Orientador: Valquíria Cação Cruz-Polycarpo / Resumo: O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito do butirato de sódio microencapsulado (BSM) em substituição ao antibiótico sobre o desempenho, hematologia, peso de órgãos do TGI, escores de lesão intestinal e contagem de oocistos nas excretas de frangos de corte desafiados com Eimeria spp. Para isso foram utilizados 1.050 pintos machos Ross, distribuídos em DIC, com seis tratamentos: CN (controle negativo)- ração basal (RB) (aves não desafiadas); CND- RB (aves desafiadas); 0,10%- RB + 1.000 mg/kg de BSM (aves desafiadas); 0,15%- RB + 1.500 mg/kg de BSM (aves desafiadas); 0,20%- RB + 2.000 mg/kg de BSM (aves desafiadas); AVL- RB + avilamicina (aves desafiadas), com cinco repetições. Aos 16 dias de idade, as aves foram inoculadas oralmente e individualmente com oocistos de Eimerias e as aves de CN, inoculadas com solução salina, para que também sofressem o estresse da inoculação. Observou-se maiores GPM e CRM nas aves não desafiadas em comparação às desafiadas na fase de 1 a 21 d, e na fase final de criação e melhor CA e FEP, mostrando o poder da inoculação com o protozoário. Não houve diferença nas variáveis hematológicas e bioquímicas entre as diferentes dietas fornecidas, porém frangos submetidos às Eimerias apresentaram queda nos valores normais após desafio, e demonstraram recuperação ao final da criação. Na alometria de órgãos do TGI, o peso do fígado apresentou-se superior nas aves que receberam aditivo. Já, o peso do pâncreas, mostrou-se superior nas aves suplementadas com... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of microencapsulated sodium butyrate (MSB) in substitution to antibiotics on performance, hematology, weight of organs of the GIT, intestinal injury scores and oocyst count in the excreta of broilers challenged with Eimeria spp. For this, 1,050 male Ross chicks were used, distributed in completely randomized design, with six treatments: NC - basal diet (BD) (non-challenged birds); NCC- BD (challenged birds); 0.10% - BD+1,000 mg/kg of MSB (challenged birds); 0.15% - BD+1,500 mg/kg of MSB (challenged birds); 0.20% - BD+2,000 mg/kg of MSB (challenged birds); AVL - BD + avilamycin (challenged birds), with five repetitions. At 16 days of age, the birds were inoculated orally and individually with Eimerias oocysts and the NC birds were inoculated with saline solution, so that they also suffered the stress of inoculation. Higher ABW and AFI were observed in the unchallenged birds compared to those challenged in the 1 to 21 day phase, and in the final breeding phase, better FCR and PEF, showing the power of inoculation with the protozoan. There was no difference in hematological and biochemical variables between the different diets provided, but chickens subjected to inoculation with Eimerias showed a drop in normal values after challenge, and showed recovery at the end of the rearing period. In the allometry of organs of the TGI, the liver weight was higher in the birds that received additive. The weight of the pancreas, on the ... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

Orientador: Luciano Hauschild / Resumo: Dois estudos foram conduzidos com objetivo de comparar a biodisponibilidade relativa de L-Met e DL-Met com base em ensaio de balanço de N e os efeitos promovidos por ambas as fontes na morfologia intestinal e no sistema antioxidante de suínos em fase inicial e final de creche. Em cada experimento foram utilizados 42 suínos machos castrados (Agroceres PIC, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil: CamboroughTM x AGPIC 337TM) com peso inicial de 10,7 ± 1,09 kg e 20,5 ± 1,55 kg, respectivamente para o experimento 1 e o experimento 2. Cada experimento foi dividido em dois períodos experimentais com 21 suínos. Cada período experimental correspondeu a um bloco. Três suínos foram distribuídos aleatoriamente em 7 dietas experimentais dentro de cada bloco, resultando em um total de 6 repetições por tratamento. As dietas basais (DB) foram formuladas com deficiência de 68% em metionina, porém adequadas para os demais aminoácidos. Três níveis graduados de DL-Met e L-Met (0,03, 0,06 e 0,09%) foram suplementados à dieta basal para criar as dietas 2-7 em ambos os estudos. No experimento 1, ambas as fontes de metionina reduziram linearmente o N excretado pela urina e aumentaram linearmente a retenção de N (% de absorvido) (P ≤ 0,03). A biodisponibilidade relativa estimada para L-Met em comparação a DL-Met foi de 106% (intervalo de confiança – IC de 95%: 39 a 173%) para retenção de N (% de absorvido) em uma base equi-molar. No experimento 2, a suplementação com ambas as fontes de Met diminuiu linearmente a excr... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Two studies were conducted to compare the relative bioavailability of L-Met and DL-Met based on N balance assay and the effects promoted by both sources on intestinal morphology and antioxidant system of weaned and growing pigs. In each experiment were used 42 barrows (Agroceres PIC, Rio Claro, SP, Brazil: CamboroughTM x AGPIC 337TM) with initial body weight of 10.7 ± 1.09 kg and 20.5 ± 1.55 kg, respectively for Experiment 1 and Experiment 2. Each experiment was divided into two batches with 21 pigs. Each batch corresponded to a block. Three pigs were randomly assigned to 7 experimental diets within each block, resulting in a total of 6 replicates per treatment. Basal diets (BD) were formulated with 68% methionine deficiency, but adequate for the other amino acids. Three graded levels of DL-Met and L-Met (0.03, 0.06 and 0.09%) were supplemented to the basal diet to create diets 2-7 in both studies. In experiment 1, both sources of methionine linearly reduced N excreted in the urine and linearly increased N retention (% absorbed) (P ≤ 0.03). The estimated relative bioavailability for L-Met compared to DL-Met was 106% (95% CI - confidence interval: 39 to 173%) for N retention (% absorbed) on an equi-molar basis. In experiment 2, supplementation with both Met sources linearly decreased urinary N excretion and linearly increased total N retention, N retention (% ingested and% absorbed) (P ≤ 0.04). The estimated bioavailability of L-Met compared to DL-Met was 95% (95% CI: 13 to 17... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Mestre

La réduction du taux de cholestérol (CH) sanguin est un point clé dans la lutte contre les maladies cardiovasculaires. L’efficacité contrastée des médicaments disponibles actuellement ainsi que l’intérêt porté autour du microbiote intestinal dans la régulation de la physiologie de l’hôte nous amènent à envisager cette voie comme alternative thérapeutique. La production de coprostanol (CO), dérivé très peu absorbé du CH, par des bactéries de ce microbiote a été corrélée positivement à une faible cholestérolémie. Les objectifs de cette thèse sont i) d’isoler et d’identifier de nouvelles souches bactériennes ayant cette activité, ii) d’identifier les gènes bactériens responsables de cette transformation et iii) de détereminer l’impact de ce métabolisme sur la physiologie de l’hôte. Nous avons isolé 22 nouvelles souches productrices de CO à partir des selles d’un individu en produisant beaucoup. Nous avons choisi les souches Bacteroides sp. D8 et Bacteroides sp. BV pour la construction de deux banques génomiques et huit autres pour des essais d’implantation in vivo dans le tractus gastro-intestinal (TGI) de souris axéniques. Nous avons identifié 55 clones potentiellement positifs par le criblage fonctionnel des banques génomiques. Leurs analyses supplémentaires devraient nous apporter des informations sur les gènes impliqués dans cette activité. Toutes les bactéries sélectionnées sont capables de coloniser le TGI de la souris axénique. La souche Parabacteroides distasonis est la meilleure souche productrice de CO in vivo. Nous avons testé son effet sur la cholestéolémie chez des souris axéniques soumises à un régime riche en CH sur 11 semaines en comparaison avec une souche non productrice in vitro, B. dorei, et avec des souris conventionnalisées comme contrôle. La souche B. dorei produit du CO in vivo, soulignant l’importance de l’environnement dans l’activité de production de CO déjà supposée d’après la littérature et nos résultats in vitro. Des gènes impliqués dans l’excrétion du CH de l’organisme vers les selles sont surexprimés chez ces souris et celles colonisées avec P. distasonis. Cependant seules ces dernières présentent une cholestérolémie plus faible que les souris conventionnalisées. Le mécanisme impliqué semble indépendant de la production de CO et de l’excrétion de CH car les mêmes quantités de ces composés sont retrouvées dans les selles indépendamment du statut bactérien. Les concentrations en acides biliaires totaux dans la bile et dans les selles sont supérieures pour les souris monocolonisées comparées au conventionnalisées. Les selles des souris colonisées avec P. distasonis présentent plus d’acides urso- et chénodésoxycholiques que les souris conventionnalisées