Studies on Enteric Infections and Mosquito-mediated Infections with Aim toward Applications beyond the Boundaries of Southeast Asia and Traditional Disciplines

Studies on Enteric Infections and Mosquito-mediated Infections with Aim toward Applications beyond the Boundaries of Southeast Asia and Traditional Disciplines

The Center for Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Kyoto University
NISHIBUCHI, Mitsuaki　Food Safety Group

Figure 3. Quantitative assay of enterohemorrhagic E. coli (EHEC) in beef sold in the markets of Indonesia

Figure 2. Survey of the Andes in Peru (city of Cusco, elevation 3,400 m)

Our group conducted international collaborative research activities, as summarized in Figure 1 for the 2016 academic year. Based on our research findings concerning enteric infections and mosquito-mediated infections in Southeast Asia to date, we expanded our activities in the region. We also conducted research or made preparations to begin research in other regions besides Southeast Asia.

For example, in Peru the El Niño phenomenon raises the temperature of sea water in coastal regions. As a result, pathogenic Vibrio parahaemolyticus found in the gastrointestinal tract of bivalves multiply, and many cases of food poisoning are occurring due to insufficient cooking of the bivalves, as revealed by data we obtained. Because cases of this phenomenon also occur among people living in mountain ranges, we conducted local surveys to examine the causes (Figure 2). Infections by non-O157 enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) have become a global problem. To examine the possibility of non-O157 etiology, we developed a simple method that can quantitatively measure non-O157 strains comprehensively and accurately. We evaluated the performance of this assay in Indonesia and Thailand (Figure 3). Furthermore, we have also made preparations to conduct survey at local sites in Saudi Arabia by guiding collaborative researchers in the use of this method.

Figure 1. International collaborative research-related activities of the Food Safety Group in the 2016 academic year

Representative achievements

Articles

Thongjun, J., N. Tansila, K. Panthong, S., Tanskul, M. Nishibuchi, and V. Vuddhakul. 2016. Inhibitory potential of biosurfactants from Bacillus amyloliquefaciens derived from mangrove soil against Vibrio parahaemolyticus. Ann. Microbiol. DOI
10.1007/s13213-016-1216-4

Oral presentation (invited talks at international conferences and symposiums)

Ahmad Yaman Kayal1, Takeki Kai,Aziz A. Djamal,and MitsuakiNishibuchi. Updates of the IMS (immunomagnetic
separation)–LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification)–based detection method for enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia
colibelonging to 15 O serotypes. 51st Annual Joint Panel Conference on Cholera and Other Bacterial Enteric Infections,
US-Japan Cooperative Medical Sciences Program. Seoul, Republic of Korea. Feb 10, 2017.

Nishibuchi, M.: Food Safety and Global Health: Nowadays traditional food habit is a ‘glocal’ issue (Presentation in English). The
10th International Scientific Meeting of National Institute of Health on one health. Institute Nacional de Salud, sede Chorrillos
(Chorrillos headquarters, National Institute of Health, Lima, Peru. Decmber 1, 2016. December 1, 2016.

Hosting of seminars

“Go Beyond the Boundary” Seminar
1st seminar: 15 November 2016, Inamori Foundation Memorial Building, Kyoto University. Speakers: Mohamed Nasreldin Elhadi

Hussein (College of Applied Medical Sciences, University of Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia); M. Nishibuchi (Ctr. Southeast Asian Studies (CSEAS), Kyoto Univ.)

2nd seminar: March 15, 2017, Inamori Foundation Memorial Building, Kyoto University. Speakers: Shinji Yamasaki (International Prevention of Epidemics, Graduate School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Osaka Prefecture University); Sucharit Basu Neogi (Coastal Development Partnership, Bangladesh); Mitsuaki Nishibuchi (Ctr. for Southeast Asian Studies, Kyoto University)