Faculty Day, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, 20 November 2020

Abstract

Session 1: Research theme leaders: 1. African Wildlife Health and Management Faculty research theme highlights / Prof Leith Meyer -- 2. Translational Medicine Faculty research theme highlights / Prof Lyndy McGaw -- 3. Pathobiology of Disease Faculty research theme highlights / Prof Johan Schoeman

Session 2: Rising stars: 1. Background and purpose of the Veterinary Research Report (VRE) module / Prof Dietmar Holm -- 2. “It’s getting hot in here” – the effect of relative humidity on the thermoregulating ability of the dog during exercise – a systematic review / Ms Magdalena Jannasch -- 3. A scoping review of viral diseases in free-ranging African felids / Ms Antjie Menne -- 4. A body condition index for adult African penguins Spheniscus demersus / Mr Roelof Berg

Session 3: Postgraduate student research speed session: 1. Retrospective study of bacterial and fungal causes of abortion in domestic ruminants in northern regions of South Africa (2006–2016) / A Jonker -- 2. Towards the development of a low-cost molecular test for the identification of selected Rhipicephalus tick species in South Africa / B Bezuidenhout -- 3. Markers of inflammation and cytokine concentrations during experimental Babesia rossi infection of beagle dogs / B Atkinson -- 4. Reference intervals for haematology and clinical chemistry for the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) / C Steyrer -- 5. Efficacy of Leonotis leonurus against phytopathogens and nematodes infecting tomatoes / F Makhubu -- 6. Challenges in the diagnostic performance of parasitological and molecular tests in the detection of African trypanosomiasis in cattle in Mambwe district in eastern Zambia / G Mulenga -- 7. Predictors of carnivore detection at the domestic wildlife interface within Mpumalanga, South Africa / JM Wentzel -- 8. Comparison of etorphine-azaperone and etorphine-midazolam for African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) immobilisation / JF Grace -- 9. Investigation of spore survival in the Bacillus anthracis Sterne (34F2) strain in soild from Kruger National Park / K Govender -- 10. Evaluation of endometrial glandular changes in aged captive cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) in southern Africa / A Avenant -- 11. Apoptosis of germ cells in the normal testis of the Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) / M Zakariah -- 12. The effect of different automatic cluster removal switch-point settings son milking and overmilking duration and on total, peak and overmilking claw vacuum / P Vermaak -- 13. Anti-inflammatory effects of Psilocybe natalensis magic mushroom extracts on LPS-induced nitric oxide, prostaglandin-E2, and cytokine production on RAW 264.7 macrophages / SM Nkadimeng

Session 4: Future research leaders: 1. Inappropriate regenerative response in dogs naturally infected with Babesia rossi / Dr Chandini Seejaram -- 2. The investigation of highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreaks in key ostrich-producing areas of South Africa / Dr Miriam Marimwe -- 3. Exposure to anthrax in Kruger and Etosha national parks and the effect of haemoparasite co-infections / Dr Sunday Ochai -- 4. Histology of the southern ground hornbill (Bucorvus leadbeateri) gastro-intestinal tract / Ms Anel Naude -- 5. Using novel scientific techniques to evaluate physiological responses in the thick-tailed greater galago, Otolemur crassicaudatus / Ms Channen Long

Keynote address: Coronavirus: Unveiling the viral entry pathways into the host cell / Dr Javier Jaimes, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York, USA