Elena Kocianová

Publications (18)34.87 Total impact

• Article: Comparison of an oligo-chip based assay with PCR method to measure the prevalence of tick-borne pathogenic bacteria in central Slovakia

  Elena Kocianová, Dušan Blaškovič, Katarína Smetanová, Katarína Schwarzová, Vojtech Boldiš, Zina Košťanová, Denisa Müllerová, Imrich Barák
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  ABSTRACT: Ticks are well-known vectors for a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms. We examined the presence of Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis in Ixodes ricinus ticks collected in central Slovakia using oligo-chip based assay. Rickettsiae were detected in 5.6% of examined ticks. Borreliae and anaplasmae were identified in 2.1% and 2.8% ticks, respectively. All tested samples were negative for presence of Coxiella burnetii and Francisella tularensis. All these results were compared with those obtained by PCR analysis, and a close correlation between them was found. In addition, rickettsiae of spotted fever group (SFG), Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato were found in ticks using genera or species-specific PCR methods. They are circulating in 10 out of 18 studied localities.
  Biologia 04/2012; 63(1):34-37. · 0.56 Impact Factor
• Article: Tortoise tick Hyalomma aegyptium as long term carrier of Q fever agent Coxiella burnetii—evidence from experimental infection

  Pavel Široký, Michaela Kubelová, David Modrý, Jan Erhart, Ivan Literák, Eva Špitalská, Elena Kocianová
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  ABSTRACT: The experimental study investigated the ability of tortoise tick Hyalomma aegyptium to play a role in forming and maintaining natural foci of Q fever. We tested the competence of H. aegyptium larvae to acquire Coxiella burnetii infection from mammals, serve as a C. burnetii vector between mammalian hosts, and be a long-term carrier of C. burnetii, including interstadial transmission. H. aegyptium larvae were allowed to feed on guinea pigs experimentally infected with C. burnetii. Engorged larvae molted to nymphs, some of which were preserved in 96% ethanol and later examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using C. burnetii-specific primers (CBCOS, CBCOE). Prevalence of C. burnetii among these nymphs was 5.6% (n = 235). Remaining nymphs then fed on other, C. burnetii-negative guinea pigs; and according to results of both, micro-agglutination reaction, and ELISA, they successfully transmitted C. burnetii to those new hosts. Detached engorged nymphs molted to adults, which were kept alive long term and then placed in 96% ethanol 383days post-infection. Thereafter, they were examined by PCR in the same manner as were the nymphs. Prevalence of C. burnetii among adult H. aegyptium was 28.9% (n = 90). According to our results, tortoise-specific ticks have indisputable potential in the epidemiology of Q fever natural foci.
  Parasitology Research 04/2012; 107(6):1515-1520. · 2.15 Impact Factor
• Article: Ticks (Ixodidae) from passerine birds in the Carpathian region

