The global spread of African swine fever (ASF) in recent decades has led to the need for technological advances in sampling and diagnostic techniques. The impetus for these has been the need to enable sampling by lay persons and to obtain at least a preliminary diagnosis in the field for early control measures to be put in place before final laboratory confirmation. In rural Africa, rapid diagnosis is hampered by challenges that include lack of infrastructure as well as human and financial resources. Lack of animal health personnel, access to affordable means to transport field samples to a laboratory, and lack of laboratories with the capacity to make the diagnosis result in severe under-reporting of ASF, especially in endemic areas. This review summarizes the challenges identified in gap analyses relevant to low- and middle-income countries, with a focus on Africa, and explore the opportunities provided by recent research to improve field diagnosis and quality of diagnostic samples used. Sampling techniques include invasive sampling techniques requiring trained personnel and non-invasive sampling requiring minimal training, sampling of decomposed carcass material, and preservation of samples in situations where cold chain maintenance cannot be guaranteed. Availability and efficacy of point-of-care (POC) tests for ASF has improved considerably in recent years and their application, as well as advantages and limitations, are discussed. The adequacy of existing laboratory diagnostic capacity is evaluated and opportunities for networking amongst reference and other laboratories offering diagnostic services are discussed. Maintaining laboratory diagnostic efficiency in the absence of samples during periods of quiescence is another issue that requires attention, and the role of improved laboratory networking is emphasized. Early diagnosis of ASF is key to managing the disease spread. Therefore, the establishment of the Africa Chapter of the Global African Swine Fever Research Alliance (GARA) increases opportunities for collaboration and networking among the veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the region.

Mycoplasma bovis (M. bovis) is a significant pathogen in cattle that causes respiratory disease, mastitis, and arthritis, leading to substantial economic losses globally. Early detection of M. bovis is crucial for its effective management because of its immune evasion strategies and resistance to antimicrobial therapies. In this review, we systematically assessed the diagnostic potential of P48 protein, an immunodominant lipoprotein of M. bovis, along with other potential biomarkers. The aim was to provide a comprehensive understanding of P48’s diagnostic utility through both literature analysis and computational insights. A literature search across major databases identified 243 relevant articles, 20 of which were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. These studies consistently highlight P48’s diagnostic value due to its stability, immunodominance, and strong antibody response in infected cattle. In addition, a molecular analysis using the Expasy ProtParam tool reveals that P48 exhibits favorable properties for diagnostics, including a theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 7.14, an instability index of 23.64 (classifying it as stable), and an aliphatic index of 83.40, indicating significant thermostability. The review also considers other diagnostic proteins, such as Variable Surface Proteins (VSPs), MbovP proteins, and MilA, although their variable nature and lesser validation across assays limit their broader application. In contrast, P48 is a reliable and specific marker, particularly in serological assays, for the early and accurate detection of M. bovis infections. This study confirms P48’s diagnostic efficacy over other biomarkers, and advocates its inclusion in diagnostic protocols.

In this study, a basis for the feasibility of a successful ASF vaccine design program using live attenuated vaccines was sought. One of the challenges to African swine fever (ASF) vaccine development is having a cell line that will provide commercial utility for vaccine production. We set out to address this problem by innovatively identifying possible cell lines from local domestic pigs in the country. Eight tissue types from ASF-negative animals were identified for incorporation into cell line development. These were degraded, incubated, and monitored for cell growth. One cell line, the SIR2-P, grew consistently and confluently and was tested for the ability to grow and isolate field ASF viruses. We report the isolation of ASF viruses in our laboratory for the first time. The P9C virus from Namayingo district exhibited the largest plaque sizes compared to the SQ517B virus from Mukono. The innovative identification of the SIR2-P cell line is proof of concept that newer speciesspecific cell lines can be developed in the Infectious Animal Disease Laboratory (IADL), and utilized to study other animal viruses like Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus, Foot and mouth disease (FMD) virus, and Swine Influenza. Such cells can be used in vaccine production for other endemic diseases in Uganda. The SIR2-P cell line is currently at passage 65.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) causes a fatal disease in domestic pigs and wild boars (Sus scrofa), leading to nearly 100% mortality during acute infection and significant economic losses in swine production. Unlike other eukaryotic viruses, ASFV encodes a histone-like nucleic acid-binding protein, pA104R, which is highly conserved and present in all described ASFV isolates of different genotypes. Moreover, A104R-like sequences have been identified in the genomes of soft ticks, which can replicate and transmit ASFV. Using a virulent genotype IX field isolate from Kenya, we analyzed the importance of A104R for viral replication in a permissive wild boar cell line (WSL). In this study, we confirmed that A104R is not essential for in vitro replication of ASFV. Loss of A104R did not detectably affect viral DNA replication or RNA transcription but led to a moderate reduction in virus titers and plaque sizes. Substitution of A104R with a similar ASFV-like element derived from the genome of an Ornithodoros moubata soft tick was not capable of rescuing the deletion mutant phenotype. In contrast, reintroduction of the authentic A104R open reading frame (ORF) into the deletion mutant fully restored wild-type virus growth properties. In accompanying studies, we verified the DNA-binding activities of the ASFV- and tick-derived A104R proteins and performed mass spectrometric analyses of the pA104R interactome. These experiments revealed, besides DNA-dependent co-precipitated proteins, specific DNA-independent protein–protein interactions of pA104R with other viral and cellular proteins.

Malaria and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) may have similar aspects and seem to have a strong potential for mutual influence. They have already caused millions of deaths, and regions where malaria is endemic are at risk of further suffering from the consequences of COVID-19 due to mutual side effects, like less access to treatment due to fear of access to health facilities leading to diagnostic delays and worse outcomes. A narrative literature review was conducted by searching online databases like Pub Med, Cochran, Medline, Google scholar, malarial journals, health journals, MDPI and biomed central related journals, 133 articles published from 2004 to 2024 were analysed and discussed. The Management of malaria during the COVID-19 pandemic in Uganda required a comprehensive approach that balances the need for both malaria and COVID-19 control, prevention and treatment. These include: Integration of services, healthcare infrastructure strengthening, expanded testing, treatment access, community education and awareness, health worker training, testing and surveillance, mobile health solutions, community engagement, research and innovation, adaptive management, cross-sector collaboration, international cooperation, vector control, monitoring and evaluation. In this chapter, we provide a comprehensive review of integrated management approaches for malaria and covid-19 management in Uganda. In implementing this comprehensive approaches, we can effectively manage both malaria and COVID-19, reduce the burden of disease, and protect the health and well-being of communities in Uganda and worldwide.