Zika virus (ZIKV) is a sexually transmitted viral infection most frequently transmitted by mosquitoes. The source of infectious virions in the male reproductive tract has yet to be elucidated. The goals of the studies included developing and characterizing two mouse models for reproductive transmission studies and demonstration of sexual transmission of virus via artificial insemination. The mouse strains used in the study lacked receptors to interferon molecules, key signaling proteins of the host immune response. Inflammation severity was assessed during acute disease, 5-11 days after infection using a novel histopathology grading system. ZIKV proteins and genome were initially detected in epididymal epithelial cells in males. Inflammation was first observed in the epididymis and progressed to the testicle in both AG129 and Ifnar-/- males. Infection of Ifnar-/- mice may better recapitulate Zika virus pathology in humans due to milder histopathologic lesions, the presence of histologically normal sperm in epididymal tubules, and an ability to survive the acute phase of disease. In further studies, male Ifnar-/- mice were challenged subcutaneously with ZIKV. Artificial insemination fluid derived from experimentally infected males showed positive sexual transmission at 7 days post infection (DPI) but not 35 or 70 DPI. These studies show passage of virus from epididymal flush and seminal plasma to females via insemination during acute ZIKV disease in males and provides a model for sexual transmission of ZIKV.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-05-14Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:04:31Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 lopes_wdz_dr_jabo.pdf: 1071597 bytes, checksum: d61e6ffa60481492021ac9df6eda129f (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Ovinos machos isentos de Toxoplasma gondii, foram distribuídos em três grupos sendo, G1: um ovino inoculado, pela via oral, com 2,0 x 105 oocistos da cepa P, G2: um ovino infectado, pela via subcutânea, com 1,0 x 106 taquizoítos da cepa RH e G3: um ovino não infectado mantido como controle. Após a inoculação dos machos com T. gondii, 12 ovelhas reprodutoras, não gestantes, sorologicamente negativas para doenças reprodutivas, sobretudo toxoplasmose, foram sincronizadas e em seguida expostas à monta natural pelos machos, anteriormente inoculados, sendo: cinco ovelhas submetidas à monta natural pelo macho do G1; cinco ovelhas expostas à monta natural pelo macho do G2 e duas ovelhas pelo macho pertencente ao grupo controle. Nos soros das ovelhas obtidos nos dias -30, -14, -7, -1, zero (antes da monta natural) e nos dias 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 14 e semanalmente até o parto, foi pesquisada a presença de anticorpos contra T. gondii pela RIFI. Bioensaio em camundongos e PCR foram realizados em amostras de sêmen e tecidos dos machos, tecidos das fêmeas e de seus respectivos filhotes. Cinco das 12 fêmeas utilizadas apresentaram anticorpos específicos contra T. gondii após a monta natural, sendo duas pelo macho inoculado com oocistos (G1) e três pelo ovino infectado com taquizoítos (G2). Pelo bioensaio foi possível diagnosticar, no dia da monta natural, a presença do T. gondii em amostras seminais dos ovinos infectados (G1 e G2) e em amostras do “pool” de tecidos das cinco fêmeas e em cinco de seus respectivos filhotes. Foi possível, ainda, pela técnica da PCR isolar o DNA de T. gondii em amostras seminais dos machos reprodutores no dia do coito, e no “pool” de tecidos de uma e duas fêmeas expostas à monta natural por reprodutores infectados com oocistos e taquizoítos, respectivamente. É importante relatar que, por meio desta técnica foi possível diagnosticar... / Male sheep in reproductive age and with no prior Toxoplasma gondii disease, were divided into three groups: G1, a sheep inoculated with 2.0 x 105 of P strain oocysts; G2, a sheep infected with 1.0 x 106 of RH strain tachyzoites and; G3 a control uninfected sheep. After inoculation of males with T. gondii, 12 breeding ewes, not pregnant, serologically negative for reproductive diseases, particularly toxoplasmosis, were synchronized and then exposed to natural mating by those males, previously inoculated, being: five ewes submitted to natural mating by male G1, five ewes exposed to natural mating by the male of G2 and two ewes submitted to natural mating by the male control from group. In sera obtained from all ewes on days -30, -14, -7, -1, zero (before natural mating) and on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 14 and weekly until partum, was investigated the presence of antibodies against T. gondii by IFAT. Bioassay and PCR were performed on samples of semen and tissues of males/females tissues and their offspring. Five of the 12 females submitted to natural mating, had antibodies