  Eva Špitalská, Ivan Literák, Olivier A. E. Sparagano, Marina Golovchenko, Elena Kocianová
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  ABSTRACT: Birds have been found to be a reservoir host of borrelia. In order to assess the situation in Slovakia ticks were collected from a total of 3057 mist-netted, ringed and released passerine birds in two locations at 500 m (in 2001) and 1000 m (in 2003) above sea level in the Bukovské Vrchy Hills, part of the Carpathian region in the north-east of Slovakia. A total of 75 birds of 16 species were infested with subadult ticks of Ixodes ricinus species (prevalence of parasitization 5%). Sixty-two larvae from 31 birds of 9 species and 80 nymphs from 52 birds of 15 species were found. The highest intensity of parasitization was observed on blackbirds Turdus merula, song thrushes T. philomelos and dunnocks Prunella modularis. Six Ixodes ricinus adult ticks were found on humans working with birds, and one I. ricinus female tick on their dog. In ticks, the presence of Rickettsia sp., Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and members of the Anaplasmataceae and Piroplasmidae, were investigated by polymerase chain reaction, followed by sequence analysis. Rickettsia sp. was found in 1 nymph from the European robin Erithacus rubecula, in 3 adult ticks (1 male, 2 females) from humans and in the tick from the dog. The closely related Ehrlichia- like species "Schotti variant" was detected in 1 nymph from the song thrush. Borrelia afzelii was identified in 1 male and B. garinii in 1 female tick collected on humans. Ixodes ricinus was found to be the vector of a wide spectrum of tick-borne pathogens in a mountainous area of the Carpathians. Because of the low yield of ticks and pathogens the importance of birds as reservoir hosts is still poorly understood. Vögel wurden wiederholt als Reservoir von Zecken-übertragenen Krankheitserregern identifiziert. Um die diesbezügliche Situation in der Slowakei zu untersuchen, wurden von 3057 mit Netzen gefangenen, ringmarkierten und dann wieder freigesetzten Sperlingsvögeln Zecken gesammelt. Die Fangorte in den Bukovské Vrchy Hügeln, einem Teil der Karpaten in der Nordost-Slowakei, lagen 500 m (im Jahr 2001) und 1000 m (im Jahr 2003) über dem Meeresniveau. Nur 75 Vögel, die 16 Arten angehörten, waren mit subadulten Zecken der Art Ixodes ricinus infestiert, was einer Parasitenprävalenz von 2,5% entspricht. Von 31 Vögeln (9 Arten) wurden 62 Larven und von 52 Vögeln (15 Arten) 80 Nymphen entfernt. Die Parasitierung war bei Amsel, Turdus merula, Singdrossel, T. philomelos, und Heckenbraunelle, Prunella modularis, am höchsten. Sechs adulte Ixodes ricinus-Zecken wurden von erwachsenen Personen entfernt, die mit den Vögeln arbeiteten und eine weibliche I. ricinus-Zecke von ihrem Hund. Die Zecken wurden mittels Polymerase Kettenreaktion auf Anwesenheit von Rickettsien, Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato und Mitgliedern der Familien Anaplasmataceae und Piroplasmidae untersucht und die nachfolgende Identifizierung mittels Sequenzanalyse durchgeführt. Rickettsien wurden in einer Nymphe vom Rotkehlchen, Erithacus rubecula, und in drei adulten Zecken (2 weibliche, 1 männliche) von Menschen und vom Hund nachgewiesen. Eine Ehrlichia-ähnliche Art? die "Schotti variant", wurde in einer Nymphe einer Singdrossel nachgewiesen. Borrelia afzelii wurde in einer männlichen und B. garinii in einer weiblichen Zecke identifiziert, welche beide vom Menschen entfernt worden waren. Aufgrund der niedrigen Ausbeute bleibt die Rolle von Vögeln als Reservoir von Zecken-übertragenen Krankheitserregern weiterhin unklar.
  Wiener klinische Wochenschrift 04/2012; 118(23):759-764. · 0.81 Impact Factor
• Article: Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia raoultii in Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus ticks from Slovak Republic.

  Eva Spitalská, Katarína Stefanidesová, Elena Kocianová, Vojtech Boldiš
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  ABSTRACT: Rickettsiae, obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacteria, responsible for mild to severe diseases in humans are associated with arthropod vectors. Dermacentor marginatus and Dermacentor reticulatus are known vectors of Rickettsia slovaca and Rickettsia raoultii distributed across Europe. A total of 794 D. marginatus, D. reticulatus and Ixodes ricinus adult ticks were collected from the vegetation, removed from horses, sheep, goats and dogs in Slovakia. The DNA of Rickettsia sp. was found in 229 ticks by PCR amplifying parts of gltA, ompA and sca4 genes. Next analyses of Rickettsia-positive samples by PCR-RFLP and/or sequencing showed D. reticulatus ticks were more infected with R. raoultii and D. marginatus were more infected with R. slovaca. The prevalence of R. raoultii was 8.1-8.6% and 22.3-27% in D. marginatus and D. reticulatus, respectively. The prevalence of R. slovaca was 20.6-24.3% in D. marginatus and 1.7-3.4% in D. reticulatus. Intracellular growth of R. raoultii isolate from D. marginatus tick was evaluated by rOmpA-based quantitative SybrGreen PCR assay. The highest point of multiplication was recorded on the 7th and 8th day postinfection in Vero and L929 cells, respectively. R. raoultii was transmitted during feeding of R. raoultii-positive ticks to guinea pigs and subsequently rickettsial infection was recorded in all organs, the highest infection was in spleen, liver and heart. Our study describes the detection and isolation of tick-borne pathogens R. raoultii and R. slovaca, show that they are spread in Slovakia and highlight their risk for humans.
  Experimental and Applied Acarology 03/2012; 57(2):189-97. · 1.39 Impact Factor
• Article: The importance of Ixodes arboricola in transmission of Rickettsia spp., Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in the Czech Republic, Central Europe.

