Sweet taste receptors are primarily found in the oral cavity of the mammalian species. However, recent studies have shown that sweet taste receptors can be found in extraoral tissues such as the pancreas, intestines, and adipose tissue. Our lab has previously found that sweet taste receptors are down-regulated on the pancreas in the presence of high plasma glucose levels. In order to assess the possibility that sweet taste receptors respond to high levels of glucose by suppressing its expression, we wanted to see if they reacted similarly on the intestines. We found that intestinal sweet taste receptors are down regulated in the presence of a 24 hour high sucrose diet (60% sucrose), and a 7 day high sucrose diet in both wild type (WT) mice on the high sucrose diet, and T1R2-KO (lacking sweet taste receptors) mice. We also examined their glucose excursion levels, and found that these mice are lacking a normal response to dietary glucose via an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). This led us to conclude that the mice lacking sweet taste receptor expression exhibit abnormal glucose absorption, possibly indicating that sweet taste receptors regulate glucose absorption in the intestines.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Complications following intestinal ostomy surgery can diminish quality of life for individuals living with an ostomy, resulting in physical and psychosocial limitations. Risk factors contributing to ostomy complications are not well established in the literature. The purposes of this study were to: 1) identify risk factors contributing to the development of fecal ostomy complications; 2) describe the incidence and severity of early fecal ostomy complications; and 3) estimate the reliability and validity of two newly developed instruments, Ostomy Risk Factor Index (ORFI) and Ostomy Complication Severity Index (OCSI). Using a prospective longitudinal design, 71 adult patients who had undergone ostomy surgery were recruited from three acute care settings. Data were collected through self-administered surveys, medical record review, and direct observation prior to discharge and at 30 to 60 days post-operatively. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, analysis of variance, chi-square tests, correlation, and multiple regression. Psychometric properties of the Ostomy Risk Factor Index and the Ostomy Complication Severity Index were examined using content validity indices, Cohen coefficient kappa, Pearson correlation coefficient, and intra-class correlation. Two risk factors were found to be predictive of ostomy complications scores, stoma/abdomen characteristics (p= .007) and BMI (p= .002). Ostomy complications and ostomy adjustment were significantly inversely correlated (r= - 0.27, p=.04) and stoma care self-efficacy and ostomy adjustment were significantly correlated (r= .599, p= .01). The ORFI and OCSI demonstrated acceptable content validity (CVI= 0.9). ORFI demonstrated acceptable inter-rater reliability for 10 of the 14 items (k= 1.0) and excellent intraclass correlation of total scores between raters (r= .998, p= .001). The OCSI demonstrated acceptable inter-rater reliability for all of the items (k= .71- 1.0) and excellent intra-class vii correlation of total scores between raters (r= .991, p= .000). The OCSI demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha .68). In conclusion, this study provides new knowledge regarding risk factors, incidence and severity of ostomy complications, and provided support for the validity and reliability of two new instruments for the researcher and practitioner to reliably identify and describe important contributors (risk factors) and outcomes (complications) that affect care of the patient with an ostomy.

The effect of orally administered duodenal contents on preventing diarrhea in neonatal calves challenged with enteropathogenic E. coli was studied in a 3 x 2 factorial experiment with five replications. Newborn calves received either 0 or 200 ml of intestinal fluid inoculum, obtained from older milk-fed calves, 2 h after entering the isolation facility. Colostrum was consumed following inoculum administration. The uninoculated calves received colostrum 2 h after entering the isolation facility. In compliance with the 3 x 2 factorial arrangement, two-thirds of the calves received an E. coli challenge 12 or 24 h after colostrum feeding. The remaining calves were unchallenged. Raw milk was fed at the rate of 10 percent of body weight per day. All experimental calves were observed daily for physical condition, percent dry matter of feces, urine output, rectal temperature, and dietary intake. Body weight and packed cell volume (PCV) were determined every third day. Gamma globulin per 100 ml serum was determined at 24 h of age. The inoculum was assayed microbiologically for total anaerobes, anaerobic lactobacilli, total aerobes, coliforms, and aerobic lactobacilli. Twelve calves were slaughtered at seven days of age to determine microbiological populations of the duodenal tissue and digesta. During the first six days of life calves receiving the inoculum exhibited a lower incidence of diarrhea, greater daily urine output, lower PCV, and superior average daily gain as compared to the uninoculated calves. The incidence of diarrhea and its accompanying symptoms were most severe in uninoculated calves challenged at 12 h. Rectal temperature was not affected by treatment. The differences in response to the challenge between inoculated and uninoculated calves for the complete experimental period were similar, but not as great as during the first six days of life. Serum gamma globulin at 24 h of age was abnormally low in inoculated calves. Uninoculated calves possessed normal levels of serum gamma globulin. Bacterial populations of duodenal tissue and fluid of seven day old calves were not influenced by treatment. / M.S.

