Orientadores: Maria de Lourdes Setsuko Ayrizono, Raquel Franco Leal / Dissertação (mestrado) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas / Made available in DSpace on 2018-08-21T16:52:24Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Morelli_Umberto_M.pdf: 2138633 bytes, checksum: 5f01d9ffff23b91ad957cfdd99ca4fea (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012 / Resumo: Introdução: A incidência da doença de Crohn Perineal (DCP) varia entre 20% a 25% nos portadores de doença de Crohn . O padrão-ouro para a investigação da DCP é a avaliação clínica clássica seguida do exame sob anestesia, mas a ultrassonografia endoanal (USEA) e a ressonância nuclear magnética (RNM) da pelve podem ser úteis na pesquisa de abscessos, fistulas e lesões esfincterianas que podem levar à incontinência fecal e perda da qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Correlacionar a avaliação clínica clássica da função esfincteriana por meio do escore de Jorge-Wexner nos pacientes com DCP, comparando com os achados de USEA, através do escore de Starck. Casuística e Método: Vinte e quatro pacientes participaram do estudo, sendo 14 do sexo feminino e média de idade de 40,54 anos. Todos os doentes tinham diagnóstico confirmado de DCP, sendo que 7 (29,16%) também apresentavam acometimento do intestino delgado; 7 (29,16%) do cólon e reto, 2 (8,33%) do intestino delgado, do cólon e reto e 8 pacientes (33,33%) apresentavam DCP como manifestação única da doença. Resultados: Os dois escores apresentaram distribuição normal, com escore de Jorge-Wexner médio de 3,8333 (DP 4,52689) e escore de Starck médio de 9,7500 (DP 2,54097). A análise estatística mostrou não haver correlação entre os dois escores, com um intervalo de confiança de 95%. Conclusão: O escore de Jorge- Wexner apresentou utilidade limitada nessa categoria de pacientes, enquanto a USEA foi ferramenta útil para alcançar melhor correlação com deficiência muscular esfincteriana. No entanto, mais estudos com propostas similares são necessários para aumentar a validade desses achados e para estabelecer se a USEA pode predizer a função esfincteriana e a incontinência fecal antes de procedimento cirúrgico em pacientes com DCP / Abstract: Introduction: The incidence of perianal CD (PCD) is variable between 20% and 25% of patients with CD. The gold standard for assessment of PCD is still the classic clinical examination followed eventually by examination under anesthesia (EUA) but complementary examinations like endoanal ultrasound (EAUS) and magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis (MRI) were introduced as useful to completely assess the anatomical lesions of the sphincteric muscles caused by fistulas and abscesses. Objective: Verify the adequacy of the classical clinical evaluation to which most of the patients are submitted, in particular regarding the adequacy of assessing the sphincteric function through the Jorge- Wexner score in patients with PCD, comparing it with the findings of EAUS trough a score published by Stark and colleagues. Patients and Methods: Twenty four patients participated to the study, being 16 females and the mean age is 40.54 years old. All patients have an established diagnosis of PCD, being 7 (29,16%) with a diagnosis of CD involving the small bowel, 7 (29,16%) CD involving the colon and rectum, 2 (8,33%) CD involving the small bowel and the colon-rectum, and 8 (33,33%) have a diagnosis of PCD as the only clinical manifestation of CD. Results: The two scores has a normal distribution, with a mean Wexner score of 3.8333 (SD 4,52689) and a mean Starck score of 9,7500 (SD 2,54097). The statistical analysis showed that there is no correlation between the two scores with a confidence interval of 95%. Conclusion: The Jorge-Wexner score had a limited usefulness in this category of patients, whereas EAUS was an useful tool for achieving better correlation with muscle deficiency. This study investigated CD, a very particular and still not fully understood disease, being the perianal disease important feature of CD. However, more studies with similar purpose are needed, in order to improve the validity of these findings, and establish if the EAUS can predict the sphincter function and fecal continence before perianal surgery for CD / Mestrado / Fisiopatologia Cirúrgica / Mestre em Ciências

