Introdução: As hepatites virais causadas pelo VHB e VHC são um importante problema de saúde pública, representando, juntas, mais de 530 milhões de indivíduos no mundo inteiro, que desenvolveram hepatites crônicas ao serem expostos a esses vírus. No entanto, grande parte da população infectada desconhece sua condição, pois frequentemente encontra-se assintomática. O diagnóstico dessas viroses muitas vezes se dá de forma ocasional, geralmente após procedimentos clínicos rotineiros ou após a realização de doações voluntárias de sangue. Entretanto, já foi demonstrado que mesmo assintomáticos, ou com a presença de sintomas mínimos, os portadores do VHB ou do VHC podem apresentar distúrbios de ordem emocional, social ou mesmo físicos, que repercutem na queda de sua QVRS. Objetivos: O principal objetivo desse estudo foi o de avaliar o impacto que a informação do diagnóstico da presença do VHB ou do VHC poderia causar na QVRS de doadores voluntários de sangue. Método: Participaram do estudo 105 doadores com sorologias alteradas ou para o VHB ou para o VHC nos exames de triagem das doações de sangue, sendo que 65 (62%) eram do sexo masculino e 40 (38%) eram do sexo feminino. Deste total, 32 (30,5%) apresentaram confirmação do diagnóstico para o VHB e 35 (33,3%) apresentaram confirmação do diagnóstico para o VHC. Entretanto, 38 doadores de sangue (36,2%), não tiveram a confirmação dessas viroses após a realização de exames confirmatórios, sendo que seus exames de triagem alterados na doação de sangue foram considerados falso-positivos. Os doadores com diagnóstico sorológico confirmado foram divididos em 2 grupos: um grupo formado por 32 doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite B e um grupo de 35 doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite C. Foram estabelecidos 2 grupos controles para as comparações. O primeiro, um grupo controle negativo, composto de doadores com sorologias negativas em doações de sangue sucessivas, pareados por sexo, cor e idade, e em igual número para cada grupo de doadores infectados. O segundo, um grupo controle falso-positivo, composto por 38 doadores que apresentaram sorologias falso-positivas na doação de sangue. As avaliações da QVRS nos indivíduos infectados foram realizadas em 3 etapas: a) 1ª Etapa: quando compareciam no banco de sangue para a repetição dos exames alterados na doação, contudo sem saberem qual alteração sorológica estava sendo investigada. b) 2ª Etapa: Quando o médico do banco de sangue informava ao doador qual era o seu diagnóstico. c) 3ª Etapa: No momento em que o doador iniciava o acompanhamento clínico ambulatorial. As comparações foram feitas seguindo-se quatro abordagens: a) Comparando-se o nível de percepção das diferenças na QVRS, conforme a evolução das etapas do estudo, através de uma análise longitudinal de cada grupo infectado. b) Comparando-se as diferenças na QVRS entre os grupos infectados com o VHB ou com o VHC e doadores do grupo controle negativo. c) Comparando-se as diferenças na QVRS entre os grupos infectados com o VHB ou com o VHC e doadores do grupo controle falsopositivo. d) Comparando-se a QVRS do grupo de doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite B com a QVRS do grupo de doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite C, no momento em que iniciaram o acompanhamento ambulatorial. As avaliações foram realizadas utilizando-se o questionário SF-36, genérico, de aplicação na população geral, e o questionário LDQOL, de aplicação específica nas doenças hepáticas. Resultados: Nas análises longitudinais, utilizando-se o questionário SF-36, somente o grupo de doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite C demonstrou diferenças estatisticamente significantes da QVRS, nos domínios Dor (p = 0,011), Estado Geral da Saúde (p < 0,001), Aspectos Sociais (p = 0,019), Saúde Mental (p = 0,033) e no Componente Físico da escala sumarizada do SF-36, à custa do aumento nos escores dos questionários. Diferentemente, o grupo de doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite B não apresentou diferenças estatisticamente significantes na análise longitudinal. Nas comparações do grupo de doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite B com seu grupo-controle negativo, utilizando-se o questionário SF-36, foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes: a) Fase 1 do estudo: nos domínios Dor (p = 0,036), Estado Geral de Saúde (p = 0,007) e no Componente Físico (p = 0,004) da escala sumarizada do SF-36. b) Fase 2 do estudo: nos domínios Capacidade Funcional (p = 0,034), Limitação por Aspectos Físicos (p = 0,048), Dor (p = 0,035), Estado Geral de Saúde (p = 0,002), Saúde Mental (p = 0,047) e no Componente Físico (p = 0,007) da escala sumarizada do SF-36. Fase 3 do estudo: nos domínios Capacidade Funcional (p = 0,028), Dor (p = 0,002), Estado Geral de Saúde (p = 0,006), Vitalidade (p = 0,046) e no Componente Físico (p = 0,006). Nas comparações do grupo de doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite B com o grupo controle falso-positivo, utilizando-se o questionário SF-36, foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes: a) Fase 1 do estudo: nos domínios Limitação por Aspectos Físicos (p = 0,032). b) Fase 2 do estudo: nos domínios Capacidade Funcional (p = 0,006), Limitação por Aspectos Físicos (p = 0,006), Dor (p = 0,006), Vitalidade (p = 0,017), Limitação por