Estima-se que a prevalência global da população mundial com hepatite C é de 3%. Pouco se sabe sobre a resposta ao tratamento com respeito à resistência viral. Algumas mutações no fragmento de 109 aminoácidos da NS5B são associadas com resistência ao interferon (IFN) e ribavirina (RBV). Estudos moleculares e clínicos identificaram fatores associados com o hospedeiro e vírus relacionados associada com a resposta ao tratamento, tal como o gene que codifica a IL-28B. Este estudo foi dividido em duas fases, cujos objetivos foram caracterizar a frequência de mutações que conferem resistência ao HCV e avaliar a relevância das mutações em pacientes Respondedores (R) ou Não Respondedores (NR) ao tratamento e caracterizar geneticamente as populações sobre polimorfismos genéticos nos SNPs da IL-28B em relação ao prognóstico da resposta ao tratamento. As amostras dos pacientes foram submetidas a testes de genotipagem e carga viral. As sequências geradas foram comparadas no BLAST e no banco de dados Los Alamos HCV. Realizamos o alinhamento das sequências homólogas e as mutações identificadas. Com base no genótipo e carga viral determinamos a classificação dos pacientes de acordo com a resposta à terapia. O DNA genômico foi isolado a partir de sangue periférico para a realização da tipagem de SNPs de IL-28B. A metodologia utilizada foi de PCR em tempo real utilizando sondas TaqMan SNP específico. A análise dos dados foi realizada utilizando GraphPad Prism com qui-quadrado, risco relativo (RR), Odds Ratio (OR) e intervalo de confiança de 95%, com um nível de significância de P <0,05. Foi encontrado na primeira fase deste estudo uma taxa significativa mutações associadas ao tratamento nas amostras estudadas. A prevalência de mutações associadas à resistência ao IFN e RBV bem como a novos medicamentos antivirais localizados no fragmento de 109 aminoácidos da NS5B foi examinado em 69 indivíduos infectados naïve no Rio de Janeiro, Brasil. Na segunda fase, as mutações foram clinicamente relevantes. Desde então, procuramos observar as diferenças entre melhor ou pior prognóstico de acordo com a imunogenética que mostrou diferenciação entre os grupos R e NR ao tratamento em relação ao prognóstico da resposta terapêutica. Quando as diferenças entre as sequências da NS5B e a resposta ao tratamento foram consideradas verificou-se que associada a mutação R254K, estava a C316N que poderia conduzir a uma não resposta à terapia no genótipo 1b. Os nossos dados também suportaram forte associação de IL-28B rs12979860, com elevada probabilidade de resposta à terapia de IFN + RBV. Nossos dados evidenciam a presença de pacientes virgens de tratamento que abrigam mutações de resistência previamente descritas na literatura. A análise dos fatores preditores de resposta virológica mostrou que a predição de boa resposta ou não ao tratamento e ainda da progressão da doença é dependente de uma importante interação entre a genética viral e a do hospedeiro. Fato este importante para que no momento de avaliação de diagnóstico e conduta terapêutica, o médico possa tomar medidas apropriadas para o tratamento de cada paciente individualmente independentemente do genótipo do HCV em questão. / It is estimated that the overall prevalence of the average world population with hepatitis C is 3%. Little is known about the treatment response with respect to viral resistance. Some mutations in the 109-aminoacid fragment of NS5B are associated to Interferon (IFN) and Ribavirin (RBV) resistance. Molecular and clinical studies have identified factors associated with the host and related viruses associated with response to treatment, as the gene encoding IL-28B. This study was divided into two phases whose objectives were to characterize the frequency of mutations conferring resistance to HCV viral evaluating the relevance of these in Responders (R) or Non-Responders (NR) patients to treatment and to characterize genetically the populations regarding genetic polymorphisms SNPs IL-28B in relation to prognosis of response to treatment for HCV. Patient samples were subjected to tests for genotyping and viral load. The sequences generated were compared in the BLAST and the Los Alamos database HCV. We conducted the alignment of homologous sequences and mutations identified. Based on virological parameters genotype and viral load determined the classification of patients according to response to therapy. Genomic DNA was isolated from peripheral blood for carrying out the typing of SNPs of IL-28B. The methodology used was real-time PCR using TaqMan probes specific SNPs. Data analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism with chi-square, relative risk (RR), Odds Ratio (OR) and confidence interval of 95% with a significance level of P <0.05. To study these biological parameters we associated the responsive patients, non-responders, the viral load, genotype, and IL-28B polymorphism to treatment outcome. We found in the first phase of this study a significant rate of treatment-associated mutations in the samples studied. The prevalence of mutations associated to resistance to interferon and ribavirin (IFN/RBV) as well new antiviral drugs located in the 109 aminoacid fragment of NS5B was examined in 69 Hepatitis C Virus drug naïve (HCV)-infected individuals in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. In the second phase, the mutations revealed clinically relevant from the gene in question. Since then, we seek to observe the differences between better or worse prognosis according to immunogenetic showed that differentiation between the immunogenetics of the groups R and NR to treatment in relation to prognosis of therapeutic response. When the differences between the NS5B sequences at baseline and the treatment response were considered we found that R254K associated with C316N mutations could lead to a non-response to IFN-RBV therapy in genotype 1b. Our data also strong support the association of rs12979860 IL-28B polymorphism with high probability of response to IFN + RBV therapy. Our data highlight the presence of HCV genotypes from drug naïve patients harboring resistance mutations previously described in literature. The analysis of predictors virologic response demonstrated that the prediction of better or worse therapy response and further the disease progression is dependent of a significant interaction between viral and host genetics. This fact is important for diagnosis evaluation and clinical therapeutic, the medico can take appropriate measures to treat each individual patient irrespective of the genotype of HCV in question.

