Immunoprophylaxis and molecular epidemiology of anthrax and the fate of Bacillus anthracis in living vectors and the environment of Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda

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The project proposed encompasses (1) investigations of the molecular and environmental epidemiology of anthrax in South Africa, Namibia, Kenya, and Uganda (2) studies on the fate of Bacillus (B.) anthracis in environmental habitats and within living vectors and (3) vaccine studies in goats. The project will apply modern molecular fingerprinting techniques to address the genetic diversity of B. anthracis circulating in livestock, wildlife and humans and in environmental habitats and the relationship between genotype and spatial, temporal and host distribution. The role of bacteriophages in the fate of the organism in the environment and in living vectors will be investigated in microcosm and field studies. Vaccine protection trials will be carried out to further develop an alternative veterinary vaccine comprising acellular bacterial and toxoid vaccine candidates. The academic and professional careers of young researchers and technicians from Namibia, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda and of German scientists will be promoted through exchange of personnel and technological skills within the framework of a multi-national academic network.