Michele A. Miller
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View article: A microbial safari: finding evidence of <i>Mycobacterium bovis</i> DNA in soil from the Kruger National Park, South Africa
A microbial safari: finding evidence of <i>Mycobacterium bovis</i> DNA in soil from the Kruger National Park, South Africa Open
The primary pathogen causing animal tuberculosis (TB), Mycobacterium bovis , can infect a wide range of mammals, including humans. This pathogen is considered endemic in the Kruger National Park (KNP), South Africa, where it threatens the …
View article: Isolation of viable <i>Mycobacterium bovis</i> from faeces of naturally infected free-ranging rural domestic cattle ( <i>Bos taurus</i> )
Isolation of viable <i>Mycobacterium bovis</i> from faeces of naturally infected free-ranging rural domestic cattle ( <i>Bos taurus</i> ) Open
Aims This study investigated the presence of viable Mycobacterium bovis in faecal samples collected from 79 free-ranging domestic cattle in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Methods and results Faecal samples were processed under biosafet…
View article: PSX-2 Investigation of body condition and metabolic health and their role in the reproductive success of managed southern white rhinoceros.
PSX-2 Investigation of body condition and metabolic health and their role in the reproductive success of managed southern white rhinoceros. Open
Challenges associated with reproduction in managed female southern white rhinoceros include acyclicity, difficulty in producing calves, and uterine pathologies. Excessive body fat also may negatively affect fertility in white rhinos; howev…
View article: Optimisation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid preparation for mononuclear cell isolation and cytologic evaluation in free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana)
Optimisation of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid preparation for mononuclear cell isolation and cytologic evaluation in free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana) Open
Understanding immune responses to infectious diseases, such as tuberculosis (TB), is essential for developing diagnostic tests and studying disease progression. Although TB affects African savanna elephants (Loxodonta africana), few studie…
View article: The Microbiome and Coxiella Diversity Found in Amblyomma hebraeum and Dermacentor rhinocerinus Ticks Sampled from White Rhinoceros
The Microbiome and Coxiella Diversity Found in Amblyomma hebraeum and Dermacentor rhinocerinus Ticks Sampled from White Rhinoceros Open
The microbiome and the prevalence of the pathogenic bacterium Coxiella burnetii in ticks associated with white rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simum , is unknown. Targeted Illumina 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was used to characterize the bacter…
View article: The microbiome and Coxiella diversity in Amblyomma hebraeum and Dermacentor rhinocerinus ticks found on white rhinoceros
The microbiome and Coxiella diversity in Amblyomma hebraeum and Dermacentor rhinocerinus ticks found on white rhinoceros Open
The microbiome and the prevalence of the pathogenic bacterium Coxiella burnetii in ticks associated with white rhinoceros, Ceratotherium simum, is unknown. Targeted Illumina 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing was used to characterize the bacteri…
View article: Workshop report: One Health challenges and knowledge gaps in the control of intracellular infections with a focus on tuberculosis and leishmaniasis
Workshop report: One Health challenges and knowledge gaps in the control of intracellular infections with a focus on tuberculosis and leishmaniasis Open
The VALIDATE Network brings together scientists addressing vaccine development for neglected infectious diseases caused by intracellular pathogens. In September 2023, the first workshop on One Health approaches to research and capacity bui…
View article: Evidence of Mycobacterium bovis DNA in shared water sources at livestock–wildlife–human interfaces in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Evidence of Mycobacterium bovis DNA in shared water sources at livestock–wildlife–human interfaces in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Open
The Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) including Mycobacterium bovis ( M. bovis ), which primarily affects animal hosts; however, it is also capable of causing zoonotic infections in humans. Direct contact with infected animals or t…
View article: Culture-independent detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA using targeted next generation sequencing in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) oronasal swabs in South Africa
Culture-independent detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex DNA using targeted next generation sequencing in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) oronasal swabs in South Africa Open
African buffaloes ( Syncerus caffer ) are wildlife maintenance hosts of Mycobacterium bovis ( M. bovis ), the causative agent of animal tuberculosis (aTB) in multiple ecosystems across South Africa. In addition to their role as keystone sp…
View article: Implications of serological, genomic, and epidemiological insights into Mycobacterium tuberculosis mixed infection in a human-managed African elephant (Loxodonta africana)
Implications of serological, genomic, and epidemiological insights into Mycobacterium tuberculosis mixed infection in a human-managed African elephant (Loxodonta africana) Open
Zoonotic and reverse zoonotic tuberculosis pose a risk to human and animal health, especially when individuals are in close contact. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has led to significant advancements in our comprehension of bacterial diseas…
View article: Etorphine induces pathophysiology in immobilized white rhinoceros through sympathomimesis that is attenuated by butorphanol
Etorphine induces pathophysiology in immobilized white rhinoceros through sympathomimesis that is attenuated by butorphanol Open
White rhinoceros are a sentinel species for important ecosystems in southern Africa. Their conservation requires active management of their population, which, in turn, requires immobilization of individuals with an ultra-potent opioid such…
View article: Case report: Discovery of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis in free-ranging vervet monkeys in the Greater Kruger Conservation Area
Case report: Discovery of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium bovis in free-ranging vervet monkeys in the Greater Kruger Conservation Area Open
Animal tuberculosis (TB) has been reported in several wildlife species in the Greater Kruger Conservation Area (GKCA), South Africa. This report describes the discovery of clinical tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium bovis ( M. bovis ), …
