A Phylogeographic Analysis of Porcine Parvovirus 1 in Africa.

Porcine parvovirus 1 (PPV1) is recognized as a major cause of reproductive failure in pigs, leading to several clinical outcomes globally known as SMEDI. Despite being known since the late 1960s its circulation is still of relevance to swine producers. Additionally, the emergence of variants such as the virulent 27a strain, for which lower protection induced by vaccines has been demonstrated, is of increasing concern. Even though constant monitoring of PPV1 using molecular epidemiological approaches is of pivotal importance, viral sequence data are scarce especially in low-income countries. To fill this gap, a collection of 71 partial VP2 sequences originating from eight African countries (Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Senegal, and Tanzania) during the period 2011-2021 were analyzed within the context of global PPV1 variability. The observed pattern largely reflected what has been observed in high-income regions, i.e., 27a-like strains were more frequently detected than less virulent NADL-8-like strains. A phylogeographic analysis supported this observation, highlighting that the African scenario has been largely shaped by multiple PPV1 importation events from other continents, especially Europe and Asia. The existence of such an international movement coupled with the circulation of potential vaccine-escape variants requires the careful evaluation of the control strategies to prevent new strain introduction and persistence.

Molecular Detection and Characterization of Pasteurella multocida Infecting Camels in Marsabit and Turkana Counties, Kenya.

Pasteurella multocida infection is common in Kenya though there is little knowledge of the genetic diversity of the pathogen. P. multocida is part of the normal flora in the respiratory tract of camels, but it becomes pathogenic when the resistance of the camel body is diminished by bad ecological conditions. This study was conducted to detect, characterize, and determine the genetic diversity of P. multocida infecting camels in Marsabit and Turkana Counties. The KMT1 gene was targeted as the marker gene for P. multocida and hyaD-hyaC, bcbD, dcbF, ecbJ, and fcbD as marker genes for capsular serogroups A, B, D, E, and F, respectively. Out of 102 blood and 30 nasal swab samples, twenty-one samples (16%) were confirmed to be positive for P. multocida and only capsular group E was detected in both counties. The P. multocida sequences were highly conserved and were related to strains from other parts of the world. Our study has confirmed that camels in Marsabit and Turkana Counties of Kenya are infected by P. multocida of capsular type E. Farmers should not underfeed camels, ensure appropriate medication and vaccination programs, and minimize herding of camels in crowded areas especially in wet conditions in order to slow the spread of P. multocida infection.