The list of national projects SAS
Institute of Parasitology
Analysis of risk factors contributing to the endoparasitoses spread
Analýza rizikových faktorov podieľajúcich sa na šírení endoparazitóz
The future of parasitic treatment in small ruminants: Strategy and choice for global sustainability
Budúcnosť liečby parazitóz u malých prežúvavcov: Stratégia a voľby pre globálnu udržateľnosť
| Duration: |
1.9.2024 - 31.8.2026 |
| Program: |
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| Project leader: |
prof. MVDr. Várady Marián DrSc. |
| Annotation: | Diseases caused by helminths of farm animals are among the most serious infectious diseases. They account for over 55% of all livestock diseases in Europe and cause significant losses in animal production figures. The spread of anthelmintic resistance in livestock parasites has led to the failure of therapy and the need to develop new strategies and recommendations for effective control of the antihelminthic parasite resistance. The project offers an alternative to currently used chemotherapy solutions to ruminant parasitosis, namely the concept of using herbal nutraceuticals and trace elements such as feed additives and the concept of enriched pasture. Effective therapy of parasitic diseases through the management of grazing systems can not only improve production efficiency but also reduce the environmental burden in ruminant farms. |
The future of parasitological surveys – non invasive detection of infective stages of pathogenic helminths in aquatic ecosystems
Budúcnosť parazitologických prieskumov – neinvazívna detekcia infekčných štádií patogénnych helmintov vo vodných ekosystémoch
| Duration: |
1.1.2024 - 31.12.2027 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
MVDr. Barčák Daniel PhD. |
| Annotation: | The proposed project studies the biodiversity and distribution of pathogenic flukes in aquatic ecosystems in
Slovakia using non invasive genetic methods. The use of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding and Next
Generation Sequencing (NGS) will allow us to avoid the destructive and time-consuming examination of
vertebrate hosts, and to focus on free-living infectious stages in water and larvae of potential pathogens in
intermediate snail hosts. The following model groups will be studied: i) avian schistosomes, whose free-swimming
larvae (cercariae) cause cercarial dermatitis (swimmer’s itch) in humans, ii) fish-borne heterophyid trematodes as
causative agents of anthropozoonotic intestinal trematodoses, and iii) fish pathogens that threaten fish in
aquacultures. The optimisation of this cutting edge method will provide a relatively simple and effective tool for
large-scale screening of water-borne pathogens. |
The environmental DNA-based detection of Trichobilharzia spp., parasitic agents of cercarial dermatitis
Detekcia Trichobilharzia spp., parazitárnych pôvodcov cerkáriovej dermatitídy, vo vzorkách environmentálnej DNA
| Duration: |
1.9.2024 - 21.8.2026 |
| Program: |
|
| Project leader: |
MVDr. Barčák Daniel PhD. |
| Annotation: | The safe environment is an imperative in developed countries in 21st century, however there are neglected threats, which still persist in some European countries. One of them is a parasitic disease known as the cercarial dermatitis, which is caused by free-swimming larvae of avian schistosomes, and mostly manifests as itching skin lesions in people engaged in water-based recreational activities. These parasites are monitored in the most of the Central European countries, but almost no data exists regarding their distribution and species diversity in Slovakia. Moreover, their screening is still based on laborious collection of their intermediate hosts, aquatic snails, and their examination in laboratory. The TrEnD project proposes a cutting-edge method of the detection of Trichobilharzia spp. using an environmental metabarcoding approach coupled with the Next Generation Sequencing. The main objectives are (1) optimisation of this technique on the selected locality in Košice city (Slovakia), where the parasite has been previously confirmed by traditional methods, (2) application of the optimised protocol to reveal environmental factors that influence distribution of the cercariae and determine health risk assessment, and (3) to raise awareness about the cercarial dermatitis in Slovak population. The stakeholders of the TrEnD are the scientific community, the medical authorities and the general population. The researchers involved in the study of avian schistomosomes or closely related taxa will acquire a rapid, cost-effective and non-invasive tool for screening of distribution and species diversity of avian schistosomes. Further standardisation of this method creates a simple tool, which is applicable by the Public Health Authorities for routine monitoring of quality of superficial waters. The public will gain important information about the unpleasant parasitic disease, its clinical signs, and risk factors which increase a probability of the infection. Moreover, the TrEnD project will provide a strong stimulus for my scientific career and also help to implement this modern method in the Institute of Parasitology in Košice. |