Aspectos Emocionais (p = 0,038), Saúde Mental (p = 0,030), no Componente Físico (p = 0,019) e no Componente Mental (p = 0,022) da escala sumarizada do SF-36.Nas comparações do grupo de doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite C com o seu grupo controle negativo, utilizando-se o questionário SF-36, foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes: a) Fase 1 do estudo: nos domínios Capacidade Funcional (p = 0,038), Dor (p = 0,003), Estado Geral de Saúde (p<0,011), Vitalidade (p = 0,034), Aspectos Sociais (p = 0,006), Limitação por Aspectos Emocionais (p = 0,024), Saúde Mental (p = 0,007) , no Componente Físico (p = 0,002) e no Componente Mental da escala sumarizada do SF-36. b) Fase 2 do estudo: nos domínios Limitação por Aspectos Físicos (p = 0,040), Dor (p = 0,017), Estado Geral de Saúde (p < 0,001), Vitalidade (p = 0,019), Aspectos Sociais (p = 0,005), Limitação por Aspectos Emocionais (p = 0,025), Saúde Mental (p = 0,034) e no Componente Físico (p = 0,008) da escala sumarizada do SF-36. c) Fase 3 do estudo: nos domínios Dor (p = 0,041), Estado Geral de Saúde (p = 0,003), Vitalidade (p = 0,030) e Limitação por Aspectos Emocionais (p = 0,027). Nas comparações entre o grupo de doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite C e o grupo controle falso-positivo, utilizando-se o questionário SF-36, foram encontradas diferenças estatisticamente significantes : a) Fase 1 do estudo: nos domínios Limitação por Aspectos Físicos (p = 0,040) e Limitação por Aspectos Emocionais (p = 0,042). b) Fase 2 do estudo: Limitação por Aspectos Físicos (p = 0,010), Vitalidade (p = 0,037), Aspectos Sociais (p = 0,010) e Limitação por Aspectos Emocionais (p = 0,005). Nas comparações da QVRS entre o grupo dos doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite B e o grupo dos doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite C no momento em que iniciavam o acompanhamento clínico, utilizando-se o questionário LDQOL, não foram observadas diferenças estatisticamente significantes. Conclusões: A análise longitudinal dos doadores com diagnóstico de hepatite C, as comparações com o seu grupo-controle negativo e com o grupo controle falso-positivo, demonstraram alteração na QVRS. Segundo a análise longitudinal, os doadores com o VHC, ao evoluírem nas etapas do estudo, apresentaram um aumento em seus escores, sugerindo que as informações prestadas pela equipe médica sobre a doença e a perspectiva de um atendimento clínico adequado causaram uma tranquilização que melhorou o impacto inicial do diagnóstico da doença, promovendo melhora relativa da QVRS. Ainda que houvesse melhora dos escores na análise longitudinal, os doadores com o diagnóstico de hepatite C tiveram queda de sua QVRS, demonstrada quando comparados ao seu grupo-controle negativo e com o grupo-controle falso-positivo. Nos doadores do grupo com o diagnóstico de hepatite B, ao contrário, não houve alteração da QVRS que pôde ser demonstrada na análise longitudinal. Este achado sugere a baixa QVRS nestes indivíduos mesmo antes do diagnóstico, e que não houve alteração perceptível de sua queda neste grupo de infectados durante a evolução do estudo. Entretanto, quando comparados ao grupocontrole de doadores negativos e ao grupo-controle falso-positivo, foi demonstrada queda na sua QVRS, que pôde ser associada ao impacto do diagnóstico da infecção pelo VHB / Introduction: Viral hepatitis caused by HBV and HCV are an important public health problem. Together they represent around 530 million individuals who have been exposed to these viruses all over the world. Much of that infected population is unaware of their condition, because they are often asymptomatic. Diagnosing these viral infections often comes only occasionally, usually after clinical routine procedures or after volunteer blood donations. However, it has been shown that even asymptomatic, or even in the presence of minimum symptoms, carriers living with HBV or HCV virus can show emotional, social or even physical disturbs, which echoes in the fall of their Health Related Quality of Life (HRQOL). Aims: The main goal of this study was to evaluate the impact of the diagnosis information of the HBV or HCV presence could cause on HRQOL of voluntary blood donors. Method: The study included 105 donors with altered serology to HBV or HCV tests in blood donations screening. 65 (62%) blood donors were male and 40 (38%) were female. From this total, 32 (30.5%) blood donors were submitted to HBV diagnosis confirmation and 35 (33.3%) were submitted to HCV diagnosis confirmation. However 38 (36.2%) blood donors had no confirmation of these infections after conducting confirmatory tests, and were considered as false positive result tests. Donors with a confirmed serological diagnosis were divided into 2 groups: a group of 32 blood donors with hepatitis B diagnosis and 35 blood donors with hepatitis C diagnosis. Two control groups have been established for comparisons. The first, a negative control group, composed of donors with negative serology, matched by sex, race and age, and in equal numbers for each group of infected donors. The second, a false-positive control group composed by 38 blood donors who had false-positive serology in their blood donation. Assessments of HRQOL in individuals infected were performed in 3 phases: a) Phase 1: When they went to the blood bank for collecting blood