Research News

Effect modification of HIV-associated CNS diseases by parasitic zoonoses in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa | December 18, 2009

Tapeworm infections afflict mostly humans living in developing countries. One tapeworm (Taenia solium), which is transmitted between humans and pigs can, in some cases, cause brain disorders and this condition is called neurocysticercosis. To study this disease, a two-year pilot grant was awarded from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) - Fogarty International Center in 2009 to the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (NIH-FIC grant # 1 R21 TW008434). The project is entitled:”Effect modification of HIV-associated CNS diseases by parasitic zoonoses in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa." This international collaboration includes many organizations. The principal investigator is H Carabin at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center (OUHSC). Co-investigators are L Cowan (OUHSC), H Foyaca-Sibat, L de Fatima Ibanez-Valdes, I Targonska, MA Anwary, P Yogeswaran (Walter Sisulu University), and S Korsman (Nelson Mandela Tertiary Laboratory). Consultants include: RC Krecek (Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine), P Wilkins (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), and P Dorny (Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp). The study will examine the interaction between HIV-AIDS infection and parasitic diseases including neurocysticercosis and toxocariasis in HIV-AIDS patients. For further information, please contact Dr. Tammi Krecek at tkrecek@rossvet.edu.kn.

Members of the research team visiting a hospital in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa (photo courtesy of Dr. Rosina Krecek).

Dengue research nominated for CDC award | December 3, 2009

A research publication authored by Dr. Hamish Mohammed, "Dengue virus in blood donations, Puerto Rico, 2005" (Mohammed et al, Transfusion 2008; 48[7]:1348-1354) is the first report to document the presence of dengue viral nucleic acid in blood donations collected in Puerto Rico. This may have implications for blood safety in dengue-endemic countries, especially in light of recently reported clusters of transfusion-transmission of dengue.
The manuscript was subsequently nominated by the Division of Vector-Borne Infectious Diseases (US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC]) for the 2009 Charles C Shepard Science Award. Since 1985, this award has been presented to the authors of the most outstanding peer-reviewed research paper published by CDC and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry scientists during the preceding year.

Craft opportunities as alternative to sea turtle harvest | November 23, 2009

The St. Kitts Sea Turtle Monitoring Network (SKSTMN) is providing free training and employment to fishermen and local communities interested in producing glass jewelry as an alternative to the sea turtle harvest. This initiative is in collaboration with the Global Environmental Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF), Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM), and the Wider Caribbean Sea Turtle Conservation Network (WIDECAST) in an effort to offer eco-friendly employment to local communities. There is an open season on sea turtles from November through April in St. Kitts. SKSTMN, led by Dr. Kimberly Stewart (RUSVM), has undertaken the task of working with local communities to create alternative sources of income. The glass jewelry workshops are one step in the process of creating a sustainable eco-tourism industry in St. Kitts. More on SKSTMN: Kittivisian Life

A student at Edgar T Morris Primary School learns glass bead crafts as part of a workshop for local schools and communities (photo by Binh Ho-Thanh).

CDC externship for Ross student provides valuable experience | November 3, 2009

Currently involved in an externship at Enteric Diseases at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) student Rebecca Henderson has been gaining beneficial experience. Rebecca was selected for the CDC epidemiology elective and worked on outbreaks of foodborne disease. One of only a few veterinary students, Rebecca is bringing a valuable perspective to a field where veterinary input is essential for the control of zoonotic diseases in the population. For more information about student opportunities with the CDC go to: CDC Externship.

Ross student conducts green sea turtle field work in Barbados | October 16, 2009

Kirsten Thomas (7th semester student and research assistant at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine [RUSVM]) was awarded a Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) Veterinary Student Scholar Grant in 2009. This award is given to top veterinary students to conduct short-term animal health study projects. Kirsten submitted a research proposal entitled "Measuring the effect of human interaction and feeding on green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in Barbados." She conducted the field work in August in Barbados with the guidance of Dr. Kimberly Stewart (RUSVM), Dr. Julia Horrocks (University of the West Indies) and Dr. Terry Norton (Georgia Sea Turtle Center). She will present her findings at a MAF meeting in 2010. Kirsten is the first MAF Student Scholar at RUSVM. For more information about the Morris Animal Foundation Veterinary Student Scholars Program visit: http://www.morrisanimalfoundation.org/professionals /veterinary-students.
Kirsten Thomas holds a Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas) while conducting her field work in Barbados (photo courtesy of Kirsten Thomas).

Expert in zoonotic tick-borne diseases at RUSVM | October 1, 2009

Dr. Lorenza Beati is associate professor and curator of the US National Tick Collection, Georgia Southern University. She is also an affiliated associate research scientist at the Yale School of Medicine, Epidemiology and Public Health. Dr. Beati is a specialist in molecular diagnostics of tick-borne diseases including Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF), Lyme disease, leishmani vectors and other emerging diseases. She has consulted and worked in many countries of Africa, Europe, and the US. Dr. Beati visited Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) in 2006, 2007, 2008, and recently in 2009. During this fourth visit to RUSVM, Dr. Beati was accompanied by Dr. Jim Keirans and gave a lecture titled, "Research Highlights: Activities of the US National Tick Collection." Activities included discussions with RUSVM faculty about collaborative projects on the tropical bont tick (Amblyomma variegatum).
Dr. Lorenza Beati speaks to RUSVM students and faculty about the activities of the US National Tick Collection (photo by Matt McMillan).

CDC Dengue Diagnostic Training at RUSVM | August 2009

Dr. Elizabeth Hunsperger from the CDC Dengue Branch in Puerto Rico visited Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) to train our diagnostic services research technicians in the diagnostic methods to identify exposure potential of dengue in the RUSVM community in St. Kitts.
From left: Mr. Floyd Revan, Ms. Iona Holliday-Simmonds, Ms. Helene Lucas, Dr. Elizabeth Hunsperger and Ms. Elise Lee (photo courtesy of Elise Lee).

RUSVM Diagnostics Lab Tech Receives Agricultural Award | July 2009

Mr. Charles Pemberton, a laboratory technician in the Ross Univeristy School of Veterinary Medicine (RUSVM) Diagnostic Services Laboratory, has received the Sterling Performance to Agriculture Development in St. Kitts and Nevis. Charles was recognized by the Ministry for Housing, Agriculture, Fisheries and Cooperatives at the Caribbean Food Crop Society Conference held in July 2009 in St. Kitts.
Mr. Charles Pemberton holding awards presented to him by the Agricultural Department of St. Kitts (photo by Matt McMillan).