Blood parasites of foxes in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Adnan Hodzic, Josef Harl, Dr. Hans-Peter Fuehrer, Dr. Georg Duscher.

Abstract: The red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), is the most abundant wild canid species in Europe. Due to the anthropophilic lifestyle and their heavy arthropod contact with ticks, fleas and mosquitos, this mammalian species might draw responsible for maintaining and spreading of several vector-borne pathogens such as Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Bartonella sp., Babesia sp., Candidadus Neoehrlichia mikurensis, Dirofilaria sp., Ehrlichia canis, Hepatozoon canis etc. Therefor we screen a cohort of 119 foxes originating from all 6 regions of Bosnia & Herzegovina for the occurrence of a panel of different vector-borne diseases by using molecular tools.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) in ticks

Principal investigators: Dr. Georg Duscher, Adnan Hodzic.

Technical development: Walpurga Wille-Piazzai, Roman Peschke.

Abstract: GSTs are enzymes responsible for the detoxification of cells of many animal species. In some arthropod species it seems to be relevant for persistence against pesticides. We investigate tick species for the occurrence of their GSTs as well as the role of these GSTs during detoxification. Therefore we challenge the ticks with acaricides e.g. permethrin, and try to find differences in the expression levels of GSTs. By blocking of gst-gene one by one, we aim to completely block the detoxification of ticks, rendering them susceptible for acaricides. Additionally by silencing the detoxification of the tick cells, it also might hamper the exclusion of xeniobiotic compounds of the blood meal such as haemoglobin. Consequently poisoning of ticks due to up-taken blood meal could be possible. By elucidating the different GST and their gst genes, concealed vaccine targets could be identified.

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Austria - TBE surveillance by using roe deer as sentinels

Dr. Georg Duscher in collaboration with Martin Weiler, ABC- Abwehrschule; Gernot Walder, Gernot Walder GmbH; AGES GmbH; Baxter Healthcare GmbH Wien.

Abstract: During this study we determine and investigate ticks, originating from different locations all over Austria, for the occurrence of several pathogens (TBE, Borrelia sp., Rickettsia sp. etc.). Furthermore we investigated blood of roe deer, sampled by hunters all over Austria, for antibodies against TBE. After georeferencing of the shooting location, a map showing the distribution of antibodies in roe deer against TBE can be built and possible transmission foci could be identified.

Ticks im Kosovo

Principal investigators: Prof. Anja Joachim, Dr. Georg Duscher in collaboration with Kurtesh Sherifi, University of Prishtina, HigherKos

Abstract: The information on ticks and tick-borne pathogens in Prishtina is scarce. In the past years human cases of Crimean-Congo-Haemorrhagic-Fever (CCHF) were reported, but data on the vector tick Hyalomma sp. are lacking. Knowledge about tick fauna and abundance is restricted. Even more there are hardly any data on borrelia or TBE. Therefore sampling of ticks of several region of Kosovo is conducted. Thereafter DNA/RNA extraction are made and screened for CCHF, TBE and Borrelia sp. by using commercial kits.