samples to new confirmatory tests, however, they werent informed about which serological test was specifically being investigated. B) Phase 2: When the blood banks doctor informed what the donors diagnosis was. C) Phase 3: At the moment the donor started his clinical follow-up. Comparisons were performed according to 4 approaches: A) Comparing the level of perceived HRQOL differences according to the evolution of the studys phases, through a longitudinal analysis of each group infected. B) Comparing the HRQOL differences between the infected donor groups with HBV or HCV and their negative control group. C) Comparing the HRQOL differences between the infected donor groups with HBV or HCV and the false-positive control group. C) Comparing the HRQOL differences between the infected groups with HBV or HCV virus with the false-positive control group. D) Comparing the HRQOL in the group of donors with diagnosis of hepatitis B and the HRQOL in the group of donors with diagnosis of hepatitis C at the time they started the ambulatory monitoring. Evaluations were performed using the SF-36, the generic form applied for the general population, and the LDQOL, specific form applied in liver diseases. Results: In the longitudinal analysis in patients with HBV or HCV using the SF-36, only the group of donors diagnosed with hepatitis C showed significant differences in HRQOL, which occurred in the domains: Bodily Pain (p = 0.011), General Health (p <0.001), Social Function (p = 0.019), Mental Health (p = 0.033) and in the Physical Component of the summarized SF-36 scale, at the costs of increasing in the questionnaire scores. On different way, the hepatitis B group did not show statistically significant differences in longitudinal analysis. Comparing the hepatitis B diagnosis donors group with their negative control group using the SF-36, were found the following statistically significant differences, in the domains: A) Phase 1 Study: Bodily Pain (p = 0.036), General Health (p = 0.007) and in the Physical Component (p = 0.004) of the summarized SF-36 scale. B) Phase 2 Study: Physical Function (p = 0.034), Role Physical (p = 0.048), Bodily Pain (p = 0.035), General Health (p = 0.002), Mental Health (p = 0.047) And in the Physical Component (p = 0.007) of the summarized SF-36 scale. C) Phase 3 Study = Physical Function (p = 0.028), Bodily Pain (p = 0.002), General Health (p = 0.006), Vitality (p = 0.046), and in the Physical Component (p = 0.006) of the summarized SF-36 scale. Comparisons between the hepatitis B diagnosis donors group and their false positive control using the SF-36, were found statistically significant differences in the domains: A) Phase 1 Study : Role Physical (p = 0.032). B) Phase 2 Study = Physical Function (p = 0.006), Role Physical (p = 0.006), Bodily Pain (p = 0.006), Vitality (p = 0.017), Role Emotional (p = 0.038), Mental Health (p = 0.030), and in the Physical Component (p = 0.019) and Mental Component (p = 0,022) of the SF-36 summarized scale. In comparisons of the group of donors with a diagnosis of hepatitis C with their negative control group, using the SF-36 were found statistically significant differences in the domains: A) Phase 1 Study: Physical Function (p = 0.038), Bodily Pain (p = 0.003), General Health (p <0.011), Vitality (p = 0.034), Social Function (p = 0.006), Role Emotional (p = 0.024), Mental Health (p = 0.007), Physical Component (P = 0.002) and Mental Component of the SF-36 summarized scale. B) Phase 2 study: Role Physical (p = 0.040), Bodily Pain (p = 0.017), General Health (p <0.001), Vitality (p = 0.019), Social Function (p = 0.005), Role Emotional (p = 0.025), Mental Health (p = 0.034) and Physical Component (p = 0.008) of the SF-36 summarized scale. C) Phase 3 Study: Bodily Pain (p = 0.041), General Health (p = 0.003), Vitality (p = 0.030) and Role Emotional (p = 0.027). Comparisons between the group of donors diagnosed with hepatitis C and the control group false-positive, using the SF-36 were statistically significant differences: A) Phase 1 Study: Role Physical (p = 0.040) and Role Emotional (p = 0.042). b) Phase 2 Study: Role Physical (p = 0.010), Vitality (p = 0.037), Social Function (p = 0.010) and Role Emotional (p = 0.005). In comparisons of HRQOL between the group of donors with a diagnosis of hepatitis B and the group of donors diagnosed with hepatitis C at the time of beginning the clinical follow-up, using the questionnaire LDQOL, there were no statistically significant differences. Conclusion: The longitudinal analysis of donors diagnosed with hepatitis C, the comparisons with their negative control group and the control group false-positive, showed changes in HRQOL. According to the longitudinal analysis, donors with HCV, when evoluting in the phases of the study showed an increase in their scores, suggesting that the information provided by the medical team about the disease and the prospect of an appropriate clinical care caused a tranquilization that has improved the initial impact diagnose of the disease, promoting a relative improvement on HRQOL. Although there were improvement in scores on the longitudinal analysis, the donors with the diagnosis of hepatitis C had a reduction of their HRQOL, as demonstrated when compared to their negative control group and the control group false-positive. In the donor group with the diagnosis of hepatitis B, in contrast, there was no change in HRQOL that could be demonstrated in longitudinal analysis. But when compared to their control groups negative and false-positive, statistically significant differences were identified. This finding suggests a poor HRQOL in these individuals even before the diagnosis, and that there was no noticeable change to its fall in this group infected during the course of the study. However, when compared to the negative control group of donors and the false-positive control group it was demonstrated decrease in HRQOL of these donors, which might be associated with the impact of the diagnosis of HBV infection

