1

Questionnaire

Summary of the main activities of a scientific Organisation

of the Slovak Academy of Sciences

Period: January 1, 2007 - December 31, 2011

I. Formal information on the assessed Organisation:

1. Legal name and address Institute of Parasitology of Slovak Academy of Sciences

Hlinkova 3, 040 01 Košice

Slovak Republic

2. Executive body of the Organisation and its composition

3. Head of the Scientific Board RNDr. Samuel Velebný, CSc.

4. Basic information about the research personnel i. Number of employees with a university degree (PhD students excluded)

engaged in research and development and their full time equivalent work

capacity (FTE) in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and average number during the

assessment period

2

ii. Organisation units/departments and their FTE employees with the university

degree engaged in research and development

5. Basic information on the funding

i. Total salary budget1 of the Organisation allocated from the institutional

resources of the Slovak Academy of Sciences (SAS) in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010,

2011 and average amount for the assessment period

6. URL of the Organisation’s web site http://www.saske.sk/pau/iaps.htm

1 Objem mzdových prostriedkov bez odvodov do poisťovní so započítaním sumy miezd pracovníkov THS, ktorú organizácii poskytne ETO Úradu SAV. Rozpočet v Sk prepočítajte na eurá podľa konverzného kurzu 1€ = 30,126. (Podobne aj v ďalších tabuľkách.)

3

II. General information on the research and development activity of

the Organisation:

1. Mission Statement of the Organisation as presented in its Foundation Charter The mission and objectives of the Organisation, established in the Charter of Foundation,

are as follows:

The Institute develops research activities in the fields of biological, medical,

pharmaceutical, agricultural, and forestry sciences.

The Institute focuses on the research of parasites and parasite-induced diseases of

humans, animals and plants, as well as interrelations of parasites to hosts, rezervoars,

vectors and environment; it conducts research of life cycles and manifestations of

parasitic organisms and studies therapeutic and prophylactic manipulation of parasite-

borne diseases.

The Institute undertakes implementation activities towards rapid introduction of new

knowledge into social practice.

The Institute develops co-operation with similarly oriented Institutes of the Slovak

Academy of Sciences (SAS), Universities and other research organisations in Slovakia

and abroad.

The Institute provides a scientific education as an external educational institution and

participates in other levels and forms of under- and post-graduate study.

The Institute organizes educational and popularisation activities associated with the

implementation of results into practice.

The Institute ensures publication of scientific results through the periodical and non-

periodical press.

2. Summary of R&D activity pursued by the Organisation during the assessed

period, from both national and international aspects and its incorporation in the European Research Area (recommended 5 pages, max. 10 pages)

The broad range of activities in the area of parasitology has resulted from the mission

of the Institute of Parasitology of SAS in national research with the wide support of

international cooperation in the V4 countries, many EU countries and scientific

institutions in the USA, Africa and Asia. The obtained results have a character of basic

research and have greatly benefited various branches of parasitology, both from a

4

national and international standpoint. Using progressive complex approaches, advanced

laboratory and statistical methods focusing on medically and biologically important

parasites and problems their transmission influenced by the global climatic and

ecological changes, have brought about a whole new array of original outcomes. In

Slovakia, majority of the research areas are maitained exclusivel in the Institute, where

the main research branches with long tradition and leading personalities have been

preserved. The contributions and new knowledge can be characterised as follows:

Research on systematics (taxonomy, phylogeny) and studies on morphology,

ultrastructure and biology of parasites of free-living animals have a long tradition at

the Institute. Owing to quality of scientific achievements in this field, the Institute

continually sustains leading position in Slovakia and abroad.

The recent taxonomic research was mostly focused on caryophyllidean tapeworms, a

group of phylogenetically old fish parasites occurring in all zoogeographical regions

except the Neotropics. Great phenotypic plasticity, frequently occurring conflict between

morphology and genes, and repeated incidence of ITS paralogues (divergent

intragenomic ITS copies) in several species greatly confused the taxonomy of the

Caryophyllidea. Consequently, an integrative research based on the morphology,

ultrastructure, sequences of genes and chromosomes was initiated and some studies

have been done in collaboration with several European and American research teams.

The caryophyllidean genus Khawia was revised and the new species, Khawia

saurogobii n. sp., was originally described. The identification key based on three-

dimensional pictures of the scoleces of caryophyllidean cestodes parasitic in cypriniform

fishes in the Palaearctic and another key of all Khawia congeners were provided. Several

tens species of this cestode group from fishes of tropical Asia (mostly Indomalayan

zoogeographical region) were critically rewieved.

New data on spermiogenesis and vitelogenesis of caryophyllideans Atractolytocestus

huronensis, Breviscolex orientalis, Caryophyllaeus laticeps, Khawia sinensis and

Wenyonia viridis, as well as several other representatives of basal tapeworm-groups

were newly described, and a rewiev on spermiogenesis and the ultrastructure of

spermatozoa of Cestoda was published. A new classification of spermatozoa into seven

basic types was proposed, and, for the first time, a phylogenetic tree inferred from

spermatological characters was provided.

The current status of knowledge on the chromosomes within all of the cestode orders

was rewieved and placed within an evolutionary perspective, summarising all existing

data for 115 species from nine cestode orders. For the first time, new molecular

approaches and advanced cytogenetic markers were applied for 10 Cestoda spp. For

instance, a triploidy (3n = 24, n = 4m + 3st + 1 minute chromosome) and considerable

5

intra-genomic variability was found in A. huronensis which reproduction is

parthenogentic, as shown by ultrastructural observations. Fluorescent in situ

hybridization (FISH) with an 18S rDNA probe revealed two distinct rDNA clusters for

each homologue of the triplet number 2. Ten new karyotypes were originally described

within the repoting period.

Another model parasite under the systematic and phylogeography studies was the

ruminant trematode Fascioloides magna (giant liver fluke), originally coming from the

North America. It was analyzed both in USA and in the secondary European areal with

aim to reveal the origin and transmission routes of the flukes from existing European foci

(Italy, Czech Republic, Danube floodplain forests). Phylogenetic analysis of two

mitochondrial genes revealed more than one introduction event of F. magna into Europe.

Genetic structure of all European F. magna populations showed that besides the first,

well documented introduction of the parasite to Italy from the north-western part of the

USA, another independent introduction of F. magna was directed from the south-eastern

USA to Czech Republic and subsequently to the Danube floodplain forests (Slovak –

Hungarian border). Recent data indicate that environmental conditions of the Danube

region are suitable for intermediate and definitive hosts of F. magna, which accelerates

spreading of this veterinary important parasite of deer game and livestock in the Danube

Basin.

Genetic and molecular comparison of F. magna with another epizootically important

common liver fluke Fasciola hepatica revealed their species-specific characteristics and

evolutionary interrelationships. Sequence structure of complete ribosomal internal

transcribed spacer 2 region (ITS2 rDNA) enabled reliable discrimination of

morphologically similar eggs and larval stages. Cytogenetic characteristics showed that

the karyotype of F. magna (2n = 22) might be evolutionary older than that of F. hepatica

(2n = 20).

The research of parasitic diseases is focused mainly on zoonoses transmissible

between animals and humans, in the fields of epidemiology, molecular characterization

of zoonotic agents, host immune responses, diagnostics, and human protection.

Due to the recent global climate changes, a significant spread of many vector-borne

diseases occurred from tropical and subtropical regions to milder climate zones

occurred. In recent years, the subcutaneous form of dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria

repens is considered the zoonosis with fastest expand in Europe. Endemic areas of D.

repens were revealed in climatically warmer areas of the Danubian Lowland and the

Eastern Slovak Lowland where the prevalence of the parasite exceeded 30.0 % in

average. For the first time, pulmonary heartworm Dirofilaria immitis has also been

observed in dogs in Slovakia. Implemented preventive measures led to significant

6

reduction in the prevalence of dirofilariosis in police dogs, from the initial 20.0% to 4.7%.

Up to year 2011, three autochthonous cases of human subcutaneous dirofilariosis were

recorded in Slovakia.

At present, alveolar echinococcosis, caused by Echinococcus multilocularis,

constitutes the most crucial parasitic disease in Europe and its occurrence is regularly

monitored in EU countries. In a survey of genetic variability and migration patterns of

tapeworms from several European countries a significantly higher nucleotide diversity in

isolates from ancestral endemic area in northern part of Alpine arch (southern Germany,

Austria, Switzerland, eastern France), where the parasite transmission is more intense,

than in areas of eastern and central Europe recently invaded by parasite, was recorded.

