Search

Textile floor coverings (TFC), an important element of equipment in homes and public buildings, are regarded as a settlement of house dust mites, and thus the cause of mite-induced allergy. It is believed that TFC should be removed from premises used by persons with a diagnosed allergy to house dust mites. On the other hand, TFC removal is associated with an increased air concentration of dust particles and dust-containing allergens. It is feasible to equip TFC with properties that can prevent the settlement and development of dust mites. The aim of this study was to evaluate TFC properties designed to protect against dust mite generation. The culture of Dermatophagoides farinae was used to test the efficacy of the direct anti-mite action. TFC acquired anti-dust mite properties through the addition of biologically active agents to the coated backing and mounting the same acaricides and anti-adhesive fluorocarbon dispersion on pile fibers. The results of our studies show that modified TFCs are characterized by anti-dust mite properties that protect against Dermatophagoides farinae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the results of the first study on seasonal activity of ticks and prevalence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) in nymphs from the Silesian Province (Southern Poland). Previous studies on the prevalence of TBEV in ticks in Poland have been conducted mostly in northern and eastern regions, but none in the Silesian Province itself. The aims of this study were to analyse the seasonal variation in tick populations and compare TBEV prevalence in nymphs from different geographical locations in the Silesia. A total of 5160 questing Ixodes ricinus ticks were collected by the flagging method from 23 localities in southern Poland in 2010. Micro-climatic parameters (air temperature and humidity) were measured in order to estimate their influence on tick population. The highest tick activity was recorded in spring and was positively correlated with relative air humidity (RH). TBEV in the Silesian Province was analysed in 1750 nymphs and an overall prevalence was 0.11% (2 pools out of 175 analysed). The results of this study show that TBEV pool prevalence in nymphs is low in accordance with the low number of TBE cases reported within the region., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) are vectors of many pathogens i. a: Babesia microti [Bm] and Toxoplasma gondii [Tg]. In Poland, Ixodes ricinus [Ir] is the main vector of both pathogens. This tick species and pathogens transmitted by them are a significant threat to human and animal health., Objectives of the Study: Detection of the protozoans Bm and Tg in ticks collected in the Tarnogórski district area., Material and Methods: The ticks were collected from vegetation and pets in the spring period of their activity on the territory of the Tarnogórski district. The parasites were preserved in 70% ethanol. DNA was isolated by ammonia method. Bm was detected by nested-PCR using specific primers for the 18S rRNA sequence. To detect the Tg a commercial kit was used. The PCR products were separated on 2% ethidium bromide stained agarose gels and visualised under UV light., Results: It was showed that all collected ticks belonged to the species Ir. Bm was detected in 50.87% and Tg in 64.91% of all examined ticks. Co-existence of these both protozoans in 36.84% of total examined ticks was noted., Conclusions: The study showed a high risk of exposure to Bm and Tg in the studied area. Ticks Ir play an important role in the transmission of Bm in this region. Demonstrating a high percentage of ticks collected from animals infected with Tg may indicate their important role in the transmission of this pathogen, but it requires a further studies.

Niepołomice Forest is located about 20 kilometers east of Cracow (Malopolska province, southern Poland). Its natural and touristic values, as well as wide range of hosts occurring within indicate this to be an area of high risk of exposure to Ixodes ricinus and tick-borne diseases it transfers. I. ricinus is a common species in Poland and Europe. Its seasonal activity begins in Poland in the early spring, and ends with late autumn. A total number of 129 specimens of I. ricinus was collected by flagging in Niepołomice Forest. DNA was isolated by ammonia method from 30 randomly-selected individuals. PCR was used to detect tick-borne pathogens with primers specific for Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Babesia sp. Molecular studies confirmed the presence of all three pathogens in I. ricinus. A. phagocytophilum was found in 76.7%, Babesia sp., 60%, B. burgdorferi s. l., in 3.3% of studied ticks. A. phagocytophilum co-infection with Babesia sp., was found in 46.7% of the specimens. A co-infection of all three tested pathogens was recorded in one case (3.3%). In Poland the problem of tick-borne diseases is a growing issue, therefore people residing in southern Polish touristic areas should be informed about the prevention and protection against ticks.