In the prevailing model, R-spondin (Rspo)-dependent 𝘓𝘨𝘳5+ crypt base columnar (CBC) cells are the only dedicated intestinal stem cells (ISCs) that sustain epithelial regeneration during homeostasis by upward migration of their progeny through an elusive transit-amplifying (TA) intermediate in the upper crypt. Paradoxically, the intestinal epithelium is resilient to 𝘓𝘨𝘳5+ CBC cell loss. Elicited by intriguing R-spondin (Rspo) gain- and loss-of-function phenotypes that suggest regeneration emerges from a subset of 𝘓𝘨𝘳5- cells, here we combine single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) with time-resolved fate mapping to identify a proliferative population of multi-potent upper crypt cells in the putative location of TA cells. Distinct from the 𝘓𝘨𝘳5+ CBC cells and marked by expression of 𝘍𝘨𝘧𝘣𝘱1 - a gene which we demonstrate is essential for regeneration - these cells generate progeny that migrate bi-directionally along the crypt-villus axis and, unexpectedly, also serve as a source for the 𝘓𝘨𝘳5+ cells at the base. 𝘍𝘨𝘧𝘣𝘱1+ cells are resilient to Rspo signaling blockade and sustain epithelial homeostasis in the context of 𝘓𝘨𝘳5+ cell loss, suggesting functional independence. Consistent with their stem rather than TA cell function, our results point to the existence of a novel cellular hierarchy in the intestinal epithelium, contesting the regenerative capabilities of the 𝘓𝘨𝘳5+ CBC cell and helping reconcile many of the 𝘓𝘨𝘳5+ CBC model inconsistencies.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Biotechnology)- Dept. of Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, 2007 xv, 127 leaves / The human gut microbiota play a major role in host health, and attempts are being made to manipulate the composition of the gut microbiota-increase the composition of bacterial groups, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria that are perceived as exerting health promoting properties. These bacteria defined as food supplements (probiotics) beneficially affect the host by improving the intestinal microbial balance, and have been used to change the composition of the colonic microbiota. However, such changes may be transient, and the implantation of exogenous bacteria therefore becomes limited. In contrast, prebiotics are naturally occurring carbohydrates that are classified as non-digestible oligosaccharides present in edible plants. These carbohydrates enter the colon as intact compounds, elicit systemic physiological functions and act as fermentable substrates for colonic microflora-influencing the species composition and metabolic characteristics of intestinal microflora providing important health attributes. Currently, a widely marketed prebiotic, inulin is extracted from plants of the family Asteraceae. There are many unexploited plants that are regularly consumed and that may have a prebiotic effect or can have very high levels of inulin which could make them commercially viable. In this study, we investigated prebiotic compounds, especially inulin from locally growing, non-commercialised leafy plants. The aqueous extracts of 22 plants from the families Asparagaceae, Alliaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Amaranthaceae, Acanthaceae, Polygonaceae, Portulaceae, Fabaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Pedaliaceae and Apiaceae from Kwa-Zulu Natal were investigated for a prebiotic effect using a modified batch-culture technique with Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus lactis, Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium longum, four common probiotics and the inulin content of the plants was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Of the 22 plants studied, Solanum nigrum, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus hybridus, Asystasia gangetica, Senna occidentalis, Cerathoteca triloba, Asparagus sprengeri, Tulbaghia violacea, Sonchus oleraceus and Taraxacum officinale exhibited a prebiotic effect. The prebiotic effect of the Taraxacum officinale, Sonchus oleraceus and Asparagus sprengeri extracts on L. lactis and L. reuteri was higher than or equivalent to inulin-a commercial prebiotic. In this study, Sonchus oleraceus exhibited the best prebiotic effect-was the only plant to stimulate all the probiotics including B. longum. Of all the plants analysed, Asparagus sprengeri tuber contained the highest amount of inulin (3.55%).

