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Item Evaluation of a Climate-Sensitive Disease Control Strategy and Investigation of Multi-drug Resistance in Infectious Bacterial Diseases: A US-Africa Experience(North Dakota State University, 2012) Mukiibi, HerbertThis paper presents two research projects that explore avenues of controlling infectious diseases both in Africa and the United States. In Uganda, a retrospective study of Otuboi Sub County patient data to evaluate the impact of Stamp Out Sleeping sickness (SOS) intervention was performed. Polymerase Chain Reaction to detect the conjugatively transferred virulence factors from MDR E. coli to Salmonella was performed in North Dakota. Human African Trypanosomiasis prevalence was significantly reduced at intervention year (2006) compared to the pre-intervention years; 2004 (P = 0.00024) and 2005 (P = 0.000001). Of the 22 screened virulence factor genes, eight genes were PCR detected in MDR E. coli 2077 isolate. Six of the detected genes were found to be received by Salmonella transconjugates. The protective effect of SOS intervention was sustained for only two years (2007 and 2008) post intervention. MDR E.coli 2077 isolate conjugatively transferred its virulence factors to Salmonella strains.Item The Decomposition Ecology and Microbial Forensics of the Postmortem Microbiome(North Dakota State University, 2021) Ewald, Adam PatrickEvery living organism dies and is decomposed into nutrients and by-products. This is lead initially by the normal flora of the newly deceased host. The postmortem microbiome, so-called “necrobiome”, undergoes temporal changes affected by the environment in the carcass. The increased data on the necrobiome is fueled by recent advances in genome sequencing analysis techniques. Metagenome sequencing analyzes temporal changes in a population. Genotypic information elucidates identity, structural, and functional traits across a biome. Initially, the necrobiome is composed of taxa common to the living tissue. As decomposition progresses, new and unique taxa emerge. Those suited for growth in the specific environment become dominant. Alpha diversity, beta diversity, and community traits are used to analyze the necrobiome. The necrobiome has potential for forensic evidence predictions. This review covers the succession of the necrobiome specific to body location, their effect on the decomposing carcass, and potential forensics uses of the necrobiome.Item Current Status of the Biology, Pathogenesis, and Impacts of Ebola Virus(North Dakota State University, 2021) Alamri, DalalEbola viruses (EV) are single-stranded negative-sense RNA viruses belonging to the Filoviridae family. There are 6 species of Ebola, and four of them can cause Ebola virus disease (EVD) in humans. Ebola viral hemorrhagic fever is one of the deadliest diseases known to infect humans and non-human primates. The primary mode of transmission of Ebola has been identified as direct contact with infected animals, humans and body fluids. The early diagnosis of EVD is difficult because of similarities of the initial disease presentation to influenza-like symptoms such as high fever, myalgia, fatigue, headache, and chills. The most common symptoms that have been reported from previous outbreaks were fever, sore throat, abdominal pain, vomiting, bleeding, diarrhea, and chest pain. Several methods have been used to detect Ebola such as ELISA, conventional RT-PCR, and real-time RT-PCR. Scientists have been working on several therapeutics and vaccines to prevent and treat Ebola.Item Drivers of Infectious Disease Outbreaks: How Climate, Environment and Disease Control Programs Influence Occurence of Infectious Disease Outbreaks(North Dakota State University, 2012) Muleme, MichaelThis research study described the factors driving infectious disease outbreaks using Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Uganda and Lyme disease in North Dakota (ND), Minnesota (MN) and Wisconsin (WI) as case studies. Retrospective data on FMD vaccines and outbreaks in Uganda (2001 – 2010) and Lyme disease in ND, MN and WI (1990 – 2011) was used. The time (7.5 weeks) taken to respond to FMD outbreaks, limited serotyping/subtyping (9/121) of outbreaks and the low percentage of cattle vaccinated (2.1 – 21.2%) portray ineffective control programs. Similarly, increase in fall temperature (P = 0.0189) and annual precipitation (P = 0.0250) were associated with increased human Lyme cases. Shrub land coverage and human population also increased in WI, MN and ND while forest coverage increased in ND. These favor tick and deer proliferation leading to increased human exposure to Lyme Borreliosis. Therefore ineffective disease control programs, climate and environment factors influence infectious disease occurrence.Item Emerging Infectious Diseases with Limited Treatment Options: The Case of Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever in Uganda and Shiga Toxin Producing Escheria Coli in the United States(North Dakota State University, 2012) Gemmeda, Rahel DubiwakEmerging infectious diseases are diseases that newly emerge in a population or change the frequency or spatial distribution of their occurrence. Ebola Hemorrhagic Fever (EHF) and Shiga Toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) infections are among diseases that emerged in the 1970s. The two diseases have limited treatment options with no vaccines. This paper is based on two case studies. The first case study utilized data from the 2007/2008 EHF outbreak in Uganda and investigated the epidemiological and clinical aspects of the outbreak. The second case study was based on a study done on STEC isolates collected from beef cattle at the North Dakota State University Research Extension Center in Dickinson. The study investigated the prevalence of the common pathogenic STEC serotypes. The driving factors for the emergence of EHF and STEC, their prevention and control strategies and their