View article: Collaborative learning in the digital age: empowering tuberculosis researchers through virtual training
Collaborative learning in the digital age: empowering tuberculosis researchers through virtual training Open
Integrating whole genome sequencing (WGS) of the Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex into routine care, surveillance, and research in high tuberculosis burden settings remains challenging due to limited resources and skills. While technolog…
View article: Insights into mycobacteriome composition in Mycobacterium bovis-infected African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) tissue samples
Insights into mycobacteriome composition in Mycobacterium bovis-infected African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) tissue samples Open
Animal tuberculosis significantly challenges global health, agriculture, and wildlife conservation efforts. Mycobacterial cultures are resource-intensive, time-consuming, and challenged by heterogeneous populations. In this study, we emplo…
View article: Short-read full-length 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing for characterisation of the respiratory bacteriome of captive and free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana)
Short-read full-length 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing for characterisation of the respiratory bacteriome of captive and free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana) Open
Hypervariable region sequencing of the 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene plays a critical role in microbial ecology by offering insights into bacterial communities within specific niches. While providing valuable genus-level information, its r…
View article: Comparison of test performance of a conventional PCR and two field-friendly tests to detect Coxiella burnetii DNA in ticks using Bayesian latent class analysis
Comparison of test performance of a conventional PCR and two field-friendly tests to detect Coxiella burnetii DNA in ticks using Bayesian latent class analysis Open
Introduction Coxiella burnetii ( C. burnetii )-infected livestock and wildlife have been epidemiologically linked to human Q fever outbreaks. Despite this growing zoonotic threat, knowledge of coxiellosis in wild animals remains limited, a…
View article: Insights into Mycobacteriome Composition in Mycobacterium bovis-Infected African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Tissue Samples: A Culture-Independent Approach
Insights into Mycobacteriome Composition in Mycobacterium bovis-Infected African Buffalo (Syncerus caffer) Tissue Samples: A Culture-Independent Approach Open
Animal tuberculosis significantly challenges global health, agriculture, and wildlife conservation efforts. Mycobacterial cultures necessitate stringent biosafety measures due to the risk of laboratory-acquired infections. In this study, w…
View article: <i>Mycobacterium caprae</i> tuberculosis in a captive lion in Ukraine – Case Report
<i>Mycobacterium caprae</i> tuberculosis in a captive lion in Ukraine – Case Report Open
Introduction and Objective. Because of the armed conflict in Ukraine, companion, farm and captive wild animals have been moved in a simplified procedure across the Polish-Ukrainian border. For that reason, in 2022, Poznań Zoo provided supp…
View article: Detection of Mycobacterium bovis in nasal swabs from communal goats (Capra hircus) in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
Detection of Mycobacterium bovis in nasal swabs from communal goats (Capra hircus) in rural KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa Open
Animal tuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium bovis , presents a significant threat to both livestock industries and public health. Mycobacterium bovis tests rely on detecting antigen specific immune responses, which can be influenced by ex…
View article: Identification and Molecular Characterization of Mycobacterium bovis DNA in GeneXpert® MTB/RIF Ultra-Positive, Culture-Negative Sputum Samples from a Rural Community in South Africa.
Identification and Molecular Characterization of Mycobacterium bovis DNA in GeneXpert® MTB/RIF Ultra-Positive, Culture-Negative Sputum Samples from a Rural Community in South Africa. Open
This study investigated the presence of Mycobacterium bovis ( M. bovis ) DNA in human sputum samples collected from residents who reside adjacent to the M. bovis -endemic Hluhluwe-iMfolozi wildlife park, South Africa (SA). Sixty-eight sput…
View article: Short-read full-length 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing for characterisation of the respiratory bacteriome of captive and free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana).
Short-read full-length 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing for characterisation of the respiratory bacteriome of captive and free-ranging African elephants (Loxodonta africana). Open
Hypervariable region sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene plays a critical role in microbial ecology, offering insights into bacterial communities within specific niches. While providing valuable genuslevel information, its reliance on limited …
View article: Tuberculosis in Lemurs and a Fossa at National Zoo, Madagascar, 2022
Tuberculosis in Lemurs and a Fossa at National Zoo, Madagascar, 2022 Open
We diagnosed Mycobacterium tuberculosis in captive lemurs and a fossa in Antananarivo, Madagascar. We noted clinical signs in the animals and found characteristic lesions during necropsy. The source of infection remains unknown. Our result…
View article: Advancing animal tuberculosis surveillance using culture-independent long-read whole-genome sequencing
Advancing animal tuberculosis surveillance using culture-independent long-read whole-genome sequencing Open
Animal tuberculosis is a significant infectious disease affecting both livestock and wildlife populations worldwide. Effective disease surveillance and characterization of Mycobacterium bovis (M. bovis) strains are essential for understand…
View article: “Spotting” Mycobacterium bovis infection in leopards (Panthera pardus) – novel application of diagnostic tools
“Spotting” Mycobacterium bovis infection in leopards (Panthera pardus) – novel application of diagnostic tools Open
Background Mycobacterium bovis ( M. bovis ) is the causative agent of animal tuberculosis (TB) which poses a threat to many of South Africa’s most iconic wildlife species, including leopards ( Panthera pardus ). Due to limited tests for wi…
View article: Antemortem detection of Mycobacterium bovis in nasal swabs from African rhinoceros
Antemortem detection of Mycobacterium bovis in nasal swabs from African rhinoceros Open
Mycobacterium bovis ( M. bovis ) infection has been identified in black ( Diceros bicornis ) and white ( Ceratotherium simum ) rhinoceros populations in Kruger National Park, South Africa. However, it is unknown whether M. bovis infected r…