An experimental study of the capacity of the rat mite Ornithonyssus bacoti (Hirst, 1913) to ingest, maintain and transmit Borrelia

For the first time a possibility of the gamasina mites' O. bacoti participation in Lyme disease spirochetes' circulation has been demonstrated. It has been experimentally shown that Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. are received by O. bacoti, survive in them for at least 21 days and are transmitted to white mice through mites' bites. Mice's infestation has occurred in 23% of cases. It is suggested that other bloodsucking gamasina mites inhabiting the Lyme borreliosis reservoir rodents nests may be capable of participating in borrelia circulation in the Lyme disease endemic areas.     

Dipetalonema streptocerca (Macfie and Corson, 1922): description of the adult female.

Morphologic features of the adult female Dipetalonema streptocerca and microfilariae are described and illustrated from serial paraffin sections of biopsied skin from eight Africans. Characteristic features include a maximum diameter of 85 microns, a thin, smooth cuticle, and uteri that fill the body cavity. D. streptocerca is briefly compared to Onchocerca volvulus.     

Vladimir Karlovich Roth (1848-1916): the founder of neuromuscular diseases studies in Russia

This article shortly examines the biography, scientific activity and scientific work on neuromuscular diseases of the famous Russian neurologist Vladimir Roth who was the founder of neuromuscular disorders study in Russia. In 1876 he was the first in Russia who performed an autopsy and a detailed histological study of a case of progressive muscular atrophy, in which he did not find changes in the nervous system. He called this disease "muscular tabes" i.e. myopathy. In 1884 Vladimir Roth expressed his opinion about the nosological place of the peripheral type of muscular tabes to be considered as a distal myopathy. Dr. Roth became well-known for his monograph of the neuromuscular diseases, published in Moscow in 1895 under the name "Muscular Tabes" in which he described the history of neuromuscular diseases in a very detailed way, analyzing 1014 cases published in the world literature from 1830 to 1893 and 125 personal observations in the period 1874-1894. He performed a thorough analysis of the pattern of muscle involvement using both electrodiagnostic and histological study of muscles and central/peripheral nervous system. We report a short review of this monograph and two cases of peripheral (distal) myopathy.Key words: Muscular tabes, distal myopathy, peripheral neuromuscular involvementVladimir Roth is the founder of neuromuscular diseases studies in Russia. He was a disciple of A. Ya. Kozhevnikov – the founder of Russian neurology. Roth was the great clinician and neuropathologist. He was also identified as a brilliant master on electric diagnostic and electric therapy of the neuromuscular diseases.     

Foci of the rat mite Ornithonyssus bacoti (Mesostigmata, Macronyssidae) and rat-mite dermatitis in Moscow]

High density of the rat population in Moscow in 1990-1991 resulted in the appearance of Ornithonyssus bacoti foci and of cases of the rat-mite dermatitis in humans. A total of 36 foci of the disease were examined and eradicated. A method for the detection of such foci has been developed. Two types of foci are distinguished, communal and industrial, and their specific features as regards the rodent and mite populations and clinical features of dermatitis in humans are described. A system of measures for liquidation of foci of rat mites is suggested, including rat and mite eradication and treatment of the patients. Specific features of these measures for various types of foci and in case of a focus reappearance are enumerated.     

Ecological study of Ixodes ricinus (Linné, 1758) (Acarina, Ixodoides) in southeastern France]

Ixodes ricinus (LINNE, 1758) is being surveyed in the northern Alp and the Jura mountains. This species, quite often found in the mesophilous forests of the hills, preferably takes root in the forest clusters, where there is a mull type mild humus often covered with an abundant litter. Such plant layers maintain a high degree of moisture, which beneficially affects this species. Examinations performed for three years in a southern Jura's resort allow for securing a preliminary approximation as regards the seasonal population variations.