MACROMICROSCOPIC ARGUMENTATION OF THE PATHOGENETIC SCENARIO OF BABESIOSIS IN THE COORDINATE SYSTEM «PATHOGEN-CARRIER-RESERVOIR»

Abstract

The aim is to get a thorough argument for the babesiosis pathogenetic scenario in the coordinate system «pathogen (Babesia spp.) – carrier (ticks of the Ixodoidea superfamily of the Ixodidea family) – reservoir (a susceptible organism)» with the emphasis on the epizootic/epidemic role of the carrier. Materials and methods: The macromicroscopic method of research was used in order to maximize the clarification of the babesiosis scenario, its pathogenetic links, the connection of the latter with attacks of active stages of ixodes ticks, types of circulation of ontogenetic forms of Babesia spp. in the body of carriers and their inoculation of the pathogen into an organism susceptible to it. The use of this method helped to strengthen the diagnostic potential of the study, and increase the reliability of the results obtained. Taking this into consideration it was focused on the epizootological/epidemiological aspects of babesiosis, the role and significance of the most vulnerable epizootic link – Ixodes ticks on the body of the vertebrate provider (mammal), poikilomorphism, anisomorphy. The study of the monolithic idiosome and ticks salivary glands were carried out on activated (capable of attack) female individuals aged 2-3 months after molting. Ticks were dissected in a cool (t=4ºC) Ringer’s saline solution for arachnids. Ticks and prepared salivary glands were fixed in 12% formalin solution on 0.1 M phosphate buffer (pH=7.0-7.2) at t=4oC for 3 hours, washed with the buffer, and fixed again for 1 hour (t=4oC). To achieve tonicity, sucrose was added to the fixatives and the washing medium. Dehydration occurred due to a battery of alcohols of increasing concentration and absolute acetone. Microspecimens stained with hematoxylin and eosin were studied using an Olympus BX-41 microscope (Japan). Results: Implementation of the leading stages of the babesiosis pathogenetic scenario is focused on the coordinate system «pathogen (Babesia spp.) − carrier (ticks of the Ixodoidea superfamily of the Ixodidea family) − reservoir (a susceptible organism)» in which carrier take the leading place. The macromicroscopic specificity of the structure of the ticks (variability: ability to aniso-, poikilomorphism) is an evidence-based criterion for pathogens inoculation to the macroorganism of warm-blooded vertebrates. It determines the features of circulation and organ/cellular locations of Babesia spp. (intestines and its epithelium, hemolymph, gonads, salivary glands). The species belonging of warm blooded vertebrates susceptible to babesiosis pathogens correlates with the species belonging of ticks and determines the tropicity of the latter. The simultaneous implementation of a complex of research procedures with the tick biological material samples is problematic taking into account the physical lack of material, which requires researchers to re-orient the diagnostic vector towards the use of additional methods for babesiosis diagnosing, including in vitro ones. Conclusions: In the pathogenetic scenario of babesiosis, the carrier (Ixodes ticks) is the central figure in the epidemic/epizootic coordinate system.