African Journal of Immunology Research

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-007, March, 2023. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Evaluation of the Immunologic Response Induced by Moringa oleifera Methanolic Leaf Extract in Chickens Affected by Newcastle Disease Virus (Kudu 113 Strain)

Didacus C. Eze¹*, Emmanuel C. Okwor¹, John O. A. Okoye¹ and Denis N. Onah²

¹Department of Veterinary Pathology and Microbiology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.
²Department of Veterinary Parasitology and Entomology, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, Nigeria.

Accepted 08 October, 2022

Abstract

This study was aimed at evaluating the immune boosting potential of crude methanolic extract of Moringa oleifera in chickens experimentally challenged with Newcatle disease (ND) virus. One hundred and twenty forty two (42) day old chicks were randomly divided into four equal groups. Groups I and II were given daily oral treatment of methanolic extract of M. oleifera at 200 mg/kg body weight until day 56 of age. Groups II and III were vaccinated with the La Sota strain of ND vaccine. Group I was not vaccinated while group IV was left as untreated/unvaccinated control. All the groups were challenged with the velogenic strain of ND virus (VNDV) on day 56. Following challenge, the birds were assessed for cellular and humoral immune responses. Data on cellular and humoral immune responses were analysed using the statistical package for social sciences (SPSS). Increases in total and differential cell numbers and haemagglutination inhibition (HI) titre in the extract-treated groups did not correlate with total protection against ND. M. oleifera extract increased ND HI titre and the total and differential leukocyte counts in the treated and unvaccinated group I birds much more than those of treated and vaccinated group II birds, hence it could be recommended as a prophylactic treatment against ND in non vaccinated birds.

Key words: Velogenic Newcastle disease, chickens, Moringa oleifera, immunity.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 10 (3), pp. 001-010, March, 2024. Available online at www.internationalscholarsjournals.org © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Sufficient intracellular survival capability is essential for induction of protective immune response by the Brucella live attenuated vaccine M5-90

Yufei Wang¹#, Qing Qu¹,²#, Yuehua Ke¹#, Xitong Yuan¹, Zhoujia Wang1, Jie Xu¹, Zhijun Zhong¹, Qing Zhen², Xinying Du¹, Jing Yuan¹, Yaqin Yu², Zeliang Chen¹* and Liuyu Huang¹*

¹Department of Infectious Disease Control, Beijing Institute of Disease Control and Prevention, Beijing, 100071, P.R. of China.
²School of Public Health, Key Laboratory of Zoonosis, Ministry of Education, Jilin University, Changchun, 130021, P. R. of China.

Accepted 14 January, 2023

Abstract

The fact that live attenuated vaccine but not killed Brucella cells could induce protective immune response against Brucellosis implied that survival capability in host is important for the immune response induction. Member of the Omp25 protein family are shown to be important for Brucella virulence and immunological regulation. Omp25 mutants of virulent strains shows reduced virulence and could provide protection against virulent strain challenge, indicating that Omp25 is important for intracellular survival but dispensable for immunological protection. In the present study, to further define roles of Omp25 and clarify the possible protection mechanism of live vaccine strains, mutant strain M5Δomp25 of a live attenuated strain M5 was constructed and analyzed. The mutant was rapidly cleared from macrophage and mice when compared with wild type strain, indicating their reduced intracellular survival and virulence. The mutant induced decreased antibody responses and elicited lower level of IFN-γ and IL-10 in mice than their parent strain M5, implying reduced both humoral and cellular immunity induced by the mutant. Protection efficiency assay showed that M5Δomp25 could provide protection against M5 challenge but not the virulent strain 16M challenge. This indicated that sufficient survival capability is essential for induction of protective immune response for the live attenuated vaccine M5. This finding is helpful for screening and development of live attenuated or genetically marked vaccines.

Key words: Brucella, Omp25, intracellular survival, protective immune response.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 11 (2), pp. 001-009, February, 2023. © International ScholarsJournals

Full Length Research Paper

Reduced IL-17A producing lymphocytes in chronic hepatitis C individuals treated with Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir at CHU Campus of Lomé, Togo

Maléwé KOLOU^1,2,  Gnatoulma KATAWA³, Christèle NGUEPOU TCHOPBA³, Tégmaba GNODJA⁴, Marthe Oukoé AMESSOUDJI³, Pélagie Edlom TCHADIE³, Roland KOGOE⁴, Aklesso BAGNY⁴

¹Laboratoire de Biochimie / Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Sylvanus Olympio- Lomé, Togo.

²Laboratoire de Biologie Moléculaire et Immunologie (BIOLIM) / Faculté des Sciences de la Santé (FSS)- Université de Lomé, Togo.

³Unité de Recherche en Immunologie et Immuno-modulation (UR2IM) /Laboratoire de Microbiologie et de Contrôle Qualité des Denrées Alimentaires (LAMICODA)/Ecole Supérieure des Techniques Biologiques et Alimentaires (ESTBA)-Université de Lomé, Togo.

⁴Service d’hépato-gastro-entérologie / Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Campus, Lomé-Togo.

Accepted 22 January, 2023

Abstract

Direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy is known to clear efficiently hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Inflammatory Th17 cells are increased in the blood and liver of chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients and may be involved in the pathogenesis of CHC. Thus, the effect of DAAs on Th17 cells remains to be investigated.  The present study was conducted in order to investigate immune response in former HCV positive individuals treated with Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir. CD4⁺ T cells from former HCV-infected subjects treated with Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir and treatment-naïve chronic HCV-infected subjects were characterized by flow cytometry. Then, their functionality was assessed upon TCR activation in a cell culture system. Cytokines from plasma and cell culture supernatants were measured by ELISA sandwich method. We observed significantly reduced level of IL-17A-producing lymphocytes among Sofosbuvir/Velpatasvir treated individuals. In contrast, IL-17A level was significantly increased in treated compared to untreated group, upon TCR activation, as well as that of IFNg and IL-5. Furthermore, reduced CD4⁺IL-17A⁺cells, CD4⁺RORgt⁺IL-17A⁺cells and IL-17A were observed among treated individuals. This study provides that Sofosbuvir/Velpastasvir therapy reduced the Th17 inflammatory response responsible for the pathogenesis of HCV. IL-17A appears as a biomarker to control the efficacy of HCV treatment.

Keywords: Hepatitis C Virus, chronic hepatitis C, direct-acting antiviral, Sofosbuvir, Velpatasvir.

African Journal of Immunology Research ISSN 2756-3375 Vol. 10 (1), pp. 001-003, January, 2023. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Awareness about Hypertension in biotechnology students

Muhammad Imran Qadir, Maleeha Batool

Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan, Pakistan

Accepted 05 November, 2022

Abstract

Hypertension can be regarded as one of the most important causes of morbidity worldwide. It is actually due to elevation in the blood pressure levels which is the result of rise in diastolic and systolic pressures. A survey was carried out in the form of questionnaires among biotechnology students. The resultant percentage of both males and females was enough to conclude that the students were truly aware about the causes of the disease.

Keywords: Hypertension, blood pressure, questionnaire, etiology