Occurrence ofBorrelia afzeliiandBorrelia gariniiinIxodes ricinusTicks from Southern Moravia, Czech Republic

Abstract

During the years 1996-2000, a total of 2398 Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected in three areas of southern Moravia and eastern Bohemia, Czech Republic, and examined by dark-field microscopy for the presence of spirochetes. The prevalence of B. burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks varied and depended upon the year. In 1996, the prevalence 6.8% was observed, during 1997 and 1998, it increased to 8.4% and 12.3%, respectively. The lowest prevalence was observed in 1999 (3.6%), and in 2000 it increased to 4.0%. The mean rate of infection was 6.5%, and the proportions of infected ticks were 12.2% in 263 male ticks, 8.3% in 289 female ticks, 6.0% in 1621 nymphs, and 1.3% in 225 larvae. From the total of 156 highly infected ticks (>100 spirochetes per sample) transferred into BSK-H medium for isolation attempts, 13 isolates were obtained. PCR-RFLP and electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) were used for the identification and characterization of Borrelia strains. Ten tick isolates were identified as Borrelia afzelii, and the other three isolates were found to be Borrelia garinii. The results indicate the epidemiological importance of B. afzelii and B. garinii in central Europe, and emphasize the role of I. ricinus in the ecology of B. burgdorferi and in the epidemiology and epizootiology of Lyme disease.

Identification and characterization of 31 isolates of Borrelia burgdorferi (Spirochaetales, Spirochaetaceae) obtained from various hosts and vectors using PCR-RFLP and SDS-PAGE analysis

“…Detailed prevalence of spirochaetes has already been published (Janouškovcová et al 2004). During isolation attempts, 31 cultivable strains were obtained: 13 from ticks, 1 spirochaete isolate from mite, 1 isolated strain from mosquito adult and 1 isolate from mosquito larva (Table 188 Stanis³a Zdzis³aw …”

“…For protein characterisation of isolated strains we used a SDSgradient PAGE test according to Laemmli (1970) of whole cells of Borrelia with slight modifications (Janouškovcová et al 2004). Each of the protein samples was evaluated using videodensitometer and Molecular Analyst software (Bio-Rad) with Broad Range comparative standard (Bio-Rad) and compared to standard samples -B. afzelii -Br-75 isolated from flea Ctenophthalmus agyrtes (female), locality Valtice, 1995 …”

Borrelia afzelii and immune response of BALB/c mice

“…Material used in our study additionally confirms the presence of Borrelia afzelii in females of Culex (Culex) pipiens biotype molestus. According to the protein profiles characterization using gradient SDS-PAGE method as described by Janouškovcová et al 2004, all visualised proteins of all three isolated strains appeared to be the same. This fact led us to investigate a response of three identical antigens from three different sources in mammals.…”

“…(BRZ refers to an internal mark of an individual isolated strain) Janouškovcová et al (2004). The isolated strains were cultivated in BSK-H medium (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) enriched with 6% rabbit serum, Riphampicin (50 μg/ml), Phosphomycin disodium salt (100 μg/ml) at 33 °C.…”

Opinion of the Scientific Panel on Animal Health and Welfare (AHAW) on an assessment of the risk of tick introduction into UK, Republic of Ireland, and Malta as a consequence of abandoning National rules

“…Stenzenberger and Gothe, 1999 (Canary Islands). Rudolf et al, 2005;Janouskovcova et al, 2004;Hulinska et al, 2002 (Czech Republic). Jensen and Frandsen, 2000 (Denmark).…”