Human toxocariasis: a seroepidemiological survey in the Amazonian city of Yurimaguas, Peru

The aim of this study was to determine the seroprevalence of the infection by Toxocara in the general population of the Amazonian city of Yurimaguas, Peru. From March to August 2008, a total of 300 subjects were sampled and tested by means of a Toxocara ELISA-IgG test. A clinical and epidemiological questionnaire was used to assess the symptomatology and risk factors associated with human toxocariasis. The overall rate of seropositivity was 35.66%, with a significant high proportion in children (p < 0.001). The clinical evaluation revealed that 95.33% of the seropositive group had some type of symptomatology: headache (66.36%), respiratory compromise (63.55%), abdominal pain (54.21%), cutaneous signs (40.19%) and ocular manifestations (36.45%), and almost all of them were statistically significant (p < 0.001). Furthermore, 56.07% of the seropositive subjects presented at least one intestinal pathogen parasite with predominance of helminthes, but without significant association (p = 0.334). The analysis of risk factors showed only that the use of public places and geophagia exhibited a significant association with the seropositivity (p < 0.001). Clinical, serological and epidemiological findings associated to infection with Toxocara were observed in the present study and future studies should be done to assess this serious health problem.

Inspeção e reabilitação de estruturas de betão armado

O setor da reabilitação em Portugal tem vindo a crescer consideravelmente ao longo dos últimos anos, demonstrando uma consciencialização da sociedade e das entidades competentes para definição de estratégias e planeamento, para uma manutenção das estruturas atempada de modo a prevenir patologias que provocam a sua degradação. O presente trabalho pretende fazer uma síntese das técnicas de proteção e reparação das estruturas de betão armado, efetuando também ensaios para determinação das causas das anomalias que levaram à sua reparação. O projeto de reabilitação deve seguir as recomendações indicadas nos Eurocódigos e norma EN1504 sobre produtos e sistemas para a proteção e reparação das estruturas de betão. Segundo esta norma explicam – se as principais causas de deterioração das estruturas de betão armado e os sintomas que estão na base dessa deterioração. Desta forma são descritos os métodos de intervenção, explicando o seu funcionamento e modo mais adequado de utilização com indicação dos produtos adequados para cada intervenção. Para aplicação do referido nos parágrafos anteriores desenvolveu-se uma proposta de fichas de inspeção, através de levantamento fotográfico e registo das anomalias e suas causas e ensaios não destrutivos de modo a perceber o estado atual da estrutura para uma melhor compreensão da metodologia de reparação a seguir

Efficiency of strengthening techniques assessed for existing masonry buildings

The Azores archipelago is a zone with a vast cultural heritage, presenting a building stock mainly constructed in traditional stone masonry. It is known that this type of construction exhibits poor behaviour under seismic excitations; however it is extensively used in seismic prone areas, such as this case. The 9th of July of 1998 earthquake was the last seismic event in the islands, leaving many traditional stone constructions severely damaged or totally destroyed. This scenario led to an effort by the local government of improving the seismic resistance of these constructions, with the application of several reinforcement techniques. This work aims to study some of the most used reinforcement schemes after the 1998 earthquake, and to assess their effectiveness in the mitigation of the construction’s seismic vulnerability. A brief evaluation of the cost versus benefit of these retrofitting techniques is also made, seeking to identify those that are most suitable for each building typology. Thus, it was sought to analyze the case of real structures with different geometrical and physical characteristics, by establishing a comparison between the seismic performance of reinforced and non-reinforced structures. The first section contains the analysis of a total of six reinforcement scenarios for each building chosen. Using the recorded 1998 earthquake accelerograms, a linear time-history analysis was performed for each reinforcement scenario. A comparison was then established between the maximum displacements, inter-storey drift and maximum stress obtained, in order to evaluate the global seismic response of each reinforced structure. In the second part of the work, the examination of the performance obtained in the previous section, in relation to the cost of implementing each reinforcement technique, allowed to draw conclusions concerning the viability of implementing each reinforcement method, based on the book value of the buildings in study.