Diversity of soil nematodes and activity of microorganisms of Carpathian forests in relation to climate change
Diverzita pôdnych nematód a aktivita mikroorganizmov karpatských lesov vo vzťahu ku klimatickej zmene
| Duration: |
1.1.2024 - 31.12.2027 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
Ing. Renčo Marek PhD. |
| Annotation: | At present, the one of the biggest environmental, social and economic threats belong climate changes. An
increase in the average overall temperature in Europe is predicted as result in an increased frequency of climate
extremes. In such conditions, there is a high probability that vulnerable forest ecosystems will be exposed to the
increased frequency and intensity of stress caused by the living components of the environment. One of them is
non-native, invasive species of trees that spread spontaneously and can completely change the habitats
character. The project aims to analyze the impact of selected invasive tree species on soil organisms (bacteria,
fungi, nematodes), soil physical and biochemical properties of the Carpathian forests. Evaluate the state of the
soil environment of native and invasion altered habitats using soil Nematoda and microorganisms as bio-indicators. Our findings could predict the potential impact of the spread of non-native tree species on the biodiversity of the Carpathian forests. |
Small mammals as reservoir for zoonotic pathogens in an urbanizing world – epidemiology and genetic diversity.
Drobné cicavce ako rezervoár zoonóznych patogénov v urbanizujúcom sa svete - epidemiológia a genetická diverzita
| Duration: |
1.7.2022 - 30.6.2026 |
| Program: |
SRDA |
| Project leader: |
MVDr. Miterpáková Martina DrSc. |
| Annotation: | The research project is focused on the transmission of zoonotic pathogens of parasitic Capillaria hepatica, Trichinella spp., Toxocara spp., Echinococcus multilocularis, Hymenolepis spp., Toxoplasma gondii) and bacterial (Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp., Borrelia spp., etc.) origin through their reservoir hosts – rodents and insectivores. The topic is very closely related to the current intensive urbanization, which is significantly connected with natural habitats modification and changes in the wildlife species distribution. In addition, the common environment shared by urbanized animal species with humans and the zoonotic nature of many pathogens pose a serious risk to public health risks. The presented project aims to conduct complex zoological and epidemiological research providing antecedent information on species spectrum of the reservoir hosts and the pathogens transmitted by them in various habitats of the urban and suburban environment; the phylogenetic analyzes of the obtained isolates will be performed, and the degree of potential infection risk from the veterinary and public health point of view will be determined. The added value of the project consists in the high probability of acquiring rare and precious biological material which can be used also for other biological and medical researches. |
Epidemiology, genetic variability and health risk of zoonotic parasites Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. in urban and rural ecosystems of Slovakia
Epidemiológia, genetická variabilita a zdravotné riziká zoonóznych parazitov Toxoplasma gondii a Toxocara spp. v urbánnych a rurálnych ekosystémoch Slovenska
| Duration: |
1.1.2024 - 31.12.2027 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
MVDr. Antolová Daniela DrSc. |
| Annotation: | Toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis are parasitic zoonoses occurring also in climatic and geographic conditions of Slovakia and important in both, human and veterinary medicine. Toxoplasmosis in particular can cause serious or even fatal health problems in immunocompromised persons and pregnant women. Project will bring priority results about the occurrence of Toxoplasma gondii and Toxocara spp. in patients with immunosuppression, persons in different risk of infection and in children from different socioeconomic conditions. The occurrence of toxoplasmosis and toxocariasis in domestic and wild animals used for food production and in sentinel species will be monitored aiming to identify human infection risk. Valuable information about the role of different animal species in the spread of pathogens in urban and rural habitats will be obtained and the level of infection risk from the point of view of public health and veterinary medicine will be determined. Phylogenetic analyses of isolates will be also performed. |