anti-T. gondii, being, two by male inoculated with oocysts (G1) and three for sheep infected with tachyzoites (G2). For the bioassay was possible to diagnose on the day of natural mating, the presence of T. gondii in semen samples from infected sheep (G1 and G2) and in samples of pool of tissues from five females and five of their puppies. It was also possible by PCR to isolate the DNA of T. gondii in semen samples of rams on sexual intercourse, and the pool of tissues of one and two females exposed to breeding by natural mating infected with tachyzoites and oocysts, respectively. It is important to report that through this technique it was possible to diagnose the presence of this parasite also in the pool of tissue from the offspring of a female submitted to the natural breeding sheep infected with oocysts. From the results... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:33:26Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2011-07-08Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:44:55Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 santana_lf_dr_jabo.pdf: 959437 bytes, checksum: 45656ed9790dd5d6704a96f61bd9642d (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Caprinos machos em idade reprodutiva, sorologicamente negativos para Toxoplasma gondii, foram selecionados e distribuídos como apresentado a seguir: A - um caprino inoculado, via oral, com 2,0 x 105 oocistos da cepa P; B - um caprino inoculado, via subcutânea, com 1,0 x 106 taquizoítos da cepa RH e C - um caprino não inoculado mantido como controle. Após a inoculação dos machos com T. gondii, 12 cabras reprodutoras, não gestantes, sorologicamente negativas para as principais doenças reprodutivas, sobretudo toxoplasmose, foram sincronizadas. Em seguida, foram expostas à monta natural pelos machos, anteriormente inoculados: cinco cabras submetidas à monta natural pelo macho A (GI); cinco cabras submetidas à monta natural pelo macho B (GII) e duas cabras pelo macho C – controle (GIII). Nos soros das cabras obtidos nos dias -14, -7, -1 (antes da monta natural), e nos dias 3, 6, 9, 11, 14 e semanalmente até o parto, foi pesquisada a presença de anticorpos contra T. gondii pelo ELISA teste. Bioensaio em camundongos e Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) foram realizados em amostras de sêmen e tecidos dos machos, tecidos das fêmeas e de seus respectivos “produtos”. Dez das 12 fêmeas utilizadas apresentaram anticorpos específicos contra T. gondii após a monta natural, sendo as cinco cobertas pelo macho inoculado com oocistos (GI) e cinco cobertas pelo caprino inoculado com taquizoítos (GII). Pelo bioensaio e pela PCR foi possível identificar, em várias datas experimentais em que ocorreu a monta natural, a presença do T. gondii nas amostras seminais dos caprinos inoculados. Posteriormente, após eutanásia, foi possível também isolar este parasito em algumas das amostras teciduais dos machos experimentais. Por estas mesmas técnicas de diagnóstico, identificou-se também a presença deste coccídio nas amostras teciduais das fêmeas experimentais, assim como de seus... / Male goats in reproductive age, serologically negative for Toxoplasma gondii, were selected and distributed according to the following arrangement: A - one goat inoculated orally with 2.0 x 105 oocysts of the strain P; B - one goat inoculated subcutaneously with 1.0 x 106 tachyzoites of the strain RH and C - one uninfected goat kept as control. After T. gondii inoculation, 12 nonpregnant female breeder goats serologically negative for the main reproductive diseases, especially toxoplasmosis, were synchronized and then exposed to natural mating by those males previously inoculated, being: five females submitted to natural mating by the male A (GI), five females exposed to natural mating by the male B (GII) and two females submitted to natural mating by the uninfected male (GIII). In sera obtained from all female goats on days -14, -7, -1, (before natural mating) and on days 3, 6, 9, 11, 14 and weekly until partum, the presence of antibodies against T. gondii was investigated by ELISA test. Bioassay in mice and PCR were performed on samples of semen and tissues of males and females and on their products which were stillbirths, fetus and offspring. Ten out of 12 females used showed specific antibodies against T. gondii after natural mating, being five from group GI and five from group GII. On several dates in which natural mating occurred, T. gondii was identified in semen samples of infected males by bioassay and PCR. Subsequently, after euthanasia, it was possible to isolate T. gondii in some of tissue samples from experimentally infected males. Moreover, by PCR and bioassay techniques it was also possible to identify T. gondii in tissue samples from experimentally infected females as well as their products (stillbirths, fetus and offspring). It was not possible to notice any clinical signs of toxoplasmosis Therefore, these results proved, for the first time, the sexual transmission of toxoplasmosis in goat species