  Eva Spitalská, Ivan Literák, Elena Kocianová, Veronika Taragel'ová
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  ABSTRACT: Wild birds are known to be a reservoir of infectious disease agents and disseminatory hosts of ticks. The purpose of this work was to obtain information about the occurrence of rickettsial, anaplasmal, and borrelial infections in some ticks that parasitize wild birds in the Czech Republic. A total of 549 subadult ticks of three species Ixodes arboricola (75.0%), Ixodes ricinus (23.1%), and Haemaphysalis concinna (1.8%) were collected from 20 species of birds (Passeriformes). Rickettsiae were detected in 44.0% larvae and 24.5% nymphs of I. arboricola collected from Parus major, Poecile palustris, and Sitta europaea. Rickettsiae-positive I. ricinus larvae (13.7%) were collected from P. major, Cyanistes caeruleus, and S. europaea, and 2.6% of nymphs from Erithacus rubecula and Prunella modularis. Comparison of sequences of a gltA gene fragment with data available in GenBank identified Rickettsia helvetica, a spotted fever rickettsia associated with human infections, and other Rickettsia spp. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was found only in two I. ricinus nymphs collected from E. rubecula and P. major. Infections with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato were recorded in 1.3% larvae of I. arboricola acquired from P. palustris and P. major and in 11.8% larvae and 25.0% nymphs of I. ricinus collected from P. major, P. palustris, C. caeruleus, Acrocephalus schoenobaenus, Turdus merula, Carpodacus erythrinus, Sylvia atricapilla, P. modularis, and Phylloscopus collybita. Reverse-line blot hybridization showed infections with Borrelia garinii and Borrelia valaisiana and mixed infections with these two genospecies. This is the first record of a high rate of rickettsial infection in I. arboricola subadult ticks acquired from birds in the Czech Republic and in central Europe. Our study suggests that I. arboricola, P. major, and P. palustris play important roles in circulating rickettsiae.
  Vector borne and zoonotic diseases (Larchmont, N.Y.) 05/2011; 11(9):1235-41. · 2.61 Impact Factor
• Article: Tortoise tick Hyalomma aegyptium as long term carrier of Q fever agent Coxiella burnetii--evidence from experimental infection.

  Pavel Siroký, Michaela Kubelová, David Modrý, Jan Erhart, Ivan Literák, Eva Spitalská, Elena Kocianová
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: The experimental study investigated the ability of tortoise tick Hyalomma aegyptium to play a role in forming and maintaining natural foci of Q fever. We tested the competence of H. aegyptium larvae to acquire Coxiella burnetii infection from mammals, serve as a C. burnetii vector between mammalian hosts, and be a long-term carrier of C. burnetii, including interstadial transmission. H. aegyptium larvae were allowed to feed on guinea pigs experimentally infected with C. burnetii. Engorged larvae molted to nymphs, some of which were preserved in 96% ethanol and later examined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using C. burnetii-specific primers (CBCOS, CBCOE). Prevalence of C. burnetii among these nymphs was 5.6% (n=235). Remaining nymphs then fed on other, C. burnetii-negative guinea pigs; and according to results of both, micro-agglutination reaction, and ELISA, they successfully transmitted C. burnetii to those new hosts. Detached engorged nymphs molted to adults, which were kept alive long term and then placed in 96% ethanol 383 days post-infection. Thereafter, they were examined by PCR in the same manner as were the nymphs. Prevalence of C. burnetii among adult H. aegyptium was 28.9% (n=90). According to our results, tortoise-specific ticks have indisputable potential in the epidemiology of Q fever natural foci.
  Parasitology Research 11/2010; 107(6):1515-20. · 2.15 Impact Factor
• Article: Life cycle of Rickettsia slovaca in L929 cell line studied by quantitative real-time PCR and transmission electron microscopy.

