Browsing by Author "Becker-Ziaja, Beate"
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Item Arenavirus dynamics in experimentally and naturally infected rodents(EcoHealth Alliance, 2017-06) Marien, Joachim; Borremans, Benny; Gryseels, Sophie; Broecke, Bram Vanden; Becker-Ziaja, Beate; Makundi, Rhodes; Massawe, Apia; Reijniers, Jonas; Leirs, HerwigInfectious diseases of wildlife are typically studied using data on antibody and pathogen levels. In order to interpret these data, it is necessary to know the course of antibodies and pathogen levels after infection. Such data are typically collected using experimental infection studies in which host individuals are inoculated in the laboratory and sampled over an extended period, but because laboratory conditions are controlled and much less variable than natural conditions, the immune response and pathogen dynamics may differ. Here, we compared Morogoro arenavirus infection patterns between naturally and experimentally infected multimammate mice (Mastomys natalensis). Longitudinal samples were collected during three months of bi-weekly trapping in Morogoro, Tanzania, and antibody titer and viral RNA presence were determined. The time of infection was estimated from these data using a recently developed Bayesian approach, which allowed us to assess whether the natural temporal patterns match the previously observed patterns in the laboratory. A good match was found for 52% of naturally infected individuals, while most of the mismatches can be explained by the presence of chronically infected individuals (35%), maternal antibodies (10%), and an antibody detection limit (25%). These results suggest that while laboratory data are useful for interpreting field samples, there can still be differences due to conditions that were not tested in the laboratory.Item Mopeia Virus– related Arenavirus in Natal Multimammate Mice, Morogoro, Tanzania(2009-12-12) Günther, Stephan; Hoofd, Guy; Charrel, Remi; Röser, Christina; Becker-Ziaja, Beate; Lloyd, Graham; Sabuni, Christopher; Verhagen, Ron; Groen, Guido van der; Kennis, Jan; Katakweba, Abdul; Machang’u, Robert; Makundi, Rhodes; Leirs, HerwigA renaviruses are segmented negative-strand RNA vi- ruses. Their natural hosts are various rodent species. The virus family comprises several human pathogens caus- ing hemorrhagic fever, namely Machupo, Guanarito, Junin, Sabia, and Chapare viruses in South America, and Lassa and Lujo viruses in Africa (1–3). In addition, Africa har- bors arenaviruses that are not linked with human disease: Mobala, Ippy, Mopeia, and Kodoko viruses (4–7). We con- ducted a systematic search in wildlife in Tanzania to iden- tify new African arenaviruses.Item Sympatric Occurrence of 3 Arenaviruses, Tanzania(2010-04) Goüy de Bellocq, Joëlle; Borremans, Benny; Katakweba, Abdul; Makundi, Rhodes H.; Baird, Stuart J.E; Becker-Ziaja, Beate; Günther, Stephan; Leirs, HerwigTo determine the specifi city of Morogoro virus for its reservoir host, we studied its host range and genetic diversity in Tanzania. We found that 2 rodent species other than Mastomys natalensis mice carry arenaviruses. Analysis of 340 nt of the viral RNA polymerase gene showed sympatric occurrence of 3 distinct arenaviruses.