Orientador: Alvimar José da Costa / Banca: João Luis Garcia / Banca: Francisco Carlos Rodrigues de Oliveira / Banca: Katia Denise Saraiva Bresciani / Banca: Cesar Roberto Esper / Resumo: Ovinos machos isentos de Toxoplasma gondii, foram distribuídos em três grupos sendo, G1: um ovino inoculado, pela via oral, com 2,0 x 105 oocistos da cepa P, G2: um ovino infectado, pela via subcutânea, com 1,0 x 106 taquizoítos da cepa RH e G3: um ovino não infectado mantido como controle. Após a inoculação dos machos com T. gondii, 12 ovelhas reprodutoras, não gestantes, sorologicamente negativas para doenças reprodutivas, sobretudo toxoplasmose, foram sincronizadas e em seguida expostas à monta natural pelos machos, anteriormente inoculados, sendo: cinco ovelhas submetidas à monta natural pelo macho do G1; cinco ovelhas expostas à monta natural pelo macho do G2 e duas ovelhas pelo macho pertencente ao grupo controle. Nos soros das ovelhas obtidos nos dias -30, -14, -7, -1, zero (antes da monta natural) e nos dias 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 14 e semanalmente até o parto, foi pesquisada a presença de anticorpos contra T. gondii pela RIFI. Bioensaio em camundongos e PCR foram realizados em amostras de sêmen e tecidos dos machos, tecidos das fêmeas e de seus respectivos filhotes. Cinco das 12 fêmeas utilizadas apresentaram anticorpos específicos contra T. gondii após a monta natural, sendo duas pelo macho inoculado com oocistos (G1) e três pelo ovino infectado com taquizoítos (G2). Pelo bioensaio foi possível diagnosticar, no dia da monta natural, a presença do T. gondii em amostras seminais dos ovinos infectados (G1 e G2) e em amostras do "pool" de tecidos das cinco fêmeas e em cinco de seus respectivos filhotes. Foi possível, ainda, pela técnica da PCR isolar o DNA de T. gondii em amostras seminais dos machos reprodutores no dia do coito, e no "pool" de tecidos de uma e duas fêmeas expostas à monta natural por reprodutores infectados com oocistos e taquizoítos, respectivamente. É importante relatar que, por meio desta técnica foi possível diagnosticar... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Male sheep in reproductive age and with no prior Toxoplasma gondii disease, were divided into three groups: G1, a sheep inoculated with 2.0 x 105 of P strain oocysts; G2, a sheep infected with 1.0 x 106 of RH strain tachyzoites and; G3 a control uninfected sheep. After inoculation of males with T. gondii, 12 breeding ewes, not pregnant, serologically negative for reproductive diseases, particularly toxoplasmosis, were synchronized and then exposed to natural mating by those males, previously inoculated, being: five ewes submitted to natural mating by male G1, five ewes exposed to natural mating by the male of G2 and two ewes submitted to natural mating by the male control from group. In sera obtained from all ewes on days -30, -14, -7, -1, zero (before natural mating) and on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 11, 14 and weekly until partum, was investigated the presence of antibodies against T. gondii by IFAT. Bioassay and PCR were performed on samples of semen and tissues of males/females tissues and their offspring. Five of the 12 females submitted to natural mating, had antibodies anti-T. gondii, being, two by male inoculated with oocysts (G1) and three for sheep infected with tachyzoites (G2). For the bioassay was possible to diagnose on the day of natural mating, the presence of T. gondii in semen samples from infected sheep (G1 and G2) and in samples of pool of tissues from five females and five of their puppies. It was also possible by PCR to isolate the DNA of T. gondii in semen samples of rams on sexual intercourse, and the pool of tissues of one and two females exposed to breeding by natural mating infected with tachyzoites and oocysts, respectively. It is important to report that through this technique it was possible to diagnose the presence of this parasite also in the pool of tissue from the offspring of a female submitted to the natural breeding sheep infected with oocysts. From the results... (Complete abstract click electronic access below) / Doutor