Factors driving a host-parasite network turnover - from local to continental metacommunities
Faktory ovplyvňujúce obmenu sietí parazit-hostiteľ - od lokálnych ku kontinentálnym metaspoločenstvám
Assessment of the rate of anthropogenic load in some regions of eastern Slovakia using poikilothermic animals and their endohelminths
Hodnotenie miery antropogénnej záťaže vybraných oblastí východného Slovenska s využitím studenokrvných živočíchov a ich endohelmintov
| Duration: |
1.1.2024 - 31.12.2027 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Brázová Tímea PhD. |
| Annotation: | Due to increasing anthropic activities, pollutants such as heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Hg, Cr) and organic substances
(PAHs and pesticides) are released into the environment, posing a threat to human and animal health. These
contaminants can have teratogenic and mutagenic effects on living organisms. This project aims to evaluate the
degree of environmental pollution in selected areas of eastern Slovakia using poikilothermic animals (frogs and
fish) and their parasites as bioindicators. In addition, the project goal is to examine the effect of parasites on their
hosts in a contaminated environment. To achieve the aims, the helminth fauna of frogs in eastern Slovakia will be
determined for the first time. We expect that our results will provide new knowledge about the ecological state of
the investigated localities, the physiological state of animals and potential risks for the inhabitants of the given
areas. The practical outcomes of this study can be directly used in the fishery and agricultural practices. |
Cage-free, parasite-free poultry - epidemiological background, diagnostic challenges and perspectives for the management of endoparasites in different systems of poultry farming.
Hydina bez klietok, hydina bez parazitov – epidemiologické východiská, diagnostické výzvy a perspektívy manažmentu výskytu endoparazitov v rôznych systémoch chovu hydiny.
| Duration: |
1.1.2025 - 31.12.2028 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
doc. MVDr. Hurníková Zuzana PhD. |
| Annotation: | The presented project is designed to determine the presence of endoparasites in poultry farms in Slovakia in the
period of transition from cage farming to alternative farming methods. It aims to map parasitostatus in different
poultry farming systems, identify risk factors in accurate diagnosis, prevention and therapy, focusing on highly
pathogenic coccidian species that pose a significant problem for poultry health and welfare with serious economic
consequences for breeders. The project will deliver priority results on the prevalence of poultry parasites in
different poultry production systems in Slovakia and standardise species-specific molecular diagnostic
approaches for the identification of the causative agents of coccidiosis. Interaction between researchers, poultry
and egg breeders and producers, advisory bodies, veterinarians and the State Veterinary and Food Administration SR in the implementation of new integrated strategies to improve animal health and living
standards will be beneficial. |
Integrated next-generation biosurveillance of fish-borne parasites in the Danube River basin.
Integrovaný výskum novej generáce zameraný na pôvodcov rybami prenášaných parazitických zoonóz v povodí Dunaja.
Ivermectin - antiparasitic therapy in small ruminants, resistance and residues in food
Ivermektín - antiparazitárna terapia u malých prežúvavcov, rezistencia a reziduá v potravinách.
Varroa destructor, a serious parasite of the honeybee (Apis mellifera) in Slovakia: genetic structure and relationships with geographically distant populations"
Klieštik včelí (Varroa destructor), závažný parazit včely medonosnej (Apis melifera) na území Slovenska: aká je jeho genetická štruktúra a vzťahy s geograficky vzdialenými populáciami?
The intercontinental dispersal and evolutionary history of multi-host Dibothriocephalus tapeworms
Medzikontinentálne šírenie a evolučná história viachostiteľských pásomníc rodu Dibothriocephalus
Molecular and phylogeographical studies of causative agents of emerging zoonoses - alveolar and cystic echinococcosis.