O HEV é um patógeno viral, transmitido principalmente pela via fecal-oral e responsável por grandes surtos de hepatite em todo o mundo. A hepatite E é considerada a hepatite com transmissão entérica mais frequente no mundo, e um importante problema de saúde pública. Por apresentar uma fase sanguínea assintomática e ser um agente emergente, cuja incidência vem aumentando ao longo da última década, o HEV é também considerado um problema para a hemoterapia, uma vez que põe em risco a segurança transfusional, devido ao risco de sua transmissão por transfusão sanguínea. No Brasil, sua ocorrência e características ainda não são compreendidas e os estudos disponíveis são limitados. Objetivo: Determinar a prevalência do HEV em doadores de sangue do Hemocentro de Ribeirão Preto no ano de 2015. Material e Métodos: Foram selecionados aleatoriamente 1.000 doadores de sangue do Hemocentro de Ribeirão Preto no período de janeiro a dezembro de 2015. Inicialmente, foi realizada a pesquisa de anticorpos da classe IgG do HEV em plasma, utilizando a metodologia de imuno-ensaio enzimático (ELISA). As amostras que se apresentaram reagentes (positivas ou inconclusivas) para IgG HEV, foram submetidas à pesquisa de antígenos virais, também por metodologia ELISA. Paralelamente aos testes sorológicos, foi realizado o teste molecular para a detecção de RNA viral, aplicando a técnica de PCR em tempo real e utilizando primers desenhados para a região mais conservada do vírus (ORF-3). Resultados: Entre as 1.000 amostras testadas, 124 foram positivas para a pesquisa de anticorpos anti-HEV IgG e 5 foram inconclusivas. A soroprevalência encontrada foi de 12,5%. A maior prevalência encontrada foi na faixa etária de 50-59 anos (21,2%, p<0,01), porém com aumento significativo entre os 40 e 69 anos de idade. A menor prevalência encontrada foi no grupo etário de 18 a 29 anos (3,9%). A soroprevalência foi proporcionalmente maior entre os indivíduos do gênero masculino (14,3%, p<0,06) em relação aos indivíduos do sexo feminino (10,4%). Nenhuma das amostras testadas foi positiva para a pesquisa de antígenos HEV e nem para a detecção de RNA viral. Conclusão: A soroprevalência do vírus da hepatite E encontrada entre os doadores de sangue de Ribeirão Preto foi alta (12,5%) e compatível com os dados nacionais de soroprevalência entre doadores. A viremia não pode ser estabelecida, pois não foram encontrados casos de HEV RNA positivos. / HEV is a viral pathogen, transmitted primarily by the fecal-oral route and responsible for large outbreaks of hepatitis worldwide. Hepatitis E is considered the most common transmissible enteric hepatitis in the world, and is currently considered a major public health problem. Because it presents an asymptomatic blood stage and is an emerging agent whose incidence has increased over the last decade, HEV is also considered a problem for hemotherapy, since it jeopardizes transfusion safety due to the risk of its transmission by transfusion. In Brazil its occurrence and characteristics are poorly understood and available studies are limited. Objective: To determine the prevalence of HEV in blood donors at the Hemocentro de Ribeirão Preto in the year 2015. Material and Methods: 1.000 blood donors were randomly selected from the Hemocentro of Ribeirão Preto from January to December 2015. Initially, a HEV IgG antibody was investigated in plasma, using ELISA (enzyme immunoassay). As samples that presented reagents (positive or inconclusive) for HEV IgG, they were submitted to the research of viral antigens, also by ELISA methodology. In parallel to the serological tests, it was carried out for molecular testing to detect viral RNA, applying a real-time PCR technique and using primers designed for a more conserved region of the virus (ORF-3). Results: Among 1,000 tested samples, 124 were positive for anti-HEV IgG antibodies and 5 were inconclusive. One seroprevalence was found to be 12.5%. A higher prevalence was found in the age range of 50-59 years (21.2%, p<0,001), but with a significant increase between 40 and 69 years of age. The lowest prevalence was found for the 18-29 age group (3.9%). Seroprevalence was proportionally higher among males (14.3%, p<0,06) than among female users (10.4%). It was not evaluated for a HEV antigen search or for viral RNA detection. Conclusion: A seroprevalence of hepatitis E virus found among blood donors from Ribeirão Preto and high (12.5%) and compatible with data from seroprevalence among donors. Viremia cannot be established because no cases of positive RNA HEV have been found

