Prevalence of Babesia canis DNA in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in forest and urban ecosystems in west-central Poland.

Babesia canis, a widely distributed European tick-borne protozoan haemoparasite, causes canine babesiosis, the most important tick-borne disease afflicting dogs worldwide. The meadow tick, Dermacentor reticulatus, is considered to be the primary vector of this parasite in central Europe. Females of the more broadly distributed and medically important castor bean tick, Ixodes ricinus, also commonly feed upon dogs, but their role in the enzootic transmission cycle of B. canis is unclear. Here, we screened 1,598 host-seeking I. ricinus ticks collected from two different ecosystems, forest stands vs. urban recreational forests, for the presence of B. canis DNA. Ticks were sampled during their two seasonal peaks of activity, spring (May/June) and late summer (September). Babesia species were identified by amplification and sequencing of a hypervariable 18S rRNA gene fragment. Babesia canis was the only piroplasm detected in 13% of 200 larvae and 8.2% of 324 nymphs in the forest ecosystems. In urban recreational areas, B. canis DNA was found in 1.5% of 460 nymphs, 3.5% of 289 females and 3.2% of 280 males. Additionally, three samples, including one female, one male, and one nymph, were co-infected with B. venatorum and one nymph with B. divergens or B. capreoli. Our findings implicate that B. canis can be transmitted transovarially and maintained transstadially within populations of I. ricinus, but the vector competence of I. ricinus for transmitting B. canis remains to be investigated.

Fivefold higher abundance of ticks (Acari: Ixodida) on the European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) forest than field ecotypes.

The European roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is the most common deer species in Europe. The species can be a reservoir of some tick-borne diseases but it is primarily recognized for its contribution as an amplifier host. In Central Europe, two roe deer ecotypes are living in adjacent areas: field and forest. We investigated differences in tick load and species composition on these two ecotypes. We collected ticks from 160 (80 the forest ecotype and 80 the field ecotype) roe deer culled in Wielkopolska Region (West-Central Poland). The most common was Ixodes ricinus (n = 1610; 99%) followed by Ixodes hexagonus (n = 22; 1%). The dominant life stage of the ticks was female. Prevalence was higher for forest roe deer. Mean number of ticks found on the forest ecotype was almost fivefold higher than on the field ecotype (3.75 ± 0.83 vs. 0.77 ± 0.20 ticks). The mean probability of tick occurrence was threefold higher in the forest (0.915 ± 0.050) than the field ecotype (0.279 ± 0.125). The most infested body parts of roe deer from both ecotypes were the neck and the head.

Risk factors of complications during noninvasive mechanical ventilation -assisted flexible bronchoscopy.

PURPOSE: Flexible bronchoscopy (FB) causes airway narrowing and may cause respiratory failure (RF). Noninvasive mechanical ventilation (NIV) is used to treat RF. Until recently, little was known about noninvasive mechanical ventilation assisted flexible bronchoscopy (NIV-FB) risk and complications. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective analysis of NIV-FB performed in 20 consecutive months (July 1, 2018-February 29, 2020) was performed. Indications for: FB and NIV, as well as impact of comorbidities, blood gas results, pulmonary function test results and sedation depth, were analyzed to reveal NIV-FB risk. Out of a total of 713 FBs, NIV-FB was performed in 50 patients with multiple comorbidities, acute or chronic RF, substantial tracheal narrowing, or after previously unsuccessful FB attempt. RESULTS: In three cases, reversible complications were observed. Additionally, due to the severity of underlining disease, two patients were transferred to the ICU where they passed away after >48h. In a single variable analysis, PaO2 69 â€‹± â€‹18.5 and 49 â€‹± â€‹9.0 [mmHg] (p â€‹< â€‹0.05) and white blood count (WBC) 10.0 â€‹± â€‹4.81 and 14.4 â€‹± â€‹3.10 (p â€‹< â€‹0.05) were found predictive for complications. Left heart disease indicated unfavorable NIV-FB outcome (p â€‹= â€‹0.046). CONCLUSIONS: NIV-FB is safe in severely ill patients, however procedure-related risk should be further defined and verified in prospective studies.

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes), a possible reservoir of Babesia vulpes, B. canis and Hepatozoon canis and its association with the tick Dermacentor reticulatus occurrence.