et plus d’acide cholique que les souris colonisées avec B. dorei. En conclusion, nous avons isolé de nouvelles souches et identifier des clones potentiellement positifs. Les études in vivo tendent à montrer que l’activité de production de coprostanol n’a pas d’effet sur la cholestérolémie. En revanche, la souche P. distasonis semble diminuer la cholestérolémie par un mécanisme encore inconnu. / Cholesterol (CH) level management is a keystone to limit cardiovascular diseases. The contrasted efficiency of the drugs currently available as well as the interest around the intestinal microbiota in regulating the host physiology lead us to consider this pathway as a therapeutic alternative. The production of coprostanol (CO), a very poorly absorbed CH derivative, by bacteria of this microbiota has been positively correlated with low CH plasma level. The aims of this thesis are (i) isolate and identify new bacterial strains possessing this activity, (ii) identify the bacterial genes responsible for this transformation and (iii) determine the impact of this metabolism on host physiology. We isolated 22 new strains producing CO from the stools of a high-coprostanol producing individual. We chose Bacteroides sp. D8 and Bacteroides sp. BV for the construction of two genomic libraries and eight others for in vivo implantation tests in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of germ-free mice. We identified 55 potentially positive clones by functional screening of these genomic libraries. Their additional analyzes should provide us with information about the genes involved in this activity. All selected bacteria are capable of colonizing the GIT of germ-free mice. Parabacteroides distasonis is the best strain producing CO in vivo. We tested its effect on blood cholesterol level in germ-free mice subjected to an 11-week CH-rich diet compared to an in vitro non-producing strain, B. dorei, and with conventionalized mice as control. The B. dorei strain produces CO in vivo, emphasizing the importance of the environment in the CO production activity already assumed from the literature and our results in vitro. Genes involved in the excretion of CH from body to feces are overexpressed in these mice and those colonized with P. distasonis. However, only the latter have lower cholesterolemia than conventional mice. The mechanism involved appears to be independent of CO production and CH excretion because the same amounts of these compounds are found in feces independently of bacterial status. Total biliary acids concentrations in bile and feces are higher for monocolonized mice compared to conventionalized mice. The feces of mice colonized with P. distasonis exhibited more urso- and chenodeoxycholic acids than conventionalized mice and more cholic acid than mice colonized with B. dorei. In conclusion, we have isolated new strains and identified potentially positive clones. In vivo studies tend to show that coprostanol production activity has no effect on plasma cholesterol. In contrast, P. distasonis seems to decrease plasma cholesterol by a still unknown mechanism.

This review focuses on the roles antioxidants and pro-oxidants in colorectal cancer (CRC). Considerable evidence suggests that environmental factors play key roles in the incidence of sporadic CRC. If pro-oxidant factors play an etiological role in CRC it is reasonable to expect causal interconnections between the well-characterized risk factors for CRC, oxidative stress and genotoxicity. Cigarette smoking, a high dietary consumption of n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids and alcohol intake are all associated with increased CRC risk. These risk factors are all pro-oxidant stressors and their connections to oxidative stress, the intestinal microbiome, intestinal microfold cells, cyclooxygenase-2 and CRC are detailed in this review. While a strong case can be made for pro-oxidant stressors in causing CRC, the role of food antioxidants in preventing CRC is less certain. It is clear that not every micronutrient with antioxidant activity can prevent CRC. It is plausible, however, that the optimal food antioxidants for preventing CRC have not yet been critically evaluated. Increasing evidence suggests that RRR-gamma-tocopherol (the primary dietary form of vitamin E) or other "non-alpha-tocopherol" forms of vitamin E (e.g., tocotrienols) might be effective. Aspirin is an antioxidant and its consumption is linked to a decreased risk of CRC.

No description available.

