O gênero Mycobacterium spp. compreende microrganismos saprófitas e patogênicos de interesse em saúde animal e humana. A espécie M. bovis, que causa tuberculose nos animais, é excretada através do leite de bovinos infectados e tem no consumo de leite cru e seus derivados uma importante via de transmissão para o homem, causando uma doença tão grave quanto à causada pelo M. tuberculosis. Como a doença nos animais é endêmica no Brasil e o queijo minas meia cura é normalmente fabricado com leite cru e muito apreciado pelo consumidor paulistano, amostras desse produto, obtidas em feiras-livres, foram analisadas quanto à ocorrência de micobactérias. As amostras foram descontaminadas pelo método HPC 1,5%, semeadas em meio Stonebrink-Leslie (incubadas a 37ºC/90 dias) e as colônias suspeitas, submetidas à reação de PCR TB multiplex e sequenciamento nucleotídico. Em 12% das amostras (16/133) foram isoladas 26 colônias de Mycobacterium spp., tendo sido identificadas 6 espécies, todas ambientais: Mycobacterium fortuitum, M. confluentis, M. elephantis, M. novocastrense, M. sphagni e M. arupense; 7 isolados, no entanto, permaneceram sem caracterização quanto à espécie. O M. fortuitum é um patógeno oportunista importante em saúde pública, sem que haja, entretanto, evidências de transmissão alimentar; o M. novocastrense, M. arupense e M. elephantis também têm sido consideradas espécies com potencial patogênico ao ser humano. Os resultados sugerem, tal como era esperado, que a frequência e a carga inicial de M. bovis em queijo Minas meia cura sejam baixas, mas se deve considerar que a metodologia empregada, por falta de outra específica, não privilegia a detecção em cenário de baixa carga inicial do agente acompanhada por alta carga contaminante. Sugerem também a necessidade de se avaliar a importância da transmissão alimentar de micobactérias não tuberculosas, especialmente para indivíduos imunossuprimidos. / Mycobacterium genus consists of saprophytic and pathogenic microorganisms of interest in animal and human health. M. bovis specie, which causes tuberculosis in animals, is excreted through the milk of infected cattle and the consumption of raw milk and its derivatives is an important route of transmission to humans, causing a disease as serious as the one caused by M. tuberculosis. Considering that the disease in animals is endemic in Brazil and that minas meia cura cheese cure is usually made from raw milk and much appreciated by paulistano consumer, samples of the product acquired in open markets, were analyzed for the occurrence of mycobacteria. The samples were decontaminated by the method HPC 1.5%, sown in Stonebrink-Leslie medium (incubated at 37 ° C/90 da ys) and the suspected colonies, submitted to PCR TB multiplex and nucleotide sequencing reaction. In 12% of samples (16/133) were isolated 26 colonies of Mycobacterium spp. and 6 species have been identified, all of them are environmental Mycobacterium fortuitum, M. confluentis, M. elephantis, M. novocastrense, M. sphagni and M. arupense; 7 isolates, however, remained without characterization for the specie. M. fortuitum is an important opportunistic pathogen in public health, without, however, evidence of being transmitted by food; M. novocastrense, M. arupense and M. elephantis species have also been considered potentially pathogenic to humans. The results suggest that the frequency and/or contamination load of M. bovis in meia cura Minas cheese is (are) low (s). We have to consider, however, that this result may have been influenced by the absence of an analytical method capable of identifying the agent in the food matrix in which a low load of microorganism is expected, accompanied by high load of contaminants. Also suggest the need to evaluate the possible importance of foodborne non-tuberculous mycobacteria, especially for immunocompromised individuals.