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is known to be a reservoir host of various vector-borne protozoan parasites. Yet, the impact of these parasitic infections on the health status of the red fox is unknown. In this study, we compared the prevalence of haemoprotozoa in juvenile and adult foxes from four regions in Poland. The abundance of questing adult Dermacentor reticulatus ticks was shown to differ between regions and include a tick-endemic and non-endemic region, as well as two zones in which D. reticulatus recently expanded: an eastern and a western zone. Spleen and kidney enlargement indices were compared between infected, co-infected and non-infected foxes to evaluate pathogenic output of parasitic infections. Blood samples were collected from 383 necropsied red foxes and 25 live-trapped red fox cubs. The weights of spleens, kidneys and bodies were recorded for each necropsied individual. Blood and spleen DNA samples were screened by PCR to detect 18S rRNA and cox1 gene fragments of Babesia spp., and 18S rRNA of Hepatozoon spp. Prevalence of infection and mean organ weight indices were compared in relation to fox age and sex, origin (zone) and infection status. Hepatozoon canis (174/381; 45.7%) and Babesia vulpes (117/381; 30.7%) were the dominant pathogens infecting adult foxes. Babesia canis DNA was detected in 9 (2.4%) individuals. Two fox cubs from Western Poland were infected with B. vulpes (2/14; 14%), while H. canis infection (16/25; 59%) was detected in cubs from all three regions where trapping was carried out. Infection with B. vulpes was associated with significantly higher weights of spleens and kidneys. Spleen weight/ body weight and mean kidney weight/ body weight indices were shown as relevant in evaluating changes occurring during infection with B. vulpes. Babesia and Hepatozoon spp. infections differed in red foxes from D. reticulatus-endemic, non-endemic and newly inhabited areas. The prevalence of B. canis in foxes from four regions of Poland reflects the prevalence recorded in questing adult D. reticulatus collected in these areas. This finding suggests a contribution of red foxes to the establishment of new foci of B. canis-infected D. reticulatus ticks in areas recently invaded by this tick species. Spleen and kidney enlargement was identified in foxes infected with B. vulpes, particularly in individuals co-infected with B. vulpes and H. canis.

Responses of soil mite communities (Acari: Oribatida, Mesostigmata) to elemental composition of mosses and pine needles and long-term air pollution in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) stands.

Air pollution is an important threat to biodiversity via deposition of high amounts of heavy metals or nutrients (macroelements). In forest ecosystems contamination can be found in plant tissues and the soil environment including soil mesofauna. However, there is little information on how it influences soil mesofauna. Hence, the aim of the study was to evaluate the reaction of soil mites (Acari: Oribatida, Mesostigmata) to long-term air pollution in mature pine (Pinus sylvestris L.) forests in southwestern Poland. The study was conducted in late autumn between October 2008 and 2010 in eight 5000 m2 plots, each within a Scots pine stand. Concentrations of macroelements (C, N, S, Ca, Mg) and heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Cd, Ni, Pb, Zn) were measured in 40 samples of pine needles and 36 bryophyte samples. In total, 360 soil samples were collected for the soil mesofauna analysis. Results of the study include correlations between the sample plot, the year and the soil mite abundance. Among the macroelements analyzed, calcium affected the abundance of mite species the most. Soil mite communities from different forests were dominated by the same species, despite the fact that we found in total 150 mite species, among which there were 106 species of oribatid mites and 44 species of mesostigmatid mites. It seems that, among the elements analyzed, calcium plays the most important, positive role for mite communities. Magnesium had a positive effect on abundance of both mite groups, while nitrogen had a negative effect on diversity of oribatid and mesostigmatid mite communities. Our study indicated that oribatid and mesostigmatid mite communities are stable in areas of long-term contamination, as we did not observe distinct changes in structure and diversity of soil mite assemblages along the pollution gradient.

The PCR and nested PCR detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato, Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia microti in Dermacentor reticulatus F. collected in a new location in Poland (Trzciel, Western Poland).

