Doenças infecciosas emergentes se caracterizam como enfermidades cujos patógenos evoluíram para uma nova cepa ou genótipo capaz de infectar tanto o mesmo hospedeiro quanto uma nova espécie. A ocorrência de doenças emergentes tem sido correlacionada à destruição de habitats e à perda de biodiversidade. As aves marinhas têm sido consideradas bons indicadores e sentinelas do ecossistema aquático, e uma ampla variedade de enfermidades virais têm sido investigadas e descritas em aves no mundo todo. A caracterização e o entendimento das enfermidades virais que acometem as aves marinhas que habitam a costa brasileira são de fundamental importância para a compreensão de possíveis surtos de mortalidade dentre outros fatores que interferem na conservação das aves em geral. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a ocorrência de herpesvírus, avipoxvírus e coronavírus nas espécies de aves marinhas que foram reabilitadas em três centros localizados ao longo da costa brasileira e nas colônias reprodutivas de Sula sp. e Phaeton sp. localizadas no arquipélago de Abrolhos, Bahia, Brasil, e em quatro colônias de Spheniscus magellanicus localizadas na Patagônia argentina. As análises virais foram realizadas pela técnica de PCR e RT-PCR e confirmadas pela reação de sequenciamento do amplicon identificado. Nos casos de óbito, as alterações histopatológicas foram identificadas por meio de análise microscópica. O estudo revelou a ocorrência dos três agentes virais identificados em centros de reabilitação no Brasil, além da ocorrência de herpesvírus nas populações de vida livre e ativas em seus sítios reprodutivos. Foram identificados quatro novos herpesvírus denominados: Magellanic penguin herpesvirus 1 (MagHV -1) causador de um surto de mortalidade associado a traqueíte necrótico-hemorrágica em pinguins de Magalhães em reabilitação; Magellanic penguin herpesvirus 2 (MagHV-2), identificado em pinguins de Magalhães aparentemente saudáveis nas colônias reprodutivas da Patagônia argentina; Sulid herpesvirus 1 (SuHV -1), identificado em atobás (Sula sp.) e grazinas (Phaeton sp.) nas colônias reprodutivas de Abrolhos e Thalassarchid herpesvirus 1 (ThHV -1), identificados em um albatroz de nariz amarelo (Thalassarche chlororhynchos) nas praias de Rio Grande, RS, Brasil. Também foram identificados: um novo avipox, denominado Brazilian penguinpox, causador de lesões cutâneas, esofágicas e respiratórias nos pinguins de Magalhães cutâneas, esofágicas e respiratórias nos pinguins de Magalhães em reabilitação em Santa Catarina e a identificação de dois Gammacoronavirus em três diferentes espécies assintomáticas que estavam em reabilitação em Santa Catarina e no Rio Grande do Sul. Os dados obtidos constituem uma base de informação útil para estudos futuros no campo da patologia, virologia, epidemiologia e dos impactos antrópicos na saúde das aves marinhas do cone sul. / Emerging infectious diseases are characterized as disease whose pathogens progressed to a new strain ar genotype capable of infecting the same host or a new species. The occurrence of emerging diseases has been correlated to the destruction of habitats and loss of biodiversity. Seabirds have been considered as good indicators and sentinels of aquatic ecosystem, and a wide variety of viral diseases have been investigated and described in birds worldwide. The characterization and understanding of viral diseases that affect seabirds that inhabit the Brazilian coast are of fundamental importance for the understanding of possible mortality outbreaks among other factors that influence the conservation of birds in general. The objective of this research was to investigate the occurrence of herpesvirus, coronavirus and avipoxvirus in seabird species that were rehabilitated in three centres located along the Brazilian coast and in breeding colonies of Sula sp. and Phaeton sp. located at the Abrolhos’s archipelago, Bahia, Brazil and four Spheniscus magellanicus's colonies located at Argentina's Patagonia. Viral analyzes were performed by PCR and RT-PCR and confirmed by sequencing the identified amplicon. In cases of death, the histopathological alterations were identified through optical microscopic analysis. The study revealed the occurrence of the three investigated viral agents in the Brazilian rehabilitation centres, besides the occurrence of herpesvirus in the freeliving and reproductive active seabird’s populations. Four new herpesvirus were identified and called: Magellanic penguin herpesvirus 1 (MagHV -I), causing a mortality outbreak associated with necrotic-hemorrhagic tracheitis in Magellanic penguins in rehabilitation process; Magellanic penguin herpesvirus 2 (MagHV-2), identified in apparently healthy breeding Magellanic penguins at the Argentinean Patagonia’s colonies; Sulid herpesvirus 1 (SuHV-l), identified in boobies (Sula sp.) and tropicalseabirds (Phaeton sp.) breeding colonies at Abrolhos Archipelago, and Thalassarchid herpesvirus 1 (ThHV -1), identified in a yellow nose albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchos) that appeared on the beaches of Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. Were. also identified: a new avipox named Brazilian penguinpox causing cutaneous, esophagus and respiratory lesions in rehabilitation penguins at Santa Catarina and the identification of two Santa Catarina and the identification of two Gammacoronavirus in three different asymptomatic seabirds species that were undergoing rehabilitation in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. The data provi de a useful information basis for further studies related to pathology, virology, epidemiology and human impacts on southern hemispheres seabirds’ health.