An imbalance in this variation and major sequence profiles across the European territory

suggest that E. multilocularis transmission from main focus is governed by a

mainland/island model.

The prevalence of E. multilocularis in its final hosts, red foxes, varied from 30 % to 60

% in Slovakia and endemic localities were in Žilina and Prešov regions. The seasonal

prevalence of the infection in foxes was most affected by the average rainfall and the

relative density and abundance of small rodents as intermediate hosts. The last-

mentioned fact is related to the results of experimental infections of model mice with E.

multilocularis that affirmed that the parasite does not affect the reproduction and mortality

of its intermediade host. It proves the important role of small mammals in spread of

parasite and emergence of natural foci with high intensity of infection in definitive hosts.

In humans, the incidence of alveolar echinococcosis is similarly increasing: since 2000

13 human causes (age 14 to 80 years) were diagnosed. Experimental using of

immunomodulators brought a threefold increase in efficiency of anti-parasitic

benzimidazole’s therapy for alveolar echinoccosis.

Genetic analysis of another medically important tapeworm, Echinococcus granulosus,

primarily circulated in domestic cycles, showed the trend of spread of the highly infective

G1 genotype (sheep strain) from endemic Mediterranean area northward into the

eastern-central European territory. This was corroborated by several findings in Hungary

and Romania in areas previously free of G1. The G7 genotype (pig strain) with low

infectivity for humans is the prevailing Echinococcus variant in the connected zone of its

occurrence in Slovakia, Poland and Ukraine.

Trichinellosis is a serious cosmopolitan zoonosis. In Slovakia, Trichinella. spiralis, T.

britovi, and T. pseudospiralis have been identified with significant differences in their

infectivity. Immune response of experimental mice infected with encapsulating species

(T. spiralis, T. britovi) confirmed the Th2 polarisation, but non-encapsulating T.

pseudospiralis caused the Th1 immune response. These findings might be used in

7

immunodiagnostics of trichinellosis and also in control of the disease. By means of

multiplex PCR method, the distribution and species composition of Trichinella parasites

in wild boars, foxes, martens, wolves and polecats were ascertained in Slovakia, Poland

and Ukraine. Sylvatic species T. britovi is the predominant agent of infection, with T.

spiralis and T. pseudospiralis also sporadically detected in Eastern Slovakia and

Ukraine.

The comprehensive monitoring of two systematically related intracellular protozoan

parasites, Toxoplasma gondii and Neospora caninum, showed especially high

prevalence in farm animals with reproductive disorders (N. caninum prevalence 22.6% in

livestock, 15.5% in goats, 3.7% in sheep, T. gondii prevalence 6.7% in livestock, in

56.9% goats, 24.3% in sheep). A high Toxoplasma presence detected in goat milk

(32.6%) represents a great hazard for the milk consumers. The genetic variability and the

circulation of both species were studied in wildliving animals in endemic areas. The

specific N. caninum antigen for immunodiagnostics was prepared from own isolates

using in vitro cultivation.

The research on vector-borne diseases has been focused on study of new

relationships between pathogen (infectious agent) - parasite (vector of pathogen) and

host (reservoir of pathogens in natural focus), and the environment including human,

domestic and livestock animals under the impact of the global climate, economic and

social changes in Slovakia and Central Europe. The presence of 9 epidemiologically

important tick species has been detected. Knowledge on the spreading of Ixodes ricinus

ticks into higher mountain areas (1000-1200 m asl.) and the central urban parks, as well

as the extension of Dermacentor reticulatus distribution range from the sites nearby the

Danube, Morava and Latorica rivers to the Carpathian valleys, at least 200 km further

north and by 300 m asl. into higher altitudes when compared to the last studies have

been obtained. In Poland, expansion of D. reticulatus was found between Visla and Odra

rivers, where it has been not recorded up to now. On dogs from the northern Slovakia,

especially the presence of Ixodes hexagonus ticks has been observed. At the

recreationally attractive areas of the Croatian Plitvice Lakes, in the coastal zone of

Adriatic Sea, in total 4 tick species, with the potential risk of transmission of various

infectious agents to humans and animals, have been detected.

In the pathogen-parasite (vector) research, the presence of 7 out of 8 agents of Lyme

disease, bacteria from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex was found out in Ixodes

ricinus ticks. The occurrence of the causative agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis

(HGA) was confirmed not only in ticks from several European localities (Slovakia, Czech

Republic, Austria) but also in deer ked Lipoptena cervi, the cervid ectoparasite.

8

The research of pathogen-host interactions confirmed the first case of human

anaplasmosis in Slovakia and its agent A. phagocytophilum in the blood of patient. The

circulation of these bacteria in natural focus was proved with cervids, wild boars (Sus

scrofa), European brown bear (Ursus arctos) and chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra) as

hosts in Slovakia and foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in Poland. The presence of unicellular

parasites Toxoplasma gondii, Babesia microti-like and Hepatozoon canis were detected

for the first time in red foxes in Slovakia (the East-Slovakian Lowland) and Poland.

Hepatozoonosis is life-threatening disease of free ranging and domestic carnivores in

Mediterranean region. The specific relationship of Borrelia lusitaniae and lizards and its

circulation in a natural focus was described. These results represent the first evidence

ever of the occurrence of B. lusitaniae in Hungary and Romania and were detected for

the first time in more lizard species.

The importance of rodents from the genus Apodemus and Myodes in the circulation

of Borrelia and Anaplasma species has been confirmed. Especially the striped field

mouse, Apodemus agrarius, seems to be the most appropriate reservoir of many tick-

borne pathogens. In blood samples of rodents, the presence of 4 groups of blood

parasites has been detected, namely Trypanosoma grosi, Babesia microti-like,

Bartonella sp. a Babesia sp. Moreover, it has been observed that the communities of

fleas and mites in the population of small mammals are characterized by different

nestedness, which significantly affects β-diversity of these communities. In Slovakia,

significant differences have been observed in the composition of helminth species and

their overall diversity in two rodent species – Apodemus flavicollis and A. agrarius.

The long-term research in the field of experimental pharmacology is currently

primarily focused on the study of helminth resistance to antiparasitics and use of

immunomodulators in order to increase the efficacy of therapy against tissue helminths.

Intensive use of anthelmintic drugs to control gastrointestinal nematodes selects for

anthelmintic resistance, which has become an important issue in most countries with

intensive animal industry. The growing importance of resistance has led to an increased

need for reliable and standardised detection methods. We increase sensitivity and

reliability of the current in vitro methods for detection of resistance. Our results

demonstrate the potential to detect a low level (4%) of resistant parasite within the

Additionally, just a single drug concentration enables to monitor an increase of the

frequencies of resistant alleles in the population. The prevalence of drug-resistant

parasites in sheep in Slovakia was monitored in the evaluated period. A total of 49 sheep

herds from 17 districts of Slovakia were examined using the modern in vitro method. On

2 farms (4.35%), the high occurrences of ivermectin resistant parasites have been

9

detected. The resistance was low on 12 farms (26.07%) and 32 farms (69.56%) were

declared without resistant worms.

Considerable contribution of the study with co-administration of drug with antioxidant

is represented by the description of main regulatory mechanisms of hepatic fibrogenesis

following infection of host mice with larvae of model tissue cestode Mesocestoides

vogae. It was found that deposit of total collagens in the liver gradually increased,

collagen I was more dominant than collagen III and they were markedly reduced after

combined therapy. Oxidative stress resulted in low glutathione (GSH) levels, elevated

lipid peroxidation and production of superoxide anions. Following praziquantel and

silymarin therapy, liver GSH concentration exceeded its physiological level and lipid

peroxidation was eliminated. Silymarin stimulated hepatocyte proliferation. Gene

expression of main Th1 cytokine IFN-γ was suppressed during acute stage of infection,

whereas TNF-α gene expression was down-regulated at chronic stage. Gene expression

of key pro-fibrotic cytokine TGF-β1 increased in activated Kupffer and hepatic stellate

cells early and was suppressed following combined therapy. Genes for IL-10, IL-13, IL-4

and IL-5 were also activated with different dynamic. In in vitro experiments was found

that excretory-secretory products of larvae suppress effector functions of cells destroying

their Fc-receptor and phagocytic receptor what results in long lasting survival and growth

of parasite.

