Mongolia: The Possible Key to Future Pathogen Cure

Mongolian livestock, which can carry deadly pathogens

As part of the Duke University’s Master of Global Health program, students traveled to Mongolia to conduct field research that can better protect local herders and their families from dangerous pathogens carried by rodents and ticks. Mongolia highly values their animals as a critical part of their economic base, so it is important for researchers to prevent diseases that affect both humans and animals.Many of the herders’ livestock are exposed to pathogens such as Borrelia (Lyme disease), Rickettsia (spotted fever), and anaplasma (a form of blood disease). These are classified aszoonotic diseases, meaning they are transferred from animal to human. Mongolia has apopulation of only 3 million, but has over 50 million horses, camels, sheep, goats, and yaks. It is critical that researchers find the best preventive cure so zoonotic disease do not have a detrimental effect.

The Duke Global Health program, which has a relationship with the Mongolian veterinarians, allows students to work with vets in the field. Gregory Grey, MD, MPH, a professor of Global Health and Infectious Disease, forged the relationship 10 yea

rs ago. He is an ardent supporter of the idea that there are strong ties between human and veterinarian health.

After collecting blood samples from the Mongolian rodents, the students and their advisers took the samples back to the Institute of Veterinary Medicine in Ulaanbaatar, where they conducted multiple lab tests and screening to detect any signs of zoonotic disease. Using the ionic charge in blood, the students utilized magnets to separate the sample from the desired DNA.

Not only were the master students given the unique opportunity to conduct field work, but they were tasked with a project that has large ramifications for Mongolia’s overall welfare. The students showcased the work at the 5th Annual International Symposium on One Health in Mongolia.