Tam Wing-yip. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2003. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 91-113). / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / Abstract --- p.i / Chinese Abstract --- p.iv / Acknowledgements --- p.vi / Table of Contents --- p.vii / Chapter Chapter 1 --- General Introduction --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1 --- Hirschsprung's disease --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2 --- Neural crest cells and enteric nervous system --- p.3 / Chapter 1.3 --- Genetics of Hirschsprun´gةs disease --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.1 --- RET/GDNF/NTN signaling pathway --- p.10 / Chapter 1.3.2 --- EDNRB/EDN3/ECE-1 signaling pathway --- p.13 / Chapter 1.3.3 --- Dominant megacolon and Sox10 --- p.15 / Chapter 1.3.4 --- Other genes involved in intestinal aganglionosis --- p.16 / Chapter 1.4 --- Objectives of the present study --- p.19 / Chapter Chapter 2 --- Enteric Neural Crest Cells Migration in Dominant Megacolon Mouse Embryos --- p.21 / Chapter 2.1 --- Introduction --- p.21 / Chapter 2.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.1 --- Animal --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.2 --- Preparation of rat serum --- p.26 / Chapter 2.2.3 --- Isolation of embryos from pregnant mice --- p.27 / Chapter 2.2.4 --- Preparation of wheat germ agglutinin-gold (WGA-Au) --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.5 --- Microinjection of WGA-Au conjugate --- p.28 / Chapter 2.2.6 --- Whole embryo culture --- p.29 / Chapter 2.2.7 --- Examination of cultured embryos --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.8 --- Histological preparation of WGA-Au injected embryos --- p.30 / Chapter 2.2.9 --- Silver enhancement staining and histological examination of the sections --- p.31 / Chapter 2.2.10 --- Genotyping by polymerase chain reaction --- p.32 / Chapter 2.2.11 --- TUNEL assays --- p.33 / Chapter 2.3 --- Results --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.1 --- In vivo development of Dominant megacolon mouse embryos of different genotypes --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.2 --- In vitro development of embryos in control and experimental groups --- p.35 / Chapter 2.3.3 --- Migration of vagal neural crest cells in Dom embryos --- p.36 / Chapter 2.3.4 --- Apoptotic cells detection at the vagal region by TUNEL assay --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.5 --- Migration of sacral neural crest cells in Dom embryos --- p.37 / Chapter 2.3.6 --- Apoptotic cells detection at the sacral region by TUNEL assay --- p.38 / Figures and Tables / Chapter 2.4 --- Discussion --- p.40 / Chapter 2.4.1 --- In vitro culture system supporting the normal development of mouse embryos --- p.40 / Chapter 2.4.2 --- WGA-Au as a cell marker for tracing the NCCs migration --- p.41 / Chapter 2.4.3 --- Vagal neural crest cells migration in Dom mouse embryos --- p.42 / Chapter 2.4.4 --- Apoptotic cell death does not contribute to the total aganglionosis in Dom homozygous embryos --- p.43 / Chapter 2.4.5 --- Sacral neural crest cells migration in Dom mouse embryos --- p.45 / Chapter 2.4.6 --- NCCs migration in zebrafish colourless mutant --- p.47 / Chapter 2.4.7 --- Limitation of the method used in this study --- p.49 / Chapter 2.4.8 --- Conclusions --- p.49 / Appendices / Chapter Chapter 3 --- Migration of Enteric Neural Crest-derived Cells in the Developing Gut of Dominant Megacolon Mouse Embryos --- p.51 / Chapter 3.1 --- Introduction --- p.51 / Chapter 3.2 --- Materials and Methods --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.1 --- Isolation of the gut from Dom mouse embryos --- p.55 / Chapter 3.2.2 --- Whole mount immunohistochemistry --- p.55 / Chapter 3.3 --- Results --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3.1 --- PGP9.5 immunoreactivity in the 12.5 d.p.c. Dom embryos --- p.57 / Chapter 3.3.2 --- TH immunoreactivity in the 12.5 d.p.c. Dom embryos --- p.58 / Chapter 3.3.3 --- PGP9.5 immunoreactivity in the 14.5 d.p.c. Dom embryos --- p.59 / Figures and Tables / Chapter 3.4 --- Discussion --- p.61 / Chapter 3.4.1 --- The use of PGP9.5 and TH antibodies as markers for studying the migration of enteric