Ticks and mosquitoes as vectors of Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. in the forested areas of Szczecin.

The aim of the study was to determine the infection level of adult forms and larvae of ticks and mosquitoes with Borrelia burgdorferi in the forested areas of Szczecin. A total of 1699 ticks Ixodes ricinus, including 1422 nymphs, 277 adult forms and 2862 mosquito females representing the genera Aedes (89.6%) and Culex (10.4%) were collected between the years 2004 and 2005. A further 3746 larvae and 1596 pupae of Culex pipiens pipiens were colleted from water bodies. Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. was detected in the arthropods by the method of indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA). A positive immunological reaction was detected in 16.6% of the adult forms and in 16.5% of the nymphs of Ixodes ricinus. Spirochetes were also detected in 1.7% of mosquito females, 3.2% of larvae and in 1.6% of pupae of Culex pipiens pipiens. The results of the present study confirm that contact with ticks constitutes the main risk of contracting Lyme disease, although mosquitoes play a role as vectors as well.

[The influence of the Metarhizium fungi on the embryonic development of Ascaris suum]. / Wplyw grzybów z rodzaju Metarhizium na rozwój embrionalny Ascaris suum.

PURPOSE: The present study focused on the effect of two fungal species Metarhizium flavoviride and Metarhizium anisopliae on the embryonic development and viability of Ascaris suum larvae. RESULTS: Microscope examination revealed that the presence of the mycelium inhibited the egg development, compared to control. The fungus-exposed eggs featured zygote vacuolisation, irregular blastomere cleavage, and morphological disturbances in the stages of blastula, gastrula, and larva. The embryopathies were significantly more frequent in the eggs incubated with M. flavoviride. Also the mortality of the developed larvae was significantly higher after 60-day culture with M. flavoviride.

[Limitation in the population of parasitic geohelminths by saprotrophic soil fungi and their secretions]. / Badania nad ograniczeniem liczebnosci pasozytniczych geohelmintów za pomoca saprotroficznych grzybów glebowych i ich wydzielin.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the study was to examine the effect of mould fungi isolated from soil and of two of their metabolites, aflatoxin G1 and ochratoxin A, on the embryonic development of eggs and mortality of larvae of Ascaris suum. An attempt was made to demonstrate synergism between fungi species in the action on embryogenesis of Ascaris suum. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fungi were isolated from soil and cultured on the standard Czapek-Dox agar medium at 26 degrees C for 60 days. Fertilized eggs of Ascaris suum were incubated in PBS solution with the mycelium of each species or without fungi in the control culture. To demonstrate synergism between fungi species, eggs were cultured with three combinations of two species. Additional cultures were done with aflatoxin G1 and ochratoxin A at concentrations of 0.5, 1, and 2 ppm. RESULTS: Microscopy showed a slower rate of development of eggs from experimental cultures as compared to the control culture. Fungi, as well as mycotoxins, caused vacuolization of the zygote, uneven division of blastomeres, and morphological abnormalities of the embryo. The highest mortality (36%) of invasive larvae of Ascaris suum was caused by Paecylomyces fumosoroseus. The present study revealed that the antagonistic effect of a fungi on the development of Ascaris suum eggs is increased or decreased in the presence of another fungi species. Exposure to aflatoxin G1 and ochratoxin A at concentrations as low as 0.5 ppm leads to a greater percentage of deformed embryos and 100% mortality of larvae.

Effect of electric power network frequency magnetic field on embryonic development of Ascaris suum (Nematoda).

Fertilised Ascaris suum eggs were subjected to an alternating electromagnetic field of frequency 50 Hz and density 2 mT for 60 days. The developing embryos in both control and experimental cultures were examined daily under a microscope. The experiment resulted in an accelerated rate of embryogenesis in the eggs incubated in the electromagnetic field, higher rates of malformed embryos as well as much higher mortality rate of L2 larvae.