A microbiota intestinal humana desempenha papel essencial no organismo saudável, pois sintetiza vitaminas, influencia no desenvolvimento e maturação do sistema imune da mucosa intestinal, além de exercer importante função protetora, competindo por nutrientes e receptores com bactérias patogênicas. A colonização desta microbiota se inicia na criança recém-nascida e alcança estabilidade em torno do segundo ano de vida, com consequência para a saúde da criança e do adulto. As diferenças na composição da microbiota estão relacionadas a diferentes níveis de contaminação ambiental e de diferentes fatores endógenos. O objetivo do nosso estudo foi analisar a microbiota fecal de crianças com idade entre 2 dias a 1 ano de idade, que vivem em baixas condições socioeconômicas em São Paulo, Brasil. Foram coletadas amostras de fezes de crianças saudáveis, nos seguintes pontos pós-nascimento: 2º e 7º dias, 1 mês, 3 meses, 6 meses e 1 ano de vida. O DNA bacteriano foi extraído diretamente a partir das amostras de fezes e as bibliotecas 16S rRNA foram construídas utilizando 2 iniciadores bactéria-específicos. Os clones foram selecionados aleatoriamente, parcialmente sequenciados e analisados com base em bibliotecas de gene 16S rRNA. Os principais grupos filogenéticos identificados foram Escherichia, Clostridium, Streptococcus e Bacteroides, do 1º ao 30º dia de vida. A partir do 3º mês, Streptococcus e bactérias não cultiváveis, além do gênero Escherichia, ganharam relevância na microbiota. Estes dados, em conjunto com as informações nutricionais, intercorrências clínicas e ambientais, sugerem a influência da contaminação ambiental e interpessoal no aumento da complexidade na composição da microbiota fecal. Essa abordagem molecular permitiu a análise da microbiota fecal do grupo selecionado, encontrando perfil bacteriano diferente do que é descrito nos países desenvolvidos. / The human intestinal microbiota plays essential role in healthy body since it synthesizes vitamins, influences on the development and maturation of the immune system of the intestinal mucosa. Furthermore, it also plays an important protective function competing for nutrients and receptors with pathogenic bacteria. The colonization of this microbiota starts in the newborn child and achieves stability around the second year of life, with consequence for the health of children and adults. The differences in the microbiota composition are related to different levels of environmental contamination and different endogenous factors. The aim of our study was to analyze the fecal microbiota of children ranging from 2º days to 1º year old living in low socioeconomic status in São Paulo, Brazil. We collected fecal samples of healthy children at the following points after birth: 2º e 7º days, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and one year of life. Bacterial DNA was extracted directly from stool samples, and the 16S rRNA libraries were made using 2 bacterium-specific primers. The clones were randomly selected, and partially sequenced and analyzed based on 16S rRNA libraries. The main phylogenetic groups identified were Escherichia, Clostridium, Streptococcus, Bacteroides ranging from the 1º to 30º days of life. From the third month Streptococcus and uncultured bacteria, and, besides, Escherichia gender gained relevance in the microbiota. These data together with nutritional information, environmental and clinical intercurrents suggest the influence of interpersonal and environmental contamination in the increase of complexity in fecal microbiota composition. This molecular approach allowed the fecal microbiota analysis. This bacterial profile is different from described in developed countries.

