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Methods for Leishmania parasite detection and quantificatio as a tool for study of the pathogen-vector-host interactions
Kobets, Tetyana ; Lipoldová, Marie (advisor) ; Kodym, Petr (referee) ; Kopecký, Jan (referee)
Methods for Leishmania parasite detection and quantification as a tool for study of the pathogen-vector-host interactions Leishmaniasis in human is caused by total 21 species of the intracellular protozoan parasite Leishmania, which are transmitted by about 30 species of phlebotomine sand flies. Besides human, Leishmania can infect a number of vertebrate hosts. The major host cell is the macrophage, in which parasites multiply, eventually rupturing the cell and spreading to uninfected cells. Infected monocytes and macrophages circulating in the peripheral blood are thought to be carriers of the parasite to distal sites. Depending on the infected sites of the body, there are three forms of leishmaniasis: cutaneous, mucocutaneous and visceral. Leishmaniasis is a disease for which we still lack effective, affordable and easy to use drugs. In addition, surveillance and control are also neglected. This thesis summarizes the results of several projects using different approaches for parasite load measurement in the mouse model of leishmaniasis, including two methods that were developed and optimized in our laboratory. Detection and quantification of pathogens belongs to the major topics of the research of various infectious diseases. This parameter is necessary for confirmation of the diagnosis, characterization...
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Evolution of molecular interaction between host and parasite
Bílková, Barbora ; Vinkler, Michal (advisor) ; Synek, Petr (referee)
Coevolution between host and parasite is a long-term object of scientific interest, mostly because of negative influence of parasites and human need to defend against it., The evidence concerning host-parasite coevolution mechanisms is, however, still incomplete and various models and theories are considered separately, out of the general concept. Beside generally well-known theories such as the "Red queen" theory or the coevolution "arms race" theory, several other models were proposed, e.g. the "gene for gene" model or the "matching allele" model, which describe detailed aspects of host-parasite coevolution and principles of genetic variability maintenance in their interaction. Although there are many studies mapping reciprocal evolution of hosts and parasites, the connection between empirical evidence and theoretical models is often missing. Therefore, this thesis covers theory on host-parasite evolutionary interactions and provides examples of host-parasite systems and molecules, which correspond to behavior of described models.
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Interactions of mouse pinworms and trichomonads
Choutková, Jana ; Horák, Petr (advisor) ; Langrová, Iva (referee)
Oxyurid nematodes Aspiculuris tetraptera and Syphacia obvelata are both common mouse intestinal parasites; in the same location several species of trichomonads occur. Tritrichomonas muris is the most often found, but there are also some others: Tritrichomonas minuta, Pentatrichomonas hominis or Hexamastix muris. It is known that, under some circumstances, trichomonads can be found in the intestine of mouse pinworms, as reported by Theiler and Farber (1936) for T. muris in A. tetraptera and S. obvelata. What is interesting, trichomonads were found also in pinworms from trichomonad-negative mice. In 1933, Becker observed motile trophozoites of T. muris in the egg of S. obvelata. These observations offer a chance that the protist may be transmitted to a new host in similar manner (via pinworm eggs) as it was described for Histomonas meleagridis. In our study we document trichomonads in pinworm bodies, determine species of trichomonads, search for their localization, morphology and, based on the data, assess possibility of trichomonad transmission to a new mammalian host via pinworm eggs. By use of classical histology, in situ hybridization and transmission electron microscopy, we observed trichomonads exclusively in the intestinal lumen of both pinworm species. They were found in the entire pinworm...
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Teaching the theme human parasites on grammar school.
Houšková, Barbora ; Janštová, Vanda (advisor) ; Havlová, Michaela (referee)
Nowdays, when people travel all around the world and they can become infected with different parasites, teaching about human parasites shouldn't be neglected even in education on primary and grammar schools. In my work, I have mapped the basic knowledge of parasitology and human parasites of students from the selected primary schools and lower grades of grammar schools. For this purpose, I have created a test which examined the knowledge and attitude of the students. The work has also sought to propose a new approach to teaching of the subject in biology lessons. Two different teaching concepts were tested and compared in two paralel classes of the same grammar school. Presented representatives of human parasites, were chosen on the basis of analysis of biology textbooks for basic schools. Final suggestion of teaching at schools, which was teste dat three schools contains powerpoint presentations suitable for use in the lessons and practical exercise taken like didactical games.
