title: Detection of protozoans Babesia microti and Toxoplasma gondii and their co-existence in ticks (Acari: Ixodida) collected in Tarnogórski district (Upper Silesia, Poland).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ticks (Acari: Ixodida) are vectors of many pathogens i. a: Babesia microti [Bm] and Toxoplasma gondii [Tg]. In Poland, Ixodes ricinus [Ir] is the main vector of both pathogens. This tick species and pathogens transmitted by them are a significant threat to human and animal health.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Detection of the protozoans Bm and Tg in ticks collected in the Tarnogórski district area.
  
  
  METHODS
  The ticks were collected from vegetation and pets in the spring period of their activity on the territory of the Tarnogórski district. The parasites were preserved in 70% ethanol. DNA was isolated by ammonia method. Bm was detected by nested-PCR using specific primers for the 18S rRNA sequence. To detect the Tg a commercial kit was used. The PCR products were separated on 2% ethidium bromide stained agarose gels and visualised under UV light.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was showed that all collected ticks belonged to the species Ir. Bm was detected in 50.87% and Tg in 64.91% of all examined ticks. Co-existence of these both protozoans in 36.84% of total examined ticks was noted.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study showed a high risk of exposure to Bm and Tg in the studied area. Ticks Ir play an important role in the transmission of Bm in this region. Demonstrating a high percentage of ticks collected from animals infected with Tg may indicate their important role in the transmission of this pathogen, but it requires a further studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Poland.
authors.forename: Marek
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Asman
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Poland.
authors.forename: Krzysztof
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Solarz
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Cuber
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Poland.
authors.forename: Tomasz
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gąsior
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Poland.
authors.forename: Piotr
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Szilman
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewa
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Szilman
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Poland.
authors.forename: Ewelina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tondaś
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Poland.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Matzullok
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Poland.
authors.forename: Natalia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kusion
authors.affiliation: Department of Parasitology, Medical University of Silesia in Katowice, Sosnowiec, Poland.
authors.forename: Karol
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Florek
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D041001:Babesia microti / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D001404:Babesiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D060085:Coinfection / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000662:veterinary; D006801:Humans; D018884:Ixodes / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology*; D009758:Nymph / Q000254:growth & development / Q000469:parasitology; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D018570:Risk Assessment; D014122:Toxoplasma / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014123:Toxoplasmosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology; D014124:Toxoplasmosis, Animal / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000469:parasitology