Introduction: The diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection can be performed by non-invasive and invasive methods. The identification through test of fecal antigen (FAT) method is a non-invasive, simple, and relatively inexpensive. The aim of this study was to determine the diagnostic performance of immunoassay FAT in the identification of H. pylori infection. Methods: H. pylori antigens were identified in the stools of dyspeptic patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy (UGE). The identification of H. pylori antigens was carried out through the ImmunoCard STAT! HpSA. Histopathology and urease test were the gold standard. Results: We studied 100 patients, 80% women and 20% men, with mean age of 52.7±11.8 years. The prevalence of H. pylori infection was 48%. The FAT immunoassay showed the following measures of diagnostic performance: specificity of 96% (95%CI 89.1-98.9); sensitivity of 65% (95%C I 56.9-67.6); positive predictive value of 94% (95%CI 82.8-98.3) and negative predictive value of 75% (95%CI 69.1-76.8). The accuracy was 80% (95%CI 74-84) and the prevalence odds ratio was 45,6 (95%CI 10,7-188,5). Conclusion: The FAT immunoassay presented high specificity and high positive predictive value. However, due to low sensitivity it would be appropriate to test it in a post-treatment period to assess the eradication of H. pylori. / Introdução: O diagnóstico da infecção por Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) pode ser realizado por métodos invasivos e não invasivos. A identificação através do teste do antígeno fecal (TAF) é um método não invasivo, simples, fácil e relativamente barato. O objetivo deste estudo foi determinar o desempenho diagnóstico do TAF imunocromatográfico na identificação da infecção pelo H. pylori. Métodos: A pesquisa de antígenos fecais do H. pylori foi realizada através do ImmunoCard STAT! HpSA em pacientes dispépticos submetidos à endoscopia digestiva alta (EDA) com coleta de biópsias para histopatologia e teste da urease, utilizados como padrão ouro. Resultados: Participaram do estudo 100 pacientes, 80% eram mulheres e 20% homens, com média de idade de 52,7±11,8 anos. A prevalência da infecção pelo H. pylori foi de 48%. O TAF imunocromatográfico apresentou as seguintes medidas de desempenho diagnóstico: especificidade 96,2% (IC95% 89,1-98,9), sensibilidade 64,6% (IC95% 56,9-67,6), valor preditivo positivo 93,9% (IC95% 82,8-98,3) e valor preditivo negativo 74,6% (IC95% 69,1-76,8). A acurácia foi de 80% (IC95% 74-84). A razão de chances de prevalência para TAF positivo foi 45,6 (IC95% 10,7-188,5). Conclusão: O TAF imunocromatográfico apresentou elevada especificidade e valor preditivo positivo. Porém, devido sua baixa sensibilidade seria adequado testá-lo em um período pós-tratamento na avaliação da erradicação do H. pylori.

Master of Science / Department of Animal Sciences and Industry / James S. Drouillard / Escherichia coli O157, a food-borne human pathogen, causes hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic uremic syndrome. Cattle are a major reservoir and the organism resides in the hindgut and is shed in the feces. Cattle feces are a major source of food and water contamination. Houseflies feed on cattle manure and are a source of E. coli O157 transmission. We have observed that houseflies have an affinity for a steam-flaked corn product (SFC-36) made from tempered whole corn that is more ruminally digestible than the traditional SFC (SFC-18). Therefore, we investigated whether SFC-36 diets contained and resulted in higher E. coli concentrations in the feces of cattle compared to SFC-18 diets. Concentrations of E. coli were not different between the two SFC diet samples, but resulted in higher coliforms in diets containing the SFC-36 after exposure to the environment. However, E. coli concentrations in feces from cattle fed the two diets were similar. In fact, cattle fed the diet containing SFC-18 flakes actually shed higher concentrations of coliforms. This led us to speculate that starch digestion may have an effect on the growth of E. coli O157 in the hindgut. We determined whether fecal E. coli O157 was related to fecal starch concentration. Steers (n=263) were sampled for E. coli O157 and fecal starch concentration determinations. Steers positive for E. coli O157 contained 21% more (P < 0.05) fecal starch than steers that were negative for E. coli O157. We attempted to alter the concentration of starch escaping rumen fermentation by feeding diets based on SFC and dry-rolled corn (DRC) to 30 heifers prescreened for being culture positive for fecal E. coli O157. Heifers were sampled for feces and by rectoanal mucosal swab (RAMS) weekly to monitor fecal pH and fecal starch concentration, and prevalence of E. coli O157. Based on RAMS, prevalence of E. coli O157 tended to be higher (P = 0.08) for heifers fed SFC than DRC diet. Fecal starch and pH were similar (P > 0.05) between positive- or negative-E. coli O157 heifers. Apparently, fecal E. coli O157 was not related to fecal pH or starch concentration in cattle.