The main objectives of the present project were to increase the understanding of small intestinal precipitation of poorly soluble pharmaceutical drugs, investigate occurrence of crystalline small intestinal precipitation and effects of precipitation on absorption. The aim was to create and evaluate methods of predicting crystalline small intestinal drug precipitation using in vivo, in vitro and in silico models. In vivo small intestinal precipitation from highly supersaturated solutions of two weakly basic model drugs, AZD0865 and mebendazole, was investigated in humans and canine models. Potential precipitation of AZD0865 was investigated by examining dose dependent increases in human maximum plasma concentration and total exposure, which turned out to be dose linear over the range investigated, indicating no significant in vivo precipitation. The small intestinal precipitation of mebendazole was investigated from drug concentrations and amount of solid drug present in dog jejunum as well as through the bioavailability after direct duodenal administration in dogs. It was concluded that mebendazole small intestinal precipitation was limited, and that intestinal supersaturation was measurable for up to 90 minutes. In vitro precipitation methods utilizing simulated or real fasted gastric and intestinal fluids were developed in order to simulate the in vivo precipitation rate. The methods overpredicted in vivo precipitation when absorption of drug was not simulated. An in vitro-in silico approach was therefore developed, where the in vitro method was used for determining the interfacial tension (γ), necessary for describing crystallization in Classical Nucleation Theory (CNT). CNT was evaluated using a third model drug, bicalutamide, and could successfully describe different parts of the crystallization process of the drug. CNT was then integrated into an in silico absorption model. The in vivo precipitation results of AZD0865 and mebendazole were well predicted by the model, but only by allowing the fundamental constant γ to vary with concentration. Thus, the in vitro-in silico approach could be used for small intestinal precipitation prediction if the in vitro concentration closely matched in vivo small intestinal concentrations.

La protéine CD36 est un senseur aux AGLC au niveau des papilles gustatives et des entérocytes, impliqué dans la détection gustative des lipides et dans l’optimisation de la synthèse des CM. Notre 1er objectif a été de déterminer si le syndrome métabolique (MS) était associé à une altération de la détection oro-intestinale des AGLC. A l’aide de modèles murins de MS (régimes riches en AGS), nous avons montré que le MS est associé à une moindre sensibilité gustative aux sucres et aux lipides et à une altération de la synthèse des CM à l’origine d’une hypertriglycéridémie postprandiale. Cette modification est associée à une absence de dégradation de CD36 classiquement médiée par les AGLC. Cette altération conduit à un retard d’induction de l’expression des gènes impliqués dans la synthèse de CM moins bien dégradés au niveau sanguin. Selon nos résultats l’hyperinsulinémie en MS pourrait être à l’origine de l’absence de dégradation de CD36. Au niveau oral il a aussi été montré que l’absence de dégradation de CD36 est associée à une altération de la signalisation calcique probablement à l’origine d’un seuil de détection plus élevé des AGLC. Le MS se caractérise donc par un problème de détection des lipides au niveau de la sphère oro-digestive qui favoriserait hyperphagie et hypertriglycéridémie postprandiale. Le 2e objectif a été de déterminer si le XXS (polyphénols) pouvait prévenir le MS. La supplémentation en XXS diminue la prévalence du MS, du fait d’une action anti-obésité associée à un maintien du seuil de détection des lipides et une augmentation de l’activité. Ainsi, la détection oro-intestinale des lipides semble être une cible pertinente pour lutter contre la mise en place du MS / CD36 is a LCFA sensor in gustatory papillae and enterocytes. CD36 is implicated in the gustatory detection of lipids and in optimized CM synthesis. Our first goal was to determine if the metabolic syndrome (MS) was associated with alteration of the oro-intestinal detection of LCFA. Using a murine model of diet induced MS (saturated high fat diets) we shown that the MS is associated with a decrease in lipids and sugar gustatory sensitivity and an alteration in CM synthesis which contributes to the postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. This modification is associated with an absence of CD36 protein degradation classically triggered by LCFA. This alteration leads to a delay in the stimulation of the gene expression involved in the synthesis of CM less well cleared into the blood. Our data shows that the hyperinsulinemia on MS could cause the abolition of CD36 protein degradation. Other