A leishmaniose visceral zoonotica (LVZ) e uma das mais importantes doenc¸as parasitárias emergentes. Em particular, o Brasil é considerado um dos principais centros endêmicos para esta doença. Apesar da publicação de manuais de controle da leishmaniose visceral e dos investimentos aplicados na organizacão de serviços e no desenvolvimento de atividades preventivas e de controle, os vetores e os reservatórios em áreas urbanas são os maiores desafios para os programas de controle. Isto se deve (1) `a necessidade por melhor compreensão do comportamento do vetor no meio urbano; (2) `as dificuldades operacionais para realizar atividades em tempo suficiente para obter resultados de impacto; e (3) ao alto custo envolvido nessas atividades. O principal objetivo deste estudo foi elaborar um modelo de otimização para o controle da leishmaniose, baseado em 5 parâmetros de controle que correspondem `as seguintes estratégias: (I) controle vetorial, (II) eliminação de cães positivos, (III) uso de coleiras impregnadas com inseticida, (IV) vacinação canina e (V) tratamento canino. Este modelo foi construído a partir de um sistema composto por 17 equações diferenciais, sendo que 4 representam a dinâmica da doenc¸a sobre a população humana (humanos suscetíveis (xh), latentes (lh), clinicamente doentes (yh) e recuperados (zh)), 10 para a populacão de cães (cães suscetíveis (xd e xCd ), latentes (ld e lCd ), clinicamente doentes (yd e yCd ), recuperados (zd e zCd ) e vacinados (vd e vCd ), onde o índice C representa as categorias com a aplicação da coleira inseticida) e 3 para a população de vetores (mosquitos não-infectados (s1), infectados (mas não-infectivos) (s2), infectados e infectivos (s3)). Para a an´alise econômica dessas estratégias, foram estimados os custos de cada uma delas por cão (ou, no caso do controle vetorial, por casa tratada). Considerando a simulação sem a introdução das estratégias de controle, as densidades de equilíbrio endêmico para as categorias foram: xh = 0, 394, lh = 0, 0305, yh = 0, 00167, zh = 0, 574, xd = 0, 314, ld = 0, 165, yd = 0, 0163, zd = 0, 505, s1 = 0, 709, s2 = 0, 0858 e s3 = 0, 205. No estado de equilibrio endêmico, o número de reprodutibilidade basal foi estimado em R0 = 4, 50 e o n´umero diário de casos humanos notificados, em R = 3, 58 × 10-6/dia. Considerando a avaliação do impacto das estratégias de controle, o controle vetorial mostrou ser a estrat´egia que causa a diminuição mais rápida sobre o núumero diário de casos humanos notificados e, consequentemente, foi tambem a que mais reduz os custos m´edico-hospitalares. Entretanto, ´e a estratégia que exige o maior investimento. Por outro lado, a estrat´egia de eliminar cães positivos foi considerada a de menor custo. Dado que essas estratégias de controle atuam em pontos distintos na cadeia epidemiológica, o planejamento de um controle envolvendo a ação simultânea delas poderia não apenas apresentar resultados de controle mais interessantes, como tambem poderia otimizar ainda mais os investimentos sobre o controle da leishmaniose visceral / Zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis (ZVL) is one of the most important emerging parasitic diseases. Brazil, in particular, is considered one of the countries in which this disease is most endernic. Despite the publication of visceral leishmaniasis control guidelines and the investment in health services and controljpreventive activities, the vectors and reser- voirs in urban areas are the major challenge for those control programs. This is due to (1) the need for better comprehension regarding the vector behavior in the urban envi- ronment; (2) the operating difficulties in perforrning the activities in time to reach good results; and (3) the high cost of those activities. The main objective of this study was to elaborate an optirnization model for leishmaniasis control. This model is based on 5 con- trol parameters that correspond to the following strategies: (I) vector population control, (11) elirnination of positive dogs, (111) use of insecticide-impregnated dog collars, (IV) dog vaccination and (V) dog treatment. This model was elaborated using an equation system, composed of 17 differential equations, 4 of which represent the disease dynarnic on hu- man population (susceptible (Xh), latent (Ih), clinically ill (Yh) and recovered humans (Zft)), 10 for dog population (susceptible (Xd and xcd), latent (ld and Icd), clinically ill (Yd and Ycd), recovered (Zd and zcd) and vaccinated dogs (Vd and vcd), where C represents the categories using the insecticide-impregnated dog collars) and 3 for vector population (non-infected (SI), infected but not infective (S2), infected and infective sandflies (S3)). For econornic analysis of those control strategies, we estimated the cost of them per dog (in the case of vector control population, it was estimated per treated house). Regarding the nume- rical simulations without the control strategies, the endernic equilibrium densities were: Xh = 0.394, Ih = 0.0305, Yh = 0.00167, Zh = 0.574, Xd = 0.314, Id = 0.165, Yd = 0.0163, Zd = 0.505, SI = 0.709, S2 = 