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A novel approach imaging engorged ticks: Micro-CT scanning of Ixodes ricinus fed on blood enriched with gold nanoparticles
ONDRUŠ, Jaroslav
Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) is an exceptional non-destructive imaging modality, which can be used to visualize both external and internal morphology of arthropods like ticks. The major micro-CT drawback is the soft tissues visualization, which require pre-examination contrasting steps. The commonly employed tick contrasting methods are drying and immersion in a solution containing a high-atomic number element, which both cause major deformation and shrinkage of examined specimens. The aim of this study was to develop a new tick contrasting approach to bypass these limitations. We show that adult Ixodes ricinus females engorged in vitro on blood enriched with gold nanoparticles with polyethylene glycol coating can be scanned with excellent contrast. By utilizing this technique based on the hematophagous nature of the ticks, we were able to observe midgut lumen, midgut epithelium and rectal sac in their natural state. In addition, we were able to precisely calculate the midgut volume.
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Influence of dietary components and redox enzymes on intestinal microbiota proliferation in the tick \kur{Ixodes ricinus}
KUČERA, Matěj
In this work, we have analysed the temporal dynamics of gut-dwelling bacteria and Borrelia in the gut of the deer tick Ixodes ricinus. Using quantitative PCR, we have shown that levels of the tick intestinal microflora are profoundly decreased at later stages of feeding on whole blood but not on serum. Even though we noted that host complement system manages to interfere with Borrelia viability in vitro, we did not see any effect of host complement on Borrelia acquisition in adult ticks in vivo. However, we revealed that host hemoglobin is essential for Borrelia proliferation in the tick gut. All together, these data imply that, during feeding, levels of gut-dwelling bacteria and Borrelia are determined by the host. While hemoglobin seems to be detrimental for gut-dwelling bacteria, Borrelia require it in order to proliferate. During off-host stage, we showed that levels of gut-dwelling microflora are regulated by an intestinal transmembrane enzyme Dual oxidase. In conclusion, we aimed, and mostly succeeded, to perform pilot experiments describing the biology of a complex process of regulating gut microflora in the vector Ixodes ricinus and extend it by its impact on Borrelia acquisition
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