Submitted by Ana Lúcia Torres (bfmhuap@gmail.com) on 2017-09-20T14:56:11Z No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO_Egidio_André_FINAL_26122016.pdf: 1444438 bytes, checksum: 846cb4588a5c486580f4c8af04030572 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by Ana Lúcia Torres (bfmhuap@gmail.com) on 2017-09-20T14:56:45Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO_Egidio_André_FINAL_26122016.pdf: 1444438 bytes, checksum: 846cb4588a5c486580f4c8af04030572 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-09-20T14:56:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 license_rdf: 0 bytes, checksum: d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e (MD5) DISSERTAÇÃO_Egidio_André_FINAL_26122016.pdf: 1444438 bytes, checksum: 846cb4588a5c486580f4c8af04030572 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2016 / Centro Universitário São José. UNIFSJ / A colonização por Staphylococcus aureus representa o principal risco para infecções, principalmente em crianças, que apresentam elevada morbimortalidade relacionada a este patógeno. Tal microrganismo apresenta grande variabilidade molecular que confere mudanças epidemiológicas constantes. Linhagens com características variadas de resistência e virulência emergem e sucumbem, constituindo-se em um desafio para a saúde pública mundial. Nos últimos anos, alguns estudos têm sugerido uma mudança epidemiológica nas linhagens de S. aureus resistentes a meticilina (MRSA) no Brasil. O objetivo do presente estudo é atualizar o conhecimento acerca da epidemiologia molecular de MRSA colonizando crianças e adolescentes em Niterói – Rio de Janeiro. Trata-se de estudo de corte transversal, realizado com crianças e adolescentes, de zero a 16 anos, em creches, ambulatórios e hospitais na cidade de Niterói-RJ, no período de agosto de 2011 a junho de 2013. Um total de 1500 participantes (500 de creches, 500 de ambulatório e 500 de hospitais) foi submetido à coleta de secreção nasal por meio de swabs para pesquisa de MRSA. Destes, 749 (49,9%) das 1500 amostras foram caracterizados como S. aureus, sendo 288 (57,6%) das 500 amostras de ambulatório, 239 (47,8%) das 500 de hospitais e 222 (44,4%) das 500 das creches desta região. Do total, 144 (9,6%) das 1500 amostras foram caracterizadas como MRSA, sendo 31 (6,2%) das 500 das creches, 45(9%) das 500 de ambulatório e 68 (13,6%) das 500 dos hospitais. As 144 amostras de MRSA foram submetidas às técnicas de genotipificação por PCR dos genes mecA, lukS/lukFPV e SA442 para a identificação do gene de resistência a meticilina, da leucocidina Panton-Valentine (PVL) e confirmação da espécie S. aureus, respectivamente. Foram realizados testes de susceptibilidade antimicrobiana com 14 antimicrobianos selecionados de acordo com o CLSI (2012). Também foram realizados PCR-multiplex para identificação do tipo de cassete mec (SCCmec) e sequenciamento dos genes da proteína A (spa-Typing) e genes constitutivos (MLST), para a caracterização molecular das linhagens de MRSA. Observou-se a prevalência de diferentes clones de MRSA, incluindo os mais frequentes, ST5-MRSA-IV (CC5) e ST30-MRSA-IV (CC30), cujas características, corroboram com a literatura de linhagens de grande relevância, disseminadas em nível pandêmico, “Clone pediátrico” e “Clone SWP”, respectivamente. Nas creches e nos hospitais, foram identificados seis de complexos clonais (CC) diferentes em cada cenário. Já o ambulatório apresentou nove CCs diferentes. O PVL foi observado em 30 (54,5%) das 55 CC30. Das amostras classificadas como CC5 34 (57,6%) de 59 apresentaram resistência ou resistência intermediária à eritromicina. Evidenciou-se variação sazonal de colonização por MRSA, com maior frequência no verão. Nossos resultados confirmam a mudança epidemiológica do até então conhecido Clone Epidêmico Brasileiro para linhagens amplamente descritas pela literatura e disseminadas em nível pandêmico, com grande relevância, conhecidas como “Clone Pediátrico” e “Clone SWP” em crianças e adolescentes no Brasil, com variação sazonal na frequência de colonização por MRSA. Tais achados são relevantes para uma melhor compreensão do comportamento epidemiológico da colonização por MRSA em nível local, com informações que auxiliem nas estratégias de vigilância epidemiológica para o controle desse patógeno. / The colonization by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is the main risk factor for infections, especially in children who have high morbidity and mortality related to this pathogen. This microorganism has large molecular variability that provides constant epidemiological changes. Lineages with varied characteristics of resistance and virulence emerge and succumb, constituting a challenge to global public health. In recent years, some epidemiologic studies have suggested a change in strains of methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) in Brazil. The aim of this study is to update the knowledge of the molecular epidemiology of MRSA colonizing children and adolescents in Niterói - Rio de Janeiro. This is a cross-sectional study, conducted with children and adolescents in community day care centers, outpatient clinics and hospitals in Niterói, RJ, from August 2011 to June 2013. A total of 1500 participants (500 of day care centers, 500 of outpatient clinic and 500 of hospitals) was submitted to nasal secretion collection using swabs for MRSA research. Of these, 749/1500 (49.9%) were characterized as S. aureus, being that 288/500 (57.6%) were of outpatient clinic, 239/500 (47.8%) of hospitals and 222/500 (44.4 %) of the day cares centers. Among the samples of S. aureus 144/1500 (9.6%) were characterized as MRSA, with 31/500 (6.2%) from day care centers, 45/500 (9%) from outpatient clinics and 68/500 (13 6%) of hospitals. The 144 samples of MRSA were submitted to genotyping by PCR from the mecA, luks/lukFPV and SA442 genes to identifi of methicillin resistance gene, the Panton-Valentine leukocidin (PVL) toxin and species, respectively. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed with 14 antimicrobials selected according to the CLSI (2012). It was also performed multiplex-PCR to identify the type of cassette mec (SCCmec) and sequencing of the genes of protein A (spa-Typing) and constitutive genes (MLST), for molecular characterization of MRSA lineages. We observed the prevalence of different MRSA, including the most commons, ST5-MRSA-IV (CC5) and ST30-MRSA-IV (CC30), whose characteristics corroborate with the literature of relevant lineages, disseminated on pandemic level, "Pediatric Clone" and "SWP Clone", respectively. In day care centers and hospitals six types of different clonal complexes (CC) have been identified in each environment, and the outpatient clinics had nine different CCs. The CC30 showed a frequency of 54.5% (30/55) for positivity of PVL genes. Samples classified as CC5 showed 57.6% (34/59) of resistance or intermediate resistance to erythromycin. This finding corroborates with literature, which describes about the epidemiological distribution of these strains. Our results confirm the epidemiological change of the Epidemic Brazilian Clone to strains widely described in the literature with pandemic level of disseminated and great relevance, known as "Pediatric Clone" and "SWP Clone" in children and adolescents in Brazil with seasonal variation in the frequency of MRSA colonization. These findings are relevant for a better understanding of the epidemiological changes of MRSA colonization locally, with information that assists in epidemiological surveillance strategies for the control of this pathogen.