0.0858 and S3 = 0.205. In endernic equilibrium state, the basic reproduction number and the rate of reported human cases per day were estimated as 1%0 = 4.50 and R = 3.58 x 1O-6/day, respectively. Considering the impact evaluation of controI strategies, the vector population control was the strategy that resulted in a fas- ter decrease in the rate of human reported cases per day and, consequently, in the larger reduction of medical and hospital costs too. However, the investment (that is, the cost) of the vector population control was the highest one. On the other hand, the investment in elirninating positive dogs was considered the lowest one. Since those control strategies operate at different points within the epiderniological chain, the planning a control, while taking into account the simultaneous action of these strategies, could not only result in a more interesting control strategy, but could also improve the optirnization of investments on visceralleishmaniasis control

<p>Avian Influenza (AI) is a contagious viral zoonotic disease with great public health implications and negative socioeconomic impact (WHO, 2006a). The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infection is transmitted from birds to man mostly through contact with contaminated poultry and objects (INFOSAN, 2005), hence people who come in contact with birds such as live bird sellers (LBS) are the more vulnerable population (WHO, 2006a). Inadequate knowledge of AI health risks and poor practice of AI preventive measures amongst LBS increases the risk of spread of the infection in both humans and animals.The aim of this study was to describe and quantify the knowledge and practice of LBS with regards to avian influenza health risks and preventive activities in Agege, an urban area in Lagos State, Nigeria.</p>

<p>Avian Influenza (AI) is a contagious viral zoonotic disease with great public health implications and negative socioeconomic impact (WHO, 2006a). The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infection is transmitted from birds to man mostly through contact with contaminated poultry and objects (INFOSAN, 2005), hence people who come in contact with birds such as live bird sellers (LBS) are the more vulnerable population (WHO, 2006a). Inadequate knowledge of AI health risks and poor practice of AI preventive measures amongst LBS increases the risk of spread of the infection in both humans and animals.The aim of this study was to describe and quantify the knowledge and practice of LBS with regards to avian influenza health risks and preventive activities in Agege, an urban area in Lagos State, Nigeria.</p>

Master of Public Health / Public Health Interdepartmental Program / Kate KuKanich / The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) environment is a place where veterinarians, veterinary staff, and veterinary students may have increased risk of exposure to zoonotic pathogens. This exposure may occur in classrooms or laboratories where pre-clinical veterinary students and non-clinical staff frequent. Exposure may also occur in the veterinary teaching hospital (VTH) and may impact veterinary patients, clinicians, interns, residents, veterinary technicians, veterinary students, animal caretakers, and others. This thesis is divided into 3 chapters. The first chapter describes a current review of the literature involving risk of zoonotic pathogen exposure at VTHs including descriptions of the most commonly documented zoonotic pathogens and their transmission, environmental sources of zoonotic pathogens at VTHs, and ways to prevent zoonotic pathogen exposure at individual and institutional levels. The second chapter describes an original research study of hand hygiene behavior among pre-clinical veterinary students at a CVM. The purpose of this study was to determine if a campaign could improve hand hygiene among veterinary students at extracurricular meetings serving meals. Campaign interventions included a 3.5 minute educational video and a novel motivational poster. The video was presented to all 1st, 2nd, and 3rd year veterinary students. Posters encouraging hand sanitization were displayed on doors and tables alongside sanitizers at each meeting. Observational hand hygiene data were collected immediately after introduction of interventions and again 3 months later. Environmental sampling for presence of bacteria in and around meeting locations was also performed. Observed hand hygiene was lowest during baseline (11.0% +/- 1.7), improved significantly post-intervention (48.8% +/- 3.2), and remained improved at 3-month follow-up (33.5% +/-4.0). Females had higher probability of hand- sanitizing (35.9% ± 2.2) than males (21.4% ± 2.4) (p<0.01). Clostridium perfringens was isolated from 2/42 samples, and Salmonella spp. were isolated from 4/42 samples. This study documented that a short-term public health campaign targeting veterinary students successfully improved hand hygiene before meals. The final chapter discusses future areas of research in the realm of risk of zoonotic pathogen exposure and risk mitigation at CVMs.