Since the discovery in 1989 of hepatitis C virus (HCV) as the infectious agent responsible for the vast majority of post-transfusion non-A non-B hepatitis, blood transfusions are no longer a source for HCV transmission in Sweden. Anti-HCV testing was implemented for all blood donations in 1992. Since then intravenous drug use (IDU) has become the major route of transmission in the western world. Six genotypes and more than 80 subtypes of HCV have now been identified world-wide. These genotypes and subtypes are determined by genetic divergences between the HCV strains. Subtypes 1a, 1b, 2b, 2c, and 3a have global spread, while the other subtypes have a more limited geographical distribution. Little was known on the prevalence of HCV among blood donors and on which genotypes and subtypes of HCV were circulating in Sweden before the testing of all blood donations was implemented. The prevalence of anti-HCV was therefore investigated in sera sent to the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control (SMI) from 412 patients; 241 were sampled between 1970 and 1991 before the universal screening in 1992, while 171 were sampled between 1992 and 2002. The samples derived from 193 (47%) blood donors, (104 sampled before, and 89 after 1992), and from seven other groups of patients. Two groups had suspected known routes of infection, intravenous drug use (IDU) 33 patients and hemodialysis, 16 patients, while it was unknown for the other patients. Anti-HCV was detected in 120 (29%) samples. The highest frequency was found among IDUs, (91%). Before general screening was implemented, 2.8% of the blood donors were positive for hepatitis C, whereas 28% of those sampled after 1992 were anti-HCV positive. Those latter samples were sent to SMI due to anti-HCV reactivity in a primary test at the blood centre. HCV RNA could be detected by PCR in 56 (47%) of the anti-HCV positive samples, the subtype could be determined by sequencing in 45 (80%) of those. The subtypes found were 1a in 31 %, 1b in 18%, 2b in 22%, and 3a in 27%. One sample was of subtype 2c. There was a tendency of increase of genotype 2 and a decrease in subtype 1a with time. 1a was found in 38% of the samples collected before 1992, while it was only found in 19% of the samples from 1992 or later. On the other hand genotype 2 was found in 17% sera sampled before 1992 and in 37% of the samples collected 1992 or later. It is not known if this genotype has recently been introduced into Sweden. Further analysis on larger series of samples is needed to confirm these preliminary results. / AcknowledgmentsI would like to express my gratitude to several people who have been supportive in different ways throughout this project.First of all, I want to thank my supervisor Helene Norder, for giving me the possibility to do my diploma thesis at the Department of Virology, Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease control (SMI) and for helping me during this study and for the many insightful conversations during the design and development stages of the application, and also for the many helpful comments and suggestions on the text of the thesis.I want to express my appreciation to my laboratory supervisor Regina Wallin, Camilla Jern and Josefine Ederth for helping me during the procedure for this study. Then, I want to thank my examiner Magnus Johansson from the Södertörns university collegefor his advice on writing this paper. Finally, I would like to thank my family and specially my mother Bahar Hamid for always supporting me during my whole life.Last, but not least, I would like to thank my friends Annika Andersson and Yourdons Yemane for being encouraging, understanding and always supportive.

The dissertation takes the form of an impact study. It is based on a ten month period of research involving a literature review, interviews with headmasters of secondary schools who gave permission to survey their students, educational talks to secondary school learners and a survey of 500 learners from different schools in the Mthatha region. Purpose: The research endeavour addressed the problem of investigating the effectiveness of blood donor education in secondary schools in Mthatha region. Design/methodology/approach: This study employed a questionnaire-based survey. Five schools namely Mthatha High School, Holy Cross High School, Strategic High School; St Johns’ College and Zamukulungisa High School participated in this study. The Statistical Analysis System was employed to assess the association between the awareness strategies and general donor response. A chi–square test of association, based on the p –value approach, was used to achieve the results. Findings: This study finds that a blood donor education programme can increase blood donation awareness; benefit the schools and community, thus increasing the blood donor base. Receiving information as to the criteria for blood donation and how each individual donation is used to save a life is seen as a powerful means of reinforcement. Research limitations/implications: Further research is recommended on a large scale, involving all schools in Mthatha region. The research was delayed because it employed a new approach and a team had to be appointed before the blood donor centre can be opened. It is further recommended a once–off educational programme is not ideal because learners may not have received blood donation education before and should be repeated in follow-up sessions. Originality: This is the first research study looking at the effectiveness of a blood donor education programme in Mthatha secondary schools.

