Algimantas Paulauskas

Bio: Algimantas Paulauskas is an academic researcher from Vytautas Magnus University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Population & Ixodes ricinus. The author has an hindex of 17, co-authored 157 publications receiving 1042 citations. Previous affiliations of Algimantas Paulauskas include Vilnius University.

Prevalence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks in relation to the density of wild cervids

Abstract: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and Anaplasma phagocytophilum have been considered as pathogens in animals and humans. The role of wild cervids in the epidemiology is not clear. We analyzed questing Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in spring for these pathogens from sites with high (Fjelloyvaer and Strom) and low density (Tjore, Hinnebu and Jomfruland) of wild cervids to study the spread of the pathogens in questing ticks. For detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum a 77-bp fragment in the msp 2 gene was used. Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was performed using the FL6 and FL7 primers according to sequences of conserved regions of the fla gene. The Osp A gene located on the linear 49-kb plasmid was used as target in multiplex PCR for genotyping. Genospecies-specific primers were used in the PCR for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. afzelii and B. garinii. Infection rates with Borrelia spp. were significantly lower at Fjelloyvaer and Strom compared to Tjore and Hinnebu; Fjelloyvaer vs. Tjore (χ2 = 20.27, p < 0.0001); Fjelloyvaer vs. Hinnebu (χ2 = 24.04, p < 0.0001); Strom vs. Tjore (χ2 = 11.47, p = 0.0007) and Strom vs. Hinnebu (χ2 = 16.63, p < 0.0001). The Borrelia genospecies were dominated by. B. afzelii (82%) followed by B. garinii (9.7%) and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto (6.9%). B. burgdorferi s.s. was only found on the island of Jomfruland. The infection rate of Anaplasma phagocytophilum showed the following figures; Fjelloyvaer vs Hinnebu (χ2 = 16.27, p = 0.0001); Strom vs. Tjore (χ2 = 13.16, p = 0.0003); Strom vs. Hinnebu (χ2 = 34.71, p < 0.0001); Fjelloyvaer vs. Tjore (χ2 = 3.19, p = 0.0742) and Fjelloyvaer vs. Stom (χ2 = 5.06, p = 0.0245). Wild cervids may serve as a reservoir for A. phagocytophilum. Jomfruland, with no wild cervids but high levels of migrating birds and rodents, harboured both B. burgdorferi s.l. and A. phagocytophilum in questing I. ricinus ticks. Birds and rodents may play an important role in maintaining the pathogens on Jomfruland. The high abundance of roe deer and red deer on the Norwegian islands of Fjelloyvaer and Strom may reduce the infection rate of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in host seeking Ixodes ricinus, in contrast to mainland sites at Hinnebu and Tjore with moderate abundance of wild cervids. The infection rate of Anaplasma phagocytophilum showed the opposite result with a high prevalence in questing ticks in localities with a high density of wild cervids compared to localities with lower density.

Prevalence and diversity of Babesia spp. in questing Ixodes ricinus ticks from Norway

Abstract: Background: Ixodes ricinus ticks transmit Babesia species to vertebrate hosts. Using molecular tools we were able to detect the presence of this piroplasmid in its vector. The aims of this study were to investigate the prevalence and identity of Babesia species in questing ticks collected in various areas of Norway. Methods: DNA from questing l. ricinus ticks were examined with a realtime PCR for the presence of Babesia. Positive samples of tick DNA were identified to species using PCR, and sequence analysis. Results: From a total of 1908 questing l. ricinus ticks, 17 (0.9%) indicated the presence of Babesia spp. after realtimePCR screening. Ixodes ricinus harbouring Babesia spp. was detected in 9 out of 22 localities. Further molecular analyses of DNA from these positive ticks indicate the presence of Babesia venatorum, B. divergens, B. capreoli and a currently undescribed Babesia in Norwegian ticks. The most prevalent was B. venatorum found in 71% of the positive ticks. Conclusions: A total of 17 out of 1908 (0.9%) ticks were positive for Babesia. Our data confirm that there are several Babesia species in ticks in Norway. Babesia venatorum was the most prevalent. This species has a zoonotic potential and may cause human babesiosis following a tick bite.

New Data on the Helminth Fauna of Rodents of Lithuania

Abstract: Six house mice (Mus musculus), seven yellow-necked mice (Apodemus flavicollis), 10 striped field mice (A. agrarius), five muskrats (Ondatra zibethicus), one water vole (Arvicola terrestris), 126 bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus), 12 short-tailed voles (Microtus agrestis), and two European beavers (Castor fiber) were examined for helminths. Data are presented about infection of the rodents with trematodes, nematodes, and larvae of cestodes. Twenty three helminth species were found. In Lithuania, Echinococcus multilocularis was found in rodents for the first time. Three helminths were found in new hosts in Lithuania: Plagiorchis elegans – in the bank vole, Mastophorus muris – in the house mouse, and Tetratirotaenia polyacantha – in the muskrat. In the European beaver, only Stichorchis subtriquetrus and Travassosius rufus, helminths specific to this species, were detected. The helminth fauna in the muskrat and the water vole was formed of helminths hosted by a wide range of waterfowl and mammals.

Genetic Data Analysis

Abstract: LEARNING The objectives of BIOS 781 are to present: OBJECTIVES: 1. basic population and quantitative genetic principles, including classical genetics, chromosomal theory of inheritance, and meiotic recombination 2. an exposure to QTL mapping methods of complex quantitative traits and linkage methods to detect co-segregation with disease 3. methods for assessing marker-disease linkage disequilibrium, including case-control approaches 4. methods for genome-wide association and stratification control.

Listeria monocytogenes, a food-borne pathogen

Abstract: Listeria monocytogenes is a Gram positive, aerobic, facultative anaerobic and nonacid fast bacterium, which can cause the disease listeriosis in both human and animals. It is widely distributed thoroughout the environment and has been isolated from various plant and animal food products associated with listeriosis outbreaks. Contaminated ready-to-eat food products such as gravad and cold-smoked salmon and rainbow trout have been associated with human listeriosis in Sweden. The aim of this study was to analyse the occurrence and level of L. monocytogenes in gravad and cold-smoked salmon (Salmo salar) products packed under vacuum or modified atmosphere from retail outlets in Sweden. Isolated strains were characterized by serotyping and the diversity of the strains within and between producers were determined with PFGE (Pulsed-field gel electrophoresis). The characterized fish isolates were compared with previously characterized human strains. L. monocytogenes was isolated from 11 (three manufacturers) of 56 products analysed. This included gravad salmon products from three manufacturers and cold-smoked salmon from one manufacturer. The highest level of L. monocytogenes found was 1500 cfu/g from a cold-smoked salmon product but the level was low (<100 cfu/g) in most of the products. Serovar 1/2a was predominant, followed by 4b. Three products of gravad salmon harboured more than one serovar. PFGE typing of the 56 salmon isolates detected five Asc I types: four types were identical to human clinical strains with Asc I and one was identical and one was closely related to human clinical strains with Apa I. Isolation of identical or closely related L. monocytogenes strains from human clinical cases of listeriosis and gravad and cold-smoked salmon suggested that these kinds of products are possible sources of listeriosis in Sweden. Therefore, these products should be considered risk products for human listeriosis.

Birds in Europe: Population Estimates, Trends and Conservation Status

Abstract: Abstract The following critiques express the opinions of the individual evaluators regarding the strengths, weaknesses, and value of the books they review. As such, the appraisals are subjective assessments and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the editors or any official policy of the American Ornithologists' Union.