Submitted by Danilo Giorgi Abranches de Andrade null (dgaandrade@fmvz.unesp.br) on 2017-02-23T14:17:39Z No. of bitstreams: 1 dissertacao_danilo_g_a_andrade.pdf: 2560202 bytes, checksum: d847a79e450a463626e2d953a46fcc54 (MD5) / Approved for entry into archive by LUIZA DE MENEZES ROMANETTO (luizamenezes@reitoria.unesp.br) on 2017-03-02T14:45:46Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 andrade_dga_me_bot.pdf: 2560202 bytes, checksum: d847a79e450a463626e2d953a46fcc54 (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-03-02T14:45:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 andrade_dga_me_bot.pdf: 2560202 bytes, checksum: d847a79e450a463626e2d953a46fcc54 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-02-09 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES) / Dermatosparaxia é uma enfermidade autossômica recessiva do tecido conjuntivo caracterizada clinicamente por fragilidade e hiperextensibilidade cutâneas. Estas características impedem que o animal seja mantido no sistema de criação, sendo descartado na maioria dos casos. Descrita em diversas espécies, a dermatosparaxia foi relatada também em algumas raças de ovinos. O polimorfismo de nucleotídeo único (SNP) c.421G>T no gene ADAMTS2 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type I motif, 2), em homozigose, é responsável pela enfermidade em ovinos da raça White Dorper. Recentemente a doença foi descrita no Brasil, contudo acredita-se que possa ter sido subdiagnosticada, uma vez que a enfermidade já foi descrita em diversos países. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estimar a frequência alélica do SNP c.421G>T no gene ADAMTS2 em ovinos da raça White Dorper do estado de São Paulo a partir de uma metodologia diagnóstica que utilizasse a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) seguida do sequenciamento direto da região desse SNP. Neste estudo, foram coletadas amostras de sangue para extração do DNA de 303 ovinos da raça White Dorper. Após a extração do DNA, realizou-se PCR para amplificar a região do SNP e, então, o sequenciamento genético para determinar sua presença no gene ADAMTS2. A frequência alélica do SNP na população estudada foi de 7,8%. Este resultado indica que as medidas de controle devem ser adotadas para prevenir a propagação do SNP c.421G>T no gene ADAMTS2 nos rebanhos de ovinos White Dorper brasileiros. / Dermatosparaxis is an autosomal recessive disorder of the connective tissue; the disorder is clinically characterized by skin fragility and hyperextensibility. These skin defects prevent affected animals from entering the breeding system because they are either discarded or removed from their usual activities. Described in several species, dermatosparaxis has also been reported in some sheep breeds. The single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) c.421G>T in the ADAMTS2 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type I motif, 2) gene, in homozygosity, is responsible for the disease in White Dorper sheep. Recently the disorder was described in Brazil, however, it might have been underdiagnosed since the disease has already been described in many countries. The aim of this study was to estimate the allelic frequency of SNP c.421G>T in the ADAMTS2 gene in the White Dorper herd of Sao Paulo state, Brazil using a diagnostic methodology with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and then direct sequencing of the SNP region. In this study, we collected blood DNA samples from 303 White Dorper sheep and performed PCR to amplify the SNP region. The samples were sequenced to determine the presence of the SNP in the ADAMTS2 gene. The allelic frequency of the SNP in the studied population was 7.8%; this finding indicates that control measures should be adopted to prevent the inheritance of SNP c.421G>T in the ADAMTS2 gene in Brazilian White Dorper herds.

Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae est l’agent causal de la pneumonie enzootique. On le retrouve dans plusieurs élevages de porcs à travers le monde. Même si ce micro-organisme est présent dans plusieurs troupeaux canadiens, peu d’informations sont présentement disponibles sur les isolats québécois. Un total de 160 poumons de porcs possédant des lésions de pneumonie ont été récupérés à l’abattoir, mis en culture et testés par PCR pour M. hyopneumoniae et Mycoplasma hyorhinis. D’autres pathogènes bactériens communs du porc et les virus du syndrome reproducteur et respiratoire porcin (VSRRP), de l’influenza et le circovirus porcin de type 2 (CVP2) ont été également testés. Quatre-vingt-dix pourcent des échantillons étaient positifs pour M. hyopneumoniae et 5.6% l’étaient seulement pour M. hyorhinis. Dans ces échantillons positifs pour M. hyopneumoniae, la concentration de ce mycoplasme variait de 1.17 x 105 à 3.37 x 109 génomes/mL. Vingt-cinq poumons positifs en culture ou par PCR en temps réel pour M. hyopneumoniae ont été sélectionnés, parmi ceux-ci 10 étaient en coinfection avec Pasteurella multocida, 12 avec Streptococcus suis, 9 avec CVP2 et 2 avec le VSRRP. Les analyses des nombres variables de répétitions en tandem à de multiples loci (MLVA) et PCR-polymorphisme de longueur de fragments de restriction (PCR-RFLP) de M. hyopneumoniae ont démontré une forte diversité des isolats de terrain. Par contre, il semble y avoir plus d’homogénéité à l’intérieur d’un même élevage. L’analyse MLVA a également démontré que près de la moitié des isolats possédaient moins de 55% d’homologie avec les souches vaccinales et de référence utilisées dans la présente étude. L’absence d’amplification du locus 1 de M. hyopneumoniae en MLVA a été significativement associée à une baisse de la concentration de bactérie et de la sévérité des lésions. Pour tous les isolats de M. hyopneumoniae, des concentrations minimales inhibitrices (CMI) de faibles à intermédiaires ont été obtenues envers tous les antimicrobiens testés. Les isolats possédant des CMI intermédiaires envers les tétracyclines, les macrolides et les lincosamides ont été testés pour la présence des gènes de résistance tetM, ermB et pour des mutations ponctuelles dans les gènes des protéines L4, L22 et de l’ARNr 23S. Aucun de ces gènes n’a été détecté mais la mutation ponctuelle G2057A a été identifiée. Cette mutation est responsable de la résistance intrinsèque de M. hyopneumoniae face aux macrolides à 14 carbones. Ces résultats indiquent qu’il ne semble pas y avoir de résistance acquise aux antimicrobiens parmi ces isolats. En conclusion, cette recherche a permis d’obtenir de nouvelles données scientifiques sur les isolats québécois de M. hyopneumoniae. / Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae, the causative agent of porcine enzootic pneumonia, is present in swine herds worldwide. However, little is known about the prevalence of this microorganism in Quebec and Canadian herds. A total of 160 swine lungs with lesions suggestive of enzootic pneumonia were recovered from two slaughterhouses. They were cultured and tested by PCR for M. hyopneumoniae and Mycoplasma hyorhinis and for the porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), the influenza virus, and the porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2). Samples were also cultured for other commonly encountered swine pathogenic bacteria. Ninety percent of the samples were positive for M. hyopneumoniae (Real-time PCR) whereas 5.6% were positive only for M. hyorhinis (PCR). The concentration of M. hyopneumoniae in these positive samples varied between 1.17 x 105 and 3.37 x 109 genomes/mL Among 25 selected M. hyopneumoniae positive lungs (culture or real-time PCR), 10 demonstrated a co-infection with Pasteurella multocida, 12 with Streptococcus suis, 9 with PCV2 and 2 with the PRRS virus. Multiple loci variable number of tandem repeats analysis (MLVA) and PCR-restriction fragments length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analyses showed a high diversity among field M. hyopneumoniae isolates. However, there seemed to be greater homogeneity within the same herd. The MLVA analysis also demonstrated that almost half of the field isolates presented less than 55% homology with the vaccine and reference strains used in our study. The absence of amplification of one locus (locus 1) of M. hyopneumoniae was significantly associated with a lower number of bacteria and a lower severity of lung lesions. All M. hyopneumoniae isolates showed low to intermediate MICs against the antimicrobials tested. Cultures with intermediate MICs for tetracyclines, macrolides and lincosamides were tested for the presence of previously described resistance genes tetM, ermB and L4, L22 and 23S rRNA point mutations. None of these genes were found, although one point mutation, G2057A, was identified. This mutation is responsible for the intrinsic resistance of M. hyopneumoniae against 14-membered macrolides. These results indicate that there is probably no acquired antimicrobial resistance within these isolates. This research provides new scientific data on M. hyopneumoniae isolates from Canada.