In the framework of international co-operation (6th Framework Programme of the EU -

COST till 2009), new detection methods of anthelmintic resistance were developed and

verified. Additionally, new progressive tools to evaluate the health status of animals have

been implemented. The research results have been accepted worldwide which has been

also substantiated by the fact that the respective scientific team was integrated into the

new COST programme of the EU.

The research in the area of ecological parasitology is focused on the problems of

the onset, course and spreading risk of parasitoses in the environment of the

marginalised groups of inhabitants, on recycling and hygienically safe utilisation of

wastes contaminated by parasitic germs and the research of selected helminth species

as markers for ecotoxicological screening.

In the selected settlements of marginalized groups of inhabitants in the eastern

Slovakia, where poor hygiene standards and a lack of veterinary care for household

animals and pets occur, a soil contamination with the parasite eggs as a potential source

of zoonotic agents was studied. The developmental stages of various human

endoparasites were detected in up to 79.2% of 149 soil samples taken from five

settlements: Toxocara spp. eggs were found in 61.3% of sammples, Ascaris spp. in

58.5%, Trichuris spp. in50.9%, and strongyloid eggs in 21.7%. Endoparasite eggs

10

occurred frequently also in the dog’s feces from settlements (up to 73.8%): Toxocara

canis was found in 45.2% fecal samples, Toxascaris leonina in 40.5%, and Trichuris

vulpis in 19.0%. Fecal contamination of an environment and inadequate communal

hygiene causing a high degree of parasitic contamination represent an important

epizootiological and epidemiological problem. Therefore, the monitoring of parasite eggs

was extended to people. Out of 578 stool samples of children from settlements which

had been hospitalized in the hospitals in the Košice and Prešov regions with health

problems, eggs of Ascaris lumbricoides were found in 17.1%, while those of Trichuris

trichiura in 4.0%. Surprisingly, even higher incidence of parasites was detected in stool

samples of children from settlement who had no symptoms of helminthoses. Here,

parasite eggs of A. lumbricoides were detected in 25.6% of fecal samples, and those of

T. trichiura in 12.2%. Children population in the settlements is constantly exposed to the

helminth infection and continually contributes to further spreading of infection.

To increase the effectiveness of sanitation of the organic wastes from the settlements

with poor hygiene standards, two modern approaches have been tested. The first one,

the anaerobic stabilization (log-term storage of organic waste in piles) has decreased the

viability of A. suum eggs by 21 %, and eggs of T. canis by 50 %, and this is the most

simple and cheep way how to reduce parasitic threat. The second improved method of

the waste sanitation is the use of dust rejects from lime production which is similarly

effective but much less expensive then usage of quality lime dust. Both these methods

reduce the risk of dissemination, survival and potential spread of developmental stages

of human and animal endoparasites.

Another huge environmental problem is connected with an accumulation of pollutants

such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB) and heavy metals in the inanimate environment

and living organisms. Especially, these pollutants have an exceptionally high storage

capacity in aquatic organisms including fish, which are commonly used in a standard

ecotoxicological screening. Because data on the bioindication power of parasites have

been lacking so far, accumulation of PCBs and heavy metals was studied in host-

parasite system of an intestinal thorny-headed worm Acanhocephalus lucii and perch

(Perca fluviatilis). It was originally evidenced that parasites accumulated these pollutants

in significantly higher rates compared to organ tissues of their fish hosts as well as that

PCB- and metal-concentrations in fish infected with acanthocephalans were lower than in

parasite-free fish. These results first indicate the possible use of fish parasites in

biomonitoring of organic and inorganic pollutants, but they also suggest an existence of

hypothetically positive host-parasite interrelationship in polluted environment.

11

In the area of plant and soil nematology, the study is focused on plant parasitic and

free living soil nematodes in natural- and agro-ecosystems as well as on plant parasitic

nematode control. During the continuous monitoring of soil nematodes in Slovakia, 84

species new for Slovak fauna were recorded. Moreover, further 19 new soil nematode

species were recorded from four natural peat lands in the Protected Landscape Area of

Horná Orava, and thorough ecological survey of both soil and parasitic nematodes was

made in hop garden Nemšová.

Interesting data resulted from the medium-term analysis of changes in the

composition of soil nematode fauna after the windstorm and wildfire disaster in the High

Tatra Mountains in 2004. In four differently treated localities of Lariceto-Piceetum forest,

complex ecological evaluation of soil nematode communities was performed. The

nematode fauna was the richest in species diversity with balanced proportion of trophic

groups in the reference locality unaffected by the wind. In the wind and fire affected

locality, the highest abundance of nematodes, predominantly bacterial feeders, was

found after the disaster; however, the nematode abundance gradually decreased later. In

the affected forest left without intervention after the storm, the lowest number of species

and genera, and the lowest abundance of nematodes were observed during three-year

observation. Finally, in the areas with removed slash, the species diversity was rather

high but the abundance was long-term low. Further processes are monitored.

3. Concept of R&D activity of the Organisation for the next four years

(recommended 3 pages, max. 5 pages) i. Present state of knowledge and status of ongoing research related to the subject

of the Concept, from both international and national perspective

The concept of the follow-up research orientation is implied from the current status of

knowledge in the field of parasitology and vector-borne diseases. The pattern of spread

of agents of parasitoses is substantially changing due to long-term fluctuations in

environment that are induced by anthropic factors and climatic changes. Newly emerging

parasitic diseases and spread of new parasites through invasive host species represent

one of the challenges for the basic parasitological research. Significant outputs into

practice are accomplished by novel methods of parasite identification, diagnosis of

parasitic diseases, their prophylaxis and treatment. The research is of priority importance

and will be performed at both national and international levels.

In systematics of parasites, a multidisciplinary approach consisting of conventional

alpha-taxonomy, comparative morphology, ultrastructure, cytogenetics and molecular

biology is generally preferred and will be further developed. This methodology is applied

in descriptions of new species of parasites, new karyotypes and reconstructions of

12

phylogenetic relationships, especially in taxonomically problematic systematic groups. In

designation of new molecular markers and specific diagnostic probes, new data on the

gene structure, their localization on chromosomes, and the data on ultrastructure are

employed in epidemiologically or systematically important groups of parasites.

Advanced surveys of biodiversity and biogeography of parasites represent further

significant trends of systematic research at the Institute.

The parasitic diseases research is primarily oriented at the evaluation of circulation of

agents of parasitic zoonoses (larval toxocariosis, trichinellosis, cystic and larval

echinococcoses, dirofilariosis, toxoplamosis, neosporosis). By molecular approaches,

biological, genetic and immunological properties of pathogens are characterized. To

unequivocally diagnose parasitic zoonoses, species-specific antigens are used.

Gathered knowledge about functional consequences of infections aids in better clarifying

host-parasite relationship and provides a base for treatment and prophylaxis of medically

important parasitic zoonoses with cosmopolitan distribution.

Helminth infections in ruminants are controlled almost exclusively with anthelmintics,

but resistance to these drugs is developing fast and poses a major threat to parasite

control and animal production and welfare. The principal aim of research in this area is

the development of appropriate control strategies that will not only limit anthelmintic

usage but will also seek to minimise the rate of selection of resistance and address the

important issue of how best to manage the growing problem of anthelmintic resistance in

Slovakia.

Human diseases caused by tissue dwelling larval stages of parasitic cestodes and

nematodes are diffucult to treat and the drugs have low medical effect. To increase

larvicidal potential of commonly used anthelmintic drugs, ivestigations will be focused on

evaluations of the effects of natural compounds on the host anti-inflammatory,

antioxidative, antifibrotic and antiproliferative mechanisms on molecular and tissue

levels.

ii. Organisation’s role or significance in the overall research effort within the field

of the Concept on both the national and international scales

The Institute of Parasitology SAS is the specialized basic research institution. Its main

role will be to further develop thematically broad research of parasites, pathogens and

diseases caused by them in humans, animals and plants. Position of the Institute in

Slovakia is irreplaceable due to exclusivity and complexity of the research activities. The

staff involves highly specialized researchers who have undertaken training or fellowships

13

at many prominent parasitological institutions abroad and, vice versa, give advice to

young scientists from abroad.

