Genetic Diversity of Species Detected in Natural Populations of Ticks in Northern Poland.

In Europe, tick is the vector of Lyme disease spirochetes and their relatives ( genus) and . However, a newly described tick with similar biological features and separated from may act as a vector for different species. To date, eleven species were detected in the natural populations of .

Characterization of (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) Isolates in Terms of Efficacy against Cereal Ground Beetle (Coleoptera: Carabidae): Morphometry and Principal Component Analysis.

One of the most dangerous pests of cereals is and, in Poland, it is becoming a serious pest. Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) seem to be a very promising, biological control agent for this pest. Native EPN populations are well adapted to local environmental conditions.

Red Foxes () Are Exposed to High Diversity of Sensu Lato Species Infecting Fox-Derived Ticks in West-Central Poland.

The role of red fox, , and its associated ticks in maintaining sensu lato (s.l.) was studied.

Diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato species in Ixodes ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) associated with cave-dwelling bats from Poland and Romania.

Bats comprise one quarter of the world's mammal species. In Europe, three nidicolous Ixodes tick species, I. vespertilionis, I.

Differential associations of Borrelia species with European badgers (Meles meles) and raccoon dogs (Nyctereutes procyonoides) in western Poland.

European badgers and raccoon dogs and their associated ticks and lice were assayed for the presence of Lyme borreliosis and relapsing fever-group spirochete DNA in western Poland. Analyses of blood, ear-biopsy and liver samples revealed that 25% of 28 raccoon dogs and 12% of 34 badgers were PCR positive for borreliae. Borrelia garinii was the dominant species in raccoon dogs (62.

Identification of host blood-meal sources and Borrelia in field-collected Ixodes ricinus ticks in north-western Poland.

Forest animals play fundamental roles in the maintenance of Ixodes ricinus and Borrelia species in the forest biotope. To identify the forest vertebrate species that are host for I. ricinus and for the recognition of the reservoirs of Borrelia species, the blood-meal of 325 I.

Molecular evidence for bacterial pathogens in Ixodes ricinus ticks infesting Shetland ponies.

Ixodes ricinus has the potential to transmit zoonotic pathogens to humans and domestic animals. The feeding I. ricinus (n = 1737) collected from 49 Shetland ponies and questing ones from vegetation (n = 371) were tested for the presence and differentiation of the bacterial species.

Differentiation Borrelia Species in Environmental Samples with High-Resolution DNA Melting Analysis.

Background: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato includes at least 20 species in the world, and half of these are found in Europe. The usefulness of high resolution melting (HRM) analysis of DNA denaturation curves has been assessed for differentiation of Borrelia species.

Methods: HRM protocol for Borrelia species was used to examine the 77 DNA extracts selected from earlier studies with the use of three different molecular markers: flaB, rplL, and groEL.

Host and pathogen DNA identification in blood meals of nymphal Ixodes ricinus ticks from forest parks and rural forests of Poland.

DNA analysis of blood meals from unfed nymphal Ixodes ricinus allows for the identification of tick host and tick-borne pathogens in the host species. The recognition of host species for tick larvae and the reservoirs of Borrelia, Rickettsia and Anaplasma species were simultaneously carried out by analysis of the blood meals of 880 questing nymphal I. ricinus ticks collected in forest parks of Szczecin city and rural forests in northwestern Poland that are endemic areas for Lyme borreliosis.

Rapid identification of Borrelia by high resolution melting analysis of the groEL gene.

This study examined the possibility of applying a new diagnostic method, high resolution analysis of DNA denaturation curve (high resolution melting - HRM), for identification of Borrelia species. DNA samples were obtained from Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from vegetation and removed from hunted roe deer. For differentiation of Borrelia species, the HRM protocol based on the analysis of the groEL gene was applied.

Virus detection in questing ticks is not a sensitive indicator for risk assessment of tick-borne encephalitis in humans.

Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is the most important tick-transmitted arbovirus causing human disease in Europe, but information on its endemic occurrence varies between countries because of differences in surveillance systems. Objective data are necessary to ascertain the disease risk for vaccination recommendations and other public health interventions. In two independent, separately planned projects, we used real-time RT-PCR to detect TBE virus in questing ticks.

flaB gene as a molecular marker for distinct identification of Borrelia species in environmental samples by the PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method.

A new protocol employing nested PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) based on the flaB gene and two restriction enzymes was worked out. This protocol allows the identification of all Borrelia species transmitted by Ixodes ricinus in Europe, including Borrelia miyamotoi and 3 genetic variants of B. garinii.