The broad aim of this dissertation is to understand the early impact of HPV vaccination in females at the population level. Three important public health questions are addressed: 1) Is HPV vaccination doing what is expected: decreasing the prevalence of vaccine-type HPV 6, 11, 16 and 18 which are etiologically linked to invasive cervical cancer and genital warts?; 2) Is there evidence of beneficial cross-protection (decreased prevalence) of any of the other non-vaccine-targeted high-risk (HR) HPV genotypes?; and 3) With the expected decline of HPV 16 and 18, are there deleterious virological consequences, such as type-replacement (increased prevalence) with a rise of non-vaccine-targeted HR HPV? In the first chapter, I assess and synthesize peer-reviewed literature published from 2007 to 2013 that documented early impact of HPV vaccination. Seventeen ecological studies were stratified into three tiers based on degree of vaccination impact (cervical abnormalities, genital warts, and HPV DNA) and incidence or prevalence in samples from a pre-HPV vaccination time period (pre-2007) with that of a post-vaccination time period (post-2007) were compared. In the second chapter, I investigate vaccine-type HPV prevalence changes between pre- and post-vaccine periods in over 8,000 females aged 14-59 years enrolled in the NHANES HPV Vaginal Swab Surveys from 2003-2010. In the third chapter, I test for evidence of non-vaccine-targeted HR HPV genotypic cross-protection and type-replacement in NHANES Survey females from the pre- and post-vaccine periods. Finally, I conclude the dissertation with a summary of the findings and a discussion of the public health impltcations and offer suggestions for future research.

Marburg virus (MARV)–along with Ebola Virus–comprises Filoviridae, a family of virus which causes the life-threatening hemorrhagic fever in human and non-human primates for which there is no clinically approved vaccine. For this reason, this virus can potentially lend itself to pandemic and weapons of bioterrorism. Strikingly, this virus yields asymptomatic responses in its recently discovered host Rousettus aegyptiacus. Understanding of the interaction between MARV and different animal hosts will enable the improved understanding of filovirus immunology and the development of effective therapeutic agents. Although cell lines and primary cells have been used to investigate gene expression analysis of this virus, the transcriptomic view of MARV infection on the tissue samples of animal hosts has been an uncharted territory. The comprehensive analysis of transcriptome in hosts and spillover hosts will shed light on the immune responses on a molecular level and potentially allow the comparative analysis to understand the phenotypical differences. However, there have been gaps in resources necessary to carry the transcriptome research for MARV. For example, MARV host Rousettus aegyptiacus genome and transcriptome had not been available. Furthermore, the statistical machinery necessary to analyze multi-tissue/multi-time data was not available. In this dissertation, I introduce the two items that fill these gaps and show the application of the tools I built for novel biological discovery. In particular, I have built 1) the comprehensive de novo transcriptome reference of Rousettus aegyptiacus and 2) the Multilevel Analysis of Gene Expression (MAGE) pipeline to analyze the RNA-seq data with the complex experimental design. I show the application of MAGE in multi-time, multi-tissue transcriptome data of Macaca mulata infected with MARV. In this study, 15 rhesus macaques were sequentially sacrificed via aerosol exposure to MARV Angola over the course of 9 days, and 3 types of lymph node tissues (tracheobronchial, mesenteric, and inguinal) were extracted from each sample and sequenced for gene expression analysis. With MAGE pipeline, I discovered that the posterior median log2FC of genes separates the samples based on day post infection and viral load. I discovered the set of genes such as CD40LG and TMEM197 with interesting trends over time and how similar and different pathways have been influenced in three lymph nodes. I also identified the biologically meaningful clusters of genes based on the topology-based clustering algorithm known as Mapper. Using the MAGE posterior samples, I also determined the genes that are preferentially expressed in tracheobronchial lymph nodes. In addition to new analysis tools and biological findings, I built the gene expression exploration tool for biologists to examine differential gene expression over time in various immune-related pathways and contributing members of the pathways. In conclusion, I have contributed to the two important components in the transcriptome analysis in MARV research and discovered novel biological insights. The MAGE pipeline is modular and extensible and will be useful for the transcriptome research with the complex experimental designs which are becoming increasingly prevalent with the decrease in the cost of sequencing.

