Seasonal Pulses of Marburg Virus Circulation in Juvenile Rousettus aegyptiacus Bats Coincide with Periods of Increased Risk of Human Infection

Marburg virus (family Filoviridae) causes sporadic outbreaks of severe hemorrhagic disease in sub-Saharan Africa. Bats have been implicated as likely natural reservoir hosts based most recently on an investigation of cases among miners infected in 2007 at the Kitaka mine, Uganda, which contained a large population of Marburg virus-infected Rousettus aegyptiacus fruit bats. Described here is an ecologic investigation of Python Cave, Uganda, where an American and a Dutch tourist acquired Marburg virus infection in December 2007 and July 2008. More than 40,000 R. aegyptiacus were found in the cave and were the sole bat species present. Between August 2008 and November 2009, 1,622 bats were captured and tested for Marburg virus. Q-RT-PCR analysis of bat liver/spleen tissues indicated ∼2.5% of the bats were actively infected, seven of which yielded Marburg virus isolates. Moreover, Q-RT-PCR-positive lung, kidney, colon and reproductive tissues were found, consistent with potential for oral, urine, fecal or sexual transmission. The combined data for R. aegyptiacus tested from Python Cave and Kitaka mine indicate low level horizontal transmission throughout the year. However, Q-RT-PCR data show distinct pulses of virus infection in older juvenile bats (∼six months of age) that temporarily coincide with the peak twice-yearly birthing seasons. Retrospective analysis of historical human infections suspected to have been the result of discrete spillover events directly from nature found 83% (54/65) events occurred during these seasonal pulses in virus circulation, perhaps demonstrating periods of increased risk of human infection. The discovery of two tags at Python Cave from bats marked at Kitaka mine, together with the close genetic linkages evident between viruses detected in geographically distant locations, are consistent with R. aegyptiacus bats existing as a large meta-population with associated virus circulation over broad geographic ranges. These findings provide a basis for developing Marburg hemorrhagic fever risk reduction strategies.     

Distal 11q monosomy syndrome: a report of two Egyptian sibs with normal parental karyotypes confirmed by molecular cytogenetics

Jacobsen syndrome is a rare disorder, caused by segmental monosomy for the distal end of the long arm of chromosome 11 with variable phenotypic expressivity. We report on the first male (6 years old) and female (3 years old) sibs with clinical and cytogenetics characterization of Jacobsen syndrome. Their karyotypes showed deletion 11q23.3-qter. Patients presented with growth and psychomotor retardation, facial dysmorphism, eye anomalies, and congenital heart disease (variable degrees of septal defect). Family history revealed a clinically similar brother, who died at 2 months old from cardiac anomalies in the form of single ventricle without being subjected to further investigations. Chromosomal analysis of the parents was normal. Karyotyping for the 2 patients and their parents was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis (FISH) using whole chromosome painting probes for 11 (WCP 11). Relevant investigations for both sibs showed mild thrombocytopenia with normal platelets morphology and striking periventricular demyelination on neuroimaging. Inguinal small testicles as well as focal epileptiform dysfunction were recorded in the male patient only. Abdominal ultrasound, hearing test, and DEXA scan were normal in both patients. Due to of the presence of apparently 3 affected offspring and normal parental karyotypes, an inherited predisposition was highly suspected. The large size of the distal deleted 11q segment in our patients support the recent hypothesis, that Jacobsen syndrome is a chromosomal deletion syndrome with genetic predisposition, due to expansion of p(CCG)n trinucleotide in the folate-sensitive fragile site FRA11B, at breakpoint 11q23.3. In conclusion, identification and further delineation of more similar patients will contribute to understanding the genetic basis of the 11q phenotype.     

Comparative biology and life tables of Trichogramma evanescens and T. cacoeciae with Ephestia elutella as host at four constant temperatures

The age-specific fecundity of Trichogramma evanescens Westwood and T. cacoeciae Marchal (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) with Ephestia elutella (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae: Phycitinae) as host and the life span of the adults with and without hosts was determined at 20, 26, 30 and 35 °C and 75 ±5% r.h. in the laboratory. At 35 °C, no progeny emerged. The availability of hosts prolonged the longevity in both species. Longevity, percentage of parasitism, fecundity, and the intrinsic rate of natural increase were higher in T. evanescens than in T. cacoeciae. Trichogramma evanescens is expected to be more effective than T. cacoeciae for use in biological control of Ephestia spp., especially at low and high temperatures.     

Egyptian tortoise conservation: A community‐based,field research program developed from a study on a captive population

Local community participation and ex situ conservation has the potential to assist the recovery of the endangered Egyptian tortoise, Testudo kleinmanni. We initiated an in situ community‐based conservation and research program from a captive population of T. kleinmanni. We used a captive population of the Egyptian tortoise to train a member of the local community as a research technician and used his indigenous tracking skills and knowledge of the area to collect activity and dietary data on 28 captive tortoises. We overcame problems with illiteracy by creating a data sheet based on symbols and numbers. This data sheet allowed us to use the indigenous knowledge of various people from the community, and employ them in the future. Our local community approach to data collection, in conjunction with a craft program, made the conservation of the Egyptian tortoise more rewarding to the local community by providing a more sustainable form of income than collecting animals for the pet trade. Our multidimensional approach (local community participation as research technicians, craft program, and trust building) for gaining local support eventually led to the rediscovery of wild Egyptian tortoises in North Sinai, which was significant, as this species was presumed extinct in Egypt. We have now shifted our focus to in situ conservation, using the research and local capacity building template developed from this captive population study. Our template can be used by zoos and conservation organizations with small budgets and collections of native species in natural habitats to create similar captive research programs that can be applied to in situ conservation. Zoo Biol 26:397–406, 2007. © 2007 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Effect of protease and helicase mutations on HCV NS3 activity

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) causes serious infections in the liver which may lead to liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Non structural 3 (NS3) protein is one of the most important proteins of the virus which has protease and helicase activities. Protease activity has a crucial role in the replication and persistence of the virus. Site directed mutation was carried out in the protease region of one NS3 and another site directed mutation in the helicase region of another NS3. The expression of both mutated NS3 was compared with wild NS3. Expression of the three different NS3 types was confirmed by in situ staining and western blotting using an anti-NS3 antibody and correlated with a reduced antiviral response after treatment with interferon-α. Mutation analysis showed that the NS3 protease activity andnot the NS3 helicase was essential for the inhibition of the interferon-α response.