La République du Congo (RC) ou nos travaux ont eu lieu, est un pays d’Afrique Centrale, il partage ses frontières avec la République démocratique du Congo, la République centrafricaine, le Gabon, le Cameroun, et l’Angola (Cabinda). Dans ces pays la circulation des arboviroses est documentée. En RC, il y avait peu ou pas de documentation sur les arboviroses avant nos travaux. Nous avons réalisé des études de séroprévalence des arboviroses de différentes familles chez des donneurs de sang Congolais. Nous avons aussi étudié l’épidémie de chikungunya ayant sévit en RC en 2011. Nos travaux ont permis de mettre en évidence des taux de séroprévalence élevés pour les pathogènes principaux incriminés: 47,2% pour Dengue, 27,8% pour Yellow fever, 24,4% pour West Nile, 38,8% pour Chikungunya et 7,9% pour Rift Valley fever. Ces taux de séroprévalence élevés prouvent la circulation de ces virus au Congo, bien qu’aucune épidémie n’ait été encore déclarée pour certains. Nous avons également isolé et caractérisé génétiquement une souche nommée "Brazza_MRS1", appartenant au lignage East Central and Southern African, issue de l’épidémie due au virus chikungunya de 2011. La RC a connu plusieurs épidémies dues au virus Ebola. Nous avons tenté de mieux caractériser la circulation des filovirus chez les donneurs de sang asymptomatiques par une étude de séroprévalence. Les taux de séroprévalence IgG anti Ebola virus, observés étaient de 2,5% en général (1,6% à Brazzaville, 4% à Pointe-Noire et 4% en milieux ruraux). Les facteurs de risques identifiés étaient l’exposition aux chauves-souris (p<0.001) et aux oiseaux (p = 0.04). Le taux de séroprévalence IgG anti Marburg virus était de 0,5%. / The Republic of Congo (RC) where our work took place is a Central African country, sharing borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Gabon, Cameroon, and Angola (Cabinda). In these countries the circulation of arboviruses is documented. In RC, there was little or no documentation on arboviruses prior to our work. We conducted studies of arbovirus seroprevalence in Congolese blood donors for different virus families. We also studied the epidemic caused by the chikungunya virus that prevailed in RC in 2011.Our work have highlighted the high rate of seroprevalence for incriminated major pathogens: 47.2% for Dengue, 27.8% for Yellow Fever, 24.4% for West Nile, 38.8% for Chikungunya and 7.9% for Rift Valley fever. These high seroprevalence rates indicate that these viruses actively circulate in Congo, although no epidemic has yet been reported for some viruses. We have also isolated and genetically characterized a strain named "Brazza_MRS1", belonging to the East Central and Southern African lineage, after the chikungunya epidemic in 2011. The RC has experienced several outbreaks caused by the Ebola virus. We have performed a filovirus seroprevalence study to attempt to better characterize the circulation of filoviruses in asymptomatic Congolese blood donors. The observed rate of seroprevalence of anti Ebola IgG was 2.5% overall (1.6% in Brazzaville, 4% in Pointe-Noire and 4% in rural areas). Identified epidemiological risk factors were the exposure to bats (p <0.001) and birds (p = 0.04). The seroprevalence rate of Marburg virus IgG was low (0.5%).

L’infection par le VIH est caractérisée en l’absence d’intervention par une évolution progressive vers un état d’immunodépression favorisant la survenue d’affections opportunistes et entrainant le décès. La connaissance de l’évolution spontanée de l’infection par le VIH repose sur les données observationnelles issues des cohortes. La meilleure façon d’aborder l’histoire naturelle de cette infection est de l’étudier à partir de la date de séroconversion, ce qui ne peut se faire que dans les cohortes dites incidentes. Ces cohortes incidentes font appel à des structures parfois lourdes et des procédures rigoureuses que l’on peut plus aisément mettre en place dans les pays à ressources élevées. Les cohortes de personnes à date estimée de séroconversion permettent d’identifier les facteurs de risque de la transmission, d’étudier l’évolution de l’infection, d’étudier l’évolution de ses marqueurs et ses déterminants en minimisant le biais de sélection inhérent aux études prévalentes. L’évolution naturelle concerne la période qui s’écoule entre la date d’infection et le décès pour les patients qui n’ont pas bénéficié de prescription du traitement antirétroviral. Cette période s’arrête à la date de prescription des antirétroviraux pour ceux qui en bénéficient.La cohorte ANRS 1220 Primo-CI de personnes à date estimée de séroconversion pour le VIH-1 a été mise en place en juin 1997 sur le site de l'ANRS d'Abidjan en Côte d'Ivoire, au Centre national de transfusion sanguine (CNTS), avec la coordination de l'INSERM U330/593/897-ISPED de Bordeaux. C’est l’une des rares cohortes de séroconverteurs pour le VIH-1 dans le contexte des pays à faibles ressources et l’unique en Afrique de l’ouest. Dans cette cohorte de patients dépistés parmi les donneurs de sang effectuant plus de deux dons de sang par an, les données cliniques et biologiques ont été recueillies régulièrement pour tous les patients, tous les six mois depuis leur inclusion dans la cohorte.Les principaux apports de la cohorte Primo-CI dans la lutte contre le VIH en Côte d’Ivoire, ont consisté à recueillir des informations sur les facteurs de risque d’infection par le VIH pour aider à améliorer la sélection des donneurs de sang. La cohorte Primo-CI a permis d’améliorer également les capacités de la structure de prise en charge qui a servi de centre de recrutement et de prise en charge des patients de la cohorte. Cette cohorte a contribué à la mise en place d’un cadre d’échanges réguliers entre les médecins chargés de la sélection des