Project Details
Projekt
Molecular evolution of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in Africa
Subject Area
Medical Microbiology and Mycology, Hygiene, Molecular Infection Biology
Veterinary Medical Science
Veterinary Medical Science
Term
since 2018
Project identifier
Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 404935781
Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (MAP) causes a chronic, progressive and always lethal enteritis, especially in ruminants. The zoonotic potential of MAP is not clear yet, the disease, however, is often discussed in context with Morbus Crohn in humans, albeit this suspicion has not yet been verified. Between 2019 and 2021, 1890 and 1814 faecal and serum samples from various animal species in Sudan and Uganda were collected, respectively. Faecal and colonic biopsies were obtained from 67 human participants referred to the reference hospital of gastrointestinal diseases in the Sudan. The MAP positivity was 40% among tested humans and 4-6 % in animals at individual level and 45% at herd level. The association of 35 SNPs to disease susceptibility or resistance were investigated. In the proposed project, determining the grade of MAP presence in environmental samples and animal products can lead to better understanding the source of human exposure to MAP. Moreover, studying the physico-chemical factors that lead to the MAP persists in highly infected areas/farms in Sudan and Uganda, can give a clue about MAP transmission cycle in Africa. The unique and interactive relations between host-microbiota and MAP will be studied using organoid system to unearth the elements that facilitate the MAP colonization or the inhibition of MAP replication. In addition, the 40 African isolates from phase I will be investigated in vitro to identify the MAP proteins that enable them to subvert the cellular machinery and innate immune responses. In this three years project, three African postdocs and six master students will be integrated in the study to train the future research leaders and build capacity in Africa. The project outputs will provide evidences on MAP at human/animal interface and give more insight about the complex MAP/host relationship.
DFG Programme
Research Grants
International Connection
Sudan, Uganda
Cooperation Partner
Professor Dr. Lonzy Ojok
International Co-Applicants
Privatdozent Dr. Elsagad Eltayeb; Kamal Eltom, Ph.D.; Dr. Julius Boniface Okuni