Since the first detected cases of Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV), a respiratory virus capable of causing severe human illness, surveillance and research have focused on identification of the source of primary human MERS-CoV infections. Within the One Health framework which recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, various animal hosts were investigated as sources of human infection because most emerging infectious diseases are zoonoses – pathogens spilling over from an animal host to a human. A systematic literature review was conducted to synthesize knowledge about MERS-CoV infections in livestock animals and zoonotic transmission of MERS-CoV to humans. Dromedary camels are the presumptive source of primary human MERS-CoV infections, but the importance, frequency, and specific mechanisms of camel-to-human MERS-CoV transmission have not been well characterized. Further, it is unknown what potential barriers will be faced when implementing basic biosecurity interventions to prevent zoonotic transmission at occupational sites where individuals regularly work or interact with dromedary camels. This dissertation addressed these knowledge gaps through a study of MERS-CoV serology and knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about camel-to-human disease risks and basic biosecurity interventions in Jordan. This study detected individuals with low MERS-CoV neutralizing antibody titers in Jordan and found an association between regular work or interaction with dromedary camels or their living environments and evidence of MERS-CoV infection. Specific behavioral practices were not associated with evidence of MERS-CoV infection among those who regularly work or interact with dromedary camels or their living environments in Jordan. The study also identified multiple important barriers that may be faced when implementing basic biosecurity interventions in this population, including personal protective equipment (PPE) use and frequent handwashing. There were widespread ingrained beliefs that dromedary camels cannot transmit disease to humans and that camel milk and camel urine are beneficial to human health. Among camel workers, reported PPE use was low and frequent handwashing was uncommon. Only a few camel workers felt they would use PPE even if made freely available at their place of work. In conclusion, this dissertation provides further evidence that dromedary camel exposure is an important pathway in the epidemiology of primary human MERS-CoV infections in Jordan. The findings also support the notion that an intervention that simply provides basic biosecurity materials such as PPE and handwashing stations is likely to be ineffective in this population, and that identified barriers should be addressed to motivate behavioral change. Future studies are proposed including a longitudinal cohort study of individuals at risk for MERS-CoV that can detect individual seroconversion over time, track antibody responses among those who seroconvert, and evaluate key sub-exposures among those who are occupationally exposed to dromedary camels; as well as a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and sustainability of a multifaceted biosecurity intervention that provides materials as well as training and education targeting the knowledge, attitude, and belief barriers identified.