La paléoparasitologie est l’étude des restes de parasites préservés dans des échantillons archéologiques et permet de mieux comprendre l’état de santé des populations anciennes et d’obtenir des informations d’ordre anthropologique ou ethnologique, sur les régimes alimentaires ou les conditions d’hygiène au quotidien. Les restes de parasites peuvent être retrouvés sous forme de macro-restes (vers ou larves), d’antigènes, d’ADN ou d’œufs. Cesderniers peuvent être particulièrement bien préservés au cours du temps car ils sont composés en partie de chitine, les rendant résistants aux processus de dégradation. L’observation microscopique de leurs caractéristiques morphologiques et micrométriques permet d’identifier les taxons au niveau du genre ou de la famille. Dans le cadre de cette thèse, plusieurs helminthes gastro-intestinaux, dont les œufs sont fréquemment retrouvés dans des échantillons archéologiques, ont été ciblés par une approche génétique. Il s’agit des vers plats Tæniasaginata, T. solium, T. asiatica, Echinococcus granulosus, E. multilocularis, Diphyllobothriumlatum, D. dendriticum et D. nihonkaiense, des nématodes Trichuris trichiura, Enterobiusvermicularis et Ascaris sp. et des douves Fasciola hepatica, F. gigantica, Dicrocoeliumdendriticum et D. chinensis.La méthode « aMPlex Torrent » permet de détecter, dans un grand nombre d’échantillons archéologiques, une faible quantité d’ADN de parasites. Cette approche combine la spécificité et la sensibilité de la PCR au haut-débit du séquençage de nouvelle génération. Plusieurs vestiges, provenant de périodes et de régions géographiques diverses, ont été analysés. Des résultats génétiques ont été obtenus pour des échantillons aussi anciens que 7200 BP. Nous avons par ailleurs obtenus les premières séquences anciennes de Taenia sp., Diphyllobothriumsp., Echinococcus sp., et les premières séquences européennes d’Enterobius vermicularis. Auvu de ces résultats, notre approche apparait comme étant complémentaire à la microscopie. / Palaeoparasitogy, the study of parasite remains from archaeological samples, is adiscipline that can highlight questions about the health status of the ancient populations. It can give important anthropological or ethnological information such as the diet and the hygiene conditions of past societies. The remains can be preserved as macroremains (worms or larvae),antigens, DNA or eggs. Because they are partially made of chitin, eggs of gastrointestinalhelminths resist well over time to the taphonomic degradation process. It is possible to distinguish between different families or genera of parasites by looking at the morphological features of eggs. However, since several taxa share common features, the determination is rarelypossible at the species level. For this thesis, several parasite species for which eggs arecommonly observed in archeological samples have been studied by a genetic approach. Westudied the tapeworms Tænia saginata, T. solium, T. asiatica, Echinococcus granulosus, E.multilocularis, Diphyllobothrium latum, D. dendriticum, and D. nihonkaiense; the nematodesTrichuris trichiura, Enterobius vermicularis, and Ascaris sp.; and the flukes Fasciola hepatica,F. gigantica, Dicrocoelium dendriticum, and D. chinensis.The “aMPlex Torrent” approach has been set up to detect minute amounts of DNA from parasites in multiple archaeological samples. This approach combines the specificity andsensitivity of PCR to the throughput of Next-Generation sequencing. Several samples have been analyzed by this approach. We obtained genetic results for samples as old as 7200 BP and from various geographical and archeological contexts. We obtained the first ancient DNA sequences for Taenia sp., Diphyllobothrium sp., Echinococcus sp. and the first European sequences forEnterobius vermicularis. Genetic analyses and microscopic observations appear to be complementary. Indeed, at least one taxon per sample was detected by one of the two approaches.