Molekulárne a fylogeografické štúdie pôvodcov vynárajúcich sa zoonóz - alveolárnej a cystickej echinokokózy
| Duration: |
1.1.2022 - 31.12.2025 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Šnábel Viliam CSc. |
| Annotation: | Alveolar and cystic echinococcoses, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis and Echinococcus granulosus sensu lato cestodes, are of increasing public health concern in Europe. The project is designed to better recognize
patterns of dissemination of E. multilocularis in the Eurasian continent, and the current distribution of species
lines, which often differ in infectivity. In E. granulosus s.l., attention will be paid to track the occurrence of the
virulent E. granulosus sensu stricto in central-eastern Europe that has recently spread northward from the
endemic Mediterranean region. Phylogeographical relationship in Echinococcus canadensis and E. granulosus
s.s. will be evaluated to indicate historical movements and the current dispersion of their variants in the eastern
Europe and Russia. In G1 and G3 genotypes of E. granulosus s.s., biological characteristics will be evaluated to delineate until which extent they correlate with genetic differences and whether they pose a comparable threat to human infection. |
Scholarships for excellent researchers threatened by the war conflict in Ukraine
Štipendiá pre excelentných výskumníkov ohrozených vojnovým konfliktom na Ukrajine
Therapeutic potential of bacteriocins in intestinal and extraintestinal parasitozoonoses and mechanisms of their beneficial effects
Terapeutický potenciál bakteriocínov pri črevných a mimočrevných parazitozoonózach a mechanizmy ich prospešných účinkov.
| Duration: |
1.1.2023 - 31.12.2026 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
MVDr. Dvorožňáková Emília PhD. |
| Annotation: | As an alternative biological therapy for severe parasitic zoonoses (alveolar echinococcosis, trichinellosis), the protective effect of bacteriocins (Enterocin M, Durancin-like, Enterocin EMML2 /2, Enterocin 412) produced by Enterococcus strains will be examined. Bacteriocinogenic activity will be evaluated in the interactions between bacteriocin application, induction of immune effectors and elimination of the parasite. The immunomodulatory (activation, regulation/suppression) effects of bacteriocins will be monitored on critical immune cells (macrophages, lymphocytes). Detection of host immune responses (locally and overall) to a specific bacteriocin can identify relevant effector molecules in cellular signaling pathways useful in antiparasitic defense. The obtained results reveal bacteriocin-specific mechanisms of immunological control of parasites (Trichinella spiralis and Echinococcus multilocularis) and help select suitable candidates for prophylaxy or therapy of parasitic infections. |
Therapy using plants with anthelmintic effect and their effect on the ultrastructure of the parasite Haemonchus contortus
Terapia pomocou rastlín s antihelmintickým účinkom a ich vplyv na ultraštruktúru parazita Haemonchus contortus
| Duration: |
1.7.2024 - 31.12.2025 |
| Program: |
PostdokGrant |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Komáromyová Michaela PhD. |
| Annotation: | The trend of a healthy lifestyle is growing worldwide and is transferring to animal production, as people prefer animal products from animals raised on organic farms. Animal production has to face a number of diseases, including parasitic ones, which are currently eliminated almost exclusively by synthetic anthelmintics. Plants have their irreplaceable place in traditional medicine around the world in the treatment of human and animal diseases, and their therapeutic effects have been known for centuries. The healing properties of plants are mainly ensured by the content of bioactive substances and secondary plant metabolites, which are mainly attributed to positive immunomodulating and antioxidant properties. However, they can also be proven to act directly against various parasitic stages - by damaging their vital structures. The proposed project aims to observe ultrastructural changes in parasites exposed in vivo and in vitro to the effect of plants as alternative anthelmintics. More detailed information on possible morphological and ultrastructural changes caused by plant antiparasitics can help to supplement information on reactions at the physiological level. As a result of the observations, any recorded ultrastructural changes could help clarify the mechanism of the anthelmintic effect of herbal/alternative therapeutics. |
The role of hippoboscid flies in transmission cycles of microbes with veterinary importance and zoonotic potential.
