Biology Theses and Dissertations
Permanent URI for this collectionhttp://hdl.handle.net/1903/2749
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Item EXPOSURE TO EXTREME HEAT EVENTS AND CHRONIC RESPIRATORY DISEASES AMONG A NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF THE UNITED STATES POPULATION(2016) Romeo, Crystal Eloma; Sapkota, Amir; Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Previous studies have shown that extreme weather events are on the rise in response to our changing climate. Such events are projected to become more frequent, more intense, and longer lasting. A consistent exposure metric for measuring these extreme events as well as information regarding how these events lead to ill health are needed to inform meaningful adaptation strategies that are specific to the needs of local communities. Using federal meteorological data corresponding to 17 years (1997-2013) of the National Health Interview Survey, this research: 1) developed a location-specific exposure metric that captures individuals’ “exposure” at a spatial scale that is consistent with publicly available county-level health outcome data; 2) characterized the United States’ population in counties that have experienced higher numbers of extreme heat events and thus identified population groups likely to experience future events; and 3) developed an empirical model describing the association between exposure to extreme heat events and hay fever. This research confirmed that the natural modes of forcing (e.g., El Niño-Southern Oscillation), seasonality, urban-rural classification, and division of country have an impact on the number extreme heat events recorded. Also, many of the areas affected by extreme heat events are shown to have a variety of vulnerable populations including women of childbearing age, people who are poor, and older adults. Lastly, this research showed that adults in the highest quartile of exposure to extreme heat events had a 7% increased odds of hay fever compared to those in the lowest quartile, suggesting that exposure to extreme heat events increases risk of hay fever among US adults.Item ECOLOGICAL AND EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT OF VIBRIO VULNIFICUS AND VIBRIO PARAHAEMOLYTICUS IN AREAS OF IMPORTANCE FOR HUMAN USE IN CHESAPEAKE BAY(2013) Shaw, Kristi Stevens; CRUMP, BYRON C; Marine-Estuarine-Environmental Sciences; Digital Repository at the University of Maryland; University of Maryland (College Park, Md.)Current microbial surveillance of water quality in marine and estuarine environments focuses on fecal indicator concentrations to determine suitable conditions for swimming or fishing, including commercial harvest of seafood. However, there are many pathogens in our waters, such as Vibrio vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus, and it remains unclear how well fecal indicator surveillance protects the public from infection. This dissertation studied V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus at locations in Chesapeake Bay where human contact is likely, in order to quantify dermal transmission to humans, describe the impact of storms on pathogen concentrations in oysters, and quantify antimicrobial resistance. Swim studies at four public beaches in Chesapeake Bay in 2009 and 2011 were the first of their kind to quantify Vibrio exposure by recreating swimmers and to qualify exposure in terms of dermal dose. Estimated exposures correlated with surface water Vibrio concentrations and suggested that the public could be exposed to V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus at rates that may cause illness. To better protect human health, estimates of non-consumption dose-response would be helpful in completing a quantitative microbial risk assessment to calculate relative risk of swimming in waters known to harbor Vibrio bacteria. Oysters, water, and sediment were sampled at an aquaculture facility before and after Hurricane Irene impacted the Chesapeake Bay in 2011. Results indicated no difference in Vibrio uptake between oysters positioned on floats and on bottom sediments, but showed a difference in Vibrio species uptake, with V. parahaemolyticus increasing 1 day post-Irene, unlike V. vulnificus. This study suggests that storm events may increase V. parahaemolyticus in oyster tissue, and that virulent sub-types of both Vibrio species may increase in percent abundance within oysters following a storm event. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing showed that a large percentage of isolates from surface waters in the Chesapeake Bay displayed intermediate resistance to chloramphenicol. Most antimicrobial agents recommended for treatment of Vibrio illness by CDC were effective at controlling growth of V. vulnificus and V. parahaemolyticus. Results suggest treatment of pediatric illness with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole and the aminoglycoside, gentamicin, which was the only aminoglycoside 100% effective in controlling Vibrio growth in this study.