8 results on '"Charlene Judith Fernandez"'
Search Results
2. Detection of African Swine Fever Virus from Wild Boar, Singapore, 2023
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Eileen Y. Koh, Adrian K.S. Tan, Darren Yeo, Clara Lau, Li Ying Tan, Oi Wing Ng, Jasmine Ong, Stacy Chong, Steffie Toh, Jing Chen, Wai Kwan Wong, Brian Z.Y. Tan, Christine He-Lee, Zhan Pei Heng, Ian Liang, Charlene Judith Fernandez, Siow Foong Chang, and Kenneth B.H. Er
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African swine fever ,ASFV ,viruses ,vector-borne infections ,parasites ,wild boar ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
We detected African swine fever virus (ASFV) from a wild boar in Singapore. In
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- 2023
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3. Detection of a novel Babesia sp. in Amblyomma javanense, an ectoparasite of Sunda pangolins
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Stacy Q. Y. Chong, Darren Yeo, Nur Insyirah Aidil, Jasmine L. Y. Ong, Amy H. J. Chan, Charlene Judith Fernandez, Bryan T. M. Lim, Max D. Y. Khoo, Anna M. S. Wong, Siow Foong Chang, and Him Hoo Yap
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Pangolins ,Babesia ,Amblyomma javanense ,Tick-borne disease ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
Abstract Background Babesia is a protozoal, tick-borne parasite that can cause life-threatening disease in humans, wildlife and domestic animals worldwide. However, in Southeast Asia, little is known about the prevalence and diversity of Babesia species present in wildlife and the tick vectors responsible for its transmission. Recently, a novel Babesia species was reported in confiscated Sunda pangolins (Manis javanica) in Thailand. To investigate the presence of this parasite in Singapore, we conducted a molecular survey of Babesia spp. in free-roaming Sunda pangolins and their main ectoparasite, the Amblyomma javanense tick. Methods Ticks and tissue samples were opportunistically collected from live and dead Sunda pangolins and screened using a PCR assay targeting the 18S rRNA gene of Babesia spp. DNA barcoding of the cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI) mitochondrial gene was used to confirm the species of ticks that were Babesia positive. Results A total of 296 ticks and 40 tissue samples were obtained from 21 Sunda pangolins throughout the 1-year study period. Babesia DNA was detected in five A. javanense ticks (minimum infection rate = 1.7%) and in nine different pangolins (52.9%) located across the country. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Babesia 18S sequences obtained from these samples grouped into a single monophyletic clade together with those derived from Sunda pangolins in Thailand and that this evolutionarily distinct species is basal to the Babesia sensu stricto clade, which encompasses a range of Babesia species that infect both domestic and wildlife vertebrate hosts. Conclusions This is the first report documenting the detection of a Babesia species in A. javanense ticks, the main ectoparasite of Sunda pangolins. While our results showed that A. javanense can carry this novel Babesia sp., additional confirmatory studies are required to demonstrate vector competency. Further studies are also necessary to investigate the role of other transmission pathways given the low infection rate of ticks in relation to the high infection rate of Sunda pangolins. Although it appears that this novel Babesia sp. is of little to no pathogenicity to Sunda pangolins, its potential to cause disease in other animals or humans cannot be ruled out. Graphical abstract
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- 2023
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4. Establishing environmental DNA and RNA protocols for the simultaneous detection of fish viruses from seawater
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Yin Cheong Aden Ip, Jing Chen, Li Ying Tan, Clara Lau, Ying Hui Chan, Ravendrakumar Shanmugavelu Balasubramaniam, Wan Yen Jovinc Wong, Kaitlyn Ng, Zi Yan Brian Tan, Charlene Judith Fernandez, Siow Foong Chang, and Him Hoo Yap
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centrifugal ultrafiltration ,eDNA ,eRNA ,iron flocculation ,nervous necrosis virus (NNV) ,red sea bream iridovirus (RSIV) ,Environmental sciences ,GE1-350 ,Microbial ecology ,QR100-130 - Abstract
