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Thesis by publication -- 8 co-authored articles. / Thesis (PhD)--Macquarie University, Division of Environmental and Life Sciences, Department of Biological Sciences. / Includes bibliographical references. / Preface -- Management issues of urban common brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula): a loved or hated neighbour -- Effects of deslorelin implants on reproduction in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) -- Brushtail possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) in metropolotan Sydney: population biology and response to contraceptive implants -- Strategic survey for Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from urban Sydney, Australia -- Leptospirosis serology in the common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) from urban Sydney, Australia -- Conclusions. / The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) is indeed a common inhabitant of many Australian citites, and one of the few marsupials that has adapted well to the urban environment. Their close proximity to people provides a great opportunity to experience native wildlife in the backyard, however, their utilization of house roofs, bold behaviour and appetite for garden plants often leads to conflict with householders. Population numbers are sufficiently high to require ongoing management to minimise negative impacts for humans and brushtail possums alike in a socially acceptable manner. The aim of this thesis was to identify current management issues and address the need for improved and novel management strategies. The potential of slow-release implants, containing the GnRH agonist deslorelin, as a contraceptive agent for brushtail possums was tested on a captive population. Males appeared resistant to treatment, but deslorelin was found to inhibit reproduction in female brushtail possums for at least one breeding season, making it a promising tool to control fertility in some wild populations. A further aim was to trial deslorelin implants on a wild urban population, to collect more information about the urban biology of this species and to point out issues which have previously not been addressed. Close proximity and interaction of urban brushtail possums with humans and their domestic animals can increase the risk of disease exposure and transmission and influence the health of wild populations. Serosurveys showed that animals were readily exposed to Leptospira spp. and Toxoplasma gondii. This thesis also provides the first data on brushtail possum dispersal in urban areas, knowledge which is highly relevant to the development of management strategies such as fertility control. The findings from this research broaden our knowledge about urban brushtail possums and should assist wildlife authorities in developing alternative or improved management procedures. / Mode of access: World Wide Web. / xxv, 287 p. ill., maps

Made available in DSpace on 2016-12-23T13:47:02Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Creuza Rachel Vicente.pdf: 3384838 bytes, checksum: c3eca90bf4886725c29d5e5904662f2b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-15 / Introdução: A ocorrência da dengue sofre influência do comportamento, estrutura social e distribuição da população e sua transmissão pode variar de acordo com as áreas do município. Seu prognóstico depende do diagnóstico precoce e da imediata instituição do tratamento. Este estudo avalia fatores associados à ocorrência da dengue, enfatizando a distribuição territorial e os relacionados à dengue grave. Métodos: Foram realizados dois estudos, sendo um transversal e outro retrospectivo, sobre a totalidade dos casos de dengue que ocorreram em Vitória no ano de 2011, com base nos dados do Sistema de Informações de Agravos de Notificação. Resultados: Entre os casos confirmados, 53,4% ocorreram em mulheres, 74,7% em maiores de 15 anos e 6,3% evoluíram para gravidade. Os territórios de saúde de Jardim Camburi, Maruípe, Ilha das Caieiras, Santa Martha e Santo André responderam por 41,6% das notificações. Quase metade dos casos foram concluídos por critério laboratorial e, destes, 80% realizaram sorologia. Em todos os territórios, mais de 20% dos notificados realizaram sorologia e, na maioria, mais de 51% tiveram resultado positivo. Nas regiões de São Pedro, Maruípe e Santo Antônio, os afetados eram principalmente jovens, enquanto nas regiões Continental e Forte São João, eram pessoas mais velhas. Dos 371 casos de dengue grave, 78,7% foram de dengue com complicações e 21,3% de febre hemorrágica da dengue. Sessenta e sete por cento dos casos ocorreram em pessoas com idade superior a 15 anos. As Regiões de Saúde de Maruípe e São Pedro foram responsáveis por mais da metade dos casos de dengue grave (56,35%). Houve associação estatisticamente significante entre ocorrência de febre hemorrágica da dengue com idades mais jovens (menores de 15 anos) e maior tempo decorrido na procura por atendimento. Também houve associação estatisticamente significante entre maior tempo decorrido na procura pelo atendimento e idade menor que 15 anos. Os casos de dengue grave estavam concentrados em faixas etárias mais jovens na região de São Pedro. Conclusão: A distribuição territorial não foi uniforme, e pode ser determinada pela alta densidade populacional e pelas condições socioeconômicas. As diferenças de idade entre as regiões podem estar relacionadas à incidência da doença nestes locais. A grande proporção de sorologias positivas e o número de exames realizados possibilitaram uma boa detecção e acompanhamento dos casos de dengue. Os resultados corroboram os de outras pesquisas que apontam uma mudança no perfil da febre hemorrágica da dengue nas Américas e no Brasil, com crescente acometimento de jovens, e apontam a demora no tempo de procura por atendimento, baixa qualidade urbana e alta endemicidade como possíveis fatores de risco. / Introduction: The incidence of dengue, influenced by human behavior, social structure and population distribution, may vary with respect to the geographical areas of a given city. Its prognosis depends on early diagnosis and prompt initiation of treatment. This study evaluates factors related to the occurrence of dengue, emphasizing the territorial distribution and risk factors for severe dengue. Methods: A cross-sectional and a retrospective study on all cases were conducted with dengue cases of Vitória in 2011, based on data from the Information System of Notifiable Diseases (SINAN). Results: 53.4% of confirmed cases occurred in women, 74.7% were 15 years old or older, and 6.3% were severe forms. The health territories of Jardim Camburi, Maruípe, Ilha das Caieiras, Santa Martha and Santo André accounted for 41.6% of reported cases. Almost half of the cases had final classification based on laboratory tests, and of these, 80% were submitted to serological tests. Of all territories, more than 20% of those reported cases had been submitted to serological tests, and more than 51% of them had a positive result. In the regions of São Pedro, Santo Antônio e Maruípe, the affected individuals were younger, while in Continental Region and Forte São João Region, they were older. Of the 371 cases of severe dengue, 78.7% were classified as dengue with complications and 21.3% were classified as dengue hemorrhagic fever, whose age distribution disclosed a frequency of 67.1% in individuals 15 years old or older. Regions of Maruípe and São Pedro were responsible for over half of cases of severe dengue (56.3%). There was a statistically significant association between the occurrence of dengue hemorrhagic fever and younger ages (under 15 years) and longer time interval between the beginning of symptoms and seeking for care. People younger than 15 years old take longer to seek for care. The frequencies of cases of severe dengue were concentrated in younger age groups in the region of São Pedro. Conclusion: The geographical distribution was not uniform, and can be influenced by the high population density and socioeconomic conditions. The age differences between regions may be related to disease incidence in these locations. A large proportion of positive tests and a great number of tests performed allowed a good detection and monitoring of dengue cases. The results corroborate those of other studies that indicate a change in the profile of dengue hemorrhagic fever in the Americas and Brazil, with growing involvement of young people, and indicate the time delay in seeking treatment, urban poor quality and high endemic scenario as possible risk factors.

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