O gênero Mycobacterium spp. compreende microrganismos saprófitas e patogênicos de interesse em saúde animal e humana. A espécie M. bovis, que causa tuberculose nos animais, é excretada através do leite de bovinos infectados e tem no consumo de leite cru e seus derivados uma importante via de transmissão para o homem, causando uma doença tão grave quanto à causada pelo M. tuberculosis. Como a doença nos animais é endêmica no Brasil e o queijo minas meia cura é normalmente fabricado com leite cru e muito apreciado pelo consumidor paulistano, amostras desse produto, obtidas em feiras-livres, foram analisadas quanto à ocorrência de micobactérias. As amostras foram descontaminadas pelo método HPC 1,5%, semeadas em meio Stonebrink-Leslie (incubadas a 37ºC/90 dias) e as colônias suspeitas, submetidas à reação de PCR TB multiplex e sequenciamento nucleotídico. Em 12% das amostras (16/133) foram isoladas 26 colônias de Mycobacterium spp., tendo sido identificadas 6 espécies, todas ambientais: Mycobacterium fortuitum, M. confluentis, M. elephantis, M. novocastrense, M. sphagni e M. arupense; 7 isolados, no entanto, permaneceram sem caracterização quanto à espécie. O M. fortuitum é um patógeno oportunista importante em saúde pública, sem que haja, entretanto, evidências de transmissão alimentar; o M. novocastrense, M. arupense e M. elephantis também têm sido consideradas espécies com potencial patogênico ao ser humano. Os resultados sugerem, tal como era esperado, que a frequência e a carga inicial de M. bovis em queijo Minas meia cura sejam baixas, mas se deve considerar que a metodologia empregada, por falta de outra específica, não privilegia a detecção em cenário de baixa carga inicial do agente acompanhada por alta carga contaminante. Sugerem também a necessidade de se avaliar a importância da transmissão alimentar de micobactérias não tuberculosas, especialmente para indivíduos imunossuprimidos. / Mycobacterium genus consists of saprophytic and pathogenic microorganisms of interest in animal and human health. M. bovis specie, which causes tuberculosis in animals, is excreted through the milk of infected cattle and the consumption of raw milk and its derivatives is an important route of transmission to humans, causing a disease as serious as the one caused by M. tuberculosis. Considering that the disease in animals is endemic in Brazil and that minas meia cura cheese cure is usually made from raw milk and much appreciated by paulistano consumer, samples of the product acquired in open markets, were analyzed for the occurrence of mycobacteria. The samples were decontaminated by the method HPC 1.5%, sown in Stonebrink-Leslie medium (incubated at 37 ° C/90 da ys) and the suspected colonies, submitted to PCR TB multiplex and nucleotide sequencing reaction. In 12% of samples (16/133) were isolated 26 colonies of Mycobacterium spp. and 6 species have been identified, all of them are environmental Mycobacterium fortuitum, M. confluentis, M. elephantis, M. novocastrense, M. sphagni and M. arupense; 7 isolates, however, remained without characterization for the specie. M. fortuitum is an important opportunistic pathogen in public health, without, however, evidence of being transmitted by food; M. novocastrense, M. arupense and M. elephantis species have also been considered potentially pathogenic to humans. The results suggest that the frequency and/or contamination load of M. bovis in meia cura Minas cheese is (are) low (s). We have to consider, however, that this result may have been influenced by the absence of an analytical method capable of identifying the agent in the food matrix in which a low load of microorganism is expected, accompanied by high load of contaminants. Also suggest the need to evaluate the possible importance of foodborne non-tuberculous mycobacteria, especially for immunocompromised individuals.