  Vojtech Boldis, Jasna Strus, Elena Kocianová, Magda Tusek-Znidaric, Katarína Stefanidesová, Katarína Schwarzová, Marcela Kúdelová, Zuzana Sekeyová, Eva Spitalská
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  ABSTRACT: Rickettsia slovaca, a member of spotted fever rickettsiae, is an agent of a mild human disease known as Tibola or Debonel. Using quantitative real-time PCR we identified the highest point of multiplication of wild and standard type (strain B) of R. slovaca on the second vs. the fourth day postinfection. Comparing both types of R. slovaca by transmission electron microscopy substantiated different cytopathological and morphological changes in infected cells and other differences, for example a slight shift of stages during the life cycle that presented in a variety of forms and localization of the studied Rickettsia within the infected cells. Our study provides a valuable insight into the pathogenicity and virulence of R. slovaca.
  FEMS Microbiology Letters 03/2009; 293(1):102-6. · 2.04 Impact Factor
• Article: Life cycle of Rickettsia slovaca in L929 cell line studied by quantitative real‐time PCR and transmission electron microscopy

  Vojtech Boldiš, Jasna Štrus, Elena Kocianová, Magda Tušek-Žnidarič, Katarína Štefanidesová, Katarína Schwarzová, Marcela Kúdelová, Zuzana Sekeyová, Eva Špitalská
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  ABSTRACT: Rickettsia slovaca, a member of spotted fever rickettsiae, is an agent of a mild human disease known as Tibola or Debonel. Using quantitative real-time PCR we identified the highest point of multiplication of wild and standard type (strain B) of R. slovaca on the second vs. the fourth day postinfection. Comparing both types of R. slovaca by transmission electron microscopy substantiated different cytopathological and morphological changes in infected cells and other differences, for example a slight shift of stages during the life cycle that presented in a variety of forms and localization of the studied Rickettsia within the infected cells. Our study provides a valuable insight into the pathogenicity and virulence of R. slovaca.
  FEMS Microbiology Letters 02/2009; 293(1):102 - 106. · 2.04 Impact Factor
• Article: Serologic evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections in patients with a history of tick bite in central Slovakia.

  Elena Kocianová, Zina Kost'anová, Katarína Stefanidesová, Eva Spitalská, Vojtech Boldis, Daniela Hucková, Gerold Stanek
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  ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the risks of human anaplasmosis in an area of central Slovakia endemic for Lyme borreliosis. The circulation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks and wild animals has been observed in natural foci in this area for several years. Samples of human sera from patients with Lyme borreliosis and persons with a history of recent tick bite and clinical symptoms indicating Lyme borreliosis were collected in central Slovakia. A total of 76 human sera were analyzed using an indirect HGE IgG immunofluorescent assay kit. IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum were found in 19 (25%) sera (15 female, 4 male patients). A. phagocytophilum infection was serologically confirmed in one (3.8%) child, 12 (38.7%) persons aged 22-56 and six (31.6%) persons older than 56. A statistically significant difference in seroprevalence (P < 0.01) was observed between children (3.8%, 1/26) and adults (36%, 18/50). Antibodies against A. phagocytophilum were detected in seven patients with clinically diagnosed Lyme borreliosis and in another seven individuals with assessed antiborrelia antibodies. IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum were detected in five persons seronegative for borrelia. The most frequent clinical symptoms in patients with positive A. phagocytophilum serology were cephalalgia, arthralgia, myalgia, fever, exanthema, neurological symptoms and lymphadenopathy. Positive sera were obtained from patients living in villages and towns in the orographic entities Vtácnik (5/19), Stiavnické vrchy (1/19), Kremnické vrchy (10/19) and Ziarska kotlina (3/19). Our results demonstrate the risk of acquiring A. phagocytophilum infection in natural foci in central Slovakia. Human anaplasmosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially in cases of acute febrile illness with tick-bite history.
  Wiener klinische Wochenschrift 08/2008; 120(13-14):427-31. · 0.81 Impact Factor
• Article: Serologic evidence of Anaplasma phagocytophilum infections in patients with a history of tick bite in central Slovakia