The study was performed in the Trzciel Forest Districts which is located in the west part of Poland. The Scots pine is the main tree species creating forest landscape there. Dermacentor reticulatus, usually found in wet, boggy and damp habitat, in this case was discovered in fresh mixed coniferous forest and fresh coniferous forest. In Central Europe the Dermacentor reticulatus is after Ixodes ricinus the second most important vector for tick-borne diseases in Europe. The ticks were collected by flagging from lower vegetation during the autumn peak of their activity. All Dermacentor reticulatus were checked for presence of tickborne pathogens using PCR and nested PCR. In total 125 Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were collected. Among the pathogens examined, only Babesia microti has been found in 4% of them whereas Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum have not been found. In this research the presence of Babesia. microti in Dermacentor reticulatus has been proved. It should be stressed that it is a new focus for the Dermacentor reticulatus tick in Western Poland.

Human behaviors elevating the risk of exposure to Ixodes ricinus larvae and nymphs in two types of lowland coniferous forests in west-central Poland.

Ixodes ricinus L. is the commonest tick encountered by humans in Central Europe and the most important vector of tick-borne diseases (TBD) in Europe. Foresters represent a group at elevated risk of exposure to I. ricinus throughout Europe. Here, we employed an experimental design similar to one used previously to determine what behavioral factors heighten exposure to questing Ixodes pacificus nymphs in a hardwood forest in the far-western United States. Five activities were evaluated systematically in a coniferous forest and a mixed broadleaved forest in west-central Poland: (i) walking in low-cut running shoes; (ii) sitting atop logs; (iii) sitting on leaf litter; (iv) sitting against tree trunks; and (v) gathering firewood. In total, 540 I. ricinus ticks were collected (198 larvae, 327 nymphs, 15 adults) in spring and late summer. Many more ticks were collected in spring than in late summer, and in the mixed broadleaved forest versus the coniferous forest. The riskiest behavior for acquiring nymphs in both spring and late summer was gathering firewood, though sitting atop logs was nearly as perilous in late summer. In contrast, the riskiest behaviors for encountering larvae in spring and late summer were sitting against trunks and sitting on leaf litter, respectively. Pairwise comparisons revealed only two significant associations among the variables explored for the nymphs: season and human gender, and season and type of forest. For larval ticks, the most significant associations were gender and sitting behaviors and for type of forest and sitting on leaf litter or against tree trunks. The most commonly infested body region was the lower legs.

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 (62.5%), followed by B. afzelii (25%) and B. valaisiana (12.5%). PCR-positive badgers were infected only with B. afzelii. A total of 351 attached ticks was recovered from 23 (82%) of the raccoon dogs and 13 (38%) of the badgers. Using a nested PCR targeting the ITS2 fragments of Ixodes DNA, four Ixodes species were identified: I. ricinus, I. canisuga, I. hexagonus, and one provisionally named I. cf. kaiseri. Ixodes canisuga and I. ricinus prevailed on both host species. The highest infection prevalence was detected in I. ricinus, followed by I. canisuga and I. cf. kaiseri. Borrelia garinii and B. afzelii accounted for 61.6% and 30.1% of the infections detected in all PCR-positive ticks, respectively. Four other Borrelia species (B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. valaisiana, B. lusitaniae and B. miyamotoi) were detected only in I. ricinus from raccoon dogs. Moreover, Borrelia DNA, mostly B. garinii, was detected in 57 (81.4%) of 70 Trichodectes melis lice derived from 12 badgers. The detection of B. afzelii in one-half of PCR-positive biopsies reconfirms previous associations of this species with mammalian hosts, whereas the high prevalence of B. garinii in feeding lice and I. ricinus ticks (including larvae) demonstrates that both carnivores serve as hosts for B. garinii. The lack of B. garinii DNA in the tissues of badgers versus its prevalence in raccoon-dog biopsies, however, incriminates only the latter carnivore as a potential reservoir host.

Prevalence of infection with Rickettsia helvetica in Ixodes ricinus ticks feeding on non-rickettsiemic rodent hosts in sylvatic habitats of west-central Poland.