Orientador: Antonio Carlos Maringoni / Banca: Maria José de Marchi Garcia / Banca: Margarida Fumiko Ito / Banca: Marcelo Agenor Pavan / Banca: Tadeu Antonio Fernandes da Silva Júnior / Resumo: A cultura do pimentão (Capsicum annuum L.) tem elevada importância econômica e social para o Equador. Vários fatores têm contribuído para a baixa produtividade dessa cultura no país e dentre eles destacam-se as doenças de diversas etiologias. Poucas informações sobre a ocorrência de doenças nessa cultura estão disponíveis nas para as condições equatorianas. Neste trabalho foi realizado levantamento da ocorrência da doença "pata seca" e de viroses na cultura do pimentão, em plantios comerciais, durante anos de 2013 e 2014; a identificação dos agente(s) causal(ais) da "pata seca"; avaliações do eficácia da pulverização da aplicação de produtos fitossanitários (sulfato de cobre + fosetil alumínio; iprodione + clorotalonil; Trichoderma harzianum + T. koingii) em condições de campo, no controle da doença nos híbridos Nathalie e Quetzal e a sensibilidade in vitro do(s) patógeno(s) dessa doença a fungicidas (tebuconazole, benomil, clorotalonil, fosetil alumínio, iprodione, metalaxil + propanocarb e tebuconazole). A "pata seca" foi constatada em um 79,2% das propriedades, com incidência entre 5% a 53,6%, em quanto as viroses, foram detectada em 62,5% das propriedades, com incidência entre 9,6% a 61,2%. Os fungos S. clerotium rolfsii e Fusarium spp. foram isolados com maior freqüência das plantas com sintomas de "pata seca". Entretanto, S.rolfsii foi mais virulento, sendo considerado o principal agente causal da doença "pata seca". Não foi observada diferença dos produtos fitossanitários, aplicados no colo das plantas, na incidência de "pata seca", nos dois ensaios realizados em campo. A aplicação de iprodione + clorotalonil propiciou uma maior quantidade de frutos comerciais nos dois ensaios e uma maior produção em um dos ensaios. Os Isolados de S. rolfsii apresentaram maior sensibilidade aos fungicidas tebuconazole, benomil e iprodione, ... / Abstract: Sweet pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) has high economic and social importance for Ecuador. Several factors have contributed to the low productivity of this crop in the country and among them there are the diseases of different etiologies. Little information on the occurrence of diseases in this culture is available to the Ecuadorian conditions. This study was carried out survey of the occurrence of the disease "pata seca" and viruses in sweet pepper in commercial plantations, during the years 2013 and 2014; the identification of the agent (s) causal (es) of "pata seca"; evaluations of the effectiveness of spray application of pesticides (copper sulfate + fosetyl aluminum, iprodione + chlorothalonil; Trichoderma harzianum + T. koingii) in field conditions in controlling the disease in hybrid Nathalie and Quetzal and in vitro sensitivity ( s) pathogen (s) of the disease to fungicides (tebuconazole, benomyl, chlorothalonil, fosetyl aluminum, iprodione, metalaxyl + propanocarb and tebuconazole). The "pata seca" was found in a 79.2% of the properties, with an incidence of 5% to 53.6%, as in the viruses were detected in 62.5% of the properties, with an incidence of 9.6% to 61.2%. The fungus Sclerotium rolfsii and Fusarium spp. were isolated more frequently plants with symptoms of "pata seca". However, S. rolfsii was more virulent, being considered the main causative agent of the disease "pata seca". There was no difference of pesticides applied in the base of the plants, the incidence of "pata seca" in the two trial carried out in the field. The application of iprodione + chlorothalonil provided a larger amount of fruits in the two ... / Doutor

Orientador: Marcelo Agenor Pavan / Coorientador: Renate Krause Sakate / Banca: Marcio Martinello Sanches / Banca: Valdir Atsushi Yuki / Banca: Julio Massaharu Marubayashi / Banca: Antonio Carlos Maringoni / Resumo: Espécies de vírus dos gêneros Potyvirus, Carlavirus e Allexivirus são comumente encontradas na cultura do alho (Allium sativum L.) e em decorrência da sua propagação vegetativa, há o acúmulo de vírus de um ciclo para outro, formando um complexo entre espécies dos gêneros citados. Uma das principais causas da redução da produtividade ocorre devido à infecção por vírus, e a termoterapia associada à cultura de tecido pode ser um método eficiente para limpeza clonal e obtenção de alho semente livre de vírus. O estudo da degenerescência do alho livre de vírus é, portanto, importante para se conhecer o número de ciclos em que o alho semente, inicialmente sadio, pode ser multiplicado no campo, sem que ocorra a redução da produtividade. Neste estudo foi verificado que após três anos a produtividade foi 13,75% superior ao alho 100% infectado por vírus. Os bulbilhos aéreos também podem ser utilizados para a multiplicação de sementes e tem como vantagem o baixo custo quando comparado à utilização de bulbos provenientes da cultura de tecido. Entretanto, essa técnica só se torna viável com a utilização de matrizes isentas de vírus, pois a transmissão de vírus