Projects
Evolution, pathobiology and pandemic potential of swine influenza viruses Ghent University
The main research questions and aims are:
-To maintain an up-to-date picture of the influenza virus subtypes and genotypes that are widespread in swine in Flanders; to compare the situation with that in other European countries, North America and Asia
-To compare currently circulating swine influenza viruses with those of the past, as well as with human influenza viruses
-Timely identification of new and ...
Swine influenza surveillance with emphasis on vaccine strain selection and zoonotic risk Ghent University
Influenza A viruses (IAVs) of subtypes H1N1, H1N2 and H3N2 are endemic in swine populations worldwide. There is bidirectional IAV transmission between humans and swine and the 2009 pandemic influenza virus was of swine origin. The swine IAVs are different from human IAVs of the same subtypes and can be distinguished from them antigenically. This is due to a separate and different virus evolution in swine, and a tremendous and continuing ...
Molecular and Epidemiological characterization of the African swine fever virus in Cameroon KU Leuven
THE STATE OF THE ART Cameroon being a lower income country with a population of 23.4million inhabitants in 2016 of which 43.5% live below the national poverty line (income less than 3.1 US dollars/day/capita). An estimated 24% of its population lives below the international poverty line (income of 1.9 dollars/day/capita). The agricultural sector contributes 20% of the Gross domestic product (GDP) of Cameroon with the livestock sector ...
Cross-protection against epidemic and pandemic H3N2 influenza viruses in humans and swine by vaccination with heterovariant strains Ghent University
Subsequent vaccination with antigenically very distinct influenza viruses of a given HA subtype (heterovariant vaccination) seems to be very effective in stimulating memory B cells that recognize conserved epitopes in the viral haemagglutinin (HA) and that produce broadly-reactive antibodies. Using this vaccination strategy we aim at a) protecting swine against European and North American H3N2 swine influenza viruses and b) protecting humans ...
Cross-protection against epidemic and pandemic H3N2 influenza viruses in humans and swine by vaccination with heterovariant strains Ghent University
Subsequent vaccination with antigenically very distinct influenza viruses of a given HA subtype (heterovariant vaccination) seems to be very effective in stimulating memory B cells that recognize conserved epitopes in the viral haemagglutinin (HA) and that produce broadly-reactive antibodies. Using this vaccination strategy we aim at a) protecting swine against European and North American H3N2 swine influenza viruses and b) protecting humans ...
Future rodent management for swine and poultry health (RODENTGATE). University of Antwerp
A sustainable vaccination strategy for cross-clade protection against H1N1 influenza viruses of swine and humans Ghent University
We believe that consecutive immunization with antigenically distinct influenza viruses within the same subtype, or with closely related subtypes, can induce broadly-neutralizing antibodies against the viral HA. Using this concept and the pig model of influenza, we will develop vaccination strategies that can protect swine and humans against any H1N1 virus clade, as well as potentially pandemic avian H5 viruses.
Study of the pathogenesis (role of host receptors) of African Swine Fever (ASF) and innate immune response in ASF virus infected domestic pigs Ghent University
The following research questions will be addressed:
1. ASFV has a strict tropism for differentiated macrophages. From our experience with PRRSV, it became clear that the
transmission and virulence/pathogenicity is fully determined by the different subpopulations of macrophages that are infected. It will now be examined which subpopulations of macrophages are infected by ASFV and what the impact is on the horizontal and vertical ...
Swine as an intermediate host for potentially pandemic avian influenza viruses: unravelling host species barriers Ghent University
We will perform experimental pig infection studies to determine the genetic changes required for adaptation of an avian H9N2 influenza virus to pigs. We will also examine the host factors that contribute to the pathogenesis and transmissibility of avian influenza viruses in pigs and in ferrets (as a model for humans).