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H E Krampitz

Publications and source records attributed to H E Krampitz.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1987

[Epidemiology of Ixodes-Borreliosis in Southern Germany].

Intimate adaptation occurs between European strains of Borrelia burgdorferi and the local hard tick Ixodes ricinus. I. dammini, the important vector in USA, could not be infected experimentally with a strain of the lyme spirochete from Southern Germany. Other species of blood suckers are sometimes able to maintain uptaken spirochetes for a few days, but never to compensate the tick vector. Man seems to be a good host for B. burgdorferi but without epidemiological significance due to his poor vector role for ticks. The Ixodes-borreliosis is an anthropozoonosis. Well-known animal hosts for the three life stages of the tick are possible carrier hosts for B. burgdorferi as well. It has been established here for the first time in Europe that common wild-rodent species may be of some significance as hosts for the spirochete, as it is well-known in North America. Serological evidence shows, that dogs and grasing cattle in Southern Germany seem to play an important role in B. burgdorferi's outdoor circulation. 36 out of 72 dogs (= 50%) and 22 out of 66 cattle (= 33%) reacted significantly positive in the IFAT if local strains of B. burgdorferi were used as antigen. No serological cross reactions have been observed with Leptospira infections in dogs and cattles.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

In vivo isolation and maintenance of some wild strains of European hard tick spirochetes in mammalian and arthropod hosts. A parasitologist's view.

Methods and results of isolation and experimental maintenance of Borrelia strains from indigenous Ixodes ricinus ticks are described. Out of 12 different proved rodent species and breeding variants the mongolian jird or gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus) offers most perfectly all the necessary qualities to produce a transitory not progressive microscopically apparent spirochetemia when splenectomized previously. Using a laboratory breed of Ixodes ricinus the occurrence of transstadial and transovarial transmission could be confirmed in the vector tick. Each developmental stage of ticks can be infected via blood ingestion on spirochetemic mammalian hosts but each stage can infect vice versa its blood donors equally well. Needle borne transmissions from gerbil to gerbil by i.p. administration of infected blood are particularly successful after previous deep-freezing and cryopreservation of the blood samples or tissue suspensions. Attempts are described to infect other tick species than I. ricinus, fleas and mites, respectively, via blood meal. The problem of the spirochetes perfect adaptation to the host will be discussed.

Animals↗
PubMed1986

Microbiological findings in erythema (chronicum) migrans and related disorders.

In order to evaluate the virtual advantage of proving borrelial infection in dermatoses clinically diagnosed as erythema (chronicum) migrans (ECM), acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA) or lymphadenosis cutis benigna (LCB) by means of histological, cultural or serological trials, skin and serum samples obtained from altogether 99 patients suffering from these dermatoses were examined. Serum and--to some extent--skin specimens gained from healthy individuals (n = 36), patients with not tick bite associated disorders of skin, internal organs and nervous system (n = 121) were used as controls. In addition, serum specimens from patients enduring circumscribed scleroderma (morphea), n = 31, and sera of Bavarian forest workers (n = 211) were proven for the presence of borrelial antibodies. Using an indirect immunofluorescence assay with borrelial strains, propagated in inbred mice, as antigens, elevated IgM- and/or IgG antibody titers were found in 51 (84%) out of 61 ECM-, in 17 (100%) ACA- and in 2 (33%) out of 6 LCB-sera. Antibody titers decreased significantly after adequate antibiotic therapy. The groups in comparison yielded spirochetal serum antibodies as follows: Healthy individuals and patients with various diseases 7 out of 157 (4.5%), morphea patients 7 out of 31 (23%) and forest workers 71 out of 211 (34%). Borrelia burgdorferi was cultivated from 6 out of 32 skin and from 1 blood specimen obtained from ECM patients and from 1 out of 5 ACA skin specimens. Borreliae could also be detected in the blood of 3 out of 11 thymusaplastic nude mice after intraperitoneal implantation of ECM-tissue. More frequently than borreliae spindle-shaped bacteria resembling fusobacterium sp. were detected not only by in vitro cultivation of ECM and ACA skin samples, but also in the blood of thymusaplastic mice after implantation of ECM-tissue. By Warthin-Starry silver strain borrelia-like structures were detected in 9 out of 28 ECM, in 3 out of 12 ACA and in 1 out of 5 LCB skin specimens. Therefore in our experience serological examinations turned out to be the most productive diagnostic tool.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1982

[Histological studies of the gamogony and sporogony of Hepatozoon erhardovae in experimentally infected rat fleas (Xenopsylla cheopis)].

