The UPLB Program for Zoonotic Diseases (UPLB PZD), in cooperation with the Department of Veterinary Paraclinical Sciences (DVPS), held the “Special Lectures on Tick Biology and Rapid Diagnostics” last 15 March 2023 at the CVM Lecture Room 3 and the Veterinary Immunology Laboratory. Dr. Tetsuya Tanaka from Kagoshima University and Dr. Wataru Yamazaki from Kyoto University served as resource speakers.

In her opening remarks on behalf of CVM Dean Maria Amelita C. Estacio, CVM Assistant to the Dean Michelle Grace V. Paraso welcomed the distinguished professors saying that the participants would benefit from the learning event. Dr. Paraso also thanked the organizers as the event will be appreciated by the faculty, staff, and students.

Dr. Tanaka, also a visiting Professor at the UPLB College of Veterinary Medicine, first introduced the program Joint Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at Kagoshima University for veterinarians and encouraged participants to pursue graduate studies at the said university. The Joint Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine of Kagoshima University and Yamaguchi University offers a four-year doctoral course where researchers can gain expert knowledge and advance practical competencies through research and education. Dr. Tanaka presented their research, “Antibacterial activity by hemolymph defensin from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis,” which analyzed the antimicrobial substance found in ticks and its activity against bacteria. 

Meanwhile, Dr. Yamazaki gave a short introduction and demonstration of the loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) method and its application to the early diagnosis of African Swine Fever (ASF). He discussed the global spread of infectious diseases and their impact on the economy of different continents. Dr. Yamazaki also presented the development of field-usable point-of-care testing for early detection and early containment of ASF. He explained the importance of early disease detection through rapid implementation of countermeasures, which can reduce disease spread and economic losses. “Early detection and early countermeasure[s] can reduce the damage of animals,” Dr. Yamazaki also said.

“The purpose of [the] Special Lectures is to increase our knowledge on tick biology and rapid diagnostics, which are both emerging issues. Ticks are vectors of many infectious diseases, and rapid diagnostics is highly needed to detect these diseases,” Dr. Galay expressed during his closing remarks. He added, “It is a mission of the Program [for] Zoonotic Diseases to enhance our capability on detection, prevention and response to emerging zoonotic diseases.”

Dr. Emmanuel P. Hernandez, DVPS Assistant Professor, served as the host and moderator of the special lecture. 

Aside from members of UPLB PZD, the Special Lectures were participated by students and faculty members from the Colleges of Agriculture and Food Science (CAFS), Veterinary Medicine (CVM), and  Arts and Sciences (CAS).