Wild and farm breeding cervids infections with Anaplasma phagocytophilum.

The main goal of our study was to determine the prevalence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections in wild cervids living in north-eastern part of Poland. Material used in the study was gathered between the years 2004- 2008. The blood samples from 106 red deer (Cervus elaphus), 32 sika deer (Cervus nippon hortulorum), 130 fallow deer (Dama dama) and 31 roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) were collected.

Polymerase chain reaction confirmation of Babesia canis canis and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in dogs suspected of babesiosis in Slovakia.

Canine babesiosis was considered an imported tick transmitted disease until the first case of autochthonous canine babesiosis in Slovakia was described in 2002. Since then, the number of cases kept increasing every year. The causative agent of babesiosis in dogs is not yet characterized; therefore, the aim of our study was to determine the agent and the rate of infection in the vector tick D.

Detection of a large linear plasmid in Borrelia spielmanii isolate.

Borrelia spielmanii belongs to human pathogenic species within the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex in Europe, which is a causative agent of Lyme disease. So far, the human disease caused by B. spielmanii has been associated with skin manifestations.

First molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in European brown bear (Ursus arctos).

In Europe, Anaplasma phagocytophilum circulates in natural foci in a tick-host cycle. Up to now, antibodies against A. phagocytophilum as well as pathogen's DNA were recorded in several domestic and wild animals.

Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in lizards and their ticks from Hungary.

To investigate the involvement of lizard species in the natural cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) in Hungary, a total of 186 reptiles belonging to three species--126 green lizards (Lacerta viridis), 40 Balkan wall lizards (Podarcis taurica), and 20 sand lizards (Lacerta agilis)--were captured in 2007 and 2008.

Serological evidence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in horses and cattle from Poland and diagnostic problems of Lyme borreliosis.

In the course of epizootological research on Lyme borreliosis in animals, the serological evidence of this zoonosis in horses and cattle from different voivodships of Poland was screened. We also discussed some diagnostic problems of Lyme borreliosis resulting from, in addition to other factors, genetic and geographical heterogeneity isolates B. burgdorferi s.

Borrelia lusitaniae and green lizards (Lacerta viridis), Karst Region, Slovakia.

In Europe, spirochetes within the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex are transmitted by Ixodes ricinus ticks. Specific associations are described between reservoir hosts and individual genospecies. We focused on green lizard (Lacerta viridis) as a host for ticks and potential host for borreliae.

Heterogeneity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and their reflection on immune response.

Geographically different strains of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto Ir 105, B. burgdorferi s.

Anti-Borrelia antibodies in rodents: important hosts in ecology of Lyme disease.

Data presented in this study focuses on the presence of anti-Borrelia antibodies in small mammals from Eastern Slovakia during 2000-2003. The total seropositivity observed was 18.78% in rodents.

Immunoglobulin G antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in game animals and small mammals in eastern Slovakia.

In a survey of game animals and small mammals, the sera of 185 animals were examined for the presence of immunoglobulin G antibodies to the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, which causes Lyme borreliosis. These animals comprised 59 fallow deer (Dama dama), 56 mouflons (Ovis musimon) and 70 small mammals of six different species. The sera of the fallow deer and the mouflons were examined by indirect haemagglutination assay.

Molecular evidence for Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks from eastern Slovakia.

Ixodes ricinus ticks (20 males, 20 females and 20 nymphs) collected in Kosice, Slovakia were examined for the presence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) by PCR.

Genetic variability within Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies established by PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of the rrfA-rrlB intergenic spacer in ixodes ricinus ticks from the Czech Republic.

In Europe the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex is represented by five distinct genospecies: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia valaisiana, and Borrelia lusitaniae. These taxonomic entities are known to differ in their specific associations with vertebrate hosts and to provoke distinct clinical manifestations in human patients. However, exceptions to these rules have often been observed, indicating that strains belonging to a single genospecies may be more heterogeneous than expected.

Serological evidence for Borrelia burgdorferi infection associated with clinical signs in dairy cattle in Slovakia.

In the course of epizootological research on Lyme borreliosis in domestic and farm animals, the serological evidence for the occurrence of this zoonosis in cattle was screened. An ELISA showed that 25.2% of cattle from seven geographical areas in Slovakia were positive for anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies.

Seroprevalence of anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in sheep and goats from mountainous areas of Slovakia.

In the present study, domestic animals such as sheep and goats from eastern Slovakia were screened for the presence of anti-Borrelia antibodies. Seroprevalence in 181 sheep and 65 goats were carried out in 1999 and 2000. Modified ELISA method was used for detection of anti-Borrelia IgG antibodies.

Epidemiological survey of human borreliosis diagnosed in Eastern Slovakia.

439 sera of patients from eastern Slovakia suspected of Lyme borreliosis were examined for anti-Borrelia IgG and IgM antibodies by ELISA (Ezygnost, Dade Behring, Germany). Out of the total number of 64 sera, e.g.

Occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzelii in the Ixodes ricinus ticks from Eastern Slovakia.

A total of 2816 unfed adults nymphs of Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected from vegetation in Kosice (Eastern Slovakia) from 1994 to 1997. Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi s. l.

Elisa comparison of three whole-cell antigens of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in serological study of dogs from area of Kosice, eastern Slovakia.

Three antigens of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto--Slovak strain Ir 105, B. garini - Slovak strain K 24 and B.

[Preliminary identification of Borrelia burgdorferi isolated from Ixodes ricinus ticks in eastern Slovakia].

The first finding of spirochetes Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in eastern Slovakia pertains to ticks Ixodes ricinus collected in the Kosice park forest in September 1995. The authors tested 7 strains using immunoblotting with 4 monoclonal antibodies (Mab): H9724--specific to the genus Borrelia, identifying 41 kDa flagellar protein, H5332--specific to OspA protein of B. burgdorferi, J 8.

[Leptospira antibodies in small mammals in Eastern Slovakia].

During the five years (1991-1995) mostly free living small mammals were examined serologically for the presence of antibodies to leptospira. Serological examinations were used by Kmety and Bakoss (1978). Altogether, 2493 individuals of 22 species were examined, an important part of host material (69.

[IgG antibodies to Borrelia in dogs in the area of Kosice].

An ELISA investigation showed that 26.9% of dogs in Kosice region were positive for anti-borrelia IgG antibodies. A significantly higher seroprevalence was detected only in hunting dogs (40.

[Occurrence of Leptospira serovars in old foci of leptospirosis].

In two old natural foci of leptospiroses in an Eastern Slovakian area an epidemiological investigation was made to detect persisting carriership in basis reservoirs-small mammals and the contact with leptospirae in population groups with an occupational risk. Using the microagglutination reaction (MAR), the authors examined 1,106 small mammals and detected in 50 cases, i.e.

[Effect of bolus administration of albendazole into the rumen on gastrointestinal nematodes and the Dicrocoelium dendriticum trematode in sheep].

The efficacy of intraruminal albendazole (ABZ) capsules (Proftril-Captec) and the effect of treatment on productivity parameters were studied in two experiments totally on 466 ewes naturally infected with gastrointestinal nematodes and trematodes D. dendriticum. Ovoscopical tests revealed that treated animals remained negative during 10-12 weeks after the administration of capsules and that pasture contamination with helminths was significantly reduced.

[Domestic cats as a source of human flea infestations in towns].

During the summer and autumn periods of 1990-1992 a periodic massive incidence, infestation as well as parasitization of humans with flea Ctenocephalides felis were recorded in the basements of flat blocks in the central area of Kosice. The urban population of domestic cats served as a source of the infestation. The dark field examination of fleas for the presence of borrelias revealed negative results.