dons de sang et l’équipe de la cohorte Primo-CI.Nos données ont fourni des estimations de la probabilité d'atteindre les critères d'initiation des antirétroviraux depuis le premier contact dans une population de séroconverteurs récents pour le VIH en Afrique de l’ouest et de la probabilité de survenue des événements morbides au cours du temps.L'ADN intracellulaire du VIH-1 était la variable la plus fortement associée à la progression de la maladie, indépendamment des autres variables explicatives. Il était suivi des lymphocytes CD4 avec une association plus faible. La charge virale plasmatique VIH-1 était faiblement associée à la progression de la maladie et ce après la prise en compte de l'ADN.La cohorte ANRS 1220 Primo-CI a participé à plusieurs travaux de collaborations portant sur les seuils d’éligibilité aux antirétroviraux, la comparaison de la baisse des lymphocytes CD4 avec des patients européens, la morbidité et la mortalité liées au SIDA et le rôle prédictif de l'ADN intracellulaire du VIH-1. Elle a également contribué à la réalisation de travaux scientifiques en virologie et immunologie qui ne portent pas sur l’objectif principal de ce travail. / In the absence of any intervention, HIV infection is characterized by a gradual evolution towards a state of immunosuppression favoring the occurrence of opportunistic infections and causing death. The natural history of HIV infection is usually documented based on data from observational cohorts. But the best way to address the natural history of this infection is to observe subjects from the date of their seroconversion (within an “incident” cohort). However these incident cohorts often involve heavy structures and complex procedures that are more easily set-up in high-resources countries.Cohorts of individuals with estimated date of seroconversion can identify risk factors for HIV transmission, study the evolution of the infection, and study the evolution of its markers and determinants by minimizing the selection bias inherent in prevalent studies. The natural history of HIV is defined by the period between the date of infection and either the date of death for patients who were not prescribed antiretroviral therapy or the date of antiretroviral therapy prescription for others.The ANRS 1220 Primo-CI Cohort of people with a known date of HIV-1 seroconversion was launched in June 1997 in the site of the ANRS Abidjan in Côte d'Ivoire, National Blood Transfusion Centre (CNTS), with the coordination of U330/593/897-ISPED INSERM Bordeaux. This is one of the few adult cohorts of HIV-1 seroconverters in the context of low-resource countries and the only one in West Africa. Within this cohort of patients recruited among blood donors performing more than two blood donations per year, the clinical and laboratory data were collected routinely every six months from their inclusion.One of the main contributions of the Primo-CI cohort in the fight against HIV in Côte d’Ivoire was the collection of information on the risk factors for HIV infection. It helped to improve the selection of blood donors. It also helped to improve the capacity of the health structure where the cohort patients were recruited and followed-up.This cohort has contributed to establish a system for regular exchanges between physicians responsible for the selection of blood donations and the team of the Primo-CI cohort. Our data have provided estimates of the probability of reaching the criteria for initiating antiretroviral drugs from the first contact and the probability of occurrence of morbid events over time, in a population of recent HIV seroconverters in West Africa.The HIV-1 intracellular DNA was the variable most strongly associated with disease progression, independently of other variables. It was followed by lower CD4. Plasma viral load HIV-1 was poorly associated with disease progression after taking into account the HIV-1 intracellular DNA.Finally, the ANRS 1220 Primo-CI cohort participated in several collaborative studies regarding the threshold of eligibility for antiretroviral drugs, the comparison of the decrease in CD4 lymphocytes with European patients, morbidity and mortality related to AIDS and the predictive role of HIV-1 intracellular DNA. It also contributed to scientific studies in virology and immunology that do not concern the main objective of this work.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-01-26T18:55:32Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Elaine 13_12.pdf: 293254 bytes, checksum: 7f7d42644c7707ca6a924c2a20793c34 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-09-22 / Toxocariasis is a cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by Toxocara canis and T. cati, parasites of the dogs and cats, respectively. The disease occurs mostly amongst children, but may affect adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in 253 blood donors, aging 19 up to 65 years old, in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo. ELISA test was performed for detection of the IgG antibodies. A survey was applied in order to evaluate the possible factors associated to the presence of antibodies, including individual (gender and age), socioeconomic (scholarship and familial income) and habit information (contact with soil, geophagy, onicophagy and intake of raw/undercooked meat) as well as the presence of dogs or cats in the household. Bivariate analysis was performed in order to evaluate the potential risk factors. The overall prevalence observed in this study was 8.7% (22/253). Contact with soil was the variable associated with the presence of antibodies (p= 0.006; OR = 4.08; IC 95%= 1.456-11.431). Although considered not associated with a ELISA positive test, 45% of the individuals answered having the behavior of eating