Mr Elisha CHATANGA
About Mr Elisha CHATANGA
I am a Veterinary Parasitologist and a hold of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Veterinary Medicine from Hokkaido University Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine in Japan. I also hold a Zoonosis Control Expert Certificate from Hokkaido University Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine in Japan. I obtained my Bachelors Degree in Veterinary Medicine (BVM) from University of Zambia, Lusaka, Zambia and a Diploma in Veterinary Sciences from Mikolongwe College of Veterinary Sciences in Chiradzulu, Malawi.
Research Interest for: Mr Elisha CHATANGA
Analysis of the mitochondrial genome of ticks from domestic and wild animals in MAlawi.
I work on the analysis of the mitochondrial genome of ticks using the selective whole genome amplification (SWGA) and long-range PCR to investigate the symbiotic relationship of the symbionts that ticks carry and their host ticks.
The identification of ticks from domestic, wild animals, aquatic animals, and the environment in Malawi.
This involves the collection of ticks from domestic, wild animals, aquatic animals, and the environment using the direct picking of the ticks from the animals and flagging in the environment. Morphological identification of the ticks is done microscopically using identification features outlined in identification manuals of Afrotropical ticks. Molecular identification involved the amplification using the mitochondrial or nuclear genes, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Further, the ticks are also screened for pathogens of veterinary and medical importance that they carry.
Epidemiological Survey of dog-borne Neglected Zoonotic Disease infections in Malawi.
This involves the collection of dog blood and fecal samples as well as the vectors such as tsetse flies, sandflies, fleas, ticks, mosquitoes, and lice from the strategic places in the environment and dogs. Trypanosoma, Leishmania, Spotted Fever Group (SFG) Rickettsia, and Echinococcus granulosus are the targeted pathogens for amplification by PCR and antibody detection by ELISA/IFA.