Institute of Parasitology
Topic
The role of the blood-sucking arthropods of the orders Ixodida and Diptera in the circulation of vector-borne microorganisms
PhD. program
Parasitic Diseases of Animals, daily form
Name of the supervisor
RNDr. Bronislava Víchová, PhD.
Contact:
Receiving school
University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice
Annotation
Ticks of the order Ixodida are epidemiologically significant carriers of the entire spectrum of viruses, bacteria, and protozoan pathogens. On the contrary, the role of blood-sucking arthropods of the families Tabanidae and Hippoboscidae in the circulation of pathogens is still not fully understood. The main goal of the dissertation will be to assess the influence of ticks and arthropods of the families Tabanidae and Hippoboscidae on the ecology and circulation of pathogens in localities with their sympatric occurrence. Arthropods will be examined using molecular methods for the presence of RNA and DNA pathogens: tick-borne encephalitis virus, orbiviruses, Anaplasma spp., Borrelia spp., Babesia spp., Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia spp., Rickettsia spp., Mycoplasma spp., Theileria spp. , Trypanosoma spp. Genetic variability of pathogens, co-circulation of pathogens in the environment, and mutual relations between pathogen and vector will be studied at the molecular level. The potential role of members of the families Tabanidae and Hippoboscidae as vectors of pathogens has only been marginally studied so far. The work will bring original and complex knowledge that will be unique not only for Slovakia.