neural crest-derived cells --- p.61 / Chapter 3.4.2 --- Incomplete migration of neural crest-derived cells within the gut of Dom heterozygous embryos --- p.62 / Chapter 3.4.3 --- Failure of sacral NCCs to invade the hindgut of Dom heterozygous embryos --- p.63 / Chapter 3.4.4 --- PGP9.5 and TH positive signals in the gut of Dom homozygous embryos --- p.64 / Chapter 3.4.5 --- Early differentiation of neural crest-derived cells into neurons due to haploinsufficiency of Sox10 --- p.65 / Chapter 3.4.6 --- Conclusions --- p.66 / Chapter Chapter 4 --- Localization of Interstitial Cells of Cajal in the Gut of Dominant Megacolon Mice --- p.67 / Chapter 4.1 --- Introduction --- p.67 / Chapter 4.2. --- Materials and Methods --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2.1 --- Isolation of the gut from mouse embryos and adult mice --- p.72 / Chapter 4.2.2 --- Cryosection and immunohistochemistry --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.3 --- Whole-mount immunohistochemistry --- p.73 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Total RNA extraction --- p.74 / Chapter 4.2.5 --- Reverse transcription for the first strand cDNA synthesis --- p.75 / Chapter 4.2.4 --- Reverse transcription-Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) --- p.76 / Chapter 4.3 --- Results --- p.77 / Chapter 4.3.1 --- PGP9.5 and c-kit immunoreactivity in the Dom wild type colon --- p.77 / Chapter 4.3.2 --- c-kit immunoreactivity in the Dom heterozygous adult colon --- p.78 / Chapter 4.3.3 --- c-kit and SCF expression during gut development --- p.78 / Figures and Tables / Chapter 4.4 --- Discussion --- p.80 / Chapter 4.4.1 --- The importance in studying the development of ICCs in aganglionic gut --- p.80 / Chapter 4.4.2 --- ICCs development in Dominant megacolon mice --- p.81 / Chapter 4.4.3 --- The relationship between enteric neurons and ICCs development --- p.83 / Chapter 4.4.4 --- Advantages of using confocal microscopy and whole- mount preparations to study the ICCs development --- p.85 / Chapter 4.4.5 --- Conclusions --- p.86 / Chapter Chapter 5 --- General Discussion and Conclusions --- p.87 / References --- p.91

Orientador: Cláudia Aparecida Rainho / Banca: Roberta Guembarovisk / Banca: Celia Regina Nogueira / Resumo: A endometriose é uma doença inflamatória estrógeno-dependente que afeta de 5 a 10% das mulheres em idade reprodutiva. É caracterizada pela presença de tecido endometrial fora da cavidade uterina e está associada à dismenorreia, dor pélvica e infertilidade. Os níveis de expressão dos receptores nucleares SF1 (fator esteroidogênico 1), estrógeno e progesterona estão alterados no tecido endometriótico comparado ao endométrio normal. Estudos prévios relataram que os genes codificadores dos receptores dos hormônios esteróides ESR1 (receptor de estrógeno 1), ESR2 (receptor de estrógeno 2) e progesterona (PGR) apresentam promotores alternativos que são modulados epigeneticamente por alterações na metilação do DNA, que ocorre preferencialmente nas ilhas CpG presentes nestas regiões. Em células endometriais normais foi observada uma associação entre a presença de metilação e ausência de expressão dos genes SF1 e ESR2 (receptor de estrógeno â) enquanto a perda da metilação foi correlacionada com níveis aumentados de expressão gênica na endometriose peritoneal e ovariana. Com base nestas evidências, o presente trabalho investigou o padrão de metilação dos genes PGR (promotores A e B), ESR1 (promotores A e B) e uma região intragênica ao ESR2. O promotor B do gene PGR e a ilha CpG localizada na 5'UTR do gene ESR2 foram avaliadas em 44 amostras de endometriose profunda intestinal pela técnica de MSP (Methylation-Specific Polymerase Chain Reaction). Em sete destas, também foi possível a investigação na amostra pareada de endométrio eutópico. O padrão de metilação dos promotores A e B do gene ESR1 e o promotor A do gene PGR... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Endometriosis is an estrogen-dependent inflammatory disease which affects 5 to 10% of women of reproductive age. This disease is characterized by the presence of endometrial tissue outside the uterine cavity and is associated with dysmenorrhea, pelvic pain, and infertility. Abnormal expression levels of SF1 (steroidogenic factor 1), estrogen and progesterone nuclear receptors were detected in the endometriotic tissue compared to the normal endometrium. Previous studies have reported that genes encoding the steroid hormone receptors ESR1 (estrogen receptor 1), ESR2 (estrogen receptor 2) and progesterone (PGR) are characterized by alternative promoters epigenetically regulated by DNA methylation at CpG islands co-localized in these regions. In normal endometrial cells, it was observed an association between DNA methylation and absence of expression of the genes SF1 and ESR2 (estrogen receptor â), while loss of DNA methylation was correlated with increased expression levels of these genes in peritoneal and ovarian endometriosis. Based on these findings, this study investigated the methylation pattern of the PGR (promoters A and B), ESR1 (promoters A and B) genes and an intragenic region of the gene ESR2. The promoter B of PGR gene and the CpG island mapped at 5 'UTR of the ESR2 gene were evaluated in 44 samples of intestinal deep endometriosis by MSP (methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction). In seven cases, paired samples of eutopic endometrium from the same patients were also evaluated, the methylation patterns of the ESR1 gene (promoters A and B) and the promoter region A of the PGR gene were investigated in 37 samples of endometriosis. The MSP method is based on the DNA modification by sodium bisulfite, which converts unmethylated cytosines to uracil. Subsequently, the target region... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Over 500 million people worldwide suffer from disease associated with intestinal inflammation, including gastric cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, h. pylori infections, and numerous viral and bacterial infections. Although potentially effective therapeutics exist for many of these pathologies, delivery challenges thwart their clinical viability. The objective of this work was to develop drug delivery platforms that could target toxic immunomodulatory therapeutics to diseased intestinal tissues. To meet this objective, we developed an oral delivery vehicle for siRNA and an NF-κB inhibiting nanoparticle that reduces drug-resistance. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) represents a promising treatment strategy for numerous gastrointestinal (GI) diseases; however, the oral delivery of siRNA to inflamed intestinal tissues remains a major challenge. In this presentation, we describe a delivery vehicle for siRNA, termed thioketal nanoparticles (TKNs), that can orally deliver siRNA to sites of intestinal inflammation, and thus inhibit gene expression in diseased intestinal tissue. Using a murine model of ulcerative colitis, we demonstrate that orally administered TKNs loaded with TNFα-siRNA (TNFα-TKNs) diminish TNFα messenger RNA (mRNA) levels in the colon and protect mice from intestinal inflammation. Activation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) results in the expression of numerous prosurvival genes that block apoptosis, thus mitigating the efficacy of chemotherapeutics. Paradoxically, all conventional therapeutics for cancer activate NF-κB, and in doing so initiate drug resistance. Although adjuvant strategies that block NF-κB activation could potentiate the activity of chemotherapeutics in drug resistant tumors, clinical evidence suggests that current adjuvant strategies also increase apoptosis in non-malignant cells. In this presentation, we present a nanoparticle, formulated from a polymeric NF-κB-inhibiting prodrug, that target the chemotherapeutic irinotecan (CPT-11) to solid tumors, and thus abrogates CPT-11-mediated drug resistance and inhibits tumor growth. In order to maximize the amount of NF-κB inhibitor delivered to tumors, we synthesized a novel polymeric prodrug, termed PCAPE, that releases the NF-κB inhibitor caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) as its major degradation product. Using a murine model of colitis-associated cancer, we demonstrate that when administered systemically, CPT-11-loaded PCAPE-nanoparticles (CCNPs) are three time more effective than a cocktail of the free drugs at reducing both tumor multiplicity and tumor size.

