Forty years of immunology research at ILRI: An impact narrative

Over the years, cutting edge tools, technologies and approaches have been implemented to increase understanding of the bovine immune system and mechanisms of pathogen control. Despite limited funding, compared to human immunological research, ILRAD/ILRI have made tremendous progress in bovine immunological research which remains a research focus at ILRI. Continue reading →

New study shows that waterbucks are an important source of tick-borne diseases of livestock

A recent study has found that wildlife are an important source of tick-borne diseases of livestock, with 70% of emerging pathogens originating from wildlife. The study found evidence of previously unknown parasite genotypes that may be infective to both small ruminants and equids (horses). Climate change could fuel the spread of such pathogens through the spread of their tick vector further impacting livestock production. Continue reading →

East Coast fever vaccine national distribution launch

‘For four decades, the Nairobi-based International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and its predecessor (the International Laboratory for Research on Animal Diseases, ILRAD) have conducted research on the lethal tick-borne cattle disease known as East Coast fever. ILRI’s work has focused on developing a new-generation ‘subunit’ vaccine, comprising molecular components of the causative parasite, while also … Continue reading →

Designing bovine T cell vaccines via reverse immunology – Highlighting our Publications

T cell responses contribute to immunity against many intracellular infections. There is, for example, strong evidence that major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I-restricted cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) play an essential role in mediating immunity to East Coast fever (ECF), a fatal lymphoproliferative disease of cattle prevalent in sub-Saharan Africa and caused by Theileria parva. o … Continue reading →

Combating East Coast Fever (ECF); Muguga Cocktail

East Coast fever (ECF) is one of the major diseases affecting cattle and among the major livestock diseases that the Biotech team at ILRI is researching on to develop and improve vaccines for. ECF is caused by a tick-borne parasite called Theileria parva and has been affecting cattle in 11 countries in Eastern, Central and … Continue reading →