raw/undercooked meat. Educational programmes are necessary in order to reduce the infection of the adult population by visceral/ocular larva migrans agents. / A toxocaríase é uma zoonose de distribuição mundial ocasionada por Toxocara canis e T. cati, que são parasitos de cães e gatos, respectivamente. A doença é mais comum em crianças, mas pode também acometer adultos. A finalidade do presente estudo foi avaliar a soroprevalência de IGg anti-Toxocara spp. em 253 doadores de sangue entre 19 e 65 anos de Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, pela técnica de ELISA. Um questionário foi aplicado para avaliar os fatores que poderiam estar associados à presença de anticorpos, incluindo informações individuais (sexo e idade, tipagem sanguínea), socioeconômicas (escolaridade e renda familiar, presença de quintal na casa, local de moradia e condições sanitárias), comportamentais (contato com solo, hábitos de geofagia, onicofagia e consumo de carne crua/mal cozida) e presença de cães ou gatos. As avaliações dos fatores associados foram avaliadas pela análise bivariada. A frequência observada foi de 8,7% (22/253). Das variáveis estudadas, houve apenas associação entre a presença de anticorpos e contato com solo (p= 0,006; OR = 4,08; IC 95%= 1,456-11,431). Foi observado que 45% dos indivíduos afirmaram ter o hábito de consumir carne crua embora não tenha havido associação estatística. Programas educativos devem ser adotados para reduzir a infecção da população adulta por agentes de larva migrans visceral/ocular.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-07-18T17:53:08Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Dissertacao Elaine 13_12.pdf: 293254 bytes, checksum: 7f7d42644c7707ca6a924c2a20793c34 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2011-09-22 / Toxocariasis is a cosmopolitan zoonosis caused by Toxocara canis and T. cati, parasites of the dogs and cats, respectively. The disease occurs mostly amongst children, but may affect adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-Toxocara spp. antibodies in 253 blood donors, aging 19 up to 65 years old, in Presidente Prudente, São Paulo. ELISA test was performed for detection of the IgG antibodies. A survey was applied in order to evaluate the possible factors associated to the presence of antibodies, including individual (gender and age), socioeconomic (scholarship and familial income) and habit information (contact with soil, geophagy, onicophagy and intake of raw/undercooked meat) as well as the presence of dogs or cats in the household. Bivariate analysis was performed in order to evaluate the potential risk factors. The overall prevalence observed in this study was 8.7% (22/253). Contact with soil was the variable associated with the presence of antibodies (p= 0.006; OR = 4.08; IC 95%= 1.456-11.431). Although considered not associated with a ELISA positive test, 45% of the individuals answered having the behavior of eating raw/undercooked meat. Educational programmes are necessary in order to reduce the infection of the adult population by visceral/ocular larva migrans agents. / A toxocaríase é uma zoonose de distribuição mundial ocasionada por Toxocara canis e T. cati, que são parasitos de cães e gatos, respectivamente. A doença é mais comum em crianças, mas pode também acometer adultos. A finalidade do presente estudo foi avaliar a soroprevalência de IGg anti-Toxocara spp. em 253 doadores de sangue entre 19 e 65 anos de Presidente Prudente, São Paulo, pela técnica de ELISA. Um questionário foi aplicado para avaliar os fatores que poderiam estar associados à presença de anticorpos, incluindo informações individuais (sexo e idade, tipagem sanguínea), socioeconômicas (escolaridade e renda familiar, presença de quintal na casa, local de moradia e condições sanitárias), comportamentais (contato com solo, hábitos de geofagia, onicofagia e consumo de carne crua/mal cozida) e presença de cães ou gatos. As avaliações dos fatores associados foram avaliadas pela análise bivariada. A frequência observada foi de 8,7% (22/253). Das variáveis estudadas, houve apenas associação entre a presença de anticorpos e contato com solo (p= 0,006; OR = 4,08; IC 95%= 1,456-11,431). Foi observado que 45% dos indivíduos afirmaram ter o hábito de consumir carne crua embora não tenha havido associação estatística. Programas educativos devem ser adotados para reduzir a infecção da população adulta por agentes de larva migrans visceral/ocular.

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M.A. University of the Witwatersrand, Faculty of Humanities (Journalism and Media Studies), 2012 / South Africa obtained a new constitution in 1994 that enshrined the right to sexual orientation, race and gender equality, as well as – crucially – ensuring the “freedom of the press and other media”. However, consequent national debates appear to indicate that the country is still grappling with issues of sexual orientation and of sexual practices. It is against the complexity of this background that this research examines – through a focus on reported conflict over South Africa’s blood transfusion service – how certain debates and controversies around issues of race and sexual orientation arose and played out in the media. The editorials and opinion pieces of both The Star and The Citizen newspapers were more than mere platforms for debates to unfold upon. While both publications did undoubtedly provide a seemingly neutral platform for the two controversies to play themselves out, which included ample input from their readers, both publications from their editorial position intervened in a wide range of editorials, opinion pieces, commentaries and one cartoon. Thus, in fact, they played a powerful role in the curating manipulation of the debates.