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Influence of latent toxoplasmosis on sex ratio and pregnancy progression - search for proximate cause
Kaňková, Šárka ; Flegr, Jaroslav (advisor) ; Votýpka, Jan (referee) ; Calda, Pavel (referee)
The boy-to-girl ratio at birth (secondary sex ratio) is around 1.06 in most populations. The sex ratio may be influenced by many factors, such as stress and immunosuppression, age of parents, parity and sex of preceding siblings. The most common human protozoan parasite in developed countries, Toxoplasma gondii (prevalence 20% - 80%), is known to change the behaviour of its intermediate hosts, thereby increasing the probability of transmission to its definitive host (the cat) by predation. The results of our retrospective cohort study suggest that the presence of Toxoplasma gondii, can influence the secondary sex ratio in humans. Depending on the antibody concentration, the probability of the birth of a boy can increase up to a value of 0.72, which means that for every 260 boys born, 100 girls are born to women with the highest concentration of anti-Toxoplasma antibodies. In accordance with results on human subjects, laboratory mice with toxoplasmosis produced a higher sex ratio than controls, in the early phase of latent infection. Our further results showed that mice in the early phase of latent infection exhibited temporarily increased production of interleukin (IL)-12 and decreased production of IL-10. The mice showed decreased production of IL-2 and nitric oxide and decreased proliferation...
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Cathepsins B of the bird schistosome, Trichobilharzia regenti
Dolečková, Kateřina ; Horák, Petr (advisor) ; Grevelding, Christoph (referee) ; Horn, Martin (referee)
1. Overview Schistosomes have achieved first position among parasitic helminths, because some of them are the etiological agents of a serious human parasitic disease, schistosomiasis, which affects over 200 million people in tropical and subtropical countries (WHO, 2001). Other schistosomatids, such as the bird flukes of the genus Trichobilharzia, have also implications for human health. Although they can mature only in specific hosts (birds), their invasive larvae - cercariae - are able to penetrate also human skin due to chemical signals similar to those present on bird skin (Haas and van de Roemer 1998). Repeated infections result in an inflammatory reaction of the skin called cercarial dermatitis. Due to the increasing number of outbreaks all around the world, cercarial dermatitis is cons disease (Kolářová 2007idered as re-emerging ; Larsen et al. 2004). Among schistosomes, Trichobilharzia regenti is the only species described so far having a unique migration route within vertebrate hosts: after penetration of the skin, the invasive larvae enter peripheral nerves and continue via the spinal cord and central nervous system to the nasal cavity of birds, causing neuromotor disorders or paralyses of birds and even experimental mammals (Hrádková...
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Seasonal dynamics of ergasilosis in reservoir fish
Jelínková, E. ; Krechler, I. ; Jurajda, Pavel ; Papežíková, I. ; Navrátil, S. ; Marková, Z. ; Kosour, D. ; Palíková, M.
We evaluated ergasilosis seasonal dynamics at two reservoirs (Hubenov, Korycany) in the Morava River Basin (Czech Republic). Samples of fish were obtained at monthly intervals between April and October 2014. In total, 189 fish of 11 species were caught using electrofishing and seine nets. Highest overall values for E. sieboldi infection intensity and abundance were recorded at Hubenov in June and September. Prevalence ranged between 80 and 100%. Two highest peaks of infection intensity and abundance were recorded at Korycany in May and the second around September and October, prevalence ranging between 33 and 100%. As the nauplius and copepod stages of arthropods form part of the zooplankton assemblage, they will be found at highest numbers in reservoirs with low predatory pressure, i.e. where predatory fish suppress zooplanktonophagic fish species.
