March 21, 2013

Japan shares studies on livestock infectious diseases with Philippines

The results of the studies of two Japanese researchers from Hokkaido University on livestock infectious diseases were shared to the officials of Philippine Carabao Centre (PCC) during the latter's technical caucus held at its national headquarters at the Science City of Muñoz.

Satoru Konnai presented his work entitled, "Role of Inhibitory Molecules in Bovine Chronic Infectious Diseases and as Target for Therapy," which focused on the analysis of the pathogenesis of an avian disease, Marek's disease virus, bovine disease, bovine leukaemia, and anti-tick vaccine development.

"Bovine Leukaemia Virus (BLV), an oncogenic retrovirus (tumor-inducing virus), is the causative agent of enzootic bovine leucosis (EBL). EBL is a chronic, transmissible disease identified under the B list of the Office International des Epizootes (OIE) making it one of the dreaded diseases in the livestock industry," Konnai disclosed.

In Japan, cases of EBL have been increasing because there is still no effective treatment and vaccination against BLV.

After investigating several inhibitory molecules expression levels by using clinical samples from farms, Konnai found out that the inhibitory molecules have been closely associated with immune exhaustion and disease progression in BLV-infection. In contrast, inhibitory molecules also are potential targets for developing immunotherapies against BLV infection.

Meanwhile, Tomohiro Okagawa's study entitled, "Investigation of immunoinhibitory receptors as novel therapeutic targets for multiple infectious diseases in cattle," found Johne's disease in cattle in the Philippines - a first of its kind. With this, Okagawa recommended further surveillance of such disease in the country.

Paratuberculosis is the generic term of Johne's. This type of disease is contagious, chronic, and sometimes results in fatal infection that primarily affects the small intestine of ruminants that leads to death.

The technical caucus is done annually to strengthen collaborations on academic, research, training and other activities of the PCC among different local and international academic institutions.