[Faunistic-ecological studies of Ixodes ricinus in the urban area of Leipzig]. / Faunistisch-ökologische Untersuchungen über Ixodes ricinus im Stadtgebiet von Leipzig.

The urban-ecological rule of decrease of the population size from the environs to the town centre is established also for Ixodes ricinus. The manifold impairments are shown which urban influences have on the cycle of the parasite, especially in the transitional zone between the forest area and the totally sealed ground. The presentation of an urban gradient is tried for the first time. There is potential danger of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi deep into the conurbation.

Tick infection rates with Borrelia: Ixodes ricinus versus Haemaphysalis concinna and Dermacentor reticulatus in two locations in eastern Germany.

Unfed nymphal Ixodes ricinus, Haemaphysalis concinna, and adult Dermacentor reticulatus were collected in two locations of Saxony in July and September 1991 by flagging. In July, the abundance of nymphal I. ricinus was about 2-3 times higher than that of nymphal H. concinna, a time of the year when nymphs of both species are reported to have a seasonal peak of activity. No D. reticulatus were flagged concurrently. In September, host-seeking activity of nymphal I. ricinus was again quite high as was that of adult D. reticulatus but only low numbers of nymphal H. concinna were collected. The flagged ticks were individually examined for Borrelia by an indirect immunofluorescence assay (I. ricinus: n = 414; H. concinna: n = 96; D. reticulatus: n = 116). The prevalence of Borrelia (probably B. burgdorferi) in I. ricinus varied from 12.1% to 21.0%. No borreliae were found in H. concinna. Of the examined D. reticulatus from one site (n = 97) 11.3% contained either B. burgdorferi or a related Borrelia. This may be the first finding of Borrelia in an Eurasian Dermacentor species.

[Life-threatening complications caused by Argas reflexus (Ixodoidea, Argasidae)]. / Lebensbedrohliche Komplikationen durch Argas reflexus (Ixodoidea, Argasidae).

Injuries to health by Argas reflexus (Ixodoidea, Argasidae) are known and have been published since about the middle of 19th century. Argas reflexus was on outsider in health pests for a long time, but biological and medical interests increased during last years. The greatest part of injuries by far, brought about by stings of this parasite, takes either a harmless course or there are appearances of middle severity, which can be easy controlled by a physician. In some cases however, at often happened exposition in the main, there may be complications dangerous for one's life, the causes of which often are not recognised sufficient by general practitioners. Beside a casuistry the article contains references to prompt measures--especially for the first-aid doctor-and following tasks for public hygienic executive organs.

[The discovery of Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida, Ixodidae) in the East German districts of Leipzig and Halle]. / Funde von Dermacentor reticulatus (Ixodida, Ixodidae) in den DDR-Berzirken Leipzig und Halle).

A report on findings of Dermacentor reticulatus, a very rare tick species in the GDR, in 3 localities situated in the heath region of Düben and Dahlen (GDR districts of Leipzig and Halle). Three adults of Dermacentor reticulatus ticks were caught by brushing over the vegetation with a flag in one of 235 places in May and September 1987. On the other hand, a total of 2,877 Ixodes ricinus ticks was found in all places. In the same year, from the same area, we also found 2 adults of Dermacentor reticulatus on a man's clothing and on a horse.