data obtained on gustatory papillae demonstrates that the absence of CD36 degradation is associated with an alteration of the LCFA induced calcium-signaling and that probably causes the increase in LCFA detection threshold. Thus, the MS is characterized by an alterated dietary lipids detection by the oro-intestinal tract which could promote overeating and postprandial hypertriglyceridemia. The second goal was to determine if the XXS (polyphenols) could prevent the appearance of the MS. The XXS supplementation decreases the syndrome prevalence, by exerting an anti-obesity activity associated with a LCFA detection threshold preservation and an increased activity. Thus, dietary lipids detection by gustatory papillae and intestine could represent a relevant target in order to prevent MS appearance

Il y a actuellement une pression mondiale pour revoir les pratiques d'utilisation des antimicrobiens (UAM) en production animale afin de limiter la propagation de bactéries résistantes aux antibiotiques. Conséquemment, les Producteurs de Poulet du Canada examinent la possibilité de réduire leur UAM en supprimant les antibiotiques médicalement importants en médecine humaine (AIM) des programmes préventifs avec la mise en place de leur stratégie de réduction de l’UAM. Cependant, les informations sont rares sur les conséquences de telles approches dans un contexte canadien. L'objectif de cette thèse était d'étudier les impacts sur les performances zootechniques, le contrôle des maladies intestinales et le microbiote cécal de deux stratégies de réduction de l'UAM dans des troupeaux commerciaux de poulets de chair par rapport à une UAM conventionnelle. Sur sept fermes commerciales de poulets de chair, un poulailler a été attribué aux traitements de réduction des antibiotiques pour six troupeaux consécutifs, tandis qu'un poulailler similaire sur le même site a été alloué à l'UAM conventionnelle (CONV) pour six troupeaux consécutifs (n = 84). Les stratégies de réduction des antibiotiques consistaient en l'utilisation continue d'ionophores dans l'alimentation sans (TX1) ou avec de l'acide butyrique (TX2). Aucune différence statistique (p > 0.05) n’a été notée entre TX1, TX2 et CONV sur les performances zootechniques et la santé intestinale. Les comptes d’oocystes d’Eimeria spp. étaient significativement (p < 0.05) inférieurs entre 22 et 34 jours d'âge dans les troupeaux CONV comparé aux TX1 et TX2. Le type de programme antibiotique a eu un impact relativement mineur (valeur R = 0.039), mais statistiquement significatif (p = 0.002), sur le microbiote cécal, tandis que les facteurs environnementaux ont montré les corrélations significatives (p = 0.001) les plus fortes avec le microbiote. Parmi les composantes du microbiote cécal associées à la croissance, le gain quotidien moyen (GMQ) était significativement associé à la Richesse bactérienne (p < 0.05). L’abondance relative de la famille bactérienne Lachnospiraceae fut la mesure la plus fortement corrélée à un GMQ augmenté, tandis que l’abondance relative de nombreuses familles bactériennes, incluant les Porphyromonadaceae, les Planococcaceae et les Veillonellaceae, fut corrélée à un faible GMQ. Ces taxons défavorables formaient un vaste réseau de corrélations positives entre elles, et négativement corrélées aux Lachnospiraceae. En conclusion, ces travaux ont contribué à améliorer la résilience de l'industrie avicole en fournissant des stratégies alternatives aux AIM pour prévenir les maladies intestinales. Des connaissances importantes sur le microbiote cécal des poulets de chair furent générées et pourront considérablement influencer les directions futures de la manipulation du microbiote pour favoriser la croissance. Par exemple, un paradigme important a été remis en question en illustrant que les additifs médicamenteux dans l'alimentation n’influencent que marginalement le microbiote cécal et que ce sont plutôt des facteurs environnementaux qui sont fortement impliqués dans la formation des communautés bactériennes cécales. La clé pour développer un microbiote cécal idéal chez les poulets de chair pourrait résider dans la capacité d'influencer ces facteurs, plus particulièrement l'exposition précoce à des communautés bactériennes bénéfiques et le contrôle de la flore résidente spécifique à la ferme. / There is a global pressure to review current antimicrobial use (AMU) practices in animal production and limit large-scale propagation of antibiotic resistant microorganisms. Consequently, the Chicken Farmers of Canada are examining the possibility to responsibly reduce AMU by discontinuing medically important antibiotics (MIAs) for humans from disease prevention programs of broiler chicken flocks through the implementation of their Antimicrobial Use Reduction Strategy. However, information is sparse on the consequences of such approaches in a Canadian commercial poultry production