  Elena Kocianová, Zina Košt'anová, Katarína Štefanidesová, Eva Špitalská, Vojtech Boldiš, Daniela Hučková, Gerold Stanek
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  ABSTRACT: The aim of this study was to determine the risks of human anaplasmosis in an area of central Slovakia endemic for Lyme borreliosis. The circulation of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in ticks and wild animals has been observed in natural foci in this area for several years. Samples of human sera from patients with Lyme borreliosis and persons with a history of recent tick bite and clinical symptoms indicating Lyme borreliosis were collected in central Slovakia. A total of 76 human sera were analyzed using an indirect HGE IgG immunofluorescent assay kit. IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum were found in 19 (25%) sera (15 female, 4 male patients). A. phagocytophilum infection was serologically confirmed in one (3.8%) child, 12 (38.7%) persons aged 22–56 and six (31.6%) persons older than 56. A statistically significant difference in seroprevalence (P < 0.01) was observed between children (3.8%, 1/26) and adults (36%, 18/50). Antibodies against A. phagocytophilum were detected in seven patients with clinically diagnosed Lyme borreliosis and in another seven individuals with assessed antiborrelia antibodies. IgG antibodies against A. phagocytophilum were detected in five persons seronegative for borrelia. The most frequent clinical symptoms in patients with positive A. phagocytophilum serology were cephalalgia, arthralgia, myalgia, fever, exanthema, neurological symptoms and lymphadenopathy. Positive sera were obtained from patients living in villages and towns in the orographic entities Vtáčnik (5/19), Štiavnické vrchy (1/19), Kremnické vrchy (10/19) and Žiarska kotlina (3/19). Our results demonstrate the risk of acquiring A. phagocytophilum infection in natural foci in central Slovakia. Human anaplasmosis should be considered in the differential diagnosis, especially in cases of acute febrile illness with tick-bite history. Ziel der Studie war es, das Risiko einer Anaplasmen-Infektion in bekannten Endemie-Gebieten der Lyme-Borreliose in der Zentral-Slowakei zu erfassen. Die Zirkulation von Anaplasma phagocytophilum in Zecken und Wildtieren wurde schon seit Jahren in Naturherden dieses Gebietes beobachtet. Aus dieser Region wurden Serumproben von Patienten gewonnen, die nach einem Zeckenstich klinische Symptome der Lyme-Borreliose entwickelt hatten. Insgesamt wurden Seren von 76 Patienten mittels eines kommerziellen Immunofluoreszenz Assays zum Nachweis von IgG Antikörpern gegen A. phagocytophilum getestet; 19 (25%) waren positiv. Eine Infektion mit A. phagocytophilum wurde bei einem Kind (4%), 12 Erwachsenen (39%) im Alter zwischen 22 und 56 Jahren und bei sechs Personen (32%) über 56 Jahre serologisch bestätigt. Ein statistisch signifikanter Unterschied in der Seroprävalenz (P < 0,01) wurde zwischen Kindern und Erwachsenen ermittelt. IgG-Antikörper gegen A. phagocytophilum wurden bei sieben Patienten mit klinischer Lyme-Borreliose, bei sieben Personen mit Antikörpern gegen Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato und bei fünf Borrelien-seronegativen Personen ermittelt. Die häufigsten Symptome bei den A. phagocytophilum seropositiven Patienten waren Kopfschmerzen, Gelenks- und Muskelschmerzen, Fieber, Ausschlag, und Lymphknotenschwellung. Diese Patienten stammten aus den Gemeinden Vtáčnik (5/19), Štiavnické vrchy (1/19), Kremnické vrchy (10/19) und Žiarska kotlina (3/19). Die Ergebnisse zeigen, dass ein Risiko für Infektionen mit A. phagocytophilum in den Naturherden der Zentral-Slowakei besteht, sodass die humane Anaplasmose in die Differentialdiagnose mit einbezogen werden sollte, insbesondere dann, wenn eine akut fieberhafte Erkrankung nach Zeckenstich auftritt.
  Wiener klinische Wochenschrift 06/2008; 120(13):427-431. · 0.81 Impact Factor
• Article: Blackbirds and song thrushes constitute a key reservoir of Borrelia garinii, the causative agent of borreliosis in Central Europe.

