An Insight into Nanomedicinal Approaches to Combat Viral Zoonoses

Large-Scale Serological Survey of Crimean-Congo Hemorrhagic Fever Virus and Rift Valley Fever Virus in Small Ruminants in Senegal

Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) and Rift Valley fever (RVF) are among the list of emerging zoonotic diseases that require special attention and priority. RVF is one of the six priority diseases selected by the Senegalese government. Repeated epidemic episodes and sporadic cases of CCHF and RVF in Senegal motivated this study, involving a national cross-sectional serological survey to assess the distribution of the two diseases in this country throughout the small ruminant population. A total of 2127 sera from small ruminants (goat and sheep) were collected in all regions of Senegal. The overall seroprevalence of CCHF and RVF was 14.1% (IC 95%: 12.5-15.5) and 4.4% (95% CI: 3.5-5.3), respectively. The regions of Saint-Louis (38.4%; 95% CI: 30.4-46.2), Kolda (28.3%; 95% CI: 20.9-35.7), Tambacounda (22.2%; 95% CI: 15.8-28.6) and Kédougou (20.9%; 95% CI: 14.4-27.4) were the most affected areas. The risk factors identified during this study show that the age, species and sex of the animals are key factors in determining exposure to these two viruses. This study confirms the active circulation of CCHF in Senegal and provides important and consistent data that can be used to improve the surveillance strategy of a two-in-one health approach to zoonoses.

Synergistic effects of EP-1 and ivermectin mixture (iEP-1) to control rodents and their ectoparasites

BACKGROUND

Ectoparasites of rodents play significant roles in disease transmission to humans. Conventional poisoning potentially reduces the population densities of rodents, however, they may increase the ectoparasite loads on the surviving hosts. EP-1 has been shown to have anti-fertility effects on many rodent species, while ivermectin is effective in controlling ectoparasites. In this study, we examined the combined effects of EP-1 and ivermectin mixture (iEP-1) baits on rodents and their corresponding flea/tick loads.

RESULTS

In males, the weight of testis, epididymis, and seminiferous vesicle were reduced to less than 33%, 25%, and 17%, respectively, compared to the control group following administration of iEP-1 for 7 days. The weight of the uterus increased by approximately 75%. After 5 days of iEP-1 intake, all ticks were killed, whereas 94% of fleas on mice died after 3 days of bait intake. In the field test near Beijing, the flea index was reduced by more than 90% after 7 days of iEP-1 bait delivery. In a field test in Inner Mongolia, the weights of testis, epididymis, and seminiferous vesicle were significantly reduced by 27%, 32%, and 57%, respectively, 2 weeks after iEP-1 bait delivery. Approximately 36% rodents exhibited obvious uterine oedema accompanied by a weight increase of about 150%. The flea index was reduced by over 90%.

CONCLUSION

Our results indicated that iEP-1 is a promising treatment for reducing the abundance of both small rodents and their ectoparasites; this will be effective for managing rodent damage and transmission of rodent-borne diseases associated with fleas and ticks. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

Organoid Technology: A Reliable Developmental Biology Tool for Organ-Specific Nanotoxicity Evaluation

Engineered nanomaterials are bestowed with certain inherent physicochemical properties unlike their parent materials, rendering them suitable for the multifaceted needs of state-of-the-art biomedical, and pharmaceutical applications. The log-phase development of nano-science along with improved "bench to beside" conversion carries an enhanced probability of human exposure with numerous nanoparticles. Thus, toxicity assessment of these novel nanoscale materials holds a key to ensuring the safety aspects or else the global biome will certainly face a debacle. The toxicity may span from health hazards due to direct exposure to indirect means through food chain contamination or environmental pollution, even causing genotoxicity. Multiple ways of nanotoxicity evaluation include several in vitro and in vivo methods, with in vitro methods occupying the bulk of the "experimental space." The underlying reason may be multiple, but ethical constraints in in vivo animal experiments are a significant one. Two-dimensional (2D) monoculture is undoubtedly the most exploited in vitro method providing advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness, high throughput, and reproducibility. However, it often fails to mimic a tissue or organ which possesses a defined three-dimensional structure (3D) along with intercellular communication machinery. Instead, microtissues such as spheroids or organoids having a precise 3D architecture and proximate in vivo tissue-like behavior can provide a more realistic evaluation than 2D monocultures. Recent developments in microfluidics and bioreactor-based organoid synthesis have eased the difficulties to prosper nano-toxicological analysis in organoid models surpassing the obstacle of ethical issues. The present review will enlighten applications of organoids in nanotoxicological evaluation, their advantages, and prospects toward securing commonplace nano-interventions.