Faculty Report 10/11 - The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine

suMMary: Bayesian phylogeographic approach
was used to investigate whether outbreaks of rabies
virus (RABV) in Trinidad are a result of local
maintenance or regular re-introduction from the
South American mainland. The investigation was
based on a dataset of 189 nucleotide sequences,
including 33 newly-derived sequences from viruses
isolated in Trinidad between 1997 and 2010. Results
confirmed a vampire bat rabies virus origin, and
provide evidence of three separate importations
from the South American mainland of two distinct
bat rabies virus variants. However, there was also
evidence of in-situ maintenance of the virus within
Trinidad with co-circulation of the two variants
for limited periods. Epidemiological analyses of
the 2010 outbreak suggest entry of the virus from
the Southwestern peninsula of the island with
subsequent spread in a Northeasterly direction.
Further investigation into the relationship between
the spatio-temporal dynamics of RABV and vampire
migration patterns are warranted.
sigNiFicaNce OF results: These data can inform
rabies virus control and monitoring efforts, and
highlight the importance of sustained vector control
measures particularly in regions of the island that
are close to the mainland.
selF MONitOriNg OF blOOD glucOse aND its
assOciatiON With better glycaeMic cONtrOl
iN type 2 Diabetic patieNts ageD 40- 75 iN
triNiDaD.
iNvestigatOr: S. Nayak
suMMary: This study showed that recent users of
the glucometer seemed to have better control of their
HbA1c than longstanding users. The same result was
also seen in the lipid profile with patients using a
glucometer for more than 11 years having the highest
cholesterol while those owning it between 6 months
FACULTY REPORT 2010/2011
to 5 years had the lowest values. Little difference
or improvement was noted for the frequent users
of the glucometer compared to those who used it
occasionally or once a week.
sigNiFicaNce OF results: The study
recommends patient education on use of the
glucometer, mode of administration of insulin and
proper diet and exercise to control their diabetes.
WOuND healiNg & aNti-MicrObial
pOteNtial OF aN ethaNOlic extract OF
carica papaya seeDs.
iNvestigatOrs: S. Nayak, Ria Ramdeen, Andrew
Adogwa, Adash Ramsubhag and Julien Marshall
suMMary: The group of rats treated with the
ethanolic extract of C. papaya demonstrated a
significant decrease in wound area when compared
to controls.
sigNiFicaNce OF the results: Our results
suggest Carica papaya promotes significant wound
healing in rats and further evaluation of this activity
in humans is suggested.
Department of Para-Clinical Sciences
Professor C. Ezenwaka
The perceptions of Type 2 diabetes patients on selfmonitoring
of blood glucose.
Dr. J. Rawlins
‘Social and family networking after retirement: Economic
security, leisure and volunteering in Trinidad and Tobago’
Campus Research and Publications Fund
Completed data collection and data analysis for the
project, ‘An investigation into the family networking,
health and volunteering activities of retired persons in
Trinidad & Tobago’
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