Dermacentor reticulatus: a vector on the rise

Dermacentor reticulatus is a hard tick species with extraordinary biological features. It has a high reproduction rate, a rapid developmental cycle, and is also able to overcome years of unfavourable conditions. Dermacentor reticulatus can survive under water for several months and is cold-hardy even compared to other tick species. It has a wide host range: over 60 different wild and domesticated hosts are known for the three active developmental stages. Its high adaptiveness gives an edge to this tick species as shown by new data on the emergence and establishment of D. reticulatus populations throughout Europe. The tick has been the research focus of a growing number of scientists, physicians and veterinarians. Within the Web of Science database, more than a fifth of the over 700 items published on this species between 1897 and 2015 appeared in the last three years (2013–2015). Here we attempt to synthesize current knowledge on the systematics, ecology, geographical distribution and recent spread of the species and to highlight the great spectrum of possible veterinary and public health threats it poses. Canine babesiosis caused by Babesia canis is a severe leading canine vector-borne disease in many endemic areas. Although less frequently than Ixodes ricinus, D. reticulatus adults bite humans and transmit several Rickettsia spp., Omsk haemorrhagic fever virus or Tick-borne encephalitis virus. We have not solely collected and reviewed the latest and fundamental scientific papers available in primary databases but also widened our scope to books, theses, conference papers and specialists colleagues’ experience where needed. Besides the dominant literature available in English, we also tried to access scientific literature in German, Russian and eastern European languages as well. We hope to inspire future research projects that are necessary to understand the basic life-cycle and ecology of this vector in order to understand and prevent disease threats. We conclude that although great strides have been made in our knowledge of the eco-epidemiology of this species, several gaps still need to be filled with basic research, targeting possible reservoir and vector roles and the key factors resulting in the observed geographical spread of D. reticulatus. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1599-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Studies on lipids in serum of guinea pigs during larval ascariasis

The experiments were carried out on a group of 90 males of guinea pigs of 300 ± 50 g in weight. The animals were divided into 6 groups equal in numbers. 5 of them were infected per os with ca 5000 invasive eggs of Ascaris suum. The blood of both infected and control guinea pigs was controlled on 1, 2, 4, 7, and 20th day after infection. The level of total lipids (according to Swahn method), WKT (Dole titrimetric method), total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (Błaszczyszyn method) and triglicerides (colometric method) was determined. During the invasion, the decrease in all studied indicators was observed, and was particularly apparent on 4th and 7th day after infection. Only in case of WKT and triglicerides a slight increase at initial stage of invasion was found. During larval ascariasis, as it appears, the metabolism of lipids is significantly disturbed. The changes are due to the break in liver function and, presumedly, changes in hormon secrection which are provoked by the presence of the parasite

Changes of the level of lactate dehydrogenase, gamma-glutamylotranspeptidase, glucose and alpha amino nitrogen in blood serum of guinea pigs in the course of experimental ascariasis

The studies were carried out on 90 male guinea pigs ot which 75 were infected per os with a dose of ca. 5000 invasive eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides suis. At the 1st, 2nd, 4th, 7th and 20th day ot intection blood was taken from experimental and control animals. The activity of LDH and its liver traction (spectrophotometric method), GGTP (circle test method) was determined. The level of glucose (orthotoluidin methhod) and alpha amino nitrogen (ninhydrin method was determined. In the course of larval ascariasis an increase in the values of the studied parameters was noted, especially at the 4th and 7th day of infection. The changes in the activity of the studied enzymes evidence disturbances of the structure and function of the liver of infected animals. The increased level of glucose and alpha amino nitrogen is probably associated with a disturbance of basic energy metabolism of the host organism

A new records of Dermacentor reticulatus [Fabricius, 1794] in Lublin region

Background. The study about the distribution of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks in the Lublin region was conducted between 2004–2006. Material and methods. In the spring and autumn activity peak the parasites were directly collected from plants using the flagging method. In autumn 2005 the post mortem examinations of 33 dears shot by hunters were performed. Results. In total, 11 new sites of Dermacentor reticulates ticks were found, including three outside the south and west border of the Lublin province (Fig. 1). It seems that the change in Dermacentor reticulatus range is related to expansion and increased number of moose, the most important final host of the parasite until recently. Dermacentor reticulatus was observed in deep forest complexes and in the vicinity of human habitats. This fact may indicate an increasing role of deer and dogs as the host species

OCCURENCE OF GASTROINTESTINAL PARASITES IN CHILDREN IN LUBLIN REGION IN THE PERIOD 1976 - 2000

From 1976 to 2000, were examined 2828 children for the presence of gastrointestinal parasites. Investigations were made by means of a standard coprological methods, Graham's method and immunoenzymatic method (Prospect Giardia) for the presence of coproantigen of Giardia. The following parasites were detected in 1299 children: Giardia lamblia 1,3%, Ascaris lumbricoides 3,0%, Trichuris trichiura 7,8%, Enterobius vermicularis 40.5%. The parasites were found most frequently in children from a home for mentally handicapped. The number of infected among children inhabiting country was higher than among those from the towns. There was no significant difference between boys and girls