Resumo: Caprinos machos em idade reprodutiva, sorologicamente negativos para Toxoplasma gondii, foram selecionados e distribuídos como apresentado a seguir: A - um caprino inoculado, via oral, com 2,0 x 105 oocistos da cepa P; B - um caprino inoculado, via subcutânea, com 1,0 x 106 taquizoítos da cepa RH e C - um caprino não inoculado mantido como controle. Após a inoculação dos machos com T. gondii, 12 cabras reprodutoras, não gestantes, sorologicamente negativas para as principais doenças reprodutivas, sobretudo toxoplasmose, foram sincronizadas. Em seguida, foram expostas à monta natural pelos machos, anteriormente inoculados: cinco cabras submetidas à monta natural pelo macho A (GI); cinco cabras submetidas à monta natural pelo macho B (GII) e duas cabras pelo macho C - controle (GIII). Nos soros das cabras obtidos nos dias -14, -7, -1 (antes da monta natural), e nos dias 3, 6, 9, 11, 14 e semanalmente até o parto, foi pesquisada a presença de anticorpos contra T. gondii pelo ELISA teste. Bioensaio em camundongos e Reação em Cadeia da Polimerase (PCR) foram realizados em amostras de sêmen e tecidos dos machos, tecidos das fêmeas e de seus respectivos "produtos". Dez das 12 fêmeas utilizadas apresentaram anticorpos específicos contra T. gondii após a monta natural, sendo as cinco cobertas pelo macho inoculado com oocistos (GI) e cinco cobertas pelo caprino inoculado com taquizoítos (GII). Pelo bioensaio e pela PCR foi possível identificar, em várias datas experimentais em que ocorreu a monta natural, a presença do T. gondii nas amostras seminais dos caprinos inoculados. Posteriormente, após eutanásia, foi possível também isolar este parasito em algumas das amostras teciduais dos machos experimentais. Por estas mesmas técnicas de diagnóstico, identificou-se também a presença deste coccídio nas amostras teciduais das fêmeas experimentais, assim como de seus ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Abstract: Male goats in reproductive age, serologically negative for Toxoplasma gondii, were selected and distributed according to the following arrangement: A - one goat inoculated orally with 2.0 x 105 oocysts of the strain P; B - one goat inoculated subcutaneously with 1.0 x 106 tachyzoites of the strain RH and C - one uninfected goat kept as control. After T. gondii inoculation, 12 nonpregnant female breeder goats serologically negative for the main reproductive diseases, especially toxoplasmosis, were synchronized and then exposed to natural mating by those males previously inoculated, being: five females submitted to natural mating by the male A (GI), five females exposed to natural mating by the male B (GII) and two females submitted to natural mating by the uninfected male (GIII). In sera obtained from all female goats on days -14, -7, -1, (before natural mating) and on days 3, 6, 9, 11, 14 and weekly until partum, the presence of antibodies against T. gondii was investigated by ELISA test. Bioassay in mice and PCR were performed on samples of semen and tissues of males and females and on their products which were stillbirths, fetus and offspring. Ten out of 12 females used showed specific antibodies against T. gondii after natural mating, being five from group GI and five from group GII. On several dates in which natural mating occurred, T. gondii was identified in semen samples of infected males by bioassay and PCR. Subsequently, after euthanasia, it was possible to isolate T. gondii in some of tissue samples from experimentally infected males. Moreover, by PCR and bioassay techniques it was also possible to identify T. gondii in tissue samples from experimentally infected females as well as their products (stillbirths, fetus and offspring). It was not possible to notice any clinical signs of toxoplasmosis Therefore, these results proved, for the first time, the sexual transmission of toxoplasmosis in goat species / Orientador: Alvimar José da Costa / Coorientador: Gilson Pereira de Oliveira / Banca: Odilon Vidotto / Banca: Carlos Noriyuki Kaneto / Banca: Flávio Ruas de Moraes / Banca: Paulo Henrique Franceschini / Doutor

Toxoplasma gondii is one of the most widespread parasitic protozoa in humans in developed countries. It has a wide range of hosts including various warm-blooded animals and humans. Recent studies suggest that it could influence the fertility of humans. The aim of this work was to find out, what is the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in groups of women and men with fertility problems and whether Toxoplasma gondii has an effect on specific fertility parameters. In women, Significant positive correlation between toxoplasmosis and the percentage of oocytes in the follicles was found among women. Group of men with semen pathology diagnosis revealed a statistically significant negative association between toxoplasmosis and the percentage of morphologically normal sperm. It seems that latent toxoplasmosis in men can also worsen the negative effect of tobacco smoking on fertility. The impairment of fertility in men could be the result of the manipulation activity of Toxoplasma gondii, which leads to more frequent sexual intercourse due to decreased ability to conceive. This could increase the likelihood of sexual transmission, which is currently suggested as one of the possible ways of transmission of toxoplasmosis.