Abstract Aquatic viruses are major threats to global aquacultural productivity. While conventional diagnostic methods for disease investigation are laborious, time‐consuming, and often involve the sacrifice of animals, environmental DNA and RNA (eDNA/eRNA) tools have the potential in being non‐invasive alternatives for the effective and early detection of various pathogens simultaneously. In this study, three seawater filtration methods—Sterivex syringe filtration, centrifugal ultrafiltration, and vacuum pump filtration with iron flocculation—were assessed for the recovery rates in co‐detecting fish virus eDNA/eRNA from natural seawater that was spiked with fish red seabream iridovirus (RSIV, DNA virus) and nervous necrosis virus (NNV, RNA virus). The centrifugal ultrafiltration method was the most effective for the capture of small‐sized viruses like NNV with a recovery rate of 63.23%, while the method of vacuum pump filtration with iron flocculation and chloroform disintegration of filter membranes had the highest RSIV recovery rate of 32.61%. We also optimized both automated and manual nucleic acid extraction methods and found comparable eDNA/eRNA extraction efficiencies. Our findings from the systematic comparison of seawater filtration and extraction methods suggest that each seawater filtration/nucleic acid extraction method can cater to different aquatic animal virus surveillance and disease investigation scenarios. These highlight the potential of virus eDNA/eRNA approaches for advancing the field of disease ecology and safeguarding aquatic animal health.
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- 2024
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5. Suspected clinical toxoplasmosis in a 12-week-old puppy in Singapore
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Audrey Chen, Max Boulay, Stacy Chong, Kelvin Ho, Amy Chan, Jasmine Ong, Charlene Judith Fernandez, Siow Foong Chang, and Him Hoo Yap
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Ascending paralysis ,Sarcopenia ,Toxoplasmosis ,Free-roaming dog ,Singapore ,Veterinary medicine ,SF600-1100 - Abstract
Abstract Background Toxoplasma gondii is traditionally known as a parasite of felids, with possible infection in intermediate hosts such as dogs and humans, and thus a disease of public health significance. Published data on the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in dogs and cats in Singapore is scanty, and this paper documents a suspect clinical case of toxoplasmosis in a free-roaming puppy trapped from an offshore island of Singapore. Case presentation A 12-week-old puppy presented with hindlimb weakness and sarcopenia, with rapidly progressing ascending paralysis and respiratory distress, one week after trapping. Toxoplasmosis was suspected after indirect fluorescence antibody testing (IFAT) revealed anti-T. gondii antibodies. The puppy responded quickly to clindamycin treatment and was discharged from hospital after 10 days. Conclusion While rare and undocumented, veterinary clinicians in Singapore are advised to also include toxoplasmosis infection as a differential diagnosis in dogs presenting with similar clinical signs. This is especially so for dogs which have access to the outdoors.
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- 2023
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6. Development of Differentiating Infected from Vaccinated Animals (DIVA) Real-Time PCR for African Horse Sickness Virus Serotype 1
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Yifan Wang, Jasmine Ong, Oi Wing Ng, Tapanut Songkasupa, Eileen Y. Koh, Jeslyn P.S. Wong, Kanokwan Puangjinda, Charlene Judith Fernandez, Taoqi Huangfu, Lee Ching Ng, Siow Foong Chang, and Him Hoo Yap
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African horse sickness virus ,AHSV-1 ,virology ,DIVA assay ,viruses ,vector-borne infections ,Medicine ,Infectious and parasitic diseases ,RC109-216 - Abstract
African horse sickness (AHS) is a highly infectious and often fatal disease caused by 9 serotypes of the orbivirus African horse sickness virus (AHSV). In March 2020, an AHS outbreak was reported in Thailand in which AHSV serotype 1 was identified as the causative agent. Trivalent live attenuated vaccines serotype 1, 3, and 4 were used in a targeted vaccination campaign within a 50-km radius surrounding the infected cases, which promptly controlled the spread of the disease. However, AHS-like symptoms in vaccinated horses required laboratory diagnostic methods to differentiate infected horses from vaccinated horses, especially for postvaccination surveillance. We describe a real-time reverse transcription PCR–based assay for rapid characterization of the affecting field strain. The development and validation of this assay should imbue confidence in differentiating AHS-vaccinated horses from nonvaccinated horses. This method should be applied to determining the epidemiology of AHSV in future outbreaks.
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- 2022
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7. Evaluation of Current Equine Influenza Vaccination Protocols Prior to Shipment, Guided by OIE Standards
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Ann Cullinane, Jacinta Gahan, Cathal Walsh, Manabu Nemoto, Johanna Entenfellner, Cecilia Olguin-Perglione, Marie Garvey, Tao Qi Huang Fu, Monica Venner, Takashi Yamanaka, María Barrandeguy, and Charlene Judith Fernandez
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equine influenza ,vaccination ,shipment ,oie ,fei ,ifha ,harmonization ,age ,horses ,Medicine - Abstract
To facilitate the temporary importation of horses for competition and racing purposes, with a minimum risk of transmitting equine influenza, the World Organisation for Animal Health (Office International des Epizooties, or OIE), formally engaged in a public−private partnership with the Federation Equestre Internationale (FEI) and the International Federation for Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) to establish, within the context of existing OIE standards, a science-based rationale to identify the ideal time period for equine influenza vaccination prior to shipment. Field trials using vaccines based on different technologies were carried out on three continents. The antibody response post-booster vaccination at intervals aligned with the different rules/recommendations of the OIE, FEI, and IFHA, was monitored by single radial haemolysis. It was determined that 14 days was the optimum period necessary to allow horses adequate time to respond to booster vaccination and for horses that have previously received four or more doses of vaccine and are older than four years, it is adequate to allow vaccination within 180 days of shipment. In contrast, the results indicate that there is a potential benefit to younger (four years old or younger) horses in requiring booster vaccination within 90 days of shipment, consistent with the current OIE standard.
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- 2020
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8. Melioidosis in Singapore: Clinical, Veterinary, and Environmental Perspectives
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Siew Hoon Sim, Catherine Ee Ling Ong, Yunn Hwen Gan, Dongling Wang, Victor Wee Hong Koh, Yian Kim Tan, Michelle Su Yen Wong, Janet Seok Wei Chew, Sian Foong Ling, Brian Zi Yan Tan, Agnes Zhengyu Ye, Patrick Chuan Kiat Bay, Wai Kwan Wong, Charlene Judith Fernandez, Shangzhe Xie, Praveena Jayarajah, Tasha Tahar, Pei Yee Oh, Sonja Luz, Jaime Mei Fong Chien, Thuan Tong Tan, Louis Yi Ann Chai, Dale Fisher, Yichun Liu, Jimmy Jin Phang Loh, and Gladys Gek Yen Tan
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melioidosis ,B. pseudomallei ,Singapore ,clinical ,veterinary ,environmental ,Medicine - Abstract
Melioidosis is a notifiable infectious disease registered with the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Agri-Food & Veterinary Authority (AVA), Singapore. From a clinical perspective, increased awareness of the disease has led to early detection and treatment initiation, thus resulting in decreasing mortality rates in recent years. However, the disease still poses a threat to local pet, zoo and farm animals, where early diagnosis is a challenge. The lack of routine environmental surveillance studies also makes prevention of the disease in animals difficult. To date, there have been no reports that provide a complete picture of how the disease impacts the local human and animal populations in Singapore. Information on the distribution of Burkholderia pseudomallei in the environment is also lacking. The aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of both published and unpublished clinical, veterinary and environmental studies on melioidosis in Singapore to achieve better awareness and management of the disease.
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- 2018
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