Factors associated with diversity, quantity and zoonotic potential of ectoparasites on urban mice and voles

Wild rodents are important hosts for tick larvae but co-infestations with other mites and insects are largely neglected. Small rodents were trapped at four study sites in Berlin, Germany, to quantify their ectoparasite diversity. Host-specific, spatial and temporal occurrence of ectoparasites was determined to assess their influence on direct and indirect zoonotic risk due to mice and voles in an urban agglomeration. Rodent-associated arthropods were diverse, including 63 species observed on six host species with an overall prevalence of 99%. The tick Ixodes ricinus was the most prevalent species, found on 56% of the rodents. The trapping location clearly affected the presence of different rodent species and, therefore, the occurrence of particular host-specific parasites. In Berlin, fewer temporary and periodic parasite species as well as non-parasitic species (fleas, chiggers and nidicolous Gamasina) were detected than reported from rural areas. In addition, abundance of parasites with low host-specificity (ticks, fleas and chiggers) apparently decreased with increasing landscape fragmentation associated with a gradient of urbanisation. In contrast, stationary ectoparasites, closely adapted to the rodent host, such as the fur mites Myobiidae and Listrophoridae, were most abundant at the two urban sites. A direct zoonotic risk of infection for people may only be posed by Nosopsyllus fasciatus fleas, which were prevalent even in the city centre. More importantly, peridomestic rodents clearly supported the life cycle of ticks in the city as hosts for their subadult stages. In addition to trapping location, season, host species, body condition and host sex, infestation with fleas, gamasid Laelapidae mites and prostigmatic Myobiidae mites were associated with significantly altered abundance of I. ricinus larvae on mice and voles. Whether this is caused by predation, grooming behaviour or interaction with the host immune system is unclear. The present study constitutes a basis to identify interactions and vector function of rodent-associated arthropods and their potential impact on zoonotic diseases

Immunobiologia Cryptosporidium sp.

Immunological aspects of cryptosporidiosis: its immunopathology, antigenicity, perspectives of treatment and diagnosis are reviewed. In particular pathology of this disease in immunodeficient (as a result of AIDS or suppressive drugs chemotherapy) patients is presented

Immunobiologia Cryptosporidium sp.

Immunological aspects of cryptosporidiosis: its immunopathology, antigenicity, perspectives of treatment and diagnosis are reviewed. In particular pathology of this disease in immunodeficient (as a result of AIDS or suppressive drugs chemotherapy) patients is presented

Response of swiss chard (Beta vulgaris L. var. cicla L.) to nitrogen fertilization

Swiss chard may be cultivated for a single or in small scale of production for multiple harvest. The objective of the field experiment conducted in 2012–2014 was to determine the response of this vegetable crop to nitrogen fertilization. Lukullus and Green Silver cultivars were grown from direct seed sowing into the field and supplied with 100 or 200 kg N·ha-1 by using ammonium nitrate and Entec 26. Harvest of leaves started at the end of June was made weekly till half of September, each time the yield of leaf blades and petioles were evaluated. At the end of July the samples were collected for chemical analysis. Results of the study proved that both tested N fertilizers were equally valuable sources of this nutrient for Swiss chard and the increase of its dose from 100 to 200 kg·ha-1 was ineffective for crop yield, while caused the significant enhancement of nitrates accumulation. Leaf blades appeared to be a rich source of vitamin C and contained lower level of sugars and Ca while higher amounts of P and Mg if compared to petioles. Nitrates accumulation in leaf petioles was generally twice as high as in the blades. Green Silver cultivar produced higher yield of leaf petioles and higher amounts of chlorophyll showing smaller tendency for nitrates accumulation than Lukullus