The Institute is the significant and competitive partner within a European network of

Institutes and Universities focused on the parasitological research, having a number of

signed collaborative contracts and possessing good reputation and strong relationships

generated by respected personalities worldwide. The position of the Institute in the

European research area is also documented by successful acquisition of two COST

project and two projekts of 6th and 7th FP, the participation in the EU SYNTHESYS and

AMIGA projects, etc. In terms of global research cooperation, three researchers have

been approved as members of the project “From the Planetary Biodiversity and Inventory

Project: a Survey of the Tapeworms (Cestoda: Platyhelminthes) from the Vertebrate

Bowels of the Earth”, funded by National Science Foundation, USA.

iii. Objectives of the Concept

In addition to the last period, ongoing research at the Institute will be oriented towards

gathering original scientific information in the basic research; attention will also be paid to

application of outcomes into practice in relevant areas (e.g., agriculture, medicine,

environmental protection).

The priority in the field of traditional and molecular systematics will be linked with

incorporation into current revision of hierarchical classification of helminth parasites,

based on cladistic analyses (phylogenetic interrelationships and host-parasite co-

evolution) and reliable species boundary delimitation in parasite organisms. In molecular

cytogenetics, to date obtained results on gene localization on chromosomes will be

tested for their potential use as genetic markers to phylogeny and systematics. Methods

of conventional taxonomy will be preferably used to monitor ecologically important

localities and so far unexplored geographical regions word-wide, with a focus on the

discovery of new parasitic species.

Epidemiological and ecological studies of parasite zoonoses (dirofilariosis,

echinococcosis, trichinellosis) will carry on. Parasitological research of wildliving animals

will continue regarding changes of the ecosystem of TANAP. Study of helminth fauna of

Tatra chamois (Rupicapra rupicapra tatrica) and Tatra marmot (Marmota marmota

latirostris), the endemic animals, will be started. The incidence of toxoplasmosis and

neosporosis in small mammals and birds will be monitored in relation to farm animals.

Specific antigens will be prepared for the diagnostics of both diseases.

Adaptive polymorphisms, host specificity, and factors influencing gene diversity of

nematodes of the suborder Ascaridata will be analyzed in ongoing period. In ascariasis it

14

will be ascertained whether genetic differentiation of closely related Ascaris suum a A.

lumbricoides spp. is primarily induced by geographic isolation or host affiliation. In

zoonotic Echinococcus tapeworms, paleogeographical studies will be carried out to

derive haplotype nets from which migration patterns and ways of transmission from core

areas will be inferred.

Heavy metal exposition can impair immunocompetence of living organisms and

increase sensitivity to parasite infections. Experimental studies in mice will document

a positive or negative role of heavy metal toxicity and parasite and their impact on the

host immune response.

The research of vector borne diseases will be focused on the study of genetic

variability of emerging bacterial and protozoal agents of diseases (lyme borreliosis,

anaplasmosis, neohrlichiosis, babesiosis, hepatozoonosis, bartonelosis) and other

arthropod borne diseases in Slovakia. The research of hosts of ticks as reservoirs of

pathogens will be focused on important ecological groups of vertebrates with emphasis

on small mammals, birds, poikilotherm vertebrates (reptiles) and hybernating animals

(bats, dormice, bears) with different physiological properties and specific relationship with

pathogens. The emphasis will be given on the determination of hosts of ticks as donors

of blood and pathogens in natural focus as well as in urban environment using

noninvasive methods from residual blood of previous host in ticks. Methods for

pathogens detection will be improved and new methods will be implemented. The global

climatic and economic impact on the tick distribution in Slovakia and middle Europe will

be analysed.

In the field of experimental pharmacology, an important objective will be to identify the

molecular basis of macrocyclic lactone resistance in parasitic nematodes. To prevent

acquisition of resistance, we will produce standardised in vitro tests run according to

Standard Operating procedures. Moreover, frequences of alleles responsible for the

resistance will be monitored using Real-Time PCR with locked nucleic acid Taqman

probes. The current spread of drug resistance to main groups of antihelmintics requires

search of another molecules with antiparasitic and immunostimulatory properties.

Biological activities of selected natural compounds will be evaluated and the action

mechanisms will be explained by means of gene expression, activation of transcription

factors, chemokines and cytokines.

A research of the various aspects of hygienically and parasitologically risky behavior

of the marginalised groups of inhabitatns will continue, and pathways of endoparasite

germs will be determined and clarified from epidemiological view point. This will focus on

the population with low hygienic standard and also on transmission of the parasites into

mainstream society; a system of prophylactic measures will be proposed.

15

Regarding plant parasitic and soil nematodes, new methods of molecular

identification of nematode parasites - important pathogens of crops, will be adopted and

the research of using soil and plant parasitic nematodes as biological indicators for soil

health will be developed. In frame of the broad 7th FP EU project, aimed at the

assessment and monitoring the impacts of genetically modified plants (specifically maize

and potato) on agro-ecosystems, the Institute will carry out the tasks related to

assessment of possible effects of the GM crops cultivation on soil nematode diversity.

iv. Proposed strategies and methods to be applied, and time schedule

The first strategic objective (2012) will be completion of the implementation of SF of

EU, and completion of the infrastructure with emphasis on research and development,

transfer of knowledge into practice and for further training. A Netvork of Centres of

Excellence in parasitological research will be created, introducing modern equipment into

research and developmend for morphological, histological, molecular, immunochemical,

and epidemiological metods. A specialised educational workplace will be built for

morphological disciplines. An Application Centre will be built for the diagnostics of

human, animal and plant parasites. New basic knowledge on the risk of parasitic

zoonoses to humans and animals in urban and suburban areas of county towns in

Slovakia in order to promote intensive targeted public awareness.

Another strategic objective will be to learn the new research methods, the utilisation

of the software for molecular biology, enviromental studies using GIS programmes in

order to handle laboratory animals according ti the EU standards (2012-2013).

Strengthen the partnerships with local research and education institutions through

join laboratories, joint projects SGA (VEGA), SRDA (APVV), 7th FP of EU and other

departmental tasks. The support of foreign study visits of PhD. studens, postdocs and

staff at partners institutions worldwide will an emphasis on introducing new research

methods and procedures at home institution (2012-2014). The bilateral projects within

inter-academic agreements with partner institutions abroad will be built with an access to

scientific databases. The conditions will be created for transforming SAS into public

research organisation (2013-2015).

16

III. Partial indicators of the main activities:

1. Research output

i. Principal forms of research outputs of the Organisation

Research outputs of the Institute of Parasitology SAS, established as the Institution of

the basic scientific research, are largely produced in the form of scientific publications in

the Current Contents (CC) journals. During the accredited period, research workers of the

Institute have published in total of 185 CC articles that accounts for the annual average of

37 papers, and also 34 papers indexed by SCOPUS database. Scientific and expert

monographs and monograph chapters (29) constitute another significant form of the

outputs, along with the high number of articles in proceedings from scientific events (194)

and presentations in foreign and domestic conferences (538).

With respect to the broad scope of research encompassing parasite diseases of

humans, animals and plants, researchers of the Institute publish their findings applicable

in practice also in expert articles (108, i.e. 21.6/year). These practical outputs are further

employed in human and veterinary medicine, agriculture and forestry, and provide solid

grounds for the control of parasitic diseases.

While the feedback for scientific outputs present citations (1477 in total, i.e.

295.4/year), applications of outputs of the Institute in practice are associated with

requirements for consultations during the course of diseases and demands of media for

information intended for public.

ii. List of the selected publications documenting the most important results of

basic research. Total number of publications in the whole assessed period

should not exceed the average number of the research employees. The

principal science outputs (max. 5) underline

[1] BOMBAROVÁ, Marta - MAREC, František - NGUYEN, Peter - ŠPAKULOVÁ, Marta. Divergent location of ribosomal genes in chromosomes of fish thorny-headed worms, Pomphorhynchus laevis and Pomphorhynchus tereticollis (Acanthocephala). In Genetica, 2007, vol. 131, no. 2, p. 141-149. (1.492 – IF2006). ISSN 1573-6857.

[2] BRUŇANSKÁ, Magdaléna - FAGERHOLM, Hans-Peter - MORAVEC, František. Structure of the pharynx in the adult nematode Anguillicoloides crassus (Nematoda: Rhabditida). In Journal of Parasitology, 2007, vol. 93, no. 5, p.1017-1028. (1.300 - IF2006). (2007 - Current Contents). ISSN 1937-2345.