challenges were discussed based on the case studies.Item Brucellosis Epidemiology, Virulence Factors, Control and Molecular Targets to Prevent Bacterial Infectious Diseases(North Dakota State University, 2012) Mugabi, RobertBrucellosis is a bacterial zoonosis that infects both professional phagocytic and nonphagocytic cells in the hosts. Brucella intracellular survival is important for its virulence. In a study to establish the seroprevalence and risk factors of brucellosis in livestock in Kazo and Buremba sub-counties of Kiruhura district, Uganda, fifty goat and 112 bovine serum samples were tested for Brucella antibodies. The prevalence of Brucella antibodies in goats and cattle was 26.0% and 38.4% respectively, while individual seroprevalence rates by livestock breeds were 10.7% (cross-breed goats), 45.5% (local goat breeds), 49.1% (cross-breed cattle), 31.0% (local cattle breeds), and 17.4% (exotic cattle breeds) (p = 0.001). Sharing of watering points, using surface water for livestock, presence of wildlife on pasture, lack of vaccination was significantly correlated with Brucella seropositivity in livestock. The molecular study on biofilm in Escherichia coli included in this paper revealed that pflA knock out mutations had a significant effect on biofilm amounts when biofilms formed on D-serine and acetate. The ldhA formed generally high bacterial biofilm amounts on all carbon sources as compared to the wild type.Item Prevalence of Listeria Monocytogenes in the Pre-Harvest Environment: A Landscape Epidemiology Approach(North Dakota State University, 2016) Shiwakoti, SuvashListeria monocytogenes is the causative agent of the foodborne disease listeriosis. Although the incidence of listeriosis is lower than that of other foodborne diseases, it’s much higher mortality rate makes it a cause for serious concern. Listeria monocytogenes is a saprophyte in the environment but it can become pathogenic for humans and animals. It is well adapted for survival in soil, water, and livestock manure from where it can contaminate fruits and vegetables. Produce-associated listeriosis outbreaks are frequently caused by contamination occurring in the pre-harvest environment, so there is a need for more effective control measures targeted at produce fields. The combination of epidemiological data and advanced computational tools, such as GIS and machine learning, have made it possible to develop models that predict L. monocytogenes prevalence across different landscapes. The predictive model can assist fresh-produce farmers in selecting the most effective controls to reduce contamination in the pre-harvest environment.Item A Brief Overview of Lung Disease Caused by Environmental Microorganisms, Aspergillus Fumigatus and Saccharopolyspora Rectivirgula(North Dakota State University, 2020) Berry, Missy AnnPeople often take breathing and respiratory health for granted, but our lungs are constantly inundated with damaging agents, making them highly vulnerable to injury and infection. Globally, respiratory diseases are a leading cause of morbidity, mortality, and disability. Many respiratory diseases are preventable; however, avoidance of ubiquitous microorganisms is not realistic. The aim of this paper is to discuss how two environmental microorganisms, Aspergillus fumigatus and Saccharopolyspora rectivirgula, affect cellular activity and cause lung disease. Prevention, control, and cure of respiratory disease is the ultimate goal and understanding the mechanisms of disease progression is the first step.Item An Overview of SARS-CoV-2 Covid-19: Epidemiology, Origin, and Pathology(North Dakota State University, 2020) Sedigh, AbbasFollowing SARS (years 2002-2003) and MERS (year 2012) outbreaks, humans have faced a new highly contagious virus, SARS-COV-2, which began late 2019 and resulted in a pandemic (COVID-19 pandemic). The disease has been spread in at least 216 countries, areas, or territories, and infected over 22 million people. Although, the virus is categorized as a member of coronaviruses and is closely related to SARS-CoV (the virus which cause SARS), many aspects of the virus and its pathogenesis are still unknown. Considering the lack of any approved treatment or vaccine, gaining fundamental knowledge about the virus might pave the way toward discovering a safe and effective medicine or vaccine. Thus, in this review, we have collected the most recent information about the novel coronavirus epidemiology, origin, structure, and replication cycle. Additionally, COVID-19 immunopathology, pathology, and pathogenesis are discussed.Item Emerging Infectious Diseases with Vaccination as a Major Control Approach: The Case of the African 2 (Af2) Clonal Complex of Mycobacterium Bovis in Uganda and Pneumococcal Vaccine for Streptococcus Pneumoniae in the United States(North Dakota State University, 2016) Miller, Timothy RobertRespiratory infectious diseases are among the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. This paper presents two respiratory diseases, Mycobacterium bovis and Streptococcus pneumoniae, which cause significant global health issues despite the advancement of vaccines. In Uganda, M. bovis isolates (n=27) were PCR-tested for a specific chromosomal deletion (RDAf2) and spoligotyped for specific characterization of the Af2 clonal complex. Seventeen (63%) isolates contained the Af2 clonal complex. The high prevalence indicates Af2 clonal complex is of epidemiological interest and a likely cause of bovine tuberculosis in Kampala, Uganda. Ten vervet serum (varying age groups) levels were measured (Luminex) for the immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody response against the 23-valent, Pneumovax 23® (PN23), pneumococcal capsular polysaccharide serotypes when simultaneously administered with F1/V plague vaccine and Influenza vaccine. Subjects 9-11 years and 25-26 years have shown a slightly better immune response (11%) to PN23 serotypes compared to 19-23 year subjects.