para os bulbilhos aéreos, provenientes de matrizes infectadas, podem chegar a 83,33% no caso dos potyvirus, 20% para carlavirus e 70% para allexivirus, segundo dados obtidos neste trabalho. Realizar uma diagnose precisa dos vírus que infectam o alho torna-se essencial para que não ocorram falhas durante a indexação. Pôde-se observar que para a detecção dos potyvirus, utilizando o teste de ELISA indireto, deve-se utilizar folhas novas, entre 21 e 63 dias após o plantio, pois a concentração viral nesse período é a mais elevada. Diferentes técnicas como o DIBA colorimétrico, DIBA quimioluminescente, ELISA e PCR em tempo real foram avaliadas para detecção do LYSV, aos 21 dias após a inoculação ... / Abstract: Virus species of genera Potyvirus, Carlavirus and Allexivirus are commonly infecting garlic plants (Allium sativum L.). Due to the vegetative propagation, the accumulation of viruses might occur from one cycle to another. The infection of viruses might induce yield losses, and the technique of thermotherapy associated with meristem tip culture is an efficient method to obtain virus-free seeds. The study of degeneration of seeds free of virus is important to know the number of cycles in which garlic may be multiplied in the field without reduction of productivity. In this study it was observed that after three years, the productivity increased 13,75% compared to 100% infected seeds. Currently, aerial bulbils may be used for multiplication of seeds with low cost, compared to meristem tip culture. However, this is a viable technique only if the matrix is free of viruses, because the transmission to aerial bulbils, from infected plants can reach 83.33 % for potyviruses, 20% for carlavirus and 65% for allexivirus, data obtained in this work. An accurate diagnosis in viruses that infect garlic is important to avoid mistakes during indexing material. It was 4 observed that the best time to detect potyvirus, through ELISA test is between 21 and 63 days after planting on young leaves, as the virus concentration is higher in this period. Whem using different techniques, such as the colorimetric DIBA, chemiluminescent DIBA, ELISA, and real-time PCR, it was possible to perform the detection of LYSV 21 days after inoculation. ELISA test detected LYSV only at 21 days after inoculation, whereas using real time PCR, in 5 days after inoculation it was possible to detect the virus due to its high sensitivity. The other tests also detected the virus 21 days after infection / Doutor

Orientador: Marcelo Agenor Pavan / Coorientador: Renate Krause Sakate / Banca: Julio Massaharu Marubayashi / Banca: Rumy Goto / Resumo: A mandioquinha-salsa (Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancroft) é uma hortaliça originária da região andina, Venezuela, Colômbia, Equador, Peru e Bolívia. A família das apiáceas compreende também outras hortaliças importantes, como cenoura, salsa, coentro, aipo, dentre outras. A mandioquinha-salsa é propagada de forma vegetativa através dos propágulos, e isso pode favorecer a ocorrência de um número considerável de patógenos que causam degenerescência, principalmente os vírus. Está comprovado que alguns vírus são fator limitante em culturas de propagação vegetativa. Portanto, o presente trabalho teve como objetivos avaliar por meio de métodos sorológico e molecular 241 amostras oriundas de diferentes localidades, a fim de fazer um estudo de ocorrência e predominância das espécies virais e verificar a variabilidade biológica dos isolados encontrados por meio de transmissão por extratos vegetais. A detecção foi realizada através de Enzyme linked immunossorbent assay (ELISA) utilizando antissoro comercial anti-poty para o gênero Potyvirus. Para a análise da variabilidade, foram desenhados 2 oligonucleotídeos para amplificar a região codificadora da proteína capsidial para o gênero Cheravirus, e para a detecção de potyvirus e nepovirus, oligonucleotídeos foram obtidos da literatura. No estudo foi possível detectar a espécie Arracacha motlle virus do gênero Potyvirus, coletadas nos estados de Goiás, Minas Gerais, Brasília e Paraná. Os demais vírus testados não foram identificados em nenhuma das amostras analisadas. Além desses testes de identificação, ainda foi realizada microscopia eletrônica de transmissão em seis amostras, das quais duas foi possível a identificação de potyvirus. O teste de gama de hospedeiras foi realizado e mostrou que o AMoV tem gama de hospedeiras bastante restrita, sendo possível infectar somente três de nove espécies testadas ... / Abstract: Arracacha (Arracacia xanthorrhiza Bancroft) is a vegetable crop of the Andean region, formed by Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. The Apiacea family also have other important vegetable crops such as carrots, parsley, cilantro, celery, among others. Arracacha is propagated vegetatively and this can favor the occurrence of a considerable number of pathogens that cause degeneration, especially viruses. Some viruses are a limiting factor in vegetatively propagated crops. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate by serological and molecular methods 241 samples from different localities in order to verify the occurrence and predominance of the viruses species and verify the biological variability by sap inoculation. The detection was performed using enzyme-linked immunossorbent assay (ELISA) technique, using commercial antiserum against-potyvirus. For variability analysis, primers were designed to amplify the coding region of the coat protein for the 4 genus Cheravirus, and oligonucleotides were obtained from literature for the detection of the genus potyvirus and nepovirus, . It was possible to detect Arracacha mottle virus, from genus Potyvirus, in the states of Goiás, Minas Gerais, Brasilia and Paraná. The others viruses tested were not identified in the collected samples. Six samples were analysed by electron microscopy, and the potyvirus were identified only in two samples. The host range was restricted, infecting only three species of nine tested. The nucleotide identity ranged from 96% to 99%, between collected samples and sequence from GenBank (acess DQ925486), showing low genetic variability among them / Mestre

Doenças infecciosas emergentes se caracterizam como enfermidades cujos patógenos evoluíram para uma nova cepa ou genótipo capaz de infectar tanto o mesmo hospedeiro quanto uma nova espécie. A ocorrência de doenças emergentes tem sido correlacionada à destruição de habitats e à perda de biodiversidade. As aves marinhas têm sido consideradas bons indicadores e sentinelas do ecossistema aquático, e uma ampla variedade de enfermidades virais têm sido investigadas e descritas em aves no mundo todo. A caracterização e o entendimento das enfermidades virais que acometem as aves marinhas que habitam a costa brasileira são de fundamental importância para a compreensão de possíveis surtos de mortalidade dentre outros fatores que interferem na conservação das aves em geral. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi investigar a ocorrência de herpesvírus, avipoxvírus e coronavírus nas espécies de aves marinhas que foram reabilitadas em três centros localizados ao longo da costa brasileira e nas colônias reprodutivas de Sula sp. e Phaeton sp. localizadas no arquipélago de Abrolhos, Bahia, Brasil, e em quatro colônias de Spheniscus magellanicus localizadas na Patagônia argentina. As análises virais foram realizadas pela técnica de PCR e RT-PCR e confirmadas pela reação de sequenciamento do amplicon identificado. Nos casos de óbito, as alterações histopatológicas foram identificadas por meio de análise microscópica. O estudo revelou a ocorrência dos três agentes virais identificados em centros de reabilitação no Brasil, além da ocorrência de herpesvírus nas populações de vida livre e ativas em seus sítios reprodutivos. Foram identificados quatro novos herpesvírus denominados: Magellanic penguin herpesvirus 1 (MagHV -1) causador de um surto de mortalidade associado a traqueíte necrótico-hemorrágica em pinguins de Magalhães em reabilitação; Magellanic penguin herpesvirus 2 (MagHV-2), identificado em pinguins de Magalhães aparentemente saudáveis nas colônias reprodutivas da Patagônia argentina; Sulid herpesvirus 1 (SuHV -1), identificado em atobás (Sula sp.) e grazinas (Phaeton sp.) nas colônias reprodutivas de Abrolhos e Thalassarchid herpesvirus 1 (ThHV -1), identificados em um albatroz de nariz amarelo (Thalassarche chlororhynchos) nas praias de Rio Grande, RS, Brasil. Também foram identificados: um novo avipox, denominado Brazilian penguinpox, causador de lesões cutâneas, esofágicas e respiratórias nos pinguins de Magalhães cutâneas, esofágicas e respiratórias nos pinguins de Magalhães em reabilitação em Santa Catarina e a identificação de dois Gammacoronavirus em três diferentes espécies assintomáticas que estavam em reabilitação em Santa Catarina e no Rio Grande do Sul. Os dados obtidos constituem uma base de informação útil para estudos futuros no campo da patologia, virologia, epidemiologia e dos impactos antrópicos na saúde das aves marinhas do cone sul. / Emerging infectious diseases are characterized as disease whose pathogens progressed to a new strain ar genotype capable of infecting the same host or a new species. The occurrence of emerging diseases has been correlated to the destruction of habitats and loss of biodiversity. Seabirds have been considered as good indicators and sentinels of aquatic ecosystem, and a wide variety of viral diseases have been investigated and described in birds worldwide. The characterization and understanding of viral diseases that affect seabirds that inhabit the Brazilian coast are of fundamental importance for the understanding of possible mortality outbreaks among other factors that influence the conservation of birds in general. The objective of this research was to investigate the occurrence of herpesvirus, coronavirus and avipoxvirus in seabird species that were rehabilitated in three centres located along the Brazilian coast and in breeding colonies of Sula sp. and Phaeton sp. located at the Abrolhos’s archipelago, Bahia, Brazil and four Spheniscus magellanicus's colonies located at Argentina's Patagonia. Viral analyzes were