Occurrence of Babesia microti in ticks Ixodes ricinus on selected areas of western Pomerania

The aim of present study was to evaluate acquisition risk of babesiosis in human population exposed to ticks Ixodes ricinus by examination of Babesia microti DNA occurrence in ticks of all development stages. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to estimate the occurrence of DNA Babesia microti in Ixodes ricinus. The Bab1 and Bab4 primers were used to amplify fragment. 238bp in length, of 18S rRNA gene for small ribosomal subunit. Amplicons were electroforeticaly separated in agarose gels. Ticks were collected in year 1999 and 2000, twice in each year in spring-summer (May-July) and summer-autumn (August-October) seasons from Goleni6w Forest and Pobierowo. These places have been classified as people attendance and tourist areas. The 716 I. ricinus ticks were collected in 1999 with 61.3% of nymphs, 17.8% larvae, 10.9% females and 9.9% males. Highest range of infection was observed in females--28.8% studied, than males--18.3%, nymphs--7.7% and larvae--3.l1%. The total number of 416 I. ricinus was collected in year 2000 with 64% of nymphs. 13.4%/males. 11.9% females and 10.7% larvae. The infection with Babesia microtri occurred only in three nymphs, which was 0.7% of studied population.     

The influence of levamisol on the level of total protein in haemolymph of bees infected with Varroa destructor

The studies were performed in 1997 in bee colonies with carnica queens. Levamisol in dose 2,5 mg/l and 5 mg/l of sugar syrup was given to experimental group, while the control one was treated with the same dose of sugar syrup. From May to September, once a month, the segments of honeycombs containing 15-17 day brood were taken for farer housing. The level of total protein was investigated in the haemolymph of freshly hatched bee workers. It was found that levamisol given in sugar syrup did not caurse disturbances in the development of bee colonies, however, it was noticed that levamisol influenced on the rise of total protein level in haemolymph of bees and decrease of Varroa destructor infection.     

The chaos theory in parasitology

Fundamental ideas of the chaotic non-linear dynamical systems and their application in parasitology (e.g. Cephalomyvia populations, Trichomronas vaginalis invasions, Homo-Plasmodium systems) are discussed.     

Polymyositis associated with infliximab treatment for rheumatoid arthritis

SIR, Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with the chimericanti-tumour necrosis factor (TNF-) monoclonal antibody infliximabhas been proven efficacious and well tolerated [1, 2]. However,there are concerns about the safety of such treatment, withreports about induction of autoimmune phenomena [anti-double-strandedDNA (dsDNA) antibodies] and, rarely, development of systemiclupus erythematosus [3–5]. We describe a patient withRA who developed polymyositis following treatment with infliximab. A 52-yr-old woman presented in January 2001 with     

Quality of life after lobectomy for adult liver transplantation

INTRODUCTION: Adult-to-adult living donor liver transplants are being increasingly performed. Although considerable data are available on the quality of life after kidney donation, there is little comparable information on liver donors. METHODS: Between August 1998 and July 2000, 48 adults received liver grafts from living donors. At least 2 months after donation, donors were mailed a structured questionnaire and the standardized Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36), a generic measure assessing health-related quality of life outcomes using eight scales: mental health, emotional limits, vitality, social function, physical function, physical limits, pain, general health. RESULTS: Thirty donors (62.5%) responded at a mean of 280+/-157 days after donation. Fifteen (50%) of their recipients had major complications (two deaths, four retransplants, nine biliary complications). Regarding overall satisfaction, all said they would donate again. Compared to published U.S. norms (n=2474), our group of donors scored higher than the general population in seven of eight domains on the SF-36. Donors whose recipients had no complications scored significantly higher in mental health (P<0.007) and general health (P<0.008) compared with U.S. norms. Donors whose recipients had major complications scored significantly lower on the mental health scale than those with recipients without major complications. CONCLUSIONS: Donors did not regret their decision to donate; several felt the experience had changed their lives for the better. Donors scored as well as or better than U.S. norms in general health. Quality of life after donation must remain a primary outcome measure when we consider the utility of living-donor liver transplants.