A comparative analysis of molecular markers for the detection and identification of Borrelia spirochaetes in Ixodes ricinus.

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, carried by Ixodes ticks, is one of the most significant human pathogens, causing Lyme disease. As there is no standardized PCR method for detection and identification of spirochaete DNA, we carried out a comparative analysis using a set of complementary primers for three regions in the genomic DNA of these bacteria (genes fla and rrs and the non-coding rrs-rrlA region). DNA extracted from 579 Ixodes ricinus ticks was subjected to nested PCR.

[Detection of TBEV RNA in ticks as a tool for valuation of endemic area wide and sensitivity of TBE surveillance].

In this study we present the nested RT-PCR strategy designed for detection of TBEV RNA in ticks Ixodes ricinus. The presented nested RT-PCR method using 2 different primer pairs specific primers for NS5 gene provides specific TBEV cDNA detectable by electroforesis in agarose gel. Of the 177 polls of ticks investigated, TBEV RNA was detected in 14, which accounts for 7.

Detectability of tick-borne agents DNA in the blood of dogs, undergoing treatment for borreliosis.

In the wake of controversies surrounding the usefulness of PCR in the diagnostics of borreliosis, the aim of the presented study was to monitor the presence of B. burgdorferi s.l.

Genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in patients with erythema migrans.

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.) complex, the etiological factor of Lyme disease, includes over a dozen species of bacteria and 3 pathogenic within it.

Molecular and serological diagnosis of Borrelia burgdorferi infection among patients with diagnosed Erythema migrans.

The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of Borrelia burgdorferi DNA detection in the blood and urine of patients diagnosed with erythema migrans, and compare the results of PCR-based methods with ELISA methodology. The latter was used to detect serum antibodies against Borrelia burgdorferi of the IgM and IgG classes, before and after antibiotic therapy. The study included 86 patients hospitalized in the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections in the Medical Academy in Białystok, diagnosed with the erythema migrans phase of Lyme borreliosis.

[Significance of red deer (Cervus elaphus) in the ecology of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato].

Background: Red deer (Cervus elaphus) is one of the most important host of the adult tick (Ixodes ricinus) which is the basic vector of the Lyme disease causative agent--Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Europe. The aim of the present study was to establish the role of red deer in the transmission of B. burgdorferi s.

[The occurrence of Ixodes ricinus in the select recreative areas in the Province of Szczecin. Part I].

Among Polish ticks species the most common Ixodes ricinus has the biggest medical importance. Within the last few years, the incidence of disease transmitted by ticks has rapidly increased. We have made a thorough analysis of the quantative and rate per cent of occurrence of various stages Ixodes ricinus in the forest areas of some places in Szczecin province and in the parks of Szczecin, that are known as highly recreative and frequently visted by many people.

[The occurrence of Ixodes ricinus in the selected recreative areas in the province of Szczecin. Part III].

Within the last years, the incidences of diseases transmitted by Ixodes ricinus tick have rapidly increased. We estimated the occurrence of Ixodes ricinus in the popular recreation urban areas in Szczecin and in the Province of Szczecin. The study was carried out in 1999, with two samples at each site, and were compared with data of 1998.

[The occurrence of Ixodes ricinus in the selected recreative areas in the province of Szczecin. Part II].

The aim of the study was to estimate the occurrence (the quantative and rate percent) of Ixodes ricinus in the popular recreation areas in Szczecin (Arkonka, Osów, Głebokie, Landscape Park of Szczecin, Dabie Forest Park, Zdroje Forest Park) and in province of Szczecin (Forest of Goleniów, Ińsko, Pobierowo, Chojna). Investigations were performed in 1998 year, twice on each places; in May/June and repeted in September/October. The temperature and humidity of air were measured.

[Genetic diversity of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in north-west Poland].

Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s. l.), the etiological agent of Lyme diesease, is transmitted by the bite of Ixodes ricinus.

[Occurence of pathogenic genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from north-western Poland].

In order to learn the heterogeneity of the DNA of B. burgdorferi s.l.

PCR detection of granulocytic Anaplasma and Babesia in Ixodes ricinus ticks and birds in west-central Poland.

The aim of the study was to establish the role of forest birds as reservoirs of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia spp. in Wielkopolski National Park. A total of 108 birds from 9 species were collected between May-September 2002.

Prevalence of DNA and antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in dogs suspected of borreliosis.

The aim of the paper was an attempt to correlate clinical signs with the presence of DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) s.l. and the antibodies against B.