La survie des Primates Non Humains (PNHs) est menacée par les activités humaines et les maladies infectieuses. Pour contribuer à leur conservation au Gabon, plusieurs structures dont les sanctuaires et centres de primatologie ont été mises en place. Cependant, si la gestion des risques sanitaires n’est pas prise en compte et les conditions d’accompagnement réglementées, ces structures qui visent la sauvegarde des PNHs pourraient constituer de véritables carrefours d’échanges de parasites entre espèces de PNH, Homme et/ou microfaune. Ainsi, pour mieux comprendre la nature et l’ampleur du problème, notre travail de thèse avait pour but d’évaluer les risques sanitaires et zoonotiques chez des groupes d’hôtes de deux (2) sanctuaires et d’un (1) centre de primatologie au Sud-est du Gabon. En combinant les études épidémiologiques sur le terrain à la fois chez l’Homme et l’animal, le séquençage, les analyses phylogénétiques ainsi que la modélisation statistique, nos travaux se sont attelés à comprendre (i) la circulation d’agents infectieux entre espèces et (ii) les stratégies parasitaires dans ces nouveaux contextes de communautés créés par les activités humaines. Nous nous sommes intéressés à trois (3) modèles parasitaires, à savoir ; un (1) procaryote (Staphylococcus aureus) et deux (2) eucaryotes dont un agent pathogène à transmission vectorielle (Plasmodium spp) et un groupe viral à transmission directe ou indirecte (paramyxovirus). Nos résultats révèlent une grande diversité plasmodiale circulant chez les PNHs (9 espèces) et montrent que la spécificité d’hôtes observée jusqu’à présent en milieu naturel est rompue. Si aucun plasmodium simien n’a été trouvé chez l’Homme, le spectre d’hôtes de P. falciparum s’agrandit avec sa mise en évidence pour la première fois chez le Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx). Nos résultats révèlent également une large diversité génétique de Stahylococcus aureus composée de souches généralistes et spécialistes, la circulation de souches SARM (S. aureus résistant à la méticilline) principalement via les souches généralistes, entre groupes d’hôtes traités et non traités aux antibiotiques et décrivent quinze (15) nouvelles souches. Pour les paramyxovirus, aucune infection n’a été identifiée mais la question du patron de circulation épidémique ou endémique est posée. En conclusion, cette étude montre que dans ces structures (i) les conditions écologiques de franchissement inter-espèces des parasites sont réunies et (ii) que ces dernières permettent le développement d’infections encore jamais observées en milieu naturel. Ces conditions de promiscuité entre espèces favorisent la sélection d’espèces parasitaires à large spectre d’hôtes (i.e., généralistes) mais aussi l’occurrence de souches bactériennes résistantes à la méticilline qui se propagent via la communautarisation des parasites, notamment dans la microfaune interagissant avec les PNHs traités aux antibiotiques ou à partir de l’Homme / The survival of Non-human Primates (NHPs) is threatened by human activities and infectious diseases. To participate in their conservation in Gabon, several facilities among which sanctuaries and the Centre De Primatologie (CDP) of the Centre International de Recherches Médicales de Franceville (CIRMF) have been created. However, if the management of health risks is not taken into account and the supportive conditions are not regulated, these facilities which aim to preserve NHPs could become real crossroads for the transmission of parasites between NHP species, humans and/or microfauna. Therefore, to better understand the nature and the extent of the problem, our thesis work aimed to evaluate the health and zoonotic risks in groups of hosts from two (2) sanctuaries and one (1) primatology center in the south-east of Gabon. By combining epidemiological studies on the field both in humans and animals, sequencing and phylogenetic analyses as well as statistical modelling, our work aimed to understand (i) the circulation of infectious agents between species and (ii) the parasitic strategies in the new context of these communities created by human activities. We focused on three (3) parasitic models, namely: one (1) prokaryote (Staphylococcus aureus) and two (2) eukaryotes among which one pathogenic agent with vectorial transmission (Plasmodium spp) and a viral group with direct