Thesis (M.Tech.: Biotechnology)- Dept. of Biotechnology, Durban University of Technology, 2007 xv, 127 leaves / The human gut microbiota play a major role in host health, and attempts are being made to manipulate the composition of the gut microbiota-increase the composition of bacterial groups, such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria that are perceived as exerting health promoting properties. These bacteria defined as food supplements (probiotics) beneficially affect the host by improving the intestinal microbial balance, and have been used to change the composition of the colonic microbiota. However, such changes may be transient, and the implantation of exogenous bacteria therefore becomes limited. In contrast, prebiotics are naturally occurring carbohydrates that are classified as non-digestible oligosaccharides present in edible plants. These carbohydrates enter the colon as intact compounds, elicit systemic physiological functions and act as fermentable substrates for colonic microflora-influencing the species composition and metabolic characteristics of intestinal microflora providing important health attributes. Currently, a widely marketed prebiotic, inulin is extracted from plants of the family Asteraceae. There are many unexploited plants that are regularly consumed and that may have a prebiotic effect or can have very high levels of inulin which could make them commercially viable. In this study, we investigated prebiotic compounds, especially inulin from locally growing, non-commercialised leafy plants. The aqueous extracts of 22 plants from the families Asparagaceae, Alliaceae, Asteraceae, Solanaceae, Cucurbitaceae, Amaranthaceae, Acanthaceae, Polygonaceae, Portulaceae, Fabaceae, Chenopodiaceae, Pedaliaceae and Apiaceae from Kwa-Zulu Natal were investigated for a prebiotic effect using a modified batch-culture technique with Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Lactobacillus lactis, Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium longum, four common probiotics and the inulin content of the plants was determined using high performance liquid chromatography. Of the 22 plants studied, Solanum nigrum, Amaranthus spinosus, Amaranthus hybridus, Asystasia gangetica, Senna occidentalis, Cerathoteca triloba, Asparagus sprengeri, Tulbaghia violacea, Sonchus oleraceus and Taraxacum officinale exhibited a prebiotic effect. The prebiotic effect of the Taraxacum officinale, Sonchus oleraceus and Asparagus sprengeri extracts on L. lactis and L. reuteri was higher than or equivalent to inulin-a commercial prebiotic. In this study, Sonchus oleraceus exhibited the best prebiotic effect-was the only plant to stimulate all the probiotics including B. longum. Of all the plants analysed, Asparagus sprengeri tuber contained the highest amount of inulin (3.55%).

This study investigated the prevalences and intensity of intestinal parasites and aspects of their epidemiology among children in the Qwa-Qwa region of the eastern Free St~te. Faecal samples of 1180 children differing socio-economic status from nine schools at altitudes varying from 1660m to 2200m were examined quantitatively by means of the formol-ether sedimentation technique. Socio-economic, and demographic characteristics for the communities served by the schools were obtained from the literature and from a questionnaire. The study showed that, the area supports a markedly low diversity of parasite infections, and at lower intensities, than low altitude areas such as the coastal plain of KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, the Northern Province, Mpumalanga and the Western Cape. The intestinal parasite fauna affecting children in Qwa-Qwa is dominated by protozoans with only few helminths and no hookworm or bilharzia. The results indicated that factors which influence the transmission of intestinal parasites in Qwa-Qwa appear to be related primarily to social, economic and cultural aspects of the peoples' lifestyles. Climatic factors were not found important. There was a significant seasonal effect on the intensities of all parasite infection, except two protozoans, Entamoeba coli and Endolimax nana. Water source, electricity, house-type and quality of meat were found to be the important socio-economic factors that influenced parasite transmission. These relationships were investigated by fitting logistic regression and generalized linear mixed models. By documenting human parasitism (above 1700m) this study provided an endpoint to the altitudinal transect conducted in 1993 in KwaZulu-Natal by Appleton and Gouws (in press). Public health authorities and Primary Health Care personnel should find this study useful when designing and implementing nutrition and parasite control. Severe ascariasis has been reported from the study area. It will help focus PHC activities in Qwa-Qwa and in the wider context of Free State Province by demonstrating the value of proper personal and environmental hygiene in the home, thereby forming the basis for intestinal parasite control at the community level. / Thesis (M.Sc.)-University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg, 1995.