We studied, under experimental conditions, the life cycle of Hepatozoon erhardovae in the tropical rat flea, Xenopsylla cheopis, light microscopically on coloured semi-thin sections. Fleas killed and prepared on the day of infection show stomachs filled with mice erythrocytes. Some monocytes are parasitized or show empty envelopes of gametocytes. The latter perforate the wall of the stomach, leaving behind empty parasitophorous vacuoles, and they migrate to the fat-body cells of the flea where they differentiate sexually and where they stay during the whole of their further sexual development. On days 2 and 3 post infection (p.i.) microgametes were observed with one flagellum each, as well as macrogametes in one and the same host cell. Fertilization is induced by gametogamy. During the various divisions of the nuclei on the days 8-12 p.i. droplet-like evaginations are formed on the pellicle of the oocyst from the peripherical chromatin condensations. Between days 12 and 14 p.i. the sporoblasts develop while the oocysts diminish in size. Between days 18 and 20 p.i. 16 sporozoites and a large residual body are differentiated in each sporoblast and surrounded by the sporocyst wall. The oocyst wall is preserved and forms sporocyst balls that are set free when the flea abdomen is pressed. The flea thus presents a highly infective vector; the intermediate host is infected after eating the flea.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Evaluation of antigens for the serodiagnosis of kala-azar and oriental sores by means of the indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT).

Antigens and corresponding sera were collected from travellers with leishmaniasis returning to Germany from different endemic areas of the old world. The antigenicity of these Leishmania strains, which were maintained in Syrian hamsters, was compared by indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT). Antigenicity was demonstrated by antibody titres in 18 sera from 11 patients. The amastigotic stages of nine strains of Leishmania donovani and four strains of Leishmania tropica were compared with each other and with the culture forms of insect flagellates (Strigomonas oncopelti and Leptomonas ctenocephali). Eighteen sera from 11 patients were available for antibody determination with these antigens. The maximal antibody titres in a single serum varied considerably depending on which antigen was used for the test. High antibody levels could only be maintained when Leishmania donovani was employed as the antigen, but considerable differences also occurred between the different strains of this species. The other antigens were weaker. No differences in antigenicity between amastigotes and promastigotes of the same strain were observed. It is important to select suitable antigens. Low titres may be of doubtful specificity and are a poor baseline for the fall in titre which is an essential index of effective treatment.

Antibody Formation↗
PubMed1981

[The Elba triad: harara, light dermatoses, leishmaniasis. The ecological background].

A report is given on a travel to Elba, the largest island of the Tuscany archepelago (Italy) and a holiday place preferred by German speaking tourists. In the last years some cases of visceral leishmaniasis and oriental sores, respectively, were introduced to Germany from this island. The geoecological background of this development was investigated. Reproduction and spread of the most abundant sandfly species Phlebotomus (Laroussius) perniciosus favour ruinous buildings, actually used as animal shelters sometimes in the immediate vicinity of new tourist bungalows. A typical allergic response upon sandfly bites occurs in almost all of the newcomers. This skin irritation is wellknown as urticaria multiformis endemica of Harara. Local people and tourists connect this itching disorder with certain types of sun trauma and do not take notice of their real etiology. Cortisone treatment in severe cases may facilitate the start of simultaneously transmitted leishmaniasis. The possible epidemiological role, which the dog travelling to southern countries in connection with leishmaniasis plays, is considered.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Primary and secondary skin leishmaniasis in experimental rodent hosts.