context. The general objective of this thesis was to investigate the impacts of two strategies reducing AMU in commercial broiler chicken flocks on zootechnical performance, control of intestinal diseases and the cecal microbiota compared to conventional AMU. On seven commercial broiler chicken farms, a house was allocated to the antibiotic reduction treatments for six consecutive flocks, while a similar house on the same premises was assigned to the conventional AMU (CONV) for six consecutive flocks (n = 84). The antibiotic reduction strategies consisted of continuous in-feed ionophores without (TX1) or with butyric acid (TX2). There were no statistical differences (p > 0.05) between TX1, TX2 and CONV for zootechnical performance and intestinal health. Predicted Eimeria spp. oocysts were significantly lower (p < 0.05) between 22 to 34 days of age in CONV flocks compared to TX1 and TX2. The type of antibiotic program had a relatively minor impact (R-value = 0.039), but statistically significant (p = 0.002), on the cecal microbiota composition, while environmental factors such as the farm and flock cycle showed the strongest statistically significant (p = 0.001) correlations with the microbiota composition (R-values of 0.239 and 0.374, respectively). Amongst the cecal microbiota components associated with weight gain, the average daily gain (ADG) was significantly associated with bacterial Richness (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of the bacterial family Lachnospiraceae was the most important measure correlated with ADG, while the relative abundance of numerous bacterial families, including Porphyromonadaceae, Planococcaceae and Veillonellaceae, were correlated with decreased growth rate. These unfavourable taxa formed a large network of positive correlations, indicating potential co-occurring synergies between these undesirable taxa. This network was also negatively correlated to Lachnospiraceae. In conclusion, the findings in this work contributed to improve the sustainability of the modern poultry industry by providing feasible alternatives to the practice of using MIAs for the prevention of intestinal diseases in broiler chickens. This project also generated important knowledge on the cecal microbiota of broiler chickens that could considerably influence future directions of microbiota manipulation in a perspective of improving zootechnical performance. For instance, an important paradigm was challenged by the indication that in-feed antibiotics and prebiotics may only influence marginally the microbiota during grow-out. Rather, this work suggests environmental factors are strongly involved in shaping the bacterial communities residing in the ceca of broiler chickens. Hence, the key to successfully develop an ideal cecal microbiota in broiler chickens may reside in the ability to influence such factors, more specifically the early exposure to beneficial bacterial communities and the control of farm-specific resident flora.

Le raton laveur (Procyon lotor) est porteur de nombreux parasites dont certains sont des agents de zoonose. Il nous est apparu opportun d’étudier la faune parasitaire intestinale du raton laveur québécois, particulièrement l’espèce Baylisascaris procyonis. L’étude a donc porté sur l’examen de matières fécales (n = 301) et de contenus intestinaux (n = 203) de 351 ratons laveurs provenant de deux programmes gouvernementaux sur la rage du raton laveur et d’excréments (n = 409) provenant de latrines dans des parcs nationaux du Québec. Des oeufs de B. procyonis étaient excrétés par 23,3 % des ratons laveurs, alors que 29,1 % étaient porteurs de vers. La charge parasitaire moyenne des vers B. procyonis de tout stade variait de 8,5 chez les adultes à 27,1 chez les juvéniles. Chez ces derniers, la charge parasitaire était 11,4 fois supérieure à celle des ratons adultes (p < 0,0001) dont 23,7 fois plus de vers immatures (p < 0,0001) et 9,1 fois plus de vers matures (p = 0,01). Le nombre d’oeufs était 24,7 fois plus élevé chez les ratons juvéniles (p = 0,02) et 50,0 fois moins élevé chez la femelle allaitante. La probabilité du raton d’excréter des oeufs l’automne était de 11,1 (IC95 %: 1,21-101,60) par rapport au printemps et de 21,1 (IC95 %: 2,91-153,18) par rapport à l’été (p < 0,01). La sensibilité (Se) et la spécificité (Sp) de la coproscopie comparée à la nécropsie (norme étalon) ont été calculées en se basant sur l’observation des vers matures (Se : 81,8 %; Sp : 97,7 %) et des vers de tout stade (Se : 53,9 %; Sp : 97,0 %). De plus, la recherche des parasites intestinaux nous a permis de découvrir des ookystes de Giardia (6/159), espèce parasitaire nouvellement rapportée chez le raton. En 2007, nous avons trouvé, par échantillonnage unique, des oeufs de B. procyonis dans 15,8 % des latrines (n = 165) identifiées dans des parcs nationaux du sud du Québec et en 2008, par