[3] BUSI, Marina - ŠNÁBEL, Viliam - VARCASIA, Antonio - GARIPPA, Giovanni - PERRONE, Vitantonio - DE LIBERATO, Claudio - D AMELIO, Stefano. Genetic variation within and between G1 and G3 genotypes of Echinococcus granulosus in Italy revealed by multilocus DNA sequencing. In Veterinary Parasitology, 2007, vol. 150, no. 1-2, p. 75-83. (1.900 - IF2006). (2007 - Current Contents). ISSN 0304-4017.

[4] HRČKOVÁ, Gabriela - VELEBNÝ, Samuel - OBWALLER, Andreas - AUER, Herbert - KOGAN, Grigorij. Evaluation of follow-up therapy with fenbendazole incorporated into stabilized liposomes and immunomodulator glucan in mice infected with Toxocara canis

17

larvae. In Acta Tropica, 2007, vol. 104, no. 2-3, p. 122-132. (2.211 – IF2006). ISSN 0001-706X.

[5] MAJLÁTHOVÁ, Viktória - HURNÍKOVÁ, Zuzana - MAJLÁTH, Igor - PEŤKO, Branislav. Hepatozoon canis infection in Slovakia - imported or autochthonous? In Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 2007, vol. 7, no. 4, p. 226-231. (2.244 - IF2006). (2007 - Current Contents). ISSN 1557-7759.

[6] REITEROVÁ, Katarína - KINČEKOVÁ, Jana - ŠNÁBEL, Viliam - MARUCCI, Gianluca - POZIO, Edoardo - DUBINSKÝ, Pavol. Trichinella spiralis-outbreak in the Slovak Republic. In Infection - A Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2007, vol. 35, no. 2, p. 89-93. (2.368 - IF2006). (2007 - Current Contents). ISSN 03000-8126.

[7] VÁRADY, Marián - ČUDEKOVÁ, Patrícia - ČORBA, Július. In vitro detection of benzimidazole resistance in Haemonchus contortus: Egg hatch test versus larval development. In Veterinary Parasitology, 2007, vol. 149, no. 1, p. 104-110. (1.900 - IF2006). (2007 - Current Contents). ISSN 0304-4017.

[8] ČERŇANSKÁ, Dana – VÁRADY, Marián – ČUDEKOVÁ, Patrícia – ČORBA, Július. Worm control practices on sheep farms in the Slovak Republic. In Veterinary Parasitology, 2008, vol. 154, no. 3-4, p. 270 – 276. (2,016 - IF2007). ISSN 0304-4017.

[9] DVOROŽŇÁKOVÁ, Emília – PORUBCOVÁ, Jarmila – ŠNÁBEL, Viliam – FEDOROČKO, Peter. Immunomodulative effect of liposomized muramyltripeptide phosphatidylethanolamine (L-MTP-PE) on mice with alveolar echinococcosis and treated with albendazole. In Parasitology Research, 2008, vol. 103, no. 4, p. 919-929. (1.512 – IF2007). (2008 - Current Contents). ISSN 0932-0113.

[10] KÖNIGOVÁ, Alžbeta - HRČKOVÁ, Gabriela - VELEBNÝ, Samuel - ČORBA, Július - VÁRADY, Marián. Experimental infection of Haemonchus concortus strains resistant and susceptible to benzimidazoles and the effect on mast cells distribution in the stomach of Mongolian gerbils (Meriones unguiculatus). In Parasitology Research, 2008, vol.102, no. 4, p. 587-595. (1.512 - IF2007). (2008 - Current Contents). ISSN 0932-0113.

[11] LENČÁKOVÁ, Daniela - FINGERLE, Volker - ŠTEFANČÍKOVÁ, Astéria - SCHULTE-SPECHTEL, Ulrike - PEŤKO, Branislav - SCHRETER, Ivan - WILSKE, Bettina. Evaluation of recombinant line immunoblot for detection of Lyme disease in Slovakia: comparison with two other immunoassays. In Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 2008, vol. 8, no. 3, p. 381-390. (1.919 - IF2007). (2008 - Current Contents). ISSN 1530-3667.

[12] MAJLÁTHOVÁ, Viktória - MAJLÁTH, Igor - HROMADA, Martin - TRYJANOWSKI, Piotr - BONA, Martin - ANTCZAK, Marczin - VÍCHOVÁ, Bronislava - DZIMKO, Štefan - MIHALCA, Andrej - PEŤKO, Branislav. The role of the sand lizard (Lacerta agilis) in the transmission cycle of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. In International Journal of Medical Microbiology, 2008, vol. 298 S1, suppl. 44, p. 161-167. (2,524 - IF2007). ISSN 1438-4221.

[13] OROS, Mikuláš - HANZELOVÁ, Vladimíra - SCHOLZ, Tomáš - MACKIEWICZ, John. Phylogenetic relationships of the monozoic tapeworms (Eucestoda: Caryophyllidea) inferred from morphological characters. In Systematic Parasitology, 2008, vol. 70, no. 1, p. 1-14. (1.125 - IF2007). ISSN 0165-5752.

[14] PAPAJOVÁ, Ingrid - JURIŠ, Peter - SZABOVÁ, Eva - VENGLOVSKÝ, Ján - SASÁKOVÁ, Naďa - ŠEFČÍKOVÁ, Hana - MARTINEZ, Jose - GÁBOŇ, Tomáš. Decontamination by anaerobic stabilisation of the environment contaminated with enteronematode eggs Toxocara canis and Ascaris suum. In Bioresource Technology, 2008, vol. 99, no. 1 July, p. 4966-4971. (3.103 - IF2007). ISSN 0960-8524.

[15] BOMBAROVÁ, Marta - VÍTKOVÁ, Magda - ŠPAKULOVÁ, Marta - KOUBKOVÁ, Božena. Telomere analysis of platyhelminths and acanthocephalans by FISH and Southern hybridization. In Genome, 2009, vol. 52, no. 11, p. 897-903. (1.713 - IF2008). (2009 - Current Contents). ISSN 0831-2796.

[16] ČERŇANSKÁ, Dana - PAOLETTI, Barbara - KRÁĽOVÁ - HROMADOVÁ, Ivica - IORIO, Rafaella - ČUDEKOVÁ, Patrícia - MILILLO, Piermarino - TRAVERSA, Donato. Application of a Reverse Line Blot hybridisation assay for the species-specific identification of cyathostomins (Nematoda, Strongylida) from benzimidazole-treated horses in the Slovak Republic. In Veterinary Parasitology, 2009, vol. 160, no. 1-2, p. 171-174. (2.039 - IF2008). (2009 - Current Contents). ISSN 0304-4017.

18

[17] HURNÍKOVÁ, Zuzana - DUBINSKÝ, Pavol. Long-term survey on Trichinella prevalence in wildlife of Slovakia. In Veterinary Parasitology, 2009, vol. 159, no. 3-4 Special Iss. p. 276-280. (2.039 - IF2008). (2009 - Current Contents). ISSN 0304-4017.

[18] KNAPP, Jenny - BART, Jean-Mathieu - GIRAUDOUX, Patrick - BREYER, Isabelle - RAOUL, Francis - DEPLAZES, Peter - DUSCHER, Georg - MARTÍNEK, Karel - DUBINSKÝ, Pavol - GUISLAIN, Marie-Helene - CLIQUET, Florence - ROMIG, Thomas - MALCZEWSKI, Andrzej - GOTTSTEIN, Bruno - PIARROUX, Renaud. Genetic diversity of the cestode Echinococcus multilocularis in red foxes at a continental scale in Europe. In Plos Neglected Tropical Diseases : a peer -reviewed open-access journal published by the Public Library of Sciences, 2009, vol. 3, no. 6, art. no. e452. (4.172 - IF2008). ISSN 1935-2735 (electronic version).

[19] OROS, Mikuláš - HANZELOVÁ, Vladimíra - SCHOLZ, Tomáš. Tapeworm Khawia sinensis: Review of the introduction and subsequen decline of a pathogen of carp, Cyprinus carpio. In Veterinary Parasitology. - Elsevier Science, 2009, vol. 164, no. 2-4, p. 217-222. (2.039 - IF2008). (2009 - Current Contents). ISSN 0304-4017.