As doenças de veiculação hídrica, sobretudo aquelas causadas por protozoários intestinais, emergiram como um dos principais problemas de saúde pública. Diferentes aspectos são abordados sobre a biologia e a epidemiologia dos principais protozoários parasitas de transmissão hídrica. Cryptosporidium está descrito como um importante parasita associado a casos de surtos de veiculação hídrica e alimentos no mundo. A epidemiologia complexa desse protozóario e o fato de que a maioria das espécies e genótipos não pode ser diferenciada morfologicamente, aumentam o interesse por metodologias sensíveis e rápidas na detecção de espécies responsáveis pela infecção em humanos. Neste estudo foram avaliadas 50 amostras de água bruta superficial, coletadas no Rio São Lourenço da Serra (P1A) e Represa de Guarapiranga (P2A) e 50 de esgoto bruto coletadas em São Lourenço da Serra (P1E) e no poço vertical de Taboão da Serra (P2E) entre os meses de janeiro e dezembro de 2013. O isolamento dos oocistos na água foi realizado pelo Método 1623.1 e as amostras de esgoto bruto por centrifugação, separação imunomagnética (IMS). A caracterização genotípica ocorreu por meio da nested PCR, clonagem e sequenciamento com base no gene 18S rRNA comum a todas as espécies de Cryptosporidium. O ensaio de PCR em tempo real (qPCR) foi avaliado simultaneamente para detecção e quantificação de oocistos nas amostras. De acordo com os resultados obtidos pela nested PCR, Cryptosporidium foi detectado na água bruta superficial em 12 por cento (3/25) no manancial P1A e 16 por cento (4/25) no P2A. No esgoto bruto o parasito foi detectado em 20 por cento (5/25) das amostras no ponto P1E e 24 por cento (6/25) no poço vertical P2E. A qPCR detectou 52 por cento (0,79 a 1,85 oocistos/L) de amostras positivas no manancial P1A e o parasito foi detectado em 64 por cento (0,72 a 1,4 oocistos/L) no manancial P2A. No esgoto bruto 72 por cento das amostras foram positivas tanto no ponto P1E (7 a 655 oocistos/L) como no P2E (5 a 519 oocistos/L). A caracterização molecular permitiu a identificação de C. parvum e C. hominis na água bruta superficial, e C. hominis, C. parvum, e C. muris no esgoto bruto. As espécies do gênero Cryptosporidium identificadas neste estudo apresentam expressiva relevância para o desenvolvimento da doença humana. Neste sentido, as metodologias de concentração e caracterização empregadas nas análises demonstraram no geral, o potencial para aplicação em estudos de vigilância ambiental e foram úteis na diferenciação de espécies patogênicas. A presença de C. muris associada às espécies antroponóticas identificadas auxiliou na investigação de prováveis fontes de contaminação no ambiente confirmando a necessidade da expansão de medidas efetivas para proteção destes mananciais. / Waterborne diseases, especially those caused by intestinal protozoa, have emerged as a major public health problem. Different aspects are addressed on the biology and epidemiology of most waterborne protozoan parasites. Cryptosporidium is described as an important parasite associated with cases of waterborne and food outbreaks in the world. The complex epidemiology of this protozoan, as well as the fact that most species and genotypes cannot be differentiated morphologically, increase the interest for sensitive and rapid methods for the detection of species responsible for infection in humans. In this study, 50 samples of raw surface water were collected from São Lourenço River (P1A) and Guarapiranga Dam (P2A), and 50 samples of raw sewage were collected from São Lourenço da Serra (P1E) and from Taboão da Serras vertical well (P2E), between January and December of 2013. The isolation of oocysts in water was carried out by the USEPA Method 1623.1 and raw sewage samples were processed by centrifugation, immunomagnetic separation (IMS). Genotypic characterization occurred by nested PCR, cloning and sequencing based on 18S rRNA gene, which is common to all Cryptosporidium species. Real time PCR assays (qPCR) were carried out both for detection and quantification of oocysts simultaneously in the samples. According to the results obtained by nested PCR, Cryptosporidium was detected in raw surface water in 12 per cent (3/25) of samples at P1A and in 16 per cent (4/25) at P2A. In raw sewage the parasite was detected in 20 per cent (5/25) of samples at P1E and 24 per cent (6/25) in P2E vertical well. qPCR detected 52 per cent (0.79 to 1.85 oocysts/L) of positive