Gegenwärtig
Dissertationen
Nicole Ridlmaier, MSc student in cooperation with FH Campus Wien.
Diplomarbeiten
Lisa Kalkbrenner
Lama Khalil Abedalqader Elsyid
Vergangene
PhD Thesis
- Ecology and Transmission Dynamics of Human Tick-Borne Pathogens
Michiel Wijnveld, 2022
The work described in this thesis seeks to give an insight into the characteristics of ticks and tick-borne pathogens in central Europe (i.e., Austria, Germany, Hungary and Romania) that pose a health risk to humans. Special emphasis was placed on the ecology and transmission dynamics of tick-borne microorganisms associated with human-biting tick species, including Haemaphysalis concinna which is a poorly studied tick species.
- Host-pathogen interaction of Borrelia spirochetes
Michael Reiter, 2016
Detection of the relapsing fever group B. miyamotoi in Austrian ticks for the first time The genus Borrelia comprises two large species complexes - the borreliae of the B. burgdorferi sensu lato (Bbsl) complex which contains the agents of Lyme borreliosis/Lyme disease, and the relapsing fever group borreliae. Lyme borreliosis is exclusively tick-borne; relapsing fever is either tick-borne or louse-borne. Recently, the potential involvement of the relapsing fever borrelia Borrelia miyamotoi in human disease was discovered. An increasing number of cases of B. miyamotoi disease (BMD) are reported from different parts of the world suggesting a human pathogenic role of this spirochete, presumably often disguised as a form of Lyme borreliosis. B. miyamotoi has already been found in ixodid ticks in several countries of Europe, such as Germany and Czech Republic. This thesis reports the detection of B. miyamotoi in Austrian ticks for the first time.
- Bartonella species in Austria cultivation, screening and serology
Andreas Müller, 2016
Many Bartonella species have been affecting humans over time. It is believed that Bartonella species are all vector-transmitted, blood-borne and intracellular organisms. Vectors of Bartonella are cat fleas, flies, and lice. But if ticks are suitable vectors for bartonellae remains to be substantiated. To address this question an Austrian I. ricinus tick library was screened with a Real Time PCR targeting the ssrA gen of Bartonella and the prevalence of antibodies to Bartonella species in sera from hunters and blood donors was determined.
Diplomas/Master Thesis
- The risk of getting Lyme borreliosis depending on the number of ticks and the duration of tick attachment
Christina Schray, 2020
Background: Lyme borreliosis (LB) caused by Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (sl) is the most common tick-born disease in North America and Europe. Some studies already found evidence that the risk of getting infected with Borrelia after a tick bite increases with a longer tick feeding duration and a higher engorgement of the tick. A detailed analysis of further predictive factors which estimate the risk of getting infected is lacking and needs to be investigated.
- Molecular detection of pathogens in ticks from Austria
Marion Blaschitz, 2007
Background: In the northern hemisphere ticks are the most important hematophagous arthropods able to transmit diseases of medical and veterinary relevance. They can act as vectors for a variety of bacteria, viruses and protozoa, some of which are pathogenic to humans. In Austria, the hard tick Ixodes ricinus is the most prevalent tick species. It is abundant mainly throughout mixed and deciduous forests, and thus, poses a health risk for people with outdoor activities. The aim of the present study was to investigate Austrian ticks for the presence of microorganisms of medical importance. Therefore, questing ticks were collected in all nine federal states of Austria. A PCR-based detection system was established for the detection of the genera Borrelia, Rickettsia, Anaplasma, Ehrlichia, Coxiella, Francisella and Babesia with primers targeting the 16S rRNA gene and the 18S rRNA gene.
Bachelor Thesis
- Identification of Methyltransferase Function as Part of Borrelia afzelii Immune System
Noémi Zsuzsa Kovács, 2022
Background: Borrelia afzelii is a gram-negative bacteria named after Arvid Afzellius, who first reported the skin lesion associated with Lyme borreliosis. It has a corkscrew-like motility and relies on ticks for transmission. Borreliae has evolved mechanisms to protect itself, including a type II restriction-modification system. We focused on the understudied B. afzelii to investigate its R-M system and found a putative dam gene. Further research is needed to determine its efficiency in defending against external DNA, potentially leading to new treatment options.
- Catch me if you can: A study in the distribution pattern of tick-borne microorganisms in small mammals
Katharina Kantner, 2022
Background: We tested small rodents and insectivores in two Austrian villages for tick-borne pathogens and found that 56.3% of the animals tested positive for at least one microorganism. Rickettsia raoultii was the most prevalent tick-borne human pathogen, with 44.8% of the animals testing positive. We also found double, triple, and quadruple infections in some animals. We detected Theileria (Babesia) microti and Borrelia afzelii more frequently in liver samples, while Rickettsia raoultii was more commonly found in liver and lung samples. We unexpectedly detected a previously uncharacterized Hepatozoon species in our samples.
- Borrelia Burgdorferi sensu lato: the bacterium with many different faces
Laura Hermann, 2021
Background: Lyme borreliosis is a disease transmitted by tick bites caused by the Borrelia Burgdorferi sensu lato complex. It can lead to long-term effects such as arthritis and chronic skin disease. Lyme neuroborreliosis can result in severe pain and paralysis. We have identified twelve new sequence types affecting humans and rodents, highlighting the need for better diagnostic and treatment methods.