African Journal of Virology Research

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 13 (7), pp. 001-003, July, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Use of virus suspensions without RNA extraction as RT-PCR templates for detection of Newcastle disease virus

P. N. Wambura*

School of Veterinary Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD 4072, Australia. E-mail: [email protected], [email protected].

Accepted 12 April, 2019

Abstract

Allantoic fluid (AF) and cell culture supernatant (CCS) obtained from eggs or cells infected with strain I-2 of Newcastle disease virus were processed by different RNA template preparation methods for direct use in reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The objective was to determine the most effective technique for viral RNA extraction with consideration for efficacy, economy and simplicity. Results showed that use of undiluted CCS without RNA extraction or other treatment as template for RT -PCR produced a positive signal whereas direct use of undiluted AF did not. When aliquots of each sample dilution were used, an amplicon was detected from 1:10 dilution of both AF and CCS whereas no PCR products were amplified from both AF and CCS at 1:100 dilution. Both boiled undiluted AF and CCS produced positive signals when were used as templates for RT- PCR. An important contribution of the present study is the evidence that crude CCS, diluted or boiled AF and CCS may be used directly in RT -PCR without further manipulation, and yielded a positive PCR result comparable to those obtained from RNA extracted by silica gel based method.

Key words: Newcastle diseases virus, polymerase chain reaction, RNA treatment, strain I-2.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 13 (7), pp. 001-007, July, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Review 

Ethnopharmacology of human immunodeficiency virus in South Africa–a minireview

Pascal Obong Bessong^* and Chikwelu Larry Obi

Department of Microbiology, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa.

Accepted 09 April, 2019

Abstract

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the etiologic agent of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), continues to pose an unprecedented public health problem of enormous proportions worldwide. Current treatment options for HIV/AIDS have not been satisfactory and the quest for effective curative or preventive therapies goes on. Plants are increasingly seen as an alternative source for the discovery of novel anti-HIV molecules. Africa, particularly southern Africa, endowed with a rich diversity of medicinal plants, represents the region of the world worse hit by HIV. Anecdotal evidence of the therapeutic benefits to AIDS patients of some plant-derived preparations abound. This mini-review takes a look at the evaluations of South African medicinal plants to determine their effects on HIV/AIDS, and the initial attempts at the isolation and characterization of putative anti-HIV molecules.

Key words: Human immunodeficiency virus, Medicinal plants, South Africa.

Key words: Hepatitis, prevalence, blood transfusion.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 13 (6), pp. 001-002, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Short Communication

Distribution of hepatitis B virus genotypes in 50 patients with chronic hepatitis B in Abidjan–Côte d’Ivoire in 2003

Kouassi-M’Bengue, A.^1*, Ekaza, Euloge¹, Attia. A.² , Kacou N’Douba, A.¹ and M. Dosso.¹

¹UFR des Sciences Médicales –Département de Bactériologie-Virologie, Institut Pasteur de Côte d’Ivoire.

²UFR des Sciences Médicales –Médecine Interne, Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire.

Accepted 13 march, 2019

Abstract

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) strains isolated worldwide have been classified into eight genomic groups deduced from genome comparisons and designated as genotypes A to H. In order to investigate the prevalence of HBV genotypes in Abidjan-Cote d’Ivoire, a total of 50 chronic hepatitis B patients from two teaching hospitals were enrolled. Patients who were HBs Ag positive in serum at least for 6 months, who had HBV- DNA in serum and elevation of ALT levels more than 1.5 times upper limits of normal, and who had percutaneous liver biopsy within 6 months were included and genotyped. Three genotypes (A, B and C) out of total eight reported genotypes so far were identified; genotype A was the most predominant in this collection appearing in 22 samples (55%). Mixed genotypes were seen in 12 (25.3 %) HBV isolates. Ten of these were infected with genotypes AB whereas one with genotypes BC. One patient was infected with 3 genotypes (A/B/C).

Key words: Hepatitis B virus, Genotypes, Nested-PCR, Cote d'Ivoire.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 13 (6), pp. 001-004, June, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among pregnant women in an ante-natal clinic in Port-Harcourt, Nigeri

Obi, R. K.¹*, Iroagba, I. I.² and Ojiako, O. A.³

¹Department of Industrial Microbiology, Federal University of Technology, Owerri, Imo, State, Nigeria.

²Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences Madonna University Teaching Hospital, Elele, Rivers State, Nigeria.

³Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of technology, Owerri, Imo State Nigeria.

Accepted  21 March, 2019

Abstract

Women attending ante-natal clinic in Nigeria are routinely screened for HIV/AIDS. A retrospective study was conducted between 2000 and 2004 to investigate the prevalence of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among pregnant women attending ante- natal clinic in Braithwalte Memorial Hospital (BMH), Port Harcourt, Nigeria. Data on positive cases of HIV infection within the duration were retrieved from the hospital’s record department. A total of 10,032 pregnant women were screened for the possible occurrence of HIV 1 and HIV 2 within the period. The results shows that a total of 595 (5.93%) of the pregnant women tested positive to the HIV. The year 2001 had the highest prevalence of 138 (1.38%), while the year 2000 had the least prevalence of 89 (0.89%). Analysis of the age distribution of the infection among the studied pregnant women in the hospital showed that women in the age group of 41-45 had the highest prevalence rate (80%), followed by women in the age group of 31-35 with an occurrence rate of 20.83%. The least rate of occurrence was observed in the age group of 26-30 which showed only 3.14%.

Key words: HIV prevalence, pregnant women, antenatal clinic.

African Journal of Virology Research ISSN 3421-7347 Vol. 13 (5), pp. 001-008, May, 2019. © International Scholars Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Viruses and virus- like diseases affecting sweet potato subsistence farming in southern Tanzania

Joseph Ndunguru¹* and Regina Kapinga²

¹Ministry of Agriculture Food Security and Cooperatives, Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute, P. O. Box 6226, Dares Salaam, Tanzania.

²International Potato Center, Naguru Hill, Plot 106, Katarima Road Box 22274, Kampala, Uganda.

Accepted 13 May, 2019

Abstract

A survey for sweet potato viruses was conducted in 32 farmer’s fields in Mbinga (20 fields) and Songea (12 fields) districts of the Ruvuma region in Southern Tanzania. Plants showing virus- like symptoms were observed in 25 (78%) out of 32 fields examined. Sweet potato virus disease (SPVD) incidence was low in Mbinga district (16.7%) on average and ranged from 3 to 50% while in Songea district incidence averaged 33% and ranged from 3 to 100%. SPVD incidence difference between the two districts was not statistically significant (P > 0.05) except among sweet potato cultivars (P< 0.05). Sweet potato virus disease severity significantly (P < 0.001) varied between the district with Mbinga having the lowest (2.38 ± 0.2) and Songea the highest (3.26 ± 0.12) mean severity score. SPVD severity score also significantly varied among sweet potato cultivars (P < 0.001) with cultivar ‘‘Jeshi’’ displaying the most severe symptoms (4.2 ± 0.37 severity score) and ‘Wino’ and ‘Madaresalama expressing the mildest symptoms (2.0 ± 0.00). Twenty foliar samples from infected plants were tested serologically for Sweet potato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV), Sweetpotato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), Sweet potato mild mottle virus (SPMMV), Sweet potato chlorotic fleck virus (SPCFV), Sweet potato calico-like virus (SPCaLV), Sweet potato mild speckling virus (SPMSV), C-6 (a new flexious rod virus), Sweet potato latent virus (SwPLV), Sweet potato virus G (SPVG) and Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) using Nitrocelullose Membrane ELISA (NCM-ELISA). SPCFV was the most common virus detected followed by SPCSV. SPVG was detected in seven samples representing the first report of its occurrence in Tanzania. SwPLV, C-6, CMV and SPCaLV were not detected. Whitefly population was low and aphids were rarely found in most of the fields. Orange-fleshed sweet potato cultivars grown in the surveyed areas also displayed SPVD symptoms with high incidence and severity. These results indicate that SPVD situation in Tanzania is not uniform in the major sweet potato growing areas and the significance of this virus diversity needs to be investigated.

Key words: Sweet potato, sweet potato virus disease, NCM-ELISA, incidence, Tanzania