[20] VÁRADY, Marián - ČORBA, Július - LETKOVÁ, Valéria - KOVÁČ, Gabriel. Comparison of two versions of larval development test to detect anthelmintic resistance in Haemonchus contortus. In Veterinary Parasitology, 2009, vol. 160, no. 3-4, p. 267-271. (2.039 - IF2008). (2009 - Current Contents). ISSN 0304-4017.

[21] ANTOLOVÁ, Daniela - REITEROVÁ, Katarína. Influence of Echinococcus multilocularis infection on reproduction and cellular immune response of mice. In Parasite Immunology, 2010, vol. 32, no. 5, p. 384-387. (2.014 - IF2009). (2010 - Current Contents). ISSN 0141-9838.

[22] ČUDEKOVÁ, Patrícia - VÁRADY, Marián - DOLINSKÁ, Michaela - KÖNIGOVÁ, Alžbeta. Phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of benzimidazole susceptible and resistant isolates of Haemonchus contortus. In Veterinary Parasitology, 2010, vol. 172, no. 1-2, p. 155-190. (2.278 - IF2009). (2010 - Current Contents). ISSN 0304-4017.

[23] HRČKOVÁ, Gabriela - VELEBNÝ, Samuel - SOLÁR, Peter. Dynamics of hepatic stellate cells, collagen types I and IIIsynthesis and gene expression of selected cytokines during hepatic fibrogenesis following Mesocestoides vogae (Cestoda) infection in mice. In International Journal for Parasitology, 2010, vol. 40, no. 2, p. 163-174. (3.819 - IF2009). (2010 - Current Contents). ISSN 0020-7519.

[24] KRÁĽOVÁ-HROMADOVÁ, Ivica - ŠTEFKA, Ján - ŠPAKULOVÁ, Marta - OROSOVÁ, Martina - BOMBAROVÁ, Marta - HANZELOVÁ, Vladimíra - BAZSALOVICSOVÁ, Eva - SCHOLZ, Tomáš. Intra-individual internal transcribed spacer 1 (ITS1) and ITS2 ribosomal sequence variation linked with multiple rDNA loci: A case of triploid Atractolytocestus huronensis, the monozoic cestode of common carp. In International Journal for Parasitology, 2010, vol. 40, no. 2, p. 175-181. (3.819 - IF2009). (2010 - Current Contents). ISSN 0020-7519.

[25] LEVRON, Celine - MIGUEL, Jordi - OROS, Mikuláš - SCHOLZ, Tomáš. Spermatozoa of tapeworms (Platyhelminthes, Eucestoda): advances in ultrastructural and phylogenetic studies. In Biological Reviews, 2010, vol. 85, no. 3, p. 523-543. (6.625 - IF2009). (2010 - Current Contents). ISSN 1464-7931 (print).

[26] LUKÁŇ, Martin - BULLOVÁ, Eva - PEŤKO, Branislav. Climate warming and tick-borne encephalitis, Slovakia. In Emerging Infectious Diseases, 2010, vol. 13, no. 3, p. 524-526. (6.794 - IF2009). (2010 - Current Contents). ISSN 1080-6040.

[27] MAJLÁTHOVÁ, Viktória - MAJLÁTH, I. - HAKLOVÁ, Božena - HROMADA, Martin - EKNER, Anna - ANTCZAK, Marcin - TRYJANOWSKI, Piotr. Blood parasites in two co-existing species of lizards (Zootoca vivipara and Lacerta agilis). In Parasitology Research, 2010, vol. 107, no. 5, p. 1121-1127. (1.721 - IF2009). (2010 - Current Contents). ISSN 0932-0113.

[28] MITERPÁKOVÁ, Martina - ANTOLOVÁ, Daniela - HURNÍKOVÁ, Zuzana - DUBINSKÝ, Pavol - PAVLAČKA, A. - NÉMETH, J. Dirofilaria infections in working dogs in Slovakia. In Journal of Helminthology, 2010, vol. 84, no. 2, p. 173-176. (0.863 – IF2009). ISSN 1475-2697.

[29] OROSOVÁ, Martina - KRÁĽOVÁ-HROMADOVÁ, Ivica - BAZSALOVICSOVÁ, Eva - ŠPAKULOVÁ, Marta. Karyotype, chromosomal characteristics of multiple rDNA clusters and intragenomic variability of ribosomal ITS2 in Caryophyllaeides fennica (Cestoda). In

19

Parasitology International, 2010, vol. 59, no. 3, p. 351-357. (1.701 - IF2009). ISSN 1383-5769.

[30] RENČO, Marek - SASANELLI, Nicola - D ADDABBO, Trifone - PAPAJOVÁ, Ingrid. Soil nematode community changes associated with composts amendment. In Nematology: International Journal of Fundamental and Applied Nematological Research, 2010, vol. 12, no. 5, p. 681- 692. (0,937 – IF2009) ISSN 1388-5545 (print version).

[31] VÍCHOVÁ, Bronislava - MAJLÁTHOVÁ, Viktória - NOVÁKOVÁ, Mária - STRAKA, Martin - PEŤKO, Branislav. First molecular detection of Anaplasma phagocytophilum in European brown bear (Ursus arctos). In Vector-Borne and Zoonotic Diseases, 2010, vol. 10, no. 5, p. 543-545. (2.607 - IF2009). (2010 - Current Contents). ISSN 1530-3667.

[32] DERDÁKOVÁ, Markéta - ŠTEFANČÍKOVÁ, Astéria - ŠPITÁLSKA, Eva - TARAGEĽOVÁ, Veronika - KOŠŤÁLOVÁ, Tatiana - HRKĽOVÁ, Gabriela - KYBICOVÁ, Kateřina - SCHÁNILEC, Pavel - MAJLÁTHOVÁ, Viktória - VÁRADY, Marián - PEŤKO, Branislav. Emergence and genetic variability of Anaplasma species in small ruminants and ticks from Central Europe. In Veterinary Microbiology, 2011, vol. 153, no. 3-4, p. 293 - 298. (3.256 - IF2010). (2011 - Current Contents). ISSN 0378-1135.

[33] DVOROŽŇÁKOVÁ, Emília - HURNÍKOVÁ, Zuzana - KOLODZIEJ-SOBOCINSKA, Marta. Development of cellular immune response of mice to infection with low doses of Trichinella spiralis, Trichinella britovi and Trichinella pseudospiralis larvae. In Parasitology Research, 2011, vol. 108, no. 1, p. 169-176. (1.812 - IF2010). (2011 - Current Contents). ISSN 0932-0113.

[34] HRČKOVÁ, Gabriela - MITERPÁKOVÁ, Martina - O'CONNOR, Anne - ŠNÁBEL, Viliam - OLSON, Peter D. Molecular and morphological circumscription of Mesocestoides tapeworms from red foxes (Vulpes vulpes) in central Europe. In Parasitology, 2011, vol. 138, no. 5, p. 638-647. (2.522 - IF2010). (2011 - Current Contents). ISSN 0031-1820.

[35] KRÁĽOVÁ - HROMADOVÁ, Ivica - BAZSALOVICSOVÁ, Eva - ŠTEFKA, Ján - ŠPAKULOVÁ, Marta - VAVROVÁ, Silvia - SZEMES, Tomáš - TKACH, Vasyl - TRUDGETT, Allan - PYBUS, Margo. Multiple origins of European populations of the giant liver fluke Fascioloides magna (Trematoda: Fasciolidae), a liver parasite of ruminants. In International Journal for Parasitology, 2011, vol. 41, no. 3-4, p. 373-383. (3.822 - IF2010). (2011 - Current Contents). ISSN 0020-7519.

[36] KRASNOV, Boris L. - STANKO, Michal - MATTHEE, Sonja - LAUDISOIT, Anne - LEIRS, Herwig - KHOKHLOVA, Irina S. - KORRALO-VINARSKAYA, Natalia - VINARSKI, Maxim V. - MORAND, Serge. Male hosts drive infracommunity structure of ectoparasites. In Oecologia, 2011, vol. 166, no. 4, p. 1099 -1110. (3.517 - IF2010). (2011 - Current Contents). ISSN 0029-8549.