Submitted by Jorge Silva (jorgelmsilva@ufrrj.br) on 2017-09-05T20:30:53Z No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Ana Carla Chaves Dias.pdf: 1946070 bytes, checksum: 4954b82fc85ca253a40546487884c3bb (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-05T20:31:07Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2016 - Ana Carla Chaves Dias.pdf: 1946070 bytes, checksum: 4954b82fc85ca253a40546487884c3bb (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016-09-30 / CAPES / The aim of this research was to evaluate the effects of prebiotic fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) on the performance of suckling foals, and fecal pH and the physical and chemical characteristics of faeces from foals.. The experiment was carried out at the Cabral's Haras, farm located in Rio Claro, Rio de Janeiro. Sixteen Mangalarga Marchador foals were used in a completely randomized designwith two treatments and eight repetitions (animals). The treatments were: Treatment I - suplly the FOS once a day orally; Treatment II (control) - the animals received aqueous solution, orally, without FOS additive. The trial period was 75 days of duration, starting supplementation at birth. From birth to the 30th day, daily stool samples were collected directly from rectum. The 30th day onwards, samples were collected every 4 days until the 75th day of age. Immediately after the faeces samples the consistency and its color was written down in a collection form . The pH was mensured from samples previously diluted with equal amounts of distilled water using a digital potentiometer. For chemical analysis the samples were homogenized in weekly composite samples and it was performed chemical analyzes In the performance parameters foals were weighed and it was performed morphometric measurements of height and perimeter. The results were submitted to analysis of variance in a split plot scheme and means were compared by the Student Newman Keuls test, at5% probability. The values of fecal characteristics were compared using the Wilcoxon test in the analysis of the treatment and compared by Kruskal-Wallis test in the analysis of the collection times. There were no significant effects (p <0.05) of supplementation and interaction age versus supplementation for all variables. The average daily gain weight was 0.63 kg during the trial period. The morphometric variables showed average growth of 17.8, 18.7, and 27.5 cm in height at the withers, hip height, body length and chest girth, respectively, from birth to 75 days old. Growth percentage of 31.1, 53.8, 15.6, 22.4, 12 and 12.3% were observed for height and width of the side, the empty substernal height, forearm girth, knee girth and shin girth, respectively . The use of prebiotic fructooligosaccharide did not affect the faecal pH, with average values of 7.22. There was no significant difference (P <0.05) in the physical and chemical characteristics of the stool. The use of prebiotic fructooligosaccharides does not influence the performance of newborn foals to 75 days of age. Further investigation should be conducted to evaluate the responses obtained through fecal parameters and their relationship as an indicator of gastrointestinal health. It prove to be safe in the dose used, it does not promote diarrhea or other gastrointestinal disorders in infants foals. / O objetivo desse estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do prebi?tico Frutooligossacar?deo (FOS) no desempenho dos potros lactentes bem como no pH fecal e nas caracter?sticas f?sicas e qu?micas das fezes dos potros. O experimento foi realizado no Haras do Cabral em Rio Claro, RJ. Foram utilizados 16 potros Mangalarga Marchador em delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, com dois tratamentos e oito repeti??es (animais). Tratamento I - fornecimento uma vez ao dia, via oral, do aditivo FOS e o Tratamento II (controle) ? os animais recebiam solu??o aquosa, via oral, sem o aditivo FOS. O per?odo experimental foi de 75 dias, iniciando a suplementa??o ao nascimento. Amostras di?rias de fezes foram coletadas diretamente do reto do nascimento at? o 30o dia de idade. Do 30o dia em diante, as coletas ocorreram a cada 4 dias, at? os 75o dia de idade. Imediatamente ap?s a coleta anotou-se em uma ficha de coleta a consist?ncia e colora??o das amostras. O pH foi avaliado a partir das amostras previamente dilu?das em iguais quantidades de ?gua destilada atrav?s de um potenci?metro digital. Para an?lises qu?micas as amostras foram homogeneizadas em amostras compostas semanais e realizadas an?lises bromatol?gicas. O desempenho dos potros foi avaliado atrav?s do peso vivo e por meio de medidas morfom?tricas lineares e de per?metros. Os resultados foram submetidos ? an?lise de vari?ncia em esquema de parcelas subdivididas e, as m?dias comparadas pelo teste Student Newman Keuls, a 