In the 90's of the XX century, 2 new and important allergens of house dust mites mites were cloned and sequenced: Mag 1 and Mag 3. However, the second allergen has been identified to date only in extracts of Dermatophagoides farinae [DF ]. In this work, we aimed to detect expression of this important allergen and for the first time analyze to the amino acid sequence in other species of house dust mite - Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus [DP ]. We were able to confirm the expression of allergen Mag 3 in DF and to exclude it in DP . By sequencing the products of DNA amplification, we revealed the nucleotide sequence encoding allergen Mag 3 in DF . This analysis enabled detection of 9 single base changes. An analysis of encoded amino acid sequence by triplets with substituted nucleotides revealed that 8 changes were polymorphic, and 1 was a mutation substituting GTG (valine) for ATG (methionine) at 236 position. However, the presence of amino acid sequence difference in this allergen might suggest that there exist other isoforms which can make difficult both diagnosis as well as immunotherapy in persons who produce allergic response to this allergen. The variants of allergen Mag 3 (group 14) are still not known beside the very good known allergen variants of the other main groups 1, 2, 4, 5 or 7. Thus, the identification and definition of allergic properties of allergen Mag 3 variants needs to be further investigated.

Exposure to indoor allergens, especially dust mites has been recognized as a risk factor for sensitization and allergy symptoms that in extreme conditions could develop into asthma. To determine specific antigens responsible for allergy in patients positive for mite allergy skin tests whole protein extracts from the cultured mite species Tyrophagus putrescentiae [TP], and from their excrements were obtained. The proteins were fractionated by SDS PAGE and identified by Western blot. The patient antibodies against particular antigens were identified in serum IgE fraction using anti-human anti-IgE monoclonal antibody. Western blot analysis revealed differences in reactivity of sera from patients positive for standard mite allergy skin tests with fractionated mite antigens. A total of 17 of 30 sera (56.7%) from patients positive to skin tests showed specific cross reactivity with antigens isolated from extracts of TP. The results revealed that 12 out of 30 tested sera (40.0%) reacted specifically with new antigens identified as protein fractions of extracts from excrements of TP. When assessing mite allergen reaction using mixture of mite proteins the results of the test are not satisfactory for determining the antigen causing patient allergy. The results obtained from studies reported here indicate significant discrepancy between the so called standard allergy skin test and what the patient is actually sensitive to. Also, a new class of immunizing protein of about 25 kDa has been identified in excrements from TP reacting with IgE from patients showing allergy to other mite extracts. A total of 4 of 30 sera (approx. 13.3%) from patients positive to skin tests showed specific cross reactivity with antigens isolated from mite excrements rather than from mite whole extracts.

The study was carried out from April 2000-March 2001. During this period 49 samples of dust, litter, debris and residues from cages and run-offs of mammals, birds and reptiles in the Silesian Zoo, were examined for the presence of mites, especially the allergenic taxa. Mites were extracted using the Berlese method and preserved in 70 % ethanol. For identification, the mites were mounted in Hoyer's medium on microscope slides. Mites were found in 44 of 49 samples analyzed (89.8 %). A total of 5,097 mites were collected, from which 60.3 % were found in samples collected in spring, whereas only 13 % in summer and 24.1 % in autumn. The remaining 2.6 % of the total mite population was found in winter. Majority of mites (82.7 %) were collected from aviaries of macaws and cockatiels (Ara ararauna and Nymphicus hollandicus). A total of 10 species of astigmatid mites were identified that belong to 4 families--Acaridae, Glycyphagidae, Anoetidae and Pyroglyphidae. Generally, the allergenic mites of the order Astigmata constituted 49.5 % of the total count. Among them Acarus farris was predominant (34 % of the total count), followed by Tyrophagus putrescentiae (4.7 %), Caloglyphus sp. (4.35 %) and Acarus immobilis (4.31 %). Dermatophagoides farinae, the house-dust-mite species, was for the first time found in this environment. D. farinae (0.05 % of the total population) was associated with parrots, canids and artiodactyls. Summarizing, it should be stressed, that cages and run-offs of different mammals, aviaries of parrots and terrariums of snakes are important sources of some allergenic mites, especially A. farris and T. putrescentiae, that might cause allergies in workers.

Total protein and activities of: alpha-amylase, alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in haemolymph of the freshwater snail Lymnaea stagnalis, naturally infected with digenetic larvae were investigated. There were no any changes in these parameters in the snails infected with Cercaria tenuispina that occupies mainly hematocele sinuses. Significant increase of activities of all examined enzymes in haemolymph of the snails infected with larvae belonging to the Furcocercariae group was ascertained. These changes were proportional to the degree of injury of the digestive gland, examined with the use of the thymol turbidity test. Total protein level was significantly higher only in haemolymph of snails with higher values of this test.

We have proved highly significant differences in glucose concentration and activity of alpha-amylase in haemolymph of two growth classes of Planorbarius corneus with width of shell smaller and equal or greater than 20 mm, respectively. Both these parameters were higher and were characterized by greater range of individual variability in snails with smaller width of shell. Any differences in levels of total protein and haemoglobin in haemolymph of these animals, in comparison with adult individuals, were not observed. Effect of infection of the pulmonary cavity of investigated snails with Chaetogaster limnaei limnaei on the examined parameters was not ascertained.