[37] ŠALAMÚN, Peter - RENČO, Marek - MIKLISOVÁ, Dana - HANZELOVÁ, Vladimíra. Nematode community structure in the vicinity of a metallurgical factory. In Environmental Monitoring and Assessment, 2011, vol.183, no. 1-4, p. 451-464. (1.436 - IF2010). (2011 - Current Contents). ISSN 0167-6369.

iii. List of monographs/books published abroad

[1] ŠTEFANČÍKOVÁ, Astéria - ŠTĚPÁNOVÁ, Gabriela - DERDÁKOVÁ, Markéta - LENČÁKOVÁ, Daniela - MAJLÁTHOVÁ, Viktória - PEŤKO, Branislav - ŠALYOVÁ, Nataša - OHLASOVÁ, Dana - ŠKARDOVÁ, Idiko - SZESTÁKOVÁ, Edina - ČISLÁKOVÁ, Lýdia - BHIDE, Mangesh - TRÁVNIČEK, Milan - STANKO, Michal. Some epidemiological and epizootiological aspects of Lyme borreliosis in Slovakia with the emphasis on the problems of serological diagnostics. In Research on Lyme disease. (Ed) Peter van Nitch – New York: Nova Science Publishers Inc., 2007. ISBN 1-600021-390-1, p. 35 – 68.

[2] PAPAJOVÁ, Ingrid - JURIŠ, Peter. The effect of composting on the survival of parasitic germs. In Composting: Processing, Materials and Approaches. - New York : Nova Science Publishers, 2009, p. 113-154. ISBN 978-1-60741-438-4.

[3] BRUŇANSKÁ, Magdaléna. Recent insights into spermatozoa development and ultrastructure in the Eucestoda. In LEJEUNE, T. - DELVAUX, P. Human Spermatozoa: Maturation, Capacitation and Abnormalities. - New York : Nova Science Publishers, Inc., 2010, p.327-354. ISBN 978-1-60876-401-3.

20

[4] HANZELOVÁ, Vladimíra - OROS, Mikuláš - SCHOLZ, Tomáš. Pollution and diversity of fish parasites: Impact of pollution on the diversity of fish parasites in the Tisa River in Slovakia. In Species Diversity and Extinction. - New York : NOVA Publishers, 2010, s.265-296. ISBN 978-1-61668-343-6.

[5] ŠOLTÝS, Jindřich - KAMINSKY, J.H. Myasthenia Gravis: The influence of complement and its regulatory proteins. In Myasthenia Gravis: Disease Mechanisms and Immune Intervention. - New York : Lunus Publications Inc., 2010. ISBN 1-60797-060-0.

[6] ŠTEFANČÍKOVÁ, Astéria. Protection of nature - Chamois in the Slovak National Parks. In National Parks: Biodiversity, Conservation and Tourism. - Nova Science Publishers, 2010, p.85-115.

[7] ŠPAKULOVÁ, Marta - OROSOVÁ, Martina - MACKIEWICZ, John S. Cytogenetics and chromosomes of tapeworms (Platyhelminthes, Cestoda). In Advances in Parasitology, 2011, vol. 74, p. 178-224. ISSN 0065-308X.

[8] OROS, Mikuláš - KRÁLOVÁ - HROMADOVÁ, Ivica - HANZELOVÁ, Vladimíra - BRUŇANSKÁ, Magdaléna - OROSOVÁ, Martina. Atractolycestus huronensis (Cestoda), a new invasive parasite of common carp in Europe. In Carp: Habitat, Management and Diseases. - New York : Nova Science Publishers, 2011, s.63-94. ISBN 978-1-6134-525-5

iv. List of monographs/books published in Slovakia

[1] REITEROVÁ, Katarína. Larval taxocarosis. In Travel Medicine in Practice. – Bratislava: Dr. Josef Raabe Slovensko, s. r. o., 2008. ISBN 978-80-89182-22-0, s. C3.6/1-24

[2] DORKO, E. - BARANOVÁ, Zuzana - DUBINSKÝ, Pavol - PISTL, J. Bacterial, viral, parasitic and mycotic zoonoses: Bacterial and viral zoonoses. Košice: Equilibria, s.r.o., 2009. 358 s. ISBN 978-80-89284-31-3

[3] DORKO, E. - BARANOVÁ, Zuzana - DUBINSKÝ, Pavol - PISTL, J. Bacterial, viral, parasitic and mycotic zoonoses: Parasitic and mycotic zoonoses. Košice: Equilibria, 2009. 367 s. ISBN 978-80-89284-32-0.

[4] DANKO, Štefan - LEŠO, P. - PJENČÁK, Peter - LIPTÁK, Ján - FULÍN, Miroslav - PAČENOVSKÝ, Samuel - MOŠANSKÝ, Aristid - MOŠANSKÝ, Ladislav - OLEJÁR, Róbert - POTOČNÝ, Radoslav - KRIŠTÍN, Anton - ŠIMÁK, Ladislav - BUDAY, Marián - FECKO, Martin - URBAN, Ladislav - IMRICH, Peter - BALLA, M. - ŽIGRAJ, Ján. Birds of Slanské mountains and their foothills. Bratislava: Slovak Ornithological Society/BirdLife Slovensko, 2010. 252 s. ISBN 978-80-89412-17-4.

[5] REITEROVÁ, Katarína - MITERPÁKOVÁ, Martina - ANTOLOVÁ, Daniela. Fox, purveyor of dangerous diseas - alveolar echinococcosis. Bratislava : VEDA, 2010. 144 s. ISBN 978-80-224-1127-1.

[6] LIŠKOVÁ, Marta - ČEREVKOVÁ, Andrea. Nematodes of the Slovak Republic. Bratislava : VEDA, 2011. 183s. ISBN 978-80-224-1167-7.

v. List of other scientific outputs specifically important for the Organisation

[1] ŠTEFANČÍKOVÁ, Astéria - DUBINSKÝ, Pavol. Surveillance of zoonoses. Helminthozoonoses. In Surveillance of zoonoses: Slovak Republic 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. Bratislava; Košice: Press Print. Annual editions.

[2] HÖNIG, Václav - ZUBRIKOVÁ, Dana - VOGERL, Maria - ŠVEC, Pavel - PFISTER, Kurt - GRUBHOFFER, Libor. Ticks and tick-borne diseases in South-Bohemia and Navaria: Zecken und zecken-übertragene Infektionskrankheiten in Südböhmen und Bayern. Summary of Cooperative Project /Sammelband des projektes 2009-2011. České Budějovice: Jihočeská Univerzita, 2011. ISBN 978-80-7394-309-7.Typ: EAI

[3] BUGRI, Štefan. – JURIŠ, Peter. (Eds.). Socio-economic issues and problems of public health of the population of Eastern Slovakia in the context of the country's membership in the EU. Institute of Social Sciences and Health bl. P.P. Gojdič, 2011. ISBN 978-80-89271-95-185.

vi. List of patents registered abroad, incl. revenues : NONE

vii. List of patents registered in Slovakia, incl. revenues: NONE

21

viii. Table of research outputs Table Research outputs shows research outputs in number of specified entries; these

entries are then divided by FTE employees with a university degree (from Tab. Research

staff) for all Organisation at the respective year; finally these entries are divided by the

total salary budget (from Tab. Salary budget).

22

ix. List of patents and patent applications: NONE

x. Supplementary information and/or comments on the scientific output of the

Organisation

The most important outcome of the comparison of five-year scientific outputs of the

Institute is a sustainable and good quality trend and even the number of many output

categories. Taking into account overall situation of the Institute including progressive

improvement of laboratory equipment and an increase participation of young scientists, it

is very probable that this positive trend will continue.

As it is apparent from the Table of Research outputs (III. 1. viii), the accreditation

period (2007-2011) was vigorous concerning issued publications, with publication activity

being balanced among individual years. Particularly we accentuate the number of

published chapters in monographs and number of monographs that was 5.8/year.

Noteworthy is also the number of CC publications that ranged between 28 and 45, with

an annual average of 37. Selected 37 publications (see III. 1. i - equivalent to the average

number of the research employees), documenting the most important results of basic

research, has the average IF as much as 2.432 that is multiple of 1.5 of the Median

Impact Factor (MIF) for parasitology (1.597/2006-1.696/2010). The IF of selected 5

principal science outputs was 2.6 times higher than the MIF. Two publications of the

highest quality had the IF value higher than 6 and in further 7 publications the IF

exceeded the value of 3. International author teams of a number of high-rated

publications and monographs, where our researchers are located at first authorships,

corroborate acceptance of our Institute abroad. Remarkable is also number of scientific

publications in non-CC journals, in which results useful for human, veterinary and

ecological parasitology were published (28.4/year). Regardless of their high scientific

quality, such a practical potential have also in extenso publications issued in proceedings

from foreign and home conferences. The average number of these contributions

published (30.8 abroad + 8.0 in Slovakia) gives evidence to their importance for practice.

