[Interrelations between Ixodes persulcatus ticks and the tick-borne encephalitis virus of the red vole (Clethrionomys rutilis) in western Siberia].

We present the data of 12-year survey (1989-2001) of the red vole population in southeastern West Siberia, including estimation of host relative numbers, abundance of immature taiga ticks, and percentage of animals with antigemagglutitnins against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) virus. We discuss the role of demographic groups of voles as tick's hosts and their participation in the maintenance of TBE causative agent population. The estimation of spontaneous TBE infection rate in summer as well as in winter and early spring seasons, which have been made using a set of molecular-biological, serological and virological methods, demonstrates that a high proportion of red voles maintain non-pathogenic TBE causative agent over a long time, presumably, in the form of persistent infection.

[Involvement of the common shrew, Sorex araneus (Insectivora, Soricidae), in circulation of the tick-borne encephalitis virus in south-western Siberia].

We presented the data on the abundance of immature instars of the taiga tick Ixodes persulcatus Schuize on the common shrews Sorex araneus L. in natural foci of tick-borne encephalitis in the south of Western Siberia. Basing on the results of virological and serological studies we demonstrated a low effectiveness of this host species as a donor of disease agent strains, which are predominant in the territory under study, for ticks feeding on shrews.

[An analysis of the space-time changes in tick-borne encephalitis morbidity in Novosibirsk Province].

The authors analyzed data on space and time changes in tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) morbidity in Novosibirsk Province from 1955 to 1995 by using the method of principal components (PCs). The first PC (26.0% of total variance) was linearly represented.

[Endo- and ectoparasites as factors influencing variability of the humoral immunity response in a natural population of red vole (Clethrionomys rutilus)].

Based on the five-year population study of red voles Clethrionomys rutilus Pallas in southern West Siberia, we analysed the distribution of two predominating species of parasites (tapeworms Hymenolepis horrida and immature instars of ticks Ixodes persulcatus) in different demographic groups of the host, and seasonal changes of their incidence in the population. We assessed primary humoral immune response of the voles (splenic antibody-forming cells) to antigenic challenge (injection of sheep erythrocytes) in respect to occurrence of these parasites. It was revealed that infection with H.