<p>A cross- sectional descriptive study using a self-administered close-ended questionnaire was conducted with pupils in standards four to seven (aged 10 &ndash / 17 years) in ten government primary schools in Meru District. The sample of 400 school pupils was obtained by a simple random sampling technique. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS (version 15) computer software and the results were presented in frequencies using simple percentages, tables and graphs. The Chi-square test was used to assess the significance where a p-value of &lt / 0.05 was considered statistically significant. In conclusion, Primary school pupils in Meru district engage in several risky sexual behaviors including substance use, sexual coercion, early sexual debut and engaging in various sexual practices. This calls for a more comprehensive approach in the fight against HIV among primary school children in Tanzania, which could include life skill training at an early age, behaviour change communication interventions, advocacy activities to influence policy formulation, condom promotion and incorporating key stakeholders in the rollout of school based HIV programmes such as parents, community leaders and faith-based organizations leaders.</p>

<p>A cross- sectional descriptive study using a self-administered close-ended questionnaire was conducted with pupils in standards four to seven (aged 10 &ndash / 17 years) in ten government primary schools in Meru District. The sample of 400 school pupils was obtained by a simple random sampling technique. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS (version 15) computer software and the results were presented in frequencies using simple percentages, tables and graphs. The Chi-square test was used to assess the significance where a p-value of &lt / 0.05 was considered statistically significant. In conclusion, Primary school pupils in Meru district engage in several risky sexual behaviors including substance use, sexual coercion, early sexual debut and engaging in various sexual practices. This calls for a more comprehensive approach in the fight against HIV among primary school children in Tanzania, which could include life skill training at an early age, behaviour change communication interventions, advocacy activities to influence policy formulation, condom promotion and incorporating key stakeholders in the rollout of school based HIV programmes such as parents, community leaders and faith-based organizations leaders.</p>

Magister Public Health - MPH / A cross- sectional descriptive study using a self-administered close-ended questionnaire was conducted with pupils in standards four to seven (aged 10 - 17 years) in ten government primary schools in Meru District. The sample of 400 school pupils was obtained by a simple random sampling technique. Data analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences SPSS (version 15) computer software and the results were presented in frequencies using simple percentages, tables and graphs. The Chi-square test was used to assess the significance where a p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. In conclusion, Primary school pupils in Meru district engage in several risky sexual behaviors including substance use, sexual coercion, early sexual debut and engaging in various sexual practices. This calls for a more comprehensive approach in the fight against HIV among primary school children in Tanzania, which could include life skill training at an early age, behaviour change communication interventions, advocacy activities to influence policy formulation, condom promotion and incorporating key stakeholders in the rollout of school based HIV programmes such as parents, community leaders and faith-based organizations leaders. / South Africa

Toxoplasma gondii is cosmopolitly living parasite which prevalence in human extends to tens of percent. In its life cycle it uses any homoiothermic vertebrate as an intermediate host. The definitive host are felines from Felidae family. The acute phase of infection is medically important in immunocompromised pacients and by its risk of congenital toxoplasmosis in pregnant women who never suffered from this illness before. Infection could have serious and rarely even lethal consequences in both cases. This thesis focuses on experimental verification of theory of sexual transmission of toxoplasmosis from male to female on laboratory mice. Possible transmission was tested in acute phase and latent phase of infection. The result was negative in both cases. Moreover, we observed the parasite's affinity to tissue of organs in male mice by PCR technique. Particularly, our interest was in comparing genital organs with others. It was discovered that lungs and spleen are the most infected organs in acute phase of infection. Toxoplasma was also present in genital organs (especially in epididymis) but not more frequently than in others. We observed statistically significant difference between sexual and non-sexual organs in acute and latent toxoplasmosis - non-sexual organs were more infected in both phases....