Molecular evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti co-infections in Ixodes ricinus ticks in central-eastern region of Poland.

The aim of the study was to elucidate the distribution of Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti co-infection in Ixodes ricinus populations within the central-eastern region of Poland. The prevalence of analysed tick-borne human pathogens in single and polymicrobial infections in I. ricinus ticks were analysed using the conventional and nested PCR techniques. A total number of 1,123 questing tick individuals (291 females, 267 males and 565 nymphs) were collected at different ecosystems (municipal parks, suburban forests, and woodlands). In the presented study, 95 samples of ticks (8.5%) were infected with A.phagocytophilum, 3.1% (n=35) with B. microti, whereas the co-existence status of these human pathogens was detected in 1.8% (n=20) of all tested samples. It has been demonstrated that the prevalence of co-infection status was the highest among females of I. ricinus (11 samples, 3.8%), whereas the lowest within tested nymphs (5 samples, 0.9%). Ticks collected at city parks in Warsaw and suburban areas of this town characterized the highest prevalence of co-infections (3.3 and 4.8%, respectively). Furthermore, it was established that co-infection rates of ticks inhabiting woodlands within Kampinos National Park and Nadbuzanski Landscape Park were similar and reached the levels of 1.4% (n=5) and 1.1% (n=4), respectively.

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. DNA was isolated using Genomic Mini AX blood kit (A and A Biotechnology). Molecular detection of A. phagocytophilum was based on nested PCR amplification of a species-specific 16S rRNA fragment gene of A. phagocytophilum. The highest prevalence of infection was detected in Cervus elaphus, Capreolus capreolus, Cervus nippon hortulorum, there were 50.9 percent, 38.7 percent, 34.37 percent of infected animals, respectively. The lowest rate of infection was found in fallow deer (Dama dama) - ony 1.5 percent.

Blood parasites of mound-building mouse, Mus spicilegus Petényi, 1882 (Mammalia, Rodentia).

Mound-building mice, Mus spicilegus, were studied for the blood parasites in Eastern Slovakia, vicinity Kechnec village near Kosice town (Kosická kotlina basin, 21 degrees 14' E, 48 degrees 33' N) during years 2002-2005. Overall, 251 specimens were examined. The parasites were detected using microhematokrit centrifugation technique and on the Giemsa's method stained blood smears and light microscopy. The parasites were found in 3.57% of specimens; 1.20% of mice were infected with Bartonella sp., 2.39% were infected with Babesia piroplasms. No Hepatozoon hemogregarines and trypanosomes were observed. The intensity of infection with Bartonella was low, less than 0.01% of erythrocytes were invaded, the percent of the erythrocytes with Babesia sp. was less than 0.01%. The morphological description and measurements of parasites were made using the "Analysis" software combined with a video camera and a microscope. The mean size of Bartonella sp. bacteria's were 0.8 x 0.3 microm, range 0.4-1.5 x 0.1-0.9 microm, Babesia sp. occurred in pear-shaped and ring-like forms, 1.00-1.27 microm in diameter, and 0.98-1.27 microm in size, respectively. The regular form of four cells--"maltese cross" was not noticed. This is the first record infection of Mus spicilegus with blood parasites.

Is interleukin-1alpha a luteotrophic or luteolytic agent in cattle?

Cytokines are thought to regulate prostaglandin (PG) secretion in the bovine endometrium. However, there is no consensus about the role of interleukin-1alpha (IL1A) on PG secretion. The objective of this study was to examine the influence of IL1A on basal and interferon-tau (IFNT)-regulated PG in vitro secretion, as well its effects on PG secretion, progesterone (P(4)) output, and corpus luteum (CL) in vivo lifespan. Explants of bovine endometrium (days 16-17 of the estrous cycle or early pregnancy) were stimulated with IL1A (10 ng/ml), IFNT (30 ng/ml), or IL1A combined with IFN. IL1A alone strongly stimulated luteotrophic PGE(2) secretion by endometrial tissues of both pregnant and nonpregnant cows. IL1A also stimulated luteolytic PGF(2alpha) output in the late luteal phase. IFNT augmented the stimulatory effect of IL1A on PGE(2) secretion. In an in vivo experiment, saline or IL1A at different doses (0.001-10 microg/per animal) was applied to the uterine lumen on day 16 of the cycle. Only the highest dose of IL1A caused a temporal increase in PGF(2alpha) secretion, while it had no effect on P(4) secretion or CL lifespan. Application of 0.1 and 1 microg IL1A stimulated P(4) and PGE(2) output and prolonged the CL lifespan. Although IL1A may stimulate in vitro luteolytic PGF(2alpha) secretion during the estrous cycle, it only acts as a luteotrophic factor in vivo. IL1A increased luteotrophic PGE(2) and P(4) output, inhibiting spontaneous luteolysis. These luteotrophic effects may result in appropriate luteal development and function in cows during the estrous cycle and early pregnancy.

Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection of red foxes (Vulpes vulpes).

The investigation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infection covered 111 red foxes from the Mazovian Province. Determination was based on PCR amplification of 16S rRNA gene and the portion of msp4 gene coding MSP4 major surface protein. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was found in 2.7 % of foxes.

The case of babesiosis in farmed wolf (Canis lupus L).

There was recognised the case of canine babesiosis in farmed wolf (Canis lupus) in Bialowieza, northeastern Poland. The typical symptoms were observed in animal--depression, asitia, and haematocyturia. The treatment with antibiotics gave positive results. It was the first observation of babesiosis in wolf in Poland.