Browsing by Author "Parsons, Sven"

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    Animal-adapted members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex endemic to the southern African subregion
    (AOSIS Publishing, 2016-04) Clarke, Charlene; Van Helden, Paul; Miller, Michele Ann; Parsons, Sven
    Members of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTC) cause tuberculosis (TB) in both animals and humans. In this article, three animal-adapted MTC strains that are endemic to the southern African subregion – that is, Mycobacterium suricattae, Mycobacterium mungi, and the dassie bacillus – are reviewed with a focus on clinical and pathological presentations, geographic distribution, genotyping methods, diagnostic tools and evolution. Moreover, factors influencing the transmission and establishment of TB pathogens in novel host populations, including ecological, immunological and genetic factors of both the host and pathogen, are discussed. The risks associated with these infections are currently unknown and further studies will be required for greater understanding of this disease in the context of the southern African ecosystem.
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    Survey of infections transmissible between baboons and humans, Cape Town, South Africa
    (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2012-02) Drewe, Julian A.; O'Riain, M. Justin; Beamish, Esme; Currie, Hamish; Parsons, Sven
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Baboons on South Africa’s Cape Peninsula come in frequent contact with humans. To determine potential health risks for both species, we screened 27 baboons from 5 troops for 10 infections. Most (56%) baboons had antibodies reactive or cross-reactive to human viruses. Spatial overlap between these species poses low but potential health risks.