Canine visceral leishmaniasis: study of methods for the detection of IgG in serum and eluate samples

The Brazilian Ministry of Health recommends the culling and euthanasia of dogs with a positive serological test for canine visceral leishmaniasis (CVL). In the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro, the technique used for the diagnosis of CVL is the indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), using blood samples eluted on filter paper (eluate). A dog survey was conducted over a period of one year in the region of Carapiá, in order to evaluate the diagnosis of CVL in this region. All animals underwent clinical examination, and blood samples (serum and eluate) were collected for analysis by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) and IFAT. A skin biopsy was obtained for parasitological examination (culture). A total of 305 animals were studied and Leishmania chagasi was isolated from nine animals. Sensitivity and specificity were 100% and 96.6% for ELISA, respectively, 100% and 65.5% for IFAT (cut-off at a 1:40 dilution), 100% and 83.4% for IFAT (cut-off at a 1:80 dilution), and 22.2% and 97.0% for eluate IFAT. In conclusion, ELISA was the best tool for the diagnosis of CVL among the serological techniques tested. The present results suggest the need for a better evaluation of filter paper IFAT as the only diagnostic method for CVL in the Municipality of Rio de Janeiro.

Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Patients Receiving Dialysis in Portugal: a Nationwide Multicentre Survey

Background: Data on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients receiving dialysis in Portugal is scarce. Methods: This nationwide epidemiological survey retrospectively evaluates HIV-infected patients on chronic dialysis in Portugal between 1997 and 2002. Results: Sixty-six patients were evaluated (mean age: 39.1±1.6 years, 47 men, 35 black African). Sixty-two patients started dialysis and 4 patients who were receiving dialysis had HIV seroconversion. Eighty-five percent of patients were treated in Lisbon. The annual incidence of HIV-infected patients on chronic dialysis was 0.5% in 1997 and 0.9% in 2002. Seventy-eight percent of patients were HIV-1 infected , 13% had hepatitis B and 31% hepatitis C. Sexual contact was the mode of transmission of HIV in 53% of cases. Four patients had biopsy-proved HIV-associated nephropathy. Ninety-five percent of patients were on chronic hemodialysis. Fifty percent of patients had acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. At follow-up, 12 patients died. HIV-infected CKD patient survival after starting dialysis was 80% at 3 years. Conclusion: The incidence of HIV-infected patients on chronic dialysis in Portugal has almost doubled. Widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy and the increasing number of black Africans from former overseas Portuguese colonies now living in Portugal are possible reasons for this large increase.

SURVEY OF SANDFLY FAUNA (DIPTERA: PSYCHODIDAE) IN UBERLÂNDIA, MINAS GERAIS STATE, BRAZIL, 2003-2004

We analyzed the sandflies around houses and domestic animal shelters located in residences close to forests in localities on the banks of the Araguari River, Uberlândia, MG, from February 2003 to November 2004. The phlebotomines were captured in the peridomiciliary area, where Shannon traps were utilized in the peridomicile and CDC traps in animal shelters. 2,783 specimens of sandflies were captured, 2,140 females (76.9%) and 643 males (23.1%), distributed between 17 species. The most abundant species was Nyssomyia neivai (88.1%), followed by Nyssomyia whitmani (3.1%). The presence of Lutzomyia longipalpis was also confirmed, it is the main vector of Leishmania (L.) infantum chagasi which causes visceral leishmaniasis. The presence of species involved in the transmission of leishmaniases in the municipality of Uberlândia is cause for concern. The presence of L. longipalpis indicates that its urbanization may not have been aleatory and instead occurred through the destruction of wild ecotopes. More studies of their occupation in anthropic environments need to be made.

Serological survey of hantavirus in rodents in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais, Brazil

We conducted a serological survey to determine the presence of hantavirus infection in rodents in Uberlândia, Minas Gerais as well as to identify and characterize associated factors. Rodents were captured using Sherman live-capture traps set in rural and peri-urban environments. A total of 611 rodents were captured. There was a higher trap success in peri-urban areas (26.3%) and a higher prevalence of antibodies among rodents captured in rural areas (2.9%). Necromys lasiurus was the most common species (42.2%) and the more frequently infected (4.6%). One Calomys tener (1/141; 0.7%) and one Calomys sp. (1/14; 7.1%) were also positive for the hantavirus infection. In N. lasiurus, antibody prevalence correlated with population density (p < 0.01), age class (p = 0.003) and presence of scars (p = 0.02). The data confirm that horizontal transmission is the main mechanism that maintains the virus in nature. The higher seropositivity in N. lasiurus is consistent with genetic studies that associate this species with an Araraquara virus reservoir; the seropositivity of C. tener and Calomys sp. may indicate the occurrence of spillover infection or the presence of other circulating hantaviruses.