or indirect transmission (paramyxovirus). Our results highlight a great plasmodial diversity circulating in NHPs (9 species) and show that the specificity of hosts observed up until now in their natural habitat is broken. No simian plasmodium was found in humans, however the specter of hosts of P. falciparum grows with the new addition of mandrills (Mandrillus sphinx). Our results also reveal a large genetic diversity of Staphylococcus aureus composed of general and specialized strains, the circulation of SARM strains (S. aureus resistant to methicillin) mainly via the general strains, between groups of treated and non-treated hosts to antibiotics. Fifteen (15) new strains are described. Regarding paramyxoviruses, no infection was identified but we raise the question of epidemic or endemic circulation models. To conclude, this study shows that in these facilities (i) the ecological conditions required for inter-species crossing of parasites are gathered and (ii) these conditions allow the development of infections previously never observed in the natural environment. These conditions of promiscuity between species favor the selection of parasitic species with a large specter of hosts (i.e., generalists) but also the occurrence of bacterial strains resistant to methicillin which spread via the communitarisation of parasites, especially in microfauna interacting with NHPs treated with antibiotics or humans

The subject of the dissertation deals with the secondary school pupil's awareness of zoonoses. Zoonoses are the diseases transmited from animals to human beings. Those are one of the topics of biology study currently. The main aim of the dissertation is theoretical definition of the matter in the first place. For knowledge testing have been chosen these four illness: Toxoplasmosis, Lyme boreliossis, Rabies and Creuzfeldt-Jakobo disease. With these chosen illness the main research goal is to provide a comprehensive collection of information about the details such as disease transfer, spread of the disease, disease development, cure and avoidance. The research part of the dissertation tries to find out the extent of knowledge about the chosen kinds of zoonoses among the pupils at specialized secondary schools. As a tool of quantitative research has been used a pupil's didactic test. As based on the evaluated results we may say that the pupil's knowledge at explored schools is relatively satisfactory.

Les invasions biologiques sont de plus en plus fréquentes, avec des conséquences importantes sur la biodiversité et la santé humaine. Étudier les mécanismes qui les expliquent permet simultanément (i) d’envisager des stratégies efficaces de contrôle et de prévention et (ii) d’étudier divers processus écologiques et évolutifs sur des échelles de temps contemporaines. Plusieurs hypothèses basées sur le parasitisme et l’immunité des hôtes sont proposées pour expliquer le succès des espèces envahissantes. Ainsi, au cours de l’invasion, les hôtes exotiques (1) perdraient leurs parasites naturels (Enemy Release, ER), (2) transfèreraient leurs parasites exotiques aux hôtes natifs (Spill-Over, SO) et/ou (3) amplifieraient les cycles des parasites natifs au sein des hôtes locaux (Spill-Back, SB). En relation avec ces changements dans les interactions hôtes-parasites, l’hypothèse EICA (Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability) prédit une modulation des ressources de l’hôte envahissant via un investissement moins important dans les réponses immunitaires coûteuses (inflammation) au profit de réponses immunitaires beaucoup moins coûteuses (réponses médiées par les anticorps) et de capacités de reproduction et de dispersion des populations sur le front d’invasion. Le but de ma thèse est de tester ces prédictions dans le cadre de deux invasions actuellement en cours au Sénégal : celles du rat noir Rattus rattus et de la souris domestique Mus musculus domesticus, deux espèces envahissantes majeures tant par leurs impacts (économique, sanitaire, écologique) que par leur distribution quasiment mondiale. Mes travaux se basent sur un dispositif d’échantillonnage en populations naturelles et sur le développement d’approches comparatives le long d’un gradient d’invasion pour chacune des deux espèces exotiques. Les patrons de structure (prévalence, abondance, richesse) de deux communautés de parasites (helminthes