usually through contact with rodent excreta. After an incubation period of 1-3 weeks, initial symptoms such as fever, headache, and fatigue develop that may progress to sore...
Source: Current Topics in Microbiology and Immunology - April 27, 2023 Category: Microbiology Authors: Donald S Grant Robert J Samuels Robert F Garry John S Schieffelin Source Type: research
