Abstract

Sub-Saharan Africa has made remarkable progress in genomic surveillance, with over 50% of
countries now possessing in-country sequencing capacity and 98% contributing data to global
repositories. Catalyzed by the COVID-19 pandemic, these efforts are extending beyond SARSCoV-2 to encompass antimicrobial resistance (AMR), zoonotic spillovers, and endemic diseases
such as malaria, HIV, and tuberculosis. Genomic surveillance provides real-time, high-resolution
data essential for outbreak detection, pathogen evolution tracking, and informing targeted
responses. Historically reliant on slower, less precise methods like microbiology and serology,
Africa’s public health systems are transitioning toward next-generation sequencing (NGS) and
integrated data platforms. Supported by initiatives such as the Africa Pathogen Genomics Initiative
(Africa PGI), H3AbioNet, and global partnerships, countries are investing in bioinformatics,
infrastructure, and legal frameworks for data protection. However, challenges remain in workforce
development, data analysis capacity, and ensuring timely and actionable outputs. Lessons from
high-income countries underscore the benefits of embedding genomics into public health, where
timely variant detection, rapid data sharing, and cross-sectoral partnerships have proven critical.
Africa’s genetic and epidemiological diversity provides a unique advantage for leading innovation
in pathogen surveillance. Strategic priorities now include strengthening regional networks,
harmonizing data systems, and securing sustainable funding.
This paper explores Africa’s evolving genomic surveillance landscape, highlighting transformative
progress and key opportunities to embed genomics into resilient, equitable health systems. With
sustained investment and collaboration, Africa is positioned not only to address current health
threats but also to shape the future of global health security

Abstract

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) has a high prevalence around the world. Genital HSV infections have a massive global disease burden, with millions affected by genital ulcers and outbreaks. The combined global incidence of genital HSV infections (HSV-1 and HSV-2) among individuals aged 15-49 was 42.4 million, while the prevalence was 846.1 million. While a cure or effective vaccine remains elusive, recent research efforts include developing gene therapies, exploring various vaccine approaches, and improving understanding of viral latency and immune evasion mechanisms. Preclinical gene therapy studies using a gene editing approach have shown promising results that eliminated at least 90% of the virus and reduced viral shedding. This gene therapy aims to target and eliminate the virus from its latency site in nerve cells, preventing future outbreaks and transmission. The experimental gene therapy involved using a meganuclease enzyme that cuts herpes virus’s DNA at two different places. These cuts damage the virus to the extent that it can’t repair itself. Thereafter, hosts repair systems recognize the damaged DNA as foreign and removes it. Exploration of various types of vaccines, including live-attenuated and replication-deficient viruses, DNA/mRNA vaccines, and protein subunit vaccines, has shown promising preclinical results. A trivalent vaccine targeting HSV-2 glycoproteins has demonstrated protection against vaginal infection in guinea pigs. Moreover, host-pathogen immune interplay studies are critical to decipher the mechanism of immune evasion by HSV-1 and HSV-2 and to understand their roles in latency and reactivation in nerve cells. Recent studies have identified that the herpes virus triggers the immune response as part of its escape from dormancy. New drug targets utilizing key differences between HSV-1 and HSV-2 are currently being explored to develop more effective therapies, particularly for neonatal infections. New drug candidates, such as pritelivir, are being tested as potential treatments for herpes symptoms.

Abstract

Background: COVID-19, now is one of season diseases. In past 5 years, ever the global pandemic of COVID-19, as a new infectious disease, has undergone extensive and in-depth research on its etiology, pathology, diagnosis, prevention and treatment, as well as integrative Chinese and western medicine. The prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of integrative Chinese and Western medicine in mainland China has played an important role in management of the epidemic. In the past two thousand years, some major theoretical innovations in Chinese medicine were created in the treatment of epidemic infectious diseases. One of its advantages in Chinese Medicine is that even when the cause of the infectious disease is unknown, based on the theory of Chinese medicine and past practical experience, Chinese medicine can have its own diagnosis and treatment plan, but the disadvantage is that there is a lack of modern clinical and scientific evidences. However, the COVID-19 in mainland China has added scientific research studies, and some clinical and scientific evidence has been obtained as quickly as Western medicine, some of them have discussed in WHO expert panel. Although vaccines have been emerged one after another, and pandemic is gone, COVID-19 is still one of season diseases, and the effectiveness and safety of vaccines needs further observation, especially for people who are elder age and complicated with other diseases. Methods: this presentation intends to review the research progress and existing problems of COVID19 in Chinese and Western medicine, focus on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of COVID-19 by Chinese herbal medicine, and explore its scientific and clinical evidence by our basic and clinical studies. Results: based on our literature review and our studies, we published several review papers and clinical studies in English and Chinese, and awarded a Hong Kong Government grant to support our RCT study for prevention of COVID-19 by Chinese herbal medicine which will present the part of the results in the conference

Abstract

Anxiety and depression are severe mental health disorders that significantly impact patients and society. While selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like escitalopram are commonly prescribed, their success rate is limited (50%) and associated with adverse side effects such as sexual dysfunction and weight gain. This study explores the efficacy and side effect profile of a novel herbal treatment, particularly Crataegus pinnatifida, as an alternative therapy for anxiety and depression. Mice were subjected to four weeks of unpredictable chronic mild stress to induce anxiety- and depression-like behaviors. Post-stress, they were divided into four groups receiving (a) the novel herbal treatment, (b) Crataegus pinnatifida, (c) escitalopram, or (d) a control solution. Behavioral tests assessed anxiety and depression symptoms, while sexual behavior, weight changes, and serotonin transporter levels in the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus were evaluated to compare therapeutic efficacy and side effects. The novel herbal treatment exhibited significant anxiolytic and antidepressant-like effects without causing sexual dysfunction or weight gain, unlike escitalopram, which produced both side effects. Crataegus pinnatifida emerged as the primary active ingredient driving these therapeutic effects with minimal adverse outcomes. The novel herbal treatment, especially Crataegus pinnatifida, shows promise as a safer alternative to SSRIs, offering effective anxiolytic and antidepressant benefits without common side effects. These advantages may stem from unique biological mechanisms, which ongoing studies aim to elucidate further.