Turbot Scophthalmus maximus (Linnaeus, 1758) is a fish belonging to the Pleuronectiformes order. It is commonly observed in waters of the northern Atlantic, and also in the Baltic Sea. As an economically significant species, it is fished on an industrial scale, and also farmed in some European countries. Seventy-two turbots from the Gulf of Gdańsk (26th ICES zone) were examined for parasite presence in the years 2010-2012. The study revealed the presence of the tapeworm Bothriocephalus scorpii (Müller, 1776) and acanthocephalan Corynosoma semerme (Forssell, 1904). The overall (both parasites) prevalence of turbot infection was 100% with a mean intensity of 18.7. C. semerme is a parasite which has not been noted so far in turbot from the southern Baltic. The presence of C. semerme in turbot was emphasized in the context of possible infection of terrestrial mammals, including humans.
The aim of the study was the molecular analysis of B. canis strains isolated from dogs from Poland based on 18S RNA and Bc28 genes. The study involved 140 protozoan strains derived from clinical disease cases. All DNA samples of parasites were analyzed in two ways (amplification and restriction digestion) which made it possible to demonstrate the polymorphism of the Bc28 gene, and to show 18S RNA gene polymorphism (amplification and restriction digestion). Amplification of the Bc28 gene fragment and digestion of the resulting PCR products allowed for the classification of 104 isolates of B. canis to the Bc28-A group, and 36 strains of protozoa to the Bc28-B group. Amplification of the Bc28 gene fragment and digestion of the resulting PCR products allowed for the classification of 33 isolates to 18S RNA-A group, while to 18S RNA-B – 107 parasite isolates. Comparison of both groups of protozoa among themselves allowed partial but not complete correlation of polymorphisms in Bc28 and 18S RNA genes.
The aim of the study was to trace the clinical course of babesiosis in 76 dogs infected with Babesia canis protozoa and to assess the usefulness of PCR method in the routine diagnosis of the disease. The investigations were conducted in three successive seasons of the biological activity of ticks on dogs displaying possible clinical signs of babesiosis, the latter assigned individual numbers from 001 to 076. All the animals underwent routine clinical examinations and blood was collected for haematological, biochemical, parasitological and molecular tests for babesiosis. The most frequent clinical signs observed in the course of the disease were changes in urine colour and xanthosis or paleness of mucous membranes, whereas in the haematological and biochemical examinations, the most frequent laboratory findings were thrombocytopenia, leucopoenia, anaemia and an increase in levels of urea and bilirubin. In all blood smears stained with the May-Grunwald and Giemsa methods, from the 76 dogs, the presence of Babesia canis protozoa was observed in erythrocytes, and their DNA was detected in 69 blood samples by means of PCR technique. The course of the disease and the results of molecular examinations suggested the haemolytic form of babesiosis. The previous genetic analysis of isolates of Babesia canis canis from the eastern areas of Poland helped to distinguish two specific groups, A and B, within the species (Adaszek and Winiarczyk 2008a). The present study revealed a certain interrelation between the intensification of thrombocytopenia and the fact that protozoa belong to either group A or B. The mean number of thrombocytes in dogs infected with protozoa from group A was 61.11 thousand/mm3, whereas the mean number of thrombocytes in the blood of dogs infected with protozoa from group B was 27.47 thousand/mm3. A strong correlation was also observed between the low level of thrombocytes and the increase in the internal body temperature (p=0.02), accelerated pulse rate (p=0.01) and discoloration of urine (p=0.04). As a result of the treatment of dogs with imidocarb, recovery was observed in 73 out of the 76 dogs brought to the clinic.
Human antigen GA733-1, defined as 40 kDa cell glycoprotein, is one of the antigens associated with gastrointestinal carcinomas. Its studies may contribute to the tumor etiology and therapy effects in animal model.
n the present study 5 grey seals (Halichoerus grypus), 3 common seals (Phoca vitulina) and 1 ringed seal (Pusa hispida) bycaught or stranded on the Polish Baltic Sea coast in years 2000-2006 were investigated for the infestation of parasitic anisakid nematodes. 749 of anisakids were found. The most common were: Contracaecum osculatum (59.3%) and Pseudoterranova decipiens (31.0%). There were also small numbers of Anisakis simplex (0.8%). After performing RFLP three sibling species were found. C. osculatum was identified as C. osculatum C, P decipiens was identified as P. decipiens sensu stricto and A. simplex — A. simplex sensu stricto. Nematodes found in seals were mostly in L4 and adult life stage — both of them were equal with some minor variations among the specimens. Sex ratio was also equal, but there was slight excess of males in some cases. There was a minority of L3 larvae belonging to A. simplex species (0.8%).
It is recognized that the levels of women’s physical activity during pregnancy has a direct bearing on the method of delivery and health of the newborn. The main objective of the study was investigation the level of physical activity of women during pregnancy according to the Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPAQ). The subjects of this study were n=2852 post-partum women surveyed together with their newborns, representing all obstetric hospital departments throughout Poland. The questionnaires were completed on a single day during the second week of November 2011. The women were also asked about the amount, range and type of physical activity they performed before becoming pregnant. The Pregnancy Physical Activity Questionnaire was used for precisely measuring physical activity according to the standard metabolically equivalent (MET). In addition, comparisons were made between the weight of the infant and newborn status using the APGAR scale with the amount of physical activity performed by the mothers. There were decidedly low physical activity levels observed in pregnant women compared to those before becoming pregnant. Appropriate interventions can therefore now be targeted through remedial action in Poland. It is important to perform intervention studies intended to test this hypothesis and attempt to identify the most appropriate levels for intensity, duration and frequency of physical exercise during pregnancy. The studies should consider the four domains of daily physical activity and utilize tools that reliably measure exposure variables. Such studies would provide valuable information for recommendations about physical activity during pregnancy.
Changes in selected blood lymphocyte subpopulations in dogs administered with a soluble parasitic antigen (SPA) derived from a supernatant of 18S RNA-A and 18S RNA-B Babesia canis cell culture were investigated. The studies included 20 dogs divided into three groups: group I (n=8) - comprised of dogs receiving SPA twice, at 3 week intervals; group II (n=5) - nonvaccinated control dogs, and group III (n=7) - dogs vaccinated twice with a commercial B. canis vaccine. Cytometric analysis revealed that vaccination with SPA derived from B. canis culture had similar effects to the vaccination with a commercial vaccine. The vaccination lowered the percentage of T lymphocytes (CD3+), T helper cells (CD4+), cytotoxic/supressor T cells (CD8+), B lymphocytes (CD21+), and MHC II lymphocytes in the blood in comparison to non-vaccinated dogs. Statistical analysis of the results demonstrated that mean values of the tested parameters at each stage of the study were similar in groups I and III and significantly higher in group II. The lowered level of the lymphocyte subpopulations in groups I and III persisted during the whole period of the study. The results presented that SPA has immunosuppressive effect in the first period after being administrated.
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