  Veronika Taragel'ová, Juraj Koci, Klára Hanincová, Klaus Kurtenbach, Markéta Derdáková, Nick H Ogden, Ivan Literák, Elena Kocianová, Milan Labuda
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  ABSTRACT: Blackbirds (Turdus merula) and song thrushes (Turdus philomelos) were found to carry 95% of all spirochete-infected tick larvae among 40 bird species captured in Central Europe. More than 90% of the infections were typed as Borrelia garinii and Borrelia valaisiana. We conclude that thrushes are key players in the maintenance of these spirochete species in this region of Central Europe.
  Applied and environmental microbiology 03/2008; 74(4):1289-93. · 3.69 Impact Factor
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  Available from: Lise Gern

  Article: Detection and identification of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies in ticks from three different regions in Slovakia.

  Katarína Smetanová, Caroline Burri, David Pérez, Lise Gern, Elena Kocianová
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  ABSTRACT: Lyme borreliosis is one of the most common tick-borne diseases that occur in Slovakia. In this study, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato was detected and cultivated from questing ticks collected in three areas of Slovakia. Two methods, restriction fragment length polymorphism and reverse line blot, were used for identification of isolates and determination of the prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in the ticks. The prevalence of B. burgdorferi s.l. in I. ricinus detected by reverse line blot was 31.9%. Four genospecies, namely B. garinii, B. valaisiana, B. afzelii and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto were found. B. garinii was the most prevalent genospecies.
  Wiener klinische Wochenschrift 02/2007; 119(17-18):534-7. · 0.81 Impact Factor
• Article: Ticks (Ixodidae) from passerine birds in the Carpathian region.

  Eva Spitalská, Ivan Literák, Olivier A E Sparagano, Marina Golovchenko, Elena Kocianová
  [show abstract] [hide abstract]
  ABSTRACT: Birds have been found to be a reservoir host of borrelia. In order to assess the situation in Slovakia ticks were collected from a total of 3057 mist-netted, ringed and released passerine birds in two locations at 500 m (in 2001) and 1000 m (in 2003) above sea level in the Bukovské Vrchy Hills, part of the Carpathian region in the north-east of Slovakia. A total of 75 birds of 16 species were infested with subadult ticks of Ixodes ricinus species (prevalence of parasitization 5%). Sixty-two larvae from 31 birds of 9 species and 80 nymphs from 52 birds of 15 species were found. The highest intensity of parasitization was observed on blackbirds Turdus merula, song thrushes T. philomelos and dunnocks Prunella modularis. Six Ixodes ricinus adult ticks were found on humans working with birds, and one I. ricinus female tick on their dog. In ticks, the presence of Rickettsia sp., Coxiella burnetii, Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato and members of the Anaplasmataceae and Piroplasmidae, were investigated by polymerase chain reaction, followed by sequence analysis. Rickettsia sp. was found in 1 nymph from the European robin Erithacus rubecula, in 3 adult ticks (1 male, 2 females) from humans and in the tick from the dog. The closely related Ehrlichia- like species "Schotti variant" was detected in 1 nymph from the song thrush. Borrelia afzelii was identified in 1 male and B. garinii in 1 female tick collected on humans. Ixodes ricinus was found to be the vector of a wide spectrum of tick-borne pathogens in a mountainous area of the Carpathians. Because of the low yield of ticks and pathogens the importance of birds as reservoir hosts is still poorly understood.
  Wiener klinische Wochenschrift 01/2007; 118(23-24):759-64. · 0.81 Impact Factor
• Article: Seasonal variations in detecting Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in rodents from north eastern Austria.