samples at P1A, while the parasite was detected in 64 per cent (0.72 to 1.4 oocysts/L) of samples at P2A water supply. Regarding raw sewage, 72 per cent of samples were positive both at P1E (7 to 655 oocysts/L) and P2E (5 to 519 oocysts/L Molecular characterization allowed the identification of C. parvum and C. hominis in raw surface water, and C. hominis, C. parvum and C. muris in raw sewage. Cryptosporidium species identified herein belong to a group of organisms of significant relevance in waterborne diseases. Therefore, concentration and characterization methodologies applied in our analyses showed to be useful for environmental surveillance studies, as well as they were useful in the differentiation of human pathogens. The presence of C. muris associated to anthroponotic species helped in the investigation of likely contamination sources in the environment, confirming the need of expansion in effective measures to protect these water supplies.

A presença de DNA fetal livre de células no plasma materno possibilitou o surgimento de novas tecnologias para o diagnóstico pré natal não invasivo. Existem técnicas de genotipagem fetal já estabelecidas em investigações de sequências exclusivas fetais, mas a sua aplicação para a identificação humana em testes de paternidade ainda é pouco conhecida. A metodologia de genotipagem fetal não invasiva foi padronizada com o uso de três lócus InDels e iniciadores inserção-específicos. Entretanto, para que se alcance o poder satisfatório, é necessário investigar elevado número de lócus informativos. Para suprir a ausência de informações suficientes sobre lócus deste tipo, são descritas, no presente trabalho, as condições laboratoriais para PCR e as frequências alélicas de um conjunto de lócus InDels, ainda inéditos, em uma amostra representativa da população urbana brasileira, visando aumentar a robustez e a confiabilidade da genotipagem fetal não invasiva na investigação de paternidade. Foram selecionados 20 lócus, um em cada cromossomo. Em um dos lócus polimórficos foi encontrado um alelo novo, não registrado no banco de dados do NCBI. O poder de discriminação e o poder de exclusão dos 16 lócus polimórficos combinados (0,999 e 0,937, respectivamente) tiveram valores dentro do esperado para um conjunto com essa quantidade de lócus bialélicos. Alguns lócus apresentaram elevado número de indivíduos que não responderam à amplificação, indicando a necessidade de reajustes na padronização dos procedimentos laboratoriais e a possibilidade de variabilidade das sequências complementares aos iniciadores empregados, o que exigirá o sequenciamento completo das regiões. Para a maioria dos lócus, entretanto, os parâmetros forenses atingiram valores esperados e sugerem que podem ser úteis na composição de painel robusto e eficiente para ser usado na genotipagem fetal não invasiva. / The presence of cell-free fetal DNA in maternal plasma allows for new non-invasive prenatal diagnosis technologies to develop. Even though there are already well-established fetal genotyping techniques in fetal-exclusive sequence investigations, their application to human identification in paternity tests is not yet well-known. Non-invasive fetal genotyping methodology was previously standardized using three InDel loci and insertion-specific primers. However, in order to attain satisfactory power, it is necessary to investigate large number of informative loci. To compensate for the absence of sufficient information about this type of locus, this work describes the PCR conditions and determinates allelic frequencies for a set of unpublished InDel loci, in a representative group of Brazilian population, raising the robustness and reliability of non-invasive fetal genotyping in paternity investigation. We selected 20 loci, one in each chromosome. Not previously registered on NCBI database allele was found in one of the polymorphic loci. Discrimination and exclusion power of the 16 polymorphic loci combined (0.999 and 0.937, respectively) had expected values for an ensemble with such an amount of biallelic loci. Some loci showed many non-amplified individuals, vincing the need of corrections in the standardizing process and the possible variability of the complementary sequences to the primers used. However, for most loci, the forensic parameters reached the expected values and suggest that they may be useful in the more robust panel for utilization in non-invasive fetal genotyping.