Pathological observations are described from experimental infections of Syrian hamsters, nude mice and bank voles with different Leishmania strains isolated from travellers returning to Germany from endemic areas. The main purpose of the paper was to demonstrate the changing patterns of parasite predilection sites within appropriate experimental animals. Despite the occasionally-occurring episodes of altered predilection sites the principal organotropic behaviour of given Leishmania strain was remarkably constant in in vivo passages. Here a genetic background seems evident which justified a legal use of such host related properties in taxonomic considerations. It was noted that humans appear to be poor indicators of the micro-ecological abilities of Leishmania spp.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

[The diagnosis of visceral leishmaniasis (carried in) (author's transl)].

Five cases of Kala-Azar carried in from the Mediterranean area between May 1977 and March 1979 suggest that in this age of mass tourism these diseases, considered by us as rarities until now, may become more common. In all cases considerable difficulties in diagnosis were first encountered. Serology was always indicative, the indirect fluorescence antibody test (IFAT) being found very reliable. In 4 of the 5 cases the identity of the pathogen was previously established by different methods.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Pathomorphologic findings in short-tailed voles (Microtus agrestis) experimentally-infected with Frenkelia microti.

Following oral infection of Microtus agrestis with sporocysts of Frenkelia microti, transient focal necrosis and cellular infiltrations in the liver, hyperplasia of lymphoid organs, and inflammatory infiltrations in the heart, pulmonary veins, skeletal muscles and brain occurred during the first asexual multiplication period of the parasite in the liver. Frenkelia cysts were first observed in the brain 23 days after infection.

Animals↗
PubMed1979

Babesia microti: morphology, distribution and host relationship in Germany.

A short review has been given about recent studies on Babesia microti in natural animal host's near Munich (Southern Germany). An infected area has been studied in order to elucidate the outdoor relationship between the local strains and their preferred hosts, the European field vole Microtus agrestis. The seasonal variation of the parasites prevalence in voles shows a rise in the early summertime (71% of the catches infected). Roundish forms predominate in the erythrocytes. Multiplication never takes place by binary fission, but in "Maltese cross" form or budding-like. Normally the parasite is enveloped with a simple elementary membrane only, as shown by electron microscopy. The arthropod host is still not identified, infections of human beings not observed. This is the first finding and full description of B. microti in Germany.

Animals↗
PubMed1978

[Investigations into the fire structure of the asexual developmental stages of Frenkelia in the liver of the bank vole (author's transl)].

Bank voles (Clethrionomys glareolus) were infected by stomach tube with Frenkelia sporocysts from the faeces of buzzards (Buteo buteo). The voles were sacrificed at regular intervals and their livers examined electronmicroscopically. Seven days p.i. developmental stages of Frenkelia could be detected in liver parenchymal cells. The youngest schizonts detected are enveloped by a pellicle consisting of two membranes. This pellicle, which is in direct contact with the host cell mitochondria, shows marked invaginations which increase with the development of the schizont. A parasitophorous vacuole is not detectable. In developing schizonts numerous sections through nuclei with nucleic spindles and merozoite anlagen (dome-shaped) structures) are visible. It is not clear whether there are several nuclei or a section through one large and lobed nucleus. Within the merozoite anlagen the conoid and the subpellicular microtubules are formed first. By the prolongation of the dome-shaped structures towards the posterior pole, the nucleus and the other newly formed cell organelles are incorporated into the forming merozoite. The posterior pole of the merozoite still remains open at this stage of development. With increasing differentiation the merozoites become lancet-shaped, their apical poles bing always directed towards the periphery of the schizont. The outer membrane of the pellicle of the schizont forms the outer part of the pellicle of the merozoites by invaginating around them. At this stage of development the inner membrane of the pellicle of the schizont is no longer detectable. Thus the typical pellicle of the motile stages of sporozoaonsisting of three membranes is formed. In the centre of the merozoites which lie freely in the liver cell a residual body is present. The host cell reacts against the parasites by forming a thick border of mitochondria and distinct endoplasmic reticulum.

Animals↗