gastro-intestinaux, bactéries pathogènes) et les profils immunitaires (réponses médiées par les anticorps naturels, inflammation) des rongeurs commensaux exotiques (M. m. domesticus, R. rattus) et/ou natifs (Mastomys spp.) ont été comparés pour des localités situées dans des régions anciennement envahies (depuis plus de 100 ans), récemment envahies (depuis moins de 30 an : front d’invasion), et non envahies. Mes résultats montrent des variations dans la structure des communautés de parasites et les réponses immunitaires des hôtes natifs et exotiques. Les tendances observées, aussi bien pour les communautés de parasites que pour les composantes immunitaires étudiées le long des deux routes d’invasion, attestent de patrons globalement plus complexes qu’attendu sous les hypothèses de départ, suggérant l’existence de relations complexes entre caractéristiques des communautés d’hôtes et de parasites, investissement immunitaire, conditions environnementales et invasions biologiques. Des approches expérimentales doivent être envisagées afin de déterminer les conséquences et les mécanismes sous-jacents aux différents phénomènes observés. / Biological invasions are increasingly phenomenon worldwide having deleterious impacts on biodiversity and human health. Studying the mechanisms explaining them allows both (i) to define efficient strategies for controlling and preventing invaders and (ii) to study ecological and evolutionary processes at contemporary scales. Some major hypotheses rely on parasitism and host immunity to explain invasion success. Thus, exotic host populations (1) may benefit of an " Enemy Release " (ER) through impoverishment of their original parasite communities, and may affect native hosts by (2) transferring exotic parasites (Spill-Over, SO) and/or (3) by increasing transmission risk of native parasites (Spill-Back, SB). In turn, according to the refined “Evolution of Increased Competitive Ability” (EICA) theory, invasive populations should experience immune trade-offs by favouring less expensive antibody-mediated responses over costly inflammation, to increase their competitive ability (dispersion, reproduction). The aim of my thesis is to test these predictions along the invasion routes of two commensal exotic species in Senegal, the domestic mouse (Mus musculus domesticus) and the black rat (Rattus rattus). These rodent species are considered to be major invasive species worldwide inducing high economic, sanitary and ecological damages. My research is based on comparative analyses along one invasion route for each invasive species. We focused on gastrointestinal helminths and pathogenic bacteria as parasite communities, and inflammation and natural antibody-mediated responses as immune estimates. Comparisons were performed for invasive and/or native (Mastomys spp.) rodents between localities of long-established invasion (100-200 years ago), recent invasion (10-30 years ago; invasion front), and non-invaded localities. My findings showed variations along both invasion routes in parasite community structure and immune patterns, but in a more complex way than expected under the initial predictions. The heterogeneity of changes observed highlights the existence of particular relations between host and parasite traits, host immune investment, environmental conditions and biological invasions. Further experimental works are needed to assess the consequences and mechanisms underlying the changes observed along both invasion routes.

Magister Public Health - MPH / Avian Influenza (AI) is a contagious viral zoonotic disease with great public health implications and negative socioeconomic impact (WHO, 2006a). The highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) infection is transmitted from birds to man mostly through contact with contaminated poultry and objects (INFOSAN, 2005), hence people who come in contact with birds such as live bird sellers (LBS) are the more vulnerable population (WHO, 2006a). Inadequate knowledge of AI health risks and poor practice of AI preventive measures amongst LBS increases the risk of spread of the infection in both humans and animals.The aim of this study was to describe and quantify the knowledge and practice of LBS with regards to avian influenza health risks and preventive activities in Agege, an urban area in Lagos State, Nigeria. / South Africa