  Gelas Khanakah, Elena Kocianová, Vanda Vyrosteková, Jozef Rehácek, Michael Kundi, Gerold Stanek
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  ABSTRACT: Austria is well known as an endemic area of Lyme borreliosis. To assess the annual variation of rodent populations that may host agents of Lyme borreliosis we collected rodents in northeastern Austria. Life traps were set out every six weeks during a year consecutively in one each of the three different zones (Hohenau, Ernstbrunn, Vienna Woods) that cover the main habitat characteristics of small mammals in northeastern Austria. Rodents were collected and identified. Samples of heart, urine bladder and brain were removed under aseptic conditions for cultivation of borrelia. Samples of heart muscle were additionally used for molecular detection of borrelia by Real-Time polymerase chain reaction. PCR was performed with borrelia universal primers and with species-specific primers. 938 mice were caught, most frequently Apodemus flavicollis (44%), followed by Clethrionomys glareolus (35%), Microtus arvalis (9%), A. sylvaticus (7%) and Mus musculus (6%). Significant differences were seen in the total number of catch per area (Hohenau, Ernstbrunn, Vienna Woods equal 10:9:2) and in the distribution of the various rodent species in the respective areas. Borrelia strains were grown from only 65 (7%) animals, and more frequently isolated from bladder wall than from heart muscle, and only once from brain. Heart specimens of 223 animals were positive by borrelia PCR (24%), most frequently of the rodent species A. flavicollis (43%) and C. glareolus (38%). Borrelia afzelii was most frequently identified, followed by B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, B. garinii and by mixed infection of B. afzelii with B. burgdorferi sensu stricto. B. garinii was most frequently detected in heart samples of A. sylvaticus (about 20%). In about 3% of PCR positive samples the identification of one of the three mentioned genospecies of borrelia could not be ascertained with the test panel used. The results confirm the rodent species A. flavicollis, A. sylvaticus, M. arvalis and C. glareolus as reservoir animals for B. afzelii, B. garinii and B. burgdorferi sensu stricto, agents of Lyme borreliosis. Notable is the salient presence of B. garinii in heart specimens of A. sylvaticus.
  Wiener klinische Wochenschrift 01/2007; 118(23-24):754-8. · 0.81 Impact Factor
• Article: Detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia spp., and Borrelia burgdorferi s. l. in Ticks, and wild-living animals in western and middle Slovakia.

  Katarína Smetanová, Katarína Schwarzová, Elena Kocianová
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  ABSTRACT: In this study, three tick species (Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus, and D. reticulatus), small terrestrial mammals, and game were examined by PCR for the presence of tick-borne pathogens Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Coxiella burnetii, Rickettsia spp., and Borrelia burgdorferi Sensu lato.
  Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences 11/2006; 1078:312-5. · 3.15 Impact Factor
• Article: Detection of Coxiella burnetii in ticks collected in Slovakia and Hungary

  Eva Špitalská, Elena Kocianová
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  ABSTRACT: A total of 235 adult ticks collected from vegetation in Slovakia and Hungary in 1998–2000 were tested for Coxiella burnetii by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). C. burnetii was identified in six ticks of Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus, and Haemaphysalis concinna species.
  European Journal of Epidemiology 02/2003; 18(3):263-266. · 4.71 Impact Factor
• Article: Detection of Coxiella burnetii in ticks collected in Slovakia and Hungary.

  Eva Spitalská, Elena Kocianová
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  ABSTRACT: A total of 235 adult ticks collected from vegetation in Slovakia and Hungary in 1998-2000 were tested for Coxiella burnetii by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). C. burnetii was identified in six ticks of Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor marginatus, and Haemaphysalis concinna species.
  European Journal of Epidemiology 02/2003; 18(3):263-6. · 4.71 Impact Factor
• Article: Prevalence of coinfection with Francisella tularensis in reservoir animals of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato.

  Vanda Výrosteková, Gelas Khanakah, Elena Kocianová, Darina Gurycová, Gerold Stanek
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  ABSTRACT: Studies on Lyme borreliosis and other tick-borne zoonoses in the Austrian and Slovakian borderland, a region endemic for tularemia, revealed a relatively high prevalence of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. and Francisella tularensis in small terrestrial mammals, as well as in the ticks, during a one-year survey. The occurrence of coinfection with the agents of Lyme borreliosis and tularemia was assessed in different species of rodents. Organs of small mammals, live-trapped mostly in six-week intervals from May 1994 to April 1995, were cultured on appropriate media in order to grow borreliae and F. tularensis. Infection with B. burgdorferi s.l. and also with F. tularensis was found in all the most abundant rodent species. A significant difference was observed in the time period of isolation of these agents. Borrelia was cultured from May to January (PCR detected borrelia up to April), while F. tularensis was isolated from August to December. Coinfection was seen in two species of voles, Clethrionomys glareolus trapped in August and Microtus arvalis in October. The Borrelia strains isolated from these animals were identified as B. garinii. Isolates of F. tularensis belonged to the subspecies holarctica, biovar II. Results obtained indicate that in endemic regions for tularemia the prevalence of infection with borreliae could be modified in different animal species mainly during epizootic outbreaks of tularemia.
  Wiener klinische Wochenschrift 08/2002; 114(13-14):482-8. · 0.81 Impact Factor