|
|
The role of biting midges in avian blood parasites transmission
Chobotová, Kristýna ; Brzoňová, Jana (advisor) ; Kočišová, Alica (referee)
Biting midges of the genus Culicoides (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) are hematophagous in- sects mainly important as vectors of viral diseases of farm animals. They have shifted to the forefront of scientific interest in the Czech Republic primarily in relation to the Bluetongue Virus spread since 2007. However, they have been often ignored as vectors of parasitic infec- tions, especially if these are not pathogens of economic importance. In birds, which are the focus of this bachelor's thesis, biting midges are the most significant vector mainly for the genus Haemoproteus, they transmit at least 24 species of these protozoa. On the other hand, they are proven vectors for only one species of the genus Leucocytozoon - L. caulleryi. Trans- mission has been proven for three species of the genus Trypanosoma - T. avium, T. bennetti and T. everetti. Biting midges also transmit helminths of the family Onchocercidae, they play a role as vectors for the genera Eufilaria, Chandlerella and Splendidofilaria. The goal of this bachelor's thesis is to gather information about biting midges as vectors of avian blood parasites - protozoa of the genera Haemoproteus, Leucocytozoon and Trypanosoma and helminths of the family Onchocercidae. Key words: biting midges, parasite, vector, host, bird, Haemoproteus,...
|
|
|
Leishmaniases of Algeria and Morocco - vectors and reservoir hosts
Hanušniaková, Ida ; Dvořák, Vít (advisor) ; Kočišová, Alica (referee)
Leishmaniasis is one of the major neglected tropical diseases, which occurs in both the Old and New Worlds, affecting hundreds of thousands of people annually. In the Old World, human-infecting leishmanias are transmitted by sand flies of the genus Phlebotomus, whereas in the New World by species of the genus Lutzomyia. The disease has three main clinical manifestations, namely cutaneous, mucocutaneous, and visceral leishmaniasis. Algeria is year after year ranked second in the number of cases of cutaneous leishmaniasis. In Morocco, the number of cases per year is lower, however, leishmaniasis is there also a common disease. Understanding the transmission cycles in the foci of the infection may lead to better prevention of the disease. In Morocco and Algeria, these Leishmania species occur: Leishmania major which causes zoonotic cutaneous leishmaniasis and is transmitted by Phlebotomus papatasi, L. tropica, causative agent of anthroponotic cutaneous leishmaniasis transmitted by P. sergenti and L. infantum which causes zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis and is transmitted by several of the subgenus Larroussius, for instance P. perniciosus or P. perfiliewi. Reservoir organisms include rodents, dogs and humans. In the past, the species identification of sand flies depended on morphological keys. At...
|
|
|
Bloodmeal sources of European sand flies (Diptera: Phlebotominae) and methods of their identification
Kykalová, Barbora ; Dvořák, Vít (advisor) ; Kočišová, Alica (referee)
Leishmaniasis is a dangerous neglected disease with worldwide distribution. It is transmitted exclusively by phlebotomine sand flies. Knowledge of host feeding patterns provides valuable information about the vector/host interaction. Moreover, the identification of host preferences can help to design effective protective measures. Over the years, many methods were adapted for this purpose. Nowadays, serological methods and DNA-based approaches in many variants are the most common ones. Markers of choice for sequencing analyses are mitochondrial genes, especially cytochrome B. Novel methods for host identification in sand flies are based on protein analysis. The method of peptide mass mapping was successfully tested and presented. This thesis presents results of blood meal identification in laboratory-reared female sand flies as well as specimens collected in the field surveys of different Balkan countries. It compares basic identification method, sequencing analysis, based on two different gene markers (cytochrome B, prepronociceptin) and two other DNA based methods, multiplex PCR and RFLP. It also presents use of peptide mass mapping, an inovative method of, mass spektrometry, and compares this approach with traditional DNA-based methods. Key words: Phlebotomus; host identification; DNA-based...
|
guest ::
RSS feed.