5% de probabilidade. Os valores da caracteriza??o fecal foram comparados pelo teste de Wilcoxon na an?lise entre os tratamentos e, comparados pelo teste de Kruskal-Wallis na an?lise entre os tempos de coleta. N?o foram observados efeitos significativos (p<0,05) na suplementa??o e intera??o idade versus suplementa??o para todas as vari?veis analisadas. O ganho de peso m?dio di?rio foi de 0,63 kg durante o per?odo experimental. As vari?veis morfom?tricas apresentaram crescimento m?dios de 17,8, 18,7, e 27,5 cm para altura da cernelha, altura da garupa, comprimento do corpo e per?metro tor?cico, respectivamente, do nascimento aos 75 dias de idade. Percentuais de crescimento m?dio de 31,1, 53,8, 15,6, 22,4, 12 e 12,3% foram observados para altura e largura do costado, altura do vazio subesternal, per?metros do antebra?o, joelho e canela, respectivamente. O uso do prebi?tico frutooligossacar?deo n?o influenciou no pH fecal, apresentando valores m?dios de 7,22. N?o houve diferen?a significativa (P<0,05) nas caracter?sticas f?sicas e qu?micas das fezes. O uso do prebi?tico frutooligossacar?deo n?o influencia no desempenho de potros lactentes do nascimento aos 75 dias de idade. Maiores investiga??es devem ser realizadas para avaliar as respostas obtidas atrav?s de par?metros fecais e sua rela??o como indicador da sa?de gastrointestinal. A dose utilizada de frutooligossacar?deo n?o promove diarr?ias e dist?rbios gastrointestinais em potros lactentes.

Existem no mercado vários tipos de alimentos para cães, por isso a determinação de qual alimento fornecer e a quantidade deste que deve ser fornecida aos animais não uma tarefa das mais fáceis. Baseado nisto, o presente estudo visou determinar os efeitos de dois alimentos comerciais secos e dois tipos de fornecimento no consumo alimentar, peso vivo e metabólico, escore fecal e corporal e volume fecal. Para tanto foram utilizados quatro animais da raça Border Collie aos quais foram fornecidos dois alimentos, alimento A (“super premium") e alimento B (popular), distribuídos de duas formas “ad libitum" (AV) e controlada (C). Estes animais receberam os dois alimentos (A e B) fornecidos dos dois modos (AV e C) durante 4 períodos experimentais com 10 dias de duração cada (6 dias de adaptação e 4 de coleta). Os animais foram pesados e seu escore corporal foi observado nos dias coleta dos 4 períodos. Estes cães foram submetidos à atividade diária durante os 40 dias do experimento. Os alimentos eram fornecidos em dois horários 8:00h e 17:00h, sendo que as sobras da refeição anterior eram recolhidas e pesadas antes do fornecimento da próxima. Com isso foi possível a determinação do consumo diário dos animais. Nos dias de coleta foi realizada coleta total das fezes a fim de se determinar seu volume e escore. Os resultados foram analisados utilizando-se o programa SAS. Com a análise estatística pôde-se determinar que o alimento A é realmente de melhor qualidade que o alimento B, e que a quantidade de alimento fornecida foi suficiente para satisfazer as exigências diárias dos animais, mesmo tendo sido estipulada para animais em manutenção. / It is available in the market several types of foods for dogs, that the determination of which food to supply and the amount of this that should be supplied to the animals is not a simple task. Based on this, the aim of the present study was to determine the effects of two dry commercial foods and two supply types in the food consumption, in live and metabolic weights, fecal and corporal score and fecal volume. For so much four animals were used of the race Border Collie to which two foods were supplied, food A ("super premium") and food B (popular), distributed in two ways "ad libitum" (AV) and controlled (C). These animals received the two foods supplied of the two manners during 4 experimental periods with 10 days of duration each (6 days of adaptation and 4 of data collection). The animals were weighted and its corporal score was observed in data collection days of the 4 periods. These dogs were submitted to the daily activity during the all 40 days of the experiment. The foods were supplied in two schedules 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and the discard amount of the previous meal were picked up and weighed before the supply of the next. So it was possible the determination of the daily food consumption of the animals. In the days of collection, total collection of the feces was accomplished in order to determine its volume and score. The results were analyzed being used the SAS program. With the statistical analysis it could be determined that the food A is really of better quality than the food B, based mainly in the fecal volume and score, and that the amount of supplied food was enough to satisfy the daily demands of the active animals, even having been specified for animals in maintenance.

