Toxoplasma gondii infection in ticks infesting migratory birds: the blackbird (Turdus merula) and the song thrush (Turdus philomelos).

Toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, is the zoonosis widespread all over the world. Birds constitute an important group of T. gondii intermediate hosts often attacked by definitive hosts, e.

infection in spp. mice populating an urban habitat (Warsaw, Poland).

The two of three species of city-inhabiting (Warsaw, Poland) spp. mice were showed to be infected with spirochete bacterium considered to be a tick-borne relapsing fever (TBRF) disease causative agent. The pathogen infection was ascertained based on bacterium DNA presence in a blood (obtained from the lateral tail vein) of the mice, using the nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.

Different Competence as a Lyme Borreliosis Causative Agent Reservoir Found in Two Thrush Species: The Blackbird () and the Song Thrush ().

Passerine birds are significantly involved in the dissemination of spp. bacteria (formerly sensu lato complex), the causative agent of most common and important tick-spread disease Lyme borreliosis. Among several dozen investigated passerine bird species, thrushes (Turdidae) have been reported as a relatively good pathogen reservoirs and disseminators.

Comparison of helminth community of Apodemus agrarius and Apodemus flavicollis between urban and suburban populations of mice.

The growing human population and the development of urban areas have led to fragmentation and destruction of many natural habitats but have also created new urban habitats. These environmental changes have had a negative impact on many species of plants and animals, including parasite communities. The aim of present study was to compare the helminth communities of Apodemus flavicollis and Apodemus agrarius in natural and urban habitats.

Long-term study of the prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. infection in ticks (Ixodes ricinus) feeding on blackbirds (Turdus merula) in NE Poland.

Seeking evidence to confirm that blackbirds (Turdus merula) may be involved in environmental maintenance of Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. (the causative agent of Lyme borreliosis), we conducted a long-term study over three separate 2-year periods, together embracing a span of almost 20 years, all in the same area in northeastern Poland.

Parasites of chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) population. Part II. Blood parasites.

Blood parasites of Chaffinches caught from June to October near Luknajno Lake (Mazurian Lakeland) were studied. Only parasites belonging to the genera Haemoproteus were found. A decrease in prevalence as the season progressed was observed.

Neophobia and cortical and subcortical binding of the dopamine D2 receptor antagonist [3H]-raclopride.

The potential role of dopamine system in response to novelty was analysed using the selective dopamine D2 receptor antagonist, raclopride, in behavioral and biochemical assays, in rats (the open field test, and specific binding of [3H]-raclopride, within different brain structures measured with autoradiography). It was found that raclopride at a low dose (50 microg/kg, IP) caused anxiolytic-like effect (increased the anti-thigmotactic index), whereas at a higher dose (500 microg/kg, IP) produced general inhibitory influence, and decreased the anti-thigmotactic index. Analysis of the behavioral and biochemical results of the experiment revealed a significant negative correlation between the ligand binding in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNR), and the number of entries into the central sector of the open field (r=-0.

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato infection in passerine birds from the Mazurian Lake region (Northeastern Poland).

The aim of the present study was to evaluate a potential role of different passerine birds species in Mazurian Lake region (northeast Poland) in the spread of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, the spirochaete that causes Lyme disease. A total number of 1254 birds (representing 42 species) were captured during the 3-year study period. Blood samples were collected from birds and analyzed with a nested polymerase chain reaction technique in order to detect fragments of the pathogen DNA.