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The use of homeopathy in horse breeding
BAŠTÝŘOVÁ BRUTOVSKÁ, Anna
The main aim of the diploma thesis is to compare the effectivity of homeopathy and classic chemical way of deworming of horses. In total 18 horses were included in the observation, who were all stabled on one farm. The observation took place during one pasture season. The first faecal examination was carried out for the purpose of qualitative analysis of occurrence of parasites in horses' digestive tract. Subsequently, each faecal examination was realized as a quantitative analysis using the modified McMaster technique. Faecal analysis was carried out always before and after the use of both dewormers (homeopathic and allopathic). The horses treated with homeopathic dewormer were tested more frequently. Faecal sample diagnostics showed contamination by only two types of parasites, small and large strongyles. Coprology analysis proved excellent effectivity of allopathic dewormers and zero resistance to the active substance. The homeopathic dewormer managed to keep some horses at low level infection, where EPG was below 200 (eggs per gram). The effectivity of both dewormers was realized in three cases. Faecal analysis after anthelmintic treatment was chosen in the first case. In the second case the difference between the two dewormers was analyzed after a given period of time following the application. In the third case the overall differences between both dewormers were assessed. It can be stated that the homeopathic dewormer PVB etat vermieux can be successfully used as supplementary and prophylactic treatment of horses during the year. At the same time it is important to give attention to regular faecal analysis and eventual use of allopathic dewormers after the testing. The use of homeopathy, however, is advantageous from both the ecological and health point of view.
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The occurrence of Fascioloides magna in deers in South Bohemia
VERNEROVÁ, Kateřina
Giant liver fluke Fascioloides magna is the biggest represenative of flukes in the Czech Republic. This originally North American parasite was brought to Europe with wapiti deers in 1960s. Since that time Fascioloides magna has extended the area of its appearance and its host spectrum a lot. The first appearance of this parasite in the Czech Republic was noted for the first time at a fallow deer which was hunted down in Middle Bohemia in 1930. However in the early 1960s the number of positive findings started to increase at hoofed. In the last decade was observed the expansion of areas of appearance of this fluke in South Bohemia. That is why I decided to make examinations to evaluate the recent appearance of F. magna at deer family in the South Bohemia from March 2009 to January 2010. 74 samples of dropping of a deer from three different areas (Českobudějovicko, Třeboňsko and Šumava national park) were collected and examined and only in the sample from Šumava national park were proved the ovulums of F. magna. Then I examined 11 livers of deers which were hunted down in Šumava national park. In all these livers were found macroscopic changes. In all these examined livers was also finding of fluke F. magna in number from 1 to 72. From the reached results follows that the problems of appearance of F. magna is in the Czech Republic still actual and it is necessery to count with the extending area of appearance of this parasite in the future. Edification among hunting community and the use of information from trained people who make the primary examination of animals after hunting down are possible ways to catch up appearance and expansion of this serious parasite at hoofed.
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Geohelmint as a parasitic contamination of outdoor playing areas which are free-for-all and without any keeper
BAŠTÝŘOVÁ BRUTOVSKÁ, Anna
The problematics of contamination of outdoor play grounds is very relevant at present, but a topic which is often forgotten, because not many people actually realise the risks of transfer of infections by the contamination of soil. In my work I specialised in the description of the life cycle of geohelminths, the appearance of infections caused by geohelminths in people and how to prevent this. I applied myself especially to the parasites, which I found in the collected samples during my research, especially Toxocara canis, T. cati, Ascaris spp., Trichostrongylus spp., Toxascaris spp. The research took place between October 2009 and April 2010, on selected locations, where I took samples for laboratory analysis. I carried out the analysis in the laboratory of Parasitologic Institute of the Academy of Science of the Czech Republic. The aim of this work was to map the level of parasite contamination on the outdoor play grounds. I divided the outdoor grounds into areas which are being kept by kinder-gardens (nursery schools) and areas that have no oficial keeper. From this evolves the following hypothesis: the play grounds that are opened to the general public without restrictions and have no official keeper are contaminated by parasites. The research has confirmed my hypothesis.
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