[Ixodes ricinus proven as a vector of Lyme borreliosis in Yugoslavia]. / Ixodes ricinus dokazan vektor lajm borelioze i u Jugoslaviji.

263 fasting female Ixodes ricinus were examined for Borrelia burgorferi, the vector of Lyme borreliosis. Female ticks were collected by flagella in the biotopes (Belgrade and Osijek) in which ticks bite patients with Lyme borreliosis. Borrelia burgorferi was proved in 58 (22%) of 263 female ticks in the native preparations of the intestinal contents by darkfield microscopy. In macerates of two groups of 5 female ticks each, Borrelia burgorferi was isolated by cultivation in the modified Kelly nutrient media for borrelia. The supposition that Ixodes ricinus is the vector of Lyme borreliosis in Yugoslavia is confirmed.

[Lyme disease in Yugoslavia]. / Lajmska bolest u Jugoslaviji.

Presented are results of the last five-year period study of the lyme disease in Yugoslavia. On the basis of published papers and professional communications over 2500 cases of lyme disease.were detected in our country within this period. Presented are common epidemiologic and clinical features of the disease and particularly cases diagnosed in Belgrade. Since 1987 a group of various specialists has been working on the research project in collaboration with many centres in the country. Indirect immunofluorescence test as the diagnostic laboratory technique has been introduced in the Military Medical Academy in Belgrade in 1987. First species of Borrelia burgdorferi from ticks Ixodes ricinus have been isolated and cultivated in May and June 1990. Current problems concerning research work, medical and epidemiological aspects of the lyme disease are presented.