HISTOPLASMIN SURVEY IN HIV-POSITIVE PATIENTS: RESULTS FROM AN ENDEMIC AREA IN NORTHEASTERN BRAZIL

SUMMARY Background. Disseminated histoplasmosis is common in AIDS patients with advanced immunosuppression in Ceará, Northeastern Brazil. The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of Histoplasma infection in patients with HIV/AIDS living in Fortaleza, the capital of Ceará. Methods. Intradermal tests with histoplasmin (mycelial phase) were performed in 161 HIV patients with CD4 ≥ 350 cells/mm 3 . Evidence of recent illness was evaluated with immunodiffusion (ID) tests in 76 of these individuals. Results. A total of 11.8% of patients reacted to histoplasmin and 2.63% had ID test positive to Histoplasma. The presence of mango trees (Mangifera indica) in the patient neighborhood (OR = 2.870; 95% CI = 1.081-7.617; p = 0.040) and past activity involving soil (OR = 2.834; 95% CI = 1.045-7.687; p = 0.045) or visits to a farm (OR = 3.869; 95% CI = 1.189-12.591; p = 0.033) were significantly associated with Histoplasma infection. Conclusions. Patients with HIV living in Fortaleza have an expressive prevalence of infection with Histoplasma.

SEROLOGICAL SURVEY OF Ehrlichia SPECIES IN DOGS, HORSES AND HUMANS: ZOONOTIC SCENERY IN A RURAL SETTLEMENT FROM SOUTHERN BRAZIL

SUMMARY The aims of this study were to determine the seroprevalence of Ehrlichia spp. and risk factors for exposure in a restricted population of dogs, horses, and humans highly exposed to tick bites in a Brazilian rural settlement using a commercial ELISA rapid test and two indirect immunofluorescent assays (IFA) with E. canis and E. chaffeensis crude antigens. Serum samples from 132 dogs, 16 horses and 100 humans were used. Fifty-six out of 132 (42.4%) dogs were seropositive for E. canis. Dogs > one year were more likely to be seropositive for E. canis than dogs ≤ one year (p = 0.0051). Ten/16 (62.5%) and 8/16 (50%) horses were seropositive by the commercial ELISA and IFA, respectively. Five out of 100 (5%) humans were seropositive for E. canis and E. chaffeensis. Rhipicephalus sanguineus (n = 291, 97.98%) on dogs and Amblyomma cajennense (n = 25, 96.15%) on horses were the most common ticks found. In conclusion, anti-Ehrlichia spp. antibodies were found in horses; however, the lack of a molecular characterization precludes any conclusion regarding the agent involved. Additionally, the higher seroprevalence of E. canis in dogs and the evidence of anti-Ehrlichia spp. antibodies in humans suggest that human cases of ehrlichiosis in Brazil might be caused by E. canis, or other closely related species.

Algorithms for information extraction and signal annotation on long-term biosignals using clustering techniques

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Biomédica

Urban land cover change detection analysis and modeling spatio-temporal Growth dynamics using Remote Sensing and GIS Techniques: A case study of Dhaka, Bangladesh

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.

SEROLOGIC SURVEY ON HANTAVIRUS IN BLOOD DONORS FROM THE STATE OF SANTA CATARINA, BRAZIL

Emergent diseases such as Hantavirus Cardio-pulmonary Syndrome (HCPS) are able to create a significant impact on human populations due to their seriousness and high fatality rate. Santa Catarina, located in the South of Brazil, is the leading state for HCPS with 267 reported cases from 1999 to 2011. We present here a serological survey on hantavirus in blood donors from different cities of the state of Santa Catarina, with an IgG-ELISA using a recombinant nucleocapsid protein from Araraquara hantavirus as an antigen. In total, 314 donors from blood banks participated in the study, geographically covering the whole state. Among these, 14 individuals (4.4%) had antibodies to hantavirus: four of 50 (8% positivity) from Blumenau, four of 52 (7.6%) from Joinville, three of 50 (6%) from Florianópolis, two of 50 (4%) from Chapecó and one of 35 (2.8%) from Joaçaba. It is possible that hantaviruses are circulating across almost the whole state, with important epidemiological implications. Considering that the seropositive blood donors are healthy individuals, it is possible that hantaviruses may be causing unrecognized infections, which are either asymptomatic or clinically nonspecific, in addition to HCPS. It is also possible that more than one hantavirus type could be circulating in this region, causing mostly benign infections.

Investigating the use of dasymetric techniques for assessing employment containment in Melbourne, Australia

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.

Evaluation of Spatial interpolation techniques for mapping climate variables with low sample density: a case study using a new gridded dataset of Bangladesh

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.