Existem no mercado vários tipos de alimentos para cães, por isso a determinação de qual alimento fornecer e a quantidade deste que deve ser fornecida aos animais não uma tarefa das mais fáceis. Baseado nisto, o presente estudo visou determinar os efeitos de dois alimentos comerciais secos e dois tipos de fornecimento no consumo alimentar, peso vivo e metabólico, escore fecal e corporal e volume fecal. Para tanto foram utilizados quatro animais da raça Border Collie aos quais foram fornecidos dois alimentos, alimento A (“super premium”) e alimento B (popular), distribuídos de duas formas “ad libitum” (AV) e controlada (C). Estes animais receberam os dois alimentos (A e B) fornecidos dos dois modos (AV e C) durante 4 períodos experimentais com 10 dias de duração cada (6 dias de adaptação e 4 de coleta). Os animais foram pesados e seu escore corporal foi observado nos dias coleta dos 4 períodos. Estes cães foram submetidos à atividade diária durante os 40 dias do experimento. Os alimentos eram fornecidos em dois horários 8:00h e 17:00h, sendo que as sobras da refeição anterior eram recolhidas e pesadas antes do fornecimento da próxima. Com isso foi possível a determinação do consumo diário dos animais. Nos dias de coleta foi realizada coleta total das fezes a fim de se determinar seu volume e escore. Os resultados foram analisados utilizando-se o programa SAS. Com a análise estatística pôde-se determinar que o alimento A é realmente de melhor qualidade que o alimento B, e que a quantidade de alimento fornecida foi suficiente para satisfazer as exigências diárias dos animais, mesmo tendo sido estipulada para animais em manutenção. / It is available in the market several types of foods for dogs, that the determination of which food to supply and the amount of this that should be supplied to the animals is not a simple task. Based on this, the aim of the present study was to determine the effects of two dry commercial foods and two supply types in the food consumption, in live and metabolic weights, fecal and corporal score and fecal volume. For so much four animals were used of the race Border Collie to which two foods were supplied, food A ("super premium") and food B (popular), distributed in two ways "ad libitum" (AV) and controlled (C). These animals received the two foods supplied of the two manners during 4 experimental periods with 10 days of duration each (6 days of adaptation and 4 of data collection). The animals were weighted and its corporal score was observed in data collection days of the 4 periods. These dogs were submitted to the daily activity during the all 40 days of the experiment. The foods were supplied in two schedules 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and the discard amount of the previous meal were picked up and weighed before the supply of the next. So it was possible the determination of the daily food consumption of the animals. In the days of collection, total collection of the feces was accomplished in order to determine its volume and score. The results were analyzed being used the SAS program. With the statistical analysis it could be determined that the food A is really of better quality than the food B, based mainly in the fecal volume and score, and that the amount of supplied food was enough to satisfy the daily demands of the active animals, even having been specified for animals in maintenance.