Orientador: José Paes de Oliveira-Filho / Resumo: Dermatosparaxia é uma enfermidade autossômica recessiva do tecido conjuntivo caracterizada clinicamente por fragilidade e hiperextensibilidade cutâneas. Estas características impedem que o animal seja mantido no sistema de criação, sendo descartado na maioria dos casos. Descrita em diversas espécies, a dermatosparaxia foi relatada também em algumas raças de ovinos. O polimorfismo de nucleotídeo único (SNP) c.421G>T no gene ADAMTS2 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin type I motif, 2), em homozigose, é responsável pela enfermidade em ovinos da raça White Dorper. Recentemente a doença foi descrita no Brasil, contudo acredita-se que possa ter sido subdiagnosticada, uma vez que a enfermidade já foi descrita em diversos países. O objetivo desta pesquisa foi estimar a frequência alélica do SNP c.421G>T no gene ADAMTS2 em ovinos da raça White Dorper do estado de São Paulo a partir de uma metodologia diagnóstica que utilizasse a reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) seguida do sequenciamento direto da região desse SNP. Neste estudo, foram coletadas amostras de sangue para extração do DNA de 303 ovinos da raça White Dorper. Após a extração do DNA, realizou-se PCR para amplificar a região do SNP e, então, o sequenciamento genético para determinar sua presença no gene ADAMTS2. A frequência alélica do SNP na população estudada foi de 7,8%. Este resultado indica que as medidas de controle devem ser adotadas para prevenir a propagação do SNP c.421G>T no gene ADAMTS2 nos ... (Resumo completo, clicar acesso eletrônico abaixo) / Mestre

<p>Padlock probes are useful in a variety of genetic applications, some of which require that the probes are amplified in order to generate detectable signals. Two general padlock amplification methods, RCA and PCR, are discussed in this thesis.</p><p>The isothermal rolling circle amplification (RCA) mechanism is described in detail as well as how a target strand affects primer extension. A mechanism to resolve the topological constraint imposed by the target strand, to which a padlock probe has been linked, is also discussed. We also present a more powerful amplification technique, termed serial circle amplification, which provides a highly precise tool for nucleic acid studies. Rolling circle products are digested to unit lengths, and each monomer converted to new circular oligonucleotides that can serve as templates in consecutive rounds of RCA. The final products are single-stranded DNA molecules, readily available for hybridization-based detection, for instance using molecular beacons or array hybridization.</p><p>Padlock probes have the potential to be combined in large numbers for parallel gene analysis. A significant improvement of the level of multiplexed genotyping is presented using padlock probes and a molecular inversion strategy. Padlock probes containing common primer sequences along with locus-specific tag sequences were combined in multiplexed ligation reactions. After exonucleolytic selection for circular molecules, the probes were cleaved at uracil residues situated between the primer sequences, which facilitated release from the genomic DNA. A single PCR primer pair amplified all molecularly inverted probes, and the products were finally sorted on microarrays for simultaneous readout. Up to 1,500 genotypes could be detected in parallel, with sufficient signal strength for further scale-up. Finally, an application of the same parallel genotyping strategy is described where a set of padlock probes was used to study tumor induced immune responses. The distribution of TCR Vβ transcripts in tumor infiltrating T-cells and in normal control tissues were investigated in a microarray format.</p>

<p>Most human traits and common diseases have a complex genetic makeup involving more than one gene. The work presented in this thesis investigates standing body height and the common disease type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). In study I we analyzed two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the TCF7L2 gene that had been shown to be associated with T2DM. Analysis was performed in the ULSAM population cohort of ~1500 males. We were able to replicate the association to type 2 diabetes and in addition to that we made a novel find, showing association between the risk alleles and increased proinsulin levels. In study II we analyzed four genes identified to be associated with T2DM in a genome-wide association study. We analyzed SNPs in these genes in the ULSAM population cohort and found an association between SNPs in the HHEX gene and insulin responses and insulin levels. </p><p>The aim of studies III-V was to identify genes affecting normal variation in standing body height. Using a candidate gene approach in study III, 17 genes were screened in the ULSAM population cohort using SNPs. A suggestive association of the ESR1 gene with height was found and confirmed as significant in males from the PIVUS population cohort. In study IV, as a part of the GenomEUtwin project, we performed genetic fine mapping of a linked locus for body height on the X-chromosome. By analyzing 1377 SNPs in 780 Finnish twins, we mapped a region spanning 65kb of this locus with linkage to body height in males. This region contains the GPC3 and PHF6 genes that have known connections to syndromes were standing body height is affected. In study V significant linkage and association to standing body height in males was found for the COL1A11 gene, using population cohorts from Finland and Iceland. </p>