Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected from southern Poland.

In 2008-2011 ticks were collected from southern Poland. Out of 6336 individuals collected and identified as Ixodes ricinus, 768 (2 larvae, 84 nymphs, 417 females, 265 males) were included in molecular study. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and types of genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to detect the presence of pathogens in ticks. Subsequently the amplified DNA was digested with TasI enzyme. The infection rate was 15% (116) of examined ticks. PCR-RFLP analysis allowed distinguishing three genospecies of B. burgdorferi s.l.: B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii, and B. garinii. RFLP analyses of 116 positive samples revealed 96 (83%) monoinfections and 13 (11%) coinfections, whereas unidentified genospecies were present in 7 (6%) of positive samples. In the case of monoinfections, B. burgdorferi s.s. was the predominant species of pathogen in infected ticks - 61.4%. Other genospecies: B. garinii and B. afzelii were detected in 22.9% and 15.6% of the samples, respectively. To sum up, 15 % of ticks were infected by B. burgdorferi s.l which increases the risk of human infections in the recreational areas of southern Poland. Furthermore, there is a need to increase public awareness and implement more preventive measures concerning Lyme disease.

The risk of exposure to Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Babesia sp. and co-infections in Ixodes ricinus ticks on the territory of Niepolomice forest (southern Poland).

Niepolomice Forest is located about 20 kilometers east of Cracow (Malopolska province, southern Poland). Its natural and touristic values, as well as wide range of hosts occurring within indicate this to be an area of high risk of exposure to Ixodes ricinus and tick-borne diseases it transfers. I. ricinus is a common species in Poland and Europe. Its seasonal activity begins in Poland in the early spring, and ends with late autumn. A total number of 129 specimens of I. ricinus was collected by flagging in Niepolomice Forest. DNA was isolated by ammonia method from 30 randomly-selected individuals. PCR was used to detect tick-borne pathogens with primers specific for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Babesia sp. Molecular studies confirmed the presence of all three pathogens in I. ricinus. A. phagocytophilum was found in 76.7%, Babesia sp., 60%, B. burgdorferi s. l., in 3.3% of studied ticks. A. phagocytophilum co-infection with Babesia sp., was found in 46.7% of the specimens. A co-infection of all three tested pathogens was recorded in one case (3.3%). In Poland the problem of tick-borne diseases is a growing issue, therefore people residing in southern Polish touristic areas should be informed about the prevention and protection against ticks.

Cellular toxicity of oxycholesterols.

Oxycholesterols (OS) are formed from cholesterol or its immediate precursors by enzymatic or free radical action in vivo, or they may be derived from food. OS exhibit a wide spectrum of biological activities. In OS cytotoxicity, several mechanisms seem to be involved: e.g. inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase activity, antiproliferative action, apoptosis induction, replacement of cholesterol by OS in membranes followed by changes in cellular membrane structure and functionality, and immune system functions alteration. Furthermore, OS may be mutagenic and carcinogenic and may serve as intracellular signaling or regulatory molecules. Here we review OS cellular activities with special attention to the cytotoxic action in vivo and in vitro using experimental models.

The usefulness of calyculin a for cytogenetic prenatal diagnosis.

An increased number of chromosome plates can be obtained by use of calyculin A (CLA). CLA is an inhibitor of protein phosphatases (type 1 and type 2A serine/threonine). Inactivation of these phosphatases leads to premature chromosome condensation (PCC) in all phases of the cell cycle; thus, it is possible to investigate both metaphase and G(2)-PCC chromosomes. Amniotic fluid (AF) cultures were treated with calyculin A (CLA). GTG banding was obtained. Using this method it is possible to investigate all cell cycle phases, GTG banding, chromosomal breaks, and rates of PCD on the same preparation. Analyses of AF cultures treated with CLA allow complex studies on fetal genetic material. This work presents potential usefulness of CLA for cytogenetic prenatal diagnosis.

[Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in ticks, Ixodes ricinus in Tarnowskie Góry district]. / Czekstosc wystepowania Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato u kleszczy Ixodes ricinus z okolic Tarnowskich Gór.

Borrelia burgdorferi is an aetiological factor of borreliosis (Lyme disease). The main vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi are larvae, nymphs, and females of Ixodes ricinus. The aim of this paper was to analyse infection parameters of Borrelia burgdorferi in a selected populations of Ixodes ricinus. The study was conducted in Tarnowskie Góry administrative district (Krupski Mlyn, Zielona, Lubliniec, Tarnowskie Góry, Swierklaniec, Tworóg, and Zbroslawice). A total of 85 ticks were collected with a piece of cloth dragged over the vegetation. The Borrelia burgdorferi infection was confirmed with a PCR method, using flagellin protein gene DNA amplification. DNA of Borrelia burgderferi sensu lato was present in 14 ticks, which constituted 16.5% of the population studied. The percentage of infected females and nymphs was 26.8%, 22.2%, and 5.6%, respectively. A high prevalence of the pathogen (50%) was in ticks revealed in the recreation areas and the community forest in Swierklaniec.