We would like to stress that home specialized monographs written in Slovak target

expert public that is vigorously interested in occurrence, treatment and control of parasitic

zoonoses. Monographs listed in paragraph iv under numbers 2, 3, 5 meet this criterion.

Notice: List of all research outputs of monitored assessment period of structure of the

Organisation’s annual report is included in the separate annex.

23

2. Responses to the scientific output Table Citations shows specified responses to the scientific outputs; these entries are

then divided by the FTE employees with a university degree (from Tab. Research staff)

for all Organisation at the respective year; finally these entries are divided by the total

salary budget (from Tab. Salary budget).

i. List of 10 top-cited publications and number of their citations in the

assessment period (2006 – 2010)

[1] DERDÁKOVÁ, Markéta - BEATI, L. - PEŤKO, Branislav - STANKO, Michal - FISH, D. Genetic variability within Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies established by PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis of the rrfA-rrlB intergenic spacer in Ixodes ricinus ticks from the Czech Republic. In Applied and Environmental Microbiology, 2003, vol. 69, no. 1, p. 509-516. (3.691 - IF2002). (2003 - Current Contents). ISSN 0099-2240. Citations 2006 – 2010: 30

[2] DERDÁKOVÁ, Markéta - LENČÁKOVÁ, Daniela. Association of genetic variability within the Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato with the ecology, epidemiology of Lyme Borreliosis in Europe. In Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 2005, vol. 12, no. 2, p. 165-172. (1.590 - IF2004). (2005 - Current Contents). ISSN 1232-1966. Citations 2006 – 2010: 23

[3] HURNÍKOVÁ, Zuzana - ŠNÁBEL, Viliam - POZIO, E. - REITEROVÁ, Katarína - HRČKOVÁ, Gabriela - HALÁSOVÁ, Daniela - DUBINSKÝ, Pavol. First record of Trichinella pseudospiralis in the Slovak Republic found in domestic focus. In Veterinary Parasitology, 2005, vol. 128, no. 1-2, p. 91-98. (1.445 - IF2004). (2005 - Current Contents). ISSN 0304-4017. Citations 2006 – 2010: 22

24

[4] ŠNÁBEL, Viliam - D'AMELIO, S. - MATHIOPOULOS, K. - TURČEKOVÁ, Ľudmila - DUBINSKÝ, Pavol. Molecular evidence for the presence of a G7 genotype of Echinococcus granulosus in Slovakia. In Journal of Helminthology, 2000, vol. 74, no. 2, p. 177-181. (0.564 - IF1999). (2000 - Current Contents). Citations 2006 – 2010: 20

[5] REITEROVÁ, Katarína - MITERPÁKOVÁ, Martina - TURČEKOVÁ, Ľudmila - ANTOLOVÁ, Daniela - DUBINSKÝ, Pavol. Field evaluation of an intravital diagnostic test of Echinococcus multilocularis infection in red foxes. In Veterinary Parasitology, 2005, vol. 128, no. 1-2, p. 65-71. (1.445 - IF2004). (2005 - Current Contents). ISSN 0304-4017. Citations 2006 – 2010: 19

[6] DERDÁKOVÁ, Markéta - HALÁNOVÁ, Monika - STANKO, Michal - ŠTEFANČÍKOVÁ, Astéria - ČISLÁKOVÁ, L. - PEŤKO, Branislav. Molecular evidence for Anaplasma phagocytophilium and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in Ixodes ricinus ticks from Eastern Slovakia. In Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, 2003, vol. 10, no. 2, p. 269-271. (0.851 - IF2002). (2003 - Current Contents). ISSN 1232-1966. Citations 2006 – 2010: 19

[7] ANTOLOVÁ, Daniela - REITEROVÁ, Katarína - MITERPÁKOVÁ, Martina - STANKO, Michal - DUBINSKÝ, Pavol. Circulation of Toxocara spp. in suburban and rural ecosystems in the Slovak Republic. In Veterinary Parasitology, 2004, vol. 126, no. 3, p. 317-324. (1.583 - IF2003). (2004 - Current Contents). ISSN 0304-4017. Citations 2006 – 2010: 18

[8] DUBINSKÝ, Pavol - HAVASIOVÁ-REITEROVÁ, Katarína - PEŤKO, Branislav - HOVORKA, Ivan - TOMAŠOVIČOVÁ, Oľga. Role of small mammals in the epidemiology of toxocariasis. In Parasitology, 1995, vol. 110, no. 2, p.187-193. (1.836 - IF1994). (1995 - Current Contents). ISSN 0031-1820. Citations 2006 – 2010: 18

[9] TURČEKOVÁ, Ľudmila - HANZELOVÁ, Vladimíra - ŠPAKULOVÁ, Marta. Concentration of heavy metals in perch and its endoparasites in the polluted water reservoir in Eastern Slovakia. In Helminthologia, 2002, vol. 39, no. 1, p. 23-28. (0.793 - IF2001). (2002 - Current Contents). ISSN 0440-6605. Citations 2006 – 2010: 16

[10] TURČEKOVÁ, Ľudmila - ŠNÁBEL, Viliam - D'AMELIO, S. - BUSI, M. - DUBINSKÝ, Pavol. Morphological and genetic characterization of Echinococcus granulosus in the Slovak Republic. In Acta Tropica, 2003, vol. 85, no. 2, p. 223-229. ISSN 0001-706X. Citations 2006 – 2010: 16

ii. List of top-cited authors from the Organisation (at most 10 % of the research

employees) and their number of citations in the assessment period (2006 –

2010)

[1] Dubinský Pavol Prof., D.Sc. Citations 2006-2010: 385

[2] Reiterová Katarína, D.Sc. Citations 2006-2010: 230

[3] Peťko Branislav, Assoc. Prof., D.Sc. Citations 2006-2010: 172

[4] Šnábel Viliam, PhD. Citations 2006-2010: 157

iii. Supplementary information and/or comments on responses to the scientific

output of the Organisation

Five lists of scientific outputs including citations from years 2006 – 2010 (created by

the system ARL) are opened on http://www.saske.sk/pau/iap.htm, in accordance with

directions for the Questionnaire. The number of citation shows a stable and balanced

trend. However, the overall number could be significantly influenced by the “wideness” of

the research field, i.e. number of institutes and scientists involved in the particular field.

Parasitology belongs to relatively “narrow-orientated” fields, that is illustrated e.g. by

relatively very weak support of this field by the 6th and 7th FP EU. Generally, adequate

25

attention is given to only several human parasitic diseases and parasitic zoonoses (the

research field of e.g. Prof. Dubinský, Dr. Reiterová, Assoc. Prof. Peťko and their teams),

many other theoretically important fields as systematics and ecology of helminths,

research of animal parasitoses, development of anti-parasitic drugs, etc., is long time

relatively in decline. Consequently, total number of published articles which cite our

papers, is limited. In future, a positive trend could be expected, owing to the increasing

quality of our publications as well as presumed revitalisation of the broad parasitology

research.

3. Research status of the Organisation in the international and national context

International/European position of the Organisation

i. List of the most important research activities documenting international

importance of the research performed by the Organisation, incl. major projects

(details of projects should be supplied under Indicator 4). Collective

membership in the international research organisations, in particular within the

European Research Area

[1] Researchers of The Institute of Parasitology SAS are involved in solving the global project

“From the Planetary Biodiversity and Inventory Project: a Survey of the Tapeworms (Cestoda:

Platyhelminthes) from the Vertebrate Bowels of the Earth”, funded by National Science

Foundation, USA, 818696 a 0818823, 2008-2013. The project is focused on a taxonomic treat

of tapeworms of all classes of vertebrates on a global scale, including studies of phylogenetic

relationships investigated with sequence data generated for several hundred taxa.

[2] In Europe, the Institute of Parasitology SAS is established at coordinating position for the

research of anthelmintic