Úloha kuklorodiek pri prenose a cirkulácii veterinárne významných mikroorganizmov so zoonóznym potenciálom.
Effect of forest disturbance and management treatments on soil processes and biodiversity
Vplyv disturbancií lesa a lesníckych opatrení na pôdne procesy a biodiverzitu
| Duration: |
1.9.2025 - 31.8.2029 |
| Program: |
SRDA |
| Project leader: |
Ing. Renčo Marek PhD. |
| Annotation: | Forest ecosystems including forest soils are increasingly threatened by disturbances due to climate change and human activities such as fire, windstorm, increased nitrogen input, land use and inappropriate forest management. On the other hand, proper forest management practoces can mitigate some of the negative effects of forest disturbances on soils, and in some cases, can even make forests more resilient. The overall aim of the project is to analyse and clarify the responses of soil properties, soil microorganisms and nematode communities to changes associated with forest disturbance and management practices, and to find out whether forest management practices can modify the effects of forest disturbances. We will focus mainly on soil biodiversity, characteristics related to organic matter and nutrient cycling, and soil structure. The research will focus on different types of disturbances and forest management practices in temperate forest ecosystems, with a particular focus on canopy destruction and increased nitrogen input among the disturbances, and salvage logging, silvicultural treatments, and litter raking among the management treatments. The project will provide important insights into nutrient cycling, biodiversity and soil health. Knowledge of the potential vulnerability of soils to forest disturbance and their capacity to recover is necessary for the sustainable management of forest ecosystems and the conservation of soil health and fertility and will also help to improve policies and strategies for biodiversity conservation and mitigate the climate change effect on forest ecosystems. |
Effect of environmental pollution on the functional morphology and chromosome of fish parasites
Vplyv environmentálnej záťaže na funkčnú morfológiu a chromozómy rybích parazitov
| Duration: |
1.1.2023 - 31.12.2026 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Orosová Martina PhD. |
| Annotation: | The rapid development of chemical technologies is accompanied by the release of large amounts of chemicals
into all parts of the environment, where they threaten health of organisms on Earth. Zemplínska Šírava reservoir
is an ecologically disturbed ecosystem, heavily contaminated with PCB compounds. The aim of the project is to
study the impact of the polluted environment on the development of morphological anomalies and on the
structure of chromosomes of intestinal parasites of fish. For the first time, in addition to classical and molecular
karyological techniques, a new approach to identify DNA repeats in the genome of parasites (RepeatExplorer) will
be used to obtain suitable chromosomal markers. We expect that the FISH mapping of these markers in
ecologically diverse populations will provide original information that can answer questions about the likely impact
of high anthropogenic pollution on the chromosomes of the parasitic organisms studied, with potential use as
sensitive bioindicators. |
The influence of the presence of parasitic wasps Ixodiphagus spp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) on the ecology of selected tick-borne pathogens and the dynamics of infectious diseases
Vplyv prítomnosti parazitických osičiek Ixodiphagus spp. (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae) na ekológiu vybraných kliešťami prenášaných patogénov a dynamiku infekčných ochorení
| Duration: |
1.1.2024 - 31.12.2027 |
| Program: |
VEGA |
| Project leader: |
RNDr. Víchová Bronislava PhD. |
| Annotation: | Global changes bring challenges related to vectors, pathogens, and the need to develop control methods and measures. The fight against vectors often consists only of the use of acaricides, and alternative approaches based on biological control remain in the background. One of the methods of combating vectors is the use of parasitoid wasps (Ixodiphagus spp.). Monitoring the occurrence and host preference of wasps in areas with sympatric occurrence of several tick species that transmit specific pathogens and parasites is of indisputable importance from the point of view of protecting human and animal health. The study of the interactions between the tick, the parasitoid, and the components of their microbiome, and the assessment of possible correlations with the occurrence of pathogenic agents, is essential for understanding the dynamics of vector-borne diseases. The project is focused on the study of the potential role of parasitic wasps and selected species of symbionts in the control of infectious diseases. |
The total number of projects: 22
