FP6 priority
1.1.1   Genomics and Biotechnology for Health
Title of the proposal

Genetic and immunological variability of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato from different geographical and biological sources of Central Europe

Institute
Slovak Academy of Sciences, Parasitological Institute
Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Kosice, Slovak Republic
www.saske.sk~pauwww/pau.html
Contact
Name:
Branislav PETKO, M.V.D., Ph.D.
Phone:
+421 55 6331411
E-mail:
petko@saske.sk


Research subject for a potential FP6 project

The project is aimed at the regularities of formation of biological and ecological properties of Lyme borreliosis (L.b.) agent in the process of evolution of host – parasite relationship in geographically diverse regions of Central Europe: in the Carpathian range and the Czech Massif. It studies the genetic and immunological variability of this serious disease´s agent depending on selected biotic and abiotic factors. It follows the occurrence, distribution and epizootiologically important agent species in domestic and farm animals and human population, compared with their occurrence in vectors and reservoirs in natural foci. It envisages the disclosure of new potential reservoirs and vectors of borreliae, elucidation of other possible vectoral routes of infection transmission to humans and animals. New isolates of L.b. agents from different organisms and geographical regions will serve as the basis for further studies on the agent biological, genetic, immunological an ecological properties and for the preparation of antigens for specific serologial diagnosis of this zoonotic disease in veterinary and medical practise. To reach these aims would require:The project links up with the original results of previous projects (1991-2001), aimed at a complex research of ecology, epidemiology, epizootiology and immunology of L.b. in the Carpathian system of Slovakia and Poland and the Czech Massif.


Recent international cooperation of the research team

Parasitological Institute CAS, Ceske Budějovice, Czech Republic; Institute of Vertebrate Biology CAS, Brno, Czech Republic; Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic


Proposer´s relevant publications related to the research subject

FINGERLE, V., HAUSER, U., LIEGL, G., PETKO, B., PREAC-MURSIC, V., WILSKE, B.: Expression of outer surface proteins A and C of Borrelia burgdorferi in Ixodes ricinus. Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 33, 1995, p.1867-1869.

TRESOVA, G., PETKO, B., STANKO, M., FRICOVA, J., KOZAKOVA, D., MATEICKA, F.: Borrelia garinii in Ixodes ricinus ticks from southern Poland. Folia parasitol., 45, 1998, p.73-74.

STĚPANOVA-TRESOVA G., PETKO B., STEFANCIKOVA A., NADZAMOVA D.: Occurrence of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia garinii and Borrelia afzeliii in the Ixodes ricinus ticks from Eastern Slovakia. European Journal of Epidemiology, 16, 2000, 105-109.