performed by PCR and RT-PCR and confirmed by sequencing the identified amplicon. In cases of death, the histopathological alterations were identified through optical microscopic analysis. The study revealed the occurrence of the three investigated viral agents in the Brazilian rehabilitation centres, besides the occurrence of herpesvirus in the freeliving and reproductive active seabird’s populations. Four new herpesvirus were identified and called: Magellanic penguin herpesvirus 1 (MagHV -I), causing a mortality outbreak associated with necrotic-hemorrhagic tracheitis in Magellanic penguins in rehabilitation process; Magellanic penguin herpesvirus 2 (MagHV-2), identified in apparently healthy breeding Magellanic penguins at the Argentinean Patagonia’s colonies; Sulid herpesvirus 1 (SuHV-l), identified in boobies (Sula sp.) and tropicalseabirds (Phaeton sp.) breeding colonies at Abrolhos Archipelago, and Thalassarchid herpesvirus 1 (ThHV -1), identified in a yellow nose albatross (Thalassarche chlororhynchos) that appeared on the beaches of Rio Grande, RS, Brazil. Were. also identified: a new avipox named Brazilian penguinpox causing cutaneous, esophagus and respiratory lesions in rehabilitation penguins at Santa Catarina and the identification of two Santa Catarina and the identification of two Gammacoronavirus in three different asymptomatic seabirds species that were undergoing rehabilitation in Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul. The data provi de a useful information basis for further studies related to pathology, virology, epidemiology and human impacts on southern hemispheres seabirds’ health.

As HIV is now primarily a chronic condition, treatment is given life-long with changes as necessitated by alterations in tolerability and efficacy. Thus, personalized medicine may be useful in the prevention of unnecessary drug exposure and avoidable side effects. Three of the four currently available HIV integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), raltegravir, elvitegravir, and dolutegravir, are widely utilized antiretrovirals in the USA and exhibit variations in outcomes among subjects. To interrogate differences among subjects receiving these drugs, we investigated the association of several single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) with drug exposure, clinical outcomes, and subject-reported adverse events. HIV+ adults (≥18 years old) receiving an INSTI regimen were recruited (n=88). Subject genotypes were evaluated using an iPLEX PGx Panel. Genetic variations within our population, underwent multiple regression with covariates [age, sex, BMI, regimen duration, and baseline variables (as required) along with specific regimen in the comprehensive group] to detect significant (p=0.028) between abnormal dream occurrence and specific INSTI regimen with the raltegravir grouping presenting a higher frequency. This exploratory study also discovered several SNP-outcome associations when using INSTIs. Although these SNPs were found to have a role in predicting segments of adverse effect profiles, the clinical significance of these findings remains to be determined. Larger studies will be needed to confirm these exploratory findings with functional studies to understand pathogeneses. In conclusion, the associations found in this study strengthen the need for further assessment, within the HIV+ population, of factors contributing to unfavorable subject outcomes.

Currently, the Caribbean has the second highest new cases of HIV infection, only after Sub-Saharan Africa. Women are becoming disproportionally more at risk for HIV/AIDS, mainly through heterosexual contact. The purpose of this dissertation study was to evaluate HIV knowledge, attitudes, and sexual risk behaviors among Trinidadian women. A sample of 113 participants was recruited for this study. The Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) and Purnell Model of Cultural Competence were used to guide this study. Data were gathered using the HIV Knowledge Questionnaire (HIV-KQ-18), Condom Attitude Scale (CAS), Safe Sex Behavior Questionnaire (SSBQ), and a demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using statistical analysis software package (SPSS) version 22. Descriptive and Frequencies, Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (r), one-way between groups ANOVA, and Multiple Regression analyses were implemented to assess HIV knowledge, attitudes about condom use, religious beliefs, level of education, and substance use among Trinidadian women. The results of this study indicated that level of education and race/ethnic backgrounds were associated with HIV knowledge among Trinidadian women. Religious beliefs had a negative correlation with attitudes about condom use. Also, there was a positive correlation between attitudes about condom use and safer sexual behaviors. The empirical knowledge obtained from this study can be used to provide a baseline for healthcare providers and policy makers to develop culturally aware, gender-relevant interventions to decrease the rate of HIV infection among Trinidadian women.