échantillonnage multiple, dans 89,7 % des latrines (n = 26) actives situées dans des secteurs accessibles à l’homme dans trois parcs nationaux de la Montérégie. Le potentiel zoonotique de B. procyonis est un problème de santé publique qui pourrait devenir sérieux étant donné le pourcentage élevé de ratons laveurs qui excrètent le parasite et qui contaminent des secteurs accessibles par les humains. / Raccoons are carriers of many parasites, some of which are zoonotic. We wanted to expand our knowledge of the Quebec raccoon intestinal parasitic fauna, specifically the Baylisascaris procyonis species. The study consisted of fecal matter (n = 301) and intestinal content examinations (n = 203) collected from 351 raccoons originating from two government programs on raccoon’s rabies and excrements collected (n = 409) from latrines in Quebec national parks. Eggs from B. procyonis were excreted by 23.3 % of raccoons while 29.1 % were worm carriers. The average parasitic burden of all stages of B. procyonis worms varied from 8.5 in adults to 27.1 in juveniles. In juveniles, the parasitic burden was 11.4 times superior to adult raccoons (p < 0.0001) with 23.7 times more immature worms (p < 0.0001) and 9.1 times more mature worms (p = 0.01). The number of eggs was 24.7 times superior in juvenile raccoons (p = 0.02) and 50.0 times lower in breast-feeding females. The probability of raccoons excreting eggs in autumn was 11.1 (IC95 %: 1.21-101.60) in comparison to spring and 21.1 (IC95 %: 2.91-153.18) in comparison to summer (p < 0.01). The sensitivity (Se) and specificity (Sp) of coproscopy compared to necropsy (gold standard) were calculated based on observations of mature worms (Se: 81.8 %; Sp: 97.7 %) and worms of all stages (Se: 53.9 %; Sp: 97.0 %). In addition, our intestinal parasitic research permitted the finding of Giardia oocysts (6/159), which is a newly found parasite species in raccoons. In 2007, B. procyonis eggs were found in 15.8 % of latrines (n = 165) identified in Southern Quebec national parks and in 89.7% of active latrines (n = 26) in three Eastern Townships national parks sites accessible to man in 2008. The zoonotic potential of B. procyonis is a public health issue that could become serious considering the high percentage of raccoons excreting the parasite thus contaminating sectors accessible to man.

The development of molecular tools for detection and typing of unicellular intestinal parasites has revealed genetic diversities in species that were previously considered as distinct entities. Of great importance is the genetic distinction found between the pathogenic Entamoeba histolytica and the non-pathogenic Entamoeba dispar, two morphologically indistinguishable species. Blastocystis sp. is a ubiquitous intestinal parasite with unsettled pathogenicity. Molecular studies of Blastocystis sp. have identified 17 genetic subtypes, named ST1-17. Genetically, these subtypes could be considered as different species, but it is largely unknown what phenotypic or pathogenic differences exist between them. This thesis explores molecular methods for detection and genetic subtyping of unicellular intestinal parasites, with special focus on Blastocystis. We found that PCR-based methods were highly sensitive for detection of unicellular intestinal parasites, but could be partially or completely inhibited by substances present in faeces. A sample transport medium containing guanidinium thiocyanate was shown to limit the occurrence of PCR inhibition. The prevalence of Blastocystis in Swedish university students was over 40%, which is markedly higher than what was previously estimated. Blastocystis ST3 and ST4 were the two most commonly found Blastocystis subtypes in Sweden, which is similar to results from other European countries. Blastocystis sp. and Giardia intestinalis were both commonly detected in Zanzibar, Tanzania, each with a prevalence exceeding 50%. Blastocystis ST1, ST2, and ST3 were common, but ST4 was absent. While G. intestinalis was most common in the ages 2-5 years, the prevalence of Blastocystis increased with increasing age, at least up to young adulthood. We found no statistical association between diarrhoea and Blastocystis sp., specific Blastocystis subtype or G. intestinalis. Metagenomic sequencing of faecal samples from Swedes revealed that Blastocystis was associated with high intestinal bacterial genus richness, possibly signifying gastrointestinal health. Blastocystis was also positively associated with the bacterial genera Sporolactobacillus and Candidatus Carsonella, and negatively associated with the genus Bacteroides. Blastocystis ST4 was shown to have limited intra-subtype genetic diversity and limited geographic spread. ST4 was also found to be the major driver behind the positive association between Blastocystis and bacterial genus richness and the negative association with Bacteroides.