Master of Veterinary Biomedical Science / Department of Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology / Michael W. Dryden / Patricia A. Payne / Giardiasis is a common intestinal protozal parasitic infection of the pet dog and cat population. Veterinarians often have difficulty correctly diagnosing this parasite. Studies were conducted to compare the zinc sulfate double centrifuge fecal flotation to the SNAP (registered trademark) Giardia fecal ELISA test manufactured by IDEXX laboratories Inc. in purpose bred beagles and shelter and commercial kennel dogs. In these evaluations the zinc sulfate double centrifuge fecal flotation and fecal ELISA test performed similarly. Both tests performed better in the shelter and commercial kennel dog population than the chronically infected purpose bred beagles. There was an increase in number of positive animals identified when 3 consecutive daily samples were evaluated as compared to any one individual day for either test method. Post treatment evaluation of the diagnostic tests was performed in 23 laboratory beagles. Each beagle was treated for 3 consecutive days with Drontal plus and then bathed on the last day of treatment and fecal samples were collected from the treated dogs every other day starting one day post treatment for 21 days. It was found that all beagles were negative on zinc sulfate double centrifugation fecal flotation, fecal ELISA and IFA within 24 hours of treatment and nineteen (82.6%) of the beagles did not re-shed cysts during the 21 day post-treatment evaluation period. Four beagles returned to shedding cysts (Flotation or IFA positive) between days 17 and 21. These findings suggest that a positive test within a week of treatment is likely the result of inappropriate treatment. After the prepatent period, positive results may occur due to a return to shedding, reinfection or inappropriate treatment. Chronically infected laboratory beagles may not be a good model for acute Giardia infections as these dogs are rarely clinically ill and detection is more difficult.

The contamination of inland surface water by point and nonpoint sources is a widespread human health concern. To address this problem, a thorough understanding of the sources and persistence of this pollution is necessary. Using fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) as a surrogate for enteric pathogens, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and state agencies have developed surface water quality standards. If a segment does not meet these standards, a Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) must be developed for the watershed to identify sources of bacterial pollution. Currently, FIB pollution is the leading pollution type addressed by TMDLs in the country. One source of FIB identified in TMDLs is colonies of birds roosting under bridges. It has been proposed that the birds’ feces can augment the FIB concentrations downstream of bridges. In this year-long study of Bull Creek in Austin, Texas, it was determined that the concentrations of Escherichia coli and fecal coliform downstream of a bridge were significantly greater when migratory cliff swallows were nesting under the bridge. The downstream concentrations of both FIB exceeded contact recreation standards. Data also suggest that FIB from the feces could be swept into the stream by runoff from storm events. No enterococci loading was observed in conjunction with the swallows. This study also investigated the affects of sediment resuspension on surface water FIB concentrations and the persistence of FIB in shady, inland streams. The resuspension of sediments with attached FIB could also increase the FIB concentration in the water column and increase its persistence. The results of reactor-based experiments demonstrated that the concentration of E. coli in water from an effluent-dominated stream increased by a factor of 3 when riverine sediments were resuspended and exceeded single sample standards for contact recreation, suggesting sediments as a reservoir of E. coli. Additionally, concentrations of E. coli decreased by approximately 90% and 70% over 2 days in reactors containing stream water and sediment-laden stream water, respectively. / text

Surface waters containing fecal bacteria present significant public health risks. Understanding the sources of and factors affecting the distribution of fecal-indicating bacteria is necessary to predict potential illnesses more effectively. This thesis presents two studies on the distribution of fecal bacteria in the James River through Richmond, Virginia. Chapter 1 describes nearly 11 years of water quality, climate, and hydrologic data that occurred with changes in Escherichia coli concentrations, concluding that Richmond contributes significant quantities of fecal bacteria to the James River, and that the distribution of these bacteria varies seasonally. Chapter 2 details the development of Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based methods to identify four common pathogenic taxa of fecal bacteria, and indicates that the factors controlling the distribution of these pathogens may be taxa-specific. Both studies, taken together, indicate that urbanization increases the presence of fecal bacteria and pathogens in this system, and that recreational contact with the river presents potential health risks.