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ABSTRACTPolymorphism of the prion protein gene (PRNP) gene determines an animal’s susceptibility to scrapie. Three polymorphisms at codons 136, 154, and 171 have been linked to classical scrapie susceptibility, although many variants of PRNP have been reported. However, no study has investigated scrapie susceptibility in Nigerian sheep from the drier agro-climate zones. In this study, we aimed to identify PRNP polymorphism in nucleotide sequences of 126 Nigerian sheep by comparing them with public available studies on scrapie-affected sheep. Further, we deployed Polyphen-2, PROVEAN, and AMYCO analyses to determine the structure changes produced by the non-synonymous SNPs. Nineteen (19) SNPs were found in Nigerian sheep with 14 being non-synonymous. Interestingly, one novel SNP (T718C) was identified. There was a significant difference (P

The roles of fusion gene in the virulence of Newcastle disease virus are well established, but the extent of its variation among the XIV, XVII, and XVIII genotypes reported in Central Africa and West Africa has until recently been understudied. In this study, virulent Newcastle disease virus (vNDV) was isolated from dead chickens among vaccinated flocks between March and April 2020. Fusion (F) gene was sequenced and analysed for characterization and information about genetic changes. Many substitutions were observed along the region and some of their functions are yet to be determined. Results showed that all study isolates have virulent cleavage site sequence 112-RRRKR-116/F117 and clustered within genotype XIVb. Sequence analysis showed K78R mutation in the A2 antigenic epitope in all isolates and more along the F-gene which varied in some instances within the isolates. Mutation in this A2 antigenic epitope has been reported to induce escape mutation to monoclonal antibodies generated using the NDV LaSota strain. The range of percentage nucleotide and amino acid homology between the study isolates and commercially available vaccine strains is 81.14%–84.39% and 0.175–0.211, respectively. This report provides evidence of vNDV among vaccinated chicken flock and molecular information about circulating vNDV strains in Kano State, Nigeria, which is useful for the development of virus matched vaccines. Newcastle disease (ND) surveillance and molecular analysis of circulating strains in this region should be encouraged and reported. Furthermore, ND outbreaks or cases among vaccinated poultry presented to veterinary clinics should be reported to the state epidemiologist. Nucleotide sequences were assigned accession numbers OK491971–OK491977.

Human T Lymphotronic Virus type 1 was the first retrovirus discovered associated with fatal diseases in humans and said to have emerged following zoonotic transmission from simian populations. Their primary target is adult CD4 T-cells and most infected individuals are asymptomatic. However, a significant number may develop persistent infection and progress to an aggressive lymphoproliferative disease, known as Adult T-cell Leukemia/Lymphoma-ATLL. Some may develop a debilitating neuro-inflammatory disease called Tropical Spastic Paraparesis-TSP, predominantly involving the lower limbs, with or without hyperactive urinary bladder. Unprotected sexual intercourse and breastfeeding account for the highest number of cases and is also transmitted by uncheck blood transfusion or sharing of contaminated sharps. ATLL and TSP are life-threatening diseases initially restricted to Middle East and some parts of Africa, but recently, cases are being reported in many parts of the world. Unfortunately, even though the antiretroviral therapy have greatly improved and significantly reduced HIV progression to AIDS, such great break through is not worthy benefit for HTLV infected individuals. Thus, they are identified as severe human diseases of public health concern. This review is an overview and contains update about the biology of the virus, its interaction with the host, HAM/TSP and ATLL; their epidemiology and clinical presentations.