Ixodes ricinus is the most prevalent and widely distributed tick species in European countries and plays a principal role in transmission of a wide range of microbial pathogens. It is also a main vector and reservoir of Rickettsia spp. of the spotted fever group with the infection level ranging in Poland from 1.3% to 11.4%. Nevertheless, little research has been conducted so far to identify reservoir hosts for these pathogens. A survey was undertaken to investigate the presence of Rickettsia spp. in wild small rodents and detached I. ricinus. Rodents, Apodemus flavicollis mice and Myodes glareolus voles were captured in typically sylvatic habitats of west-central Poland. Blood samples and collected ticks were analyzed by conventional, semi-nested and nested PCRs. Rickettsial species were determined by sequence analysis of obtained fragments of gltA and 16S rRNA genes. A total of 2339 immature I. ricinus (mostly larvae) were collected from 158 animals. Proportion of hosts carrying ticks was 84%, being higher for A. flavicollis than for M. glareolus. Rickettsia helvetica, the only species identified, was detected in 8% of 12 nymphs and in at least 10.7% (MIR) of 804 larvae investigated. Prevalence of infected ticks on both rodent species was comparable (10.8 vs. 9%). None of blood samples tested was positive for Rickettsia spp. The results showed that in sylvatic habitats the level of infestation with larval I. ricinus was higher in A. flavicollis mice in comparison with M. glareolus voles. They show that R. helvetica frequently occurred in ticks feeding on rodents. Positive immature ticks were collected from non-rickettsiemic hosts what might suggest a vertical route of their infection (transovarial and/or transstadial) or a very short-lasting rickettsiemia in rodents. A natural vertebrate reservoir host for R. helvetica remains to be determined.

Evaluation of the early results of a loop stoma with a plastic rod in comparison to a loop stoma made with a skin bridge.

UNLABELLED: Loop stoma allows reducing the percentage of anastomotic leak and re-operation caused by this complication. Our department has performed the loop stoma on a skin bridge since 2011. The aim of the study was to evaluate the early results of treatment after the skin bridge loop stoma creation in comparison with the stoma made on a plastic rod. Both groups had 20 patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 40 patients with ileostomy, operated 2010-2013. We evaluated 20 patients with a loop ileostomy on a plastic rod, compared to 20 other patients with a skinbridge ileostomy. The study included 24 men and 16 women. Median age was 68.3. All evaluated patients were previously operated due to rectal cancer. RESULTS: It has been shown that the surgical site infection is more common in the group with a plastic rod (5 vs 1 patient). Inflammation of the skin around the stoma occurred in 18 patients (90%) in the first group, while no such complication was found in patients in the second group. The average number of exchanged ostomy wafers was 2.9 per week in the first group of patients, and 1,1 in the second group (p 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The creation of the skin bridge stoma allows for tight fit of the ostomy appliance immediately after surgery completion. The equipment has stable and long-lasting contact with the skin, no skin inflammatory changes occur. Also the surgical site infection rates are lower in this group of patients. As perioperative patient does not require an increased number of ostomy appliance, the cost of treatment can be considered as an important aspect.

Semantics and cognition.

The words and grammar of any language encode a vast array of complex prepackaged concepts, most of them language-specific and culture-related. These concepts are manipulated routinely in almost every waking hour of most people's lives. They are largely acquired in infancy and they are intersubjectively shared among members of the speech community. It is hard to imagine such elaborate and variable representation systems not having a substantial role to play in ordinary cognition, and yet the language-and-thought question continues to be a contested one across the various disciplines and sub-disciplines of cognitive science. This article provides an overview from the vantage point of linguistic semantics. WIREs Cogni Sci 2011 2 125-135 DOI: 10.1002/wcs.101 For further resources related to this article, please visit the WIREs website.

[The role of the immune system in the pathogenesis of prion diseases]. / Rola ukladu odpornosciowego w patogenezie chorób prionowych.

Prion diseases are disorders whose development is unclear. The incubation period of prion diseases is long and during this time there are distinct changes that can signal pathological changes in the organism. However, the appearance of the pathological form of the prion protein (PrP(Sc)) in the brain starts a rapid process of neurodegradation which always leads to death. In this article the participation of the immune system in the spread of prion diseases is discussed with special attention to the cells of this system and the substances they produce. Studies in this field apply to cells on which physiological prion protein (PrP(C)) appears or in which the accumulation of this protein has been observed. Many experiments show that first and principal center of pathological prion protein (PrP(Sc)) accumulation and replication is the immune system; however, no specific antibodies for PrP(Sc)protein have been found, though in many studies it was shown that elements of the immune system demonstrate major reactivity. In this article it is demonstrated that both immune system cells and substances produced by them are important in the development of prion diseases because they definitely contribute to PrP(Sc)spread in the infected organism.