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Bacteria of the genus Brucella are facultative intracellular parasites that cause brucellosis, a severe animal and human disease. Recently, a group of taxonomists merged the brucellae with the primarily free-living, phylogenetically related Ochrobactrum spp. in the genus Brucella. This change, founded only on global genomic analysis and the fortuitous isolation of some opportunistic Ochrobactrum spp. from medically compromised patients, has been automatically included in culture collections and databases. We argue that clinical and environmental microbiologists should not accept this nomenclature, and we advise against its use because (i) it was presented without in-depth phylogenetic analyses and did not consider alternative taxonomic solutions; (ii) it was launched without the input of experts in brucellosis or Ochrobactrum; (iii) it applies a non-consensus genus concept that disregards taxonomically relevant differences in structure, physiology, population structure, core-pangenome assemblies, genome structure, genomic traits, clinical features, treatment, prevention, diagnosis, genus description rules, and, above all, pathogenicity; and (iv) placing these two bacterial groups in the same genus creates risks for veterinarians, medical doctors, clinical laboratories, health authorities, and legislators who deal with brucellosis, a disease that is particularly relevant in low- and middle-income countries. Based on all this information, we urge microbiologists, bacterial collections, genomic databases, journals, and public health boards to keep the Brucella and Ochrobactrum genera separate to avoid further bewilderment and harm.

Trypanosomosis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease transmitted by the tsetse fly (Glossina species). The condition is caused by protozoa known as Trypanosomes. In 2009, large-scale aerial spraying with deltamethrin at 0.26-0.3 g/ha, was undertaken in 5000 km2 covering parts of the Sesheke and Shang’ombo districts to control tsetse flies animal trypanosomosis in cattle in the area. Cattle were sampled for prevalence and incidence of trypanosomosis before, during, and, after aerial spraying as a circuitous way of detecting the presence of the primary vector (tsetse flies). Buffy coats, thick and thin dry smears were applied in the parasitological tests. In the baseline survey, 1,866 cattle were presented, and 25.7% (n = 481) were sampled and examined. Trypanosoma spp. was detected in 1.9% (n = 9) of animals. Six sentinel herds (four treatments and two controls) with 20 animals per herd were monitored for the incidence of AAT during and after aerial spraying, and prevalence was compared among the three phases. The results showed that no new case of trypanosomosis was detected in the treatment herd during the aerial spraying and three months into the postaerial spraying period except 0.83% (n = 1) in the control herd [Mid-P exact; p-value = 0.167 (1-tailed)]. This suggests an association between deltamethrin aerial spraying and trypanosomosis. In conclusion, there was a significant reduction in trypanosomosis prevalence following the aerial spraying operation. This indicates that aerial spraying significantly reduced the tsetse population and subsequently reduced disease transmission to cattle in the area. Furthermore, it indicates that aerial spraying was an effective method of controlling trypanosomosis in cattle. There is a need to extend this operation to other tsetse-infested areas in the country.

Human rabies is a prevalent issue in China, posing a significant public health concern in the country. This study fitted the Bayesian model of separable in spatial and temporal variation and inseparable spatiotemporal variation in disease risk respectively based on Integrated Nested Laplace Approximation (INLA) to investigate the spatiotemporal characteristics of human rabies across 31 provinces in China from 2004 to 2020. It also investigated the influence of natural and socio-environmental factors on the incidence of the disease. Within the study period, a total of 26,807 cases of human rabies were reported, with the highest risk of incidence occurring in 2007, followed by a steady annual decline to the lowest risk in 2020. Guangxi Province exhibited the highest risk, while Jilin Province had the lowest, with the southern, central, and eastern regions reporting higher risks than the northern and western areas. By 2020, most provinces such as Guangxi and Guizhou had significantly reduced their relative risk (RR) of human rabies from historical highs. However, some provinces like Hunan, Henan, and Jiangsu experienced an increase in RR compared to previous years. As the annual average temperature increases, the risk of human rabies incidence in China correspondingly rises. Conversely, with increases in the annual average daily sunshine duration, per capita disposable income of urban residents, and local government healthcare expenditures, the risk of human rabies incidence declines. We conclude that the risk of human rabies in China initially increased and then decreased annually from 2004 to 2020. Future efforts should continuously increase financial investments in rabies prevention and control, focusing particularly on Hunan, Henan, Jiangsu, and provinces characterized by higher temperatures, shorter sunshine durations, and lower economic levels. Author summary: Rabies is a Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD), predominantly prevalent in Africa and Asia, with a nearly 100% fatality rate upon onset. China is striving to achieve the WHO's global goal of zero deaths from dog-mediated human rabies by 2030. Therefore, exploring the spatial and temporal evolution of human rabies in China and the possible influencing factors can provide a scientific basis for the development of more effective human rabies prevention and control programs in China. The results of the study showed that from 2004 to 2020, the overall relative risk of human rabies incidence in China showed an increasing and then decreasing trend. The relative risk of most provinces, such as Guangxi and Guizhou, declined significantly, but there were still some provinces, such as Hunan and Henan, where the relative risk showed a rising trend year by year. The results of the analysis of influencing factors indicate that lower per capita disposable income of urban residents, local government healthcare expenditures and sunshine hours, higher temperatures are associated with a higher risk of human rabies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joint Institutions are created from two different universities joining together to create a collaborative research and education effort. Compared to traditional universities, several unique challenges present themselves from this arrangement. We are especially interested in the student experience at UK-China Joint Institutes. We therefore organized a conference with the UK-China Joint Institute Alliance to aggregate knowledge on this issue. This paper summarizes the topics presented and discussed at the conference including: student learning and methods with which to measure and improve it, monitoring and incentivizing student engagement, the transition period from high school to university, teaching evaluations of staff, and lastly, learning and teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Systematic infrastructure and regulatory weaknesses over many decades, in communities struggling with animal African trypanosomiasis (AAT) would be expected to create an environment that would promote drug misuse and risk development of drug resistance. Here, we explore rural community practices of livestock keepers, livestock extension officers and drug shop attendants to determine whether appropriate practice was being followed in administration of trypanocides and other drugs. Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was undertaken in southwestern Uganda in 2022 involving 451 farmers who kept cattle, sheep or goats and 79 "professionals" who were either livestock extension officers or drug shop attendants. Results: Respondents reported using one or more type of trypanocidal drug on 80.1% of the 451 farms in the last 30 days. Diminazene aceturate was used on around three-quarters of farms, while isometamidium chloride was used on around one-fifth. Homidium bromide was used on less than 1% of farms. Cattle were significantly more likely to be treated with trypanocides than sheep or goats. On around two-thirds of farms, trypanocides were prepared and injected by farmers, with extension officers administering these drugs on most of the other third, especially on cattle farms. Almost all drugs were obtained from privatelyowned drug shops. For treatment of AAT with trypanocides, prescription-only medicines were routinely used by farmers without professional supervision and in the absence of a definitive diagnosis. While a far greater proportion of professionals had a better education and had received training on the use of trypanocides than farmers, there was relatively little difference in their ability to use these drugs correctly. Farmers were more likely than professionals to use only DA to treat trypanosomiasis and were more likely to use antibiotics as well as trypanocidal drugs to treat the animal. Furthermore, they estimated, on average, that twice the recommended dose of either diminazene aceturate or isometamidium chloride was needed to treat a hypothetical 400 kg bovine. A minority of both farmers and professionals reported that they observed the recommended withdrawal times following injection of trypanocidal drugs and very few of either group knew the recommended withdrawal times for milk or meat. Only one in six farmers reported using the sanative pair (alternating use of diminazene aceturate and isometamidium chloride), to reduce the risk of drug resistant trypanosome strains emerging, while this approach was more widely used by professionals. Farmers reported using antibiotics more commonly than the professionals, especially in sheep and goats, raising concerns as to overuse and misuse of this critical class of drugs. In addition to using trypanocides, most farmers also reported using a topical veterinary pesticide for the control of ticks and tsetse. On average, farmers spent 12.2% of their income from livestock sales on trypanocides. Conclusion: This study highlights the complexity of issues involved in the fight against AAT using drug treatment. A multistakeholder campaign to increase awareness among farmers, drug shop attendants, and extension workers of the importance of adherence to recommended drug dosing, using the sanative pair and following recommended drug withdrawal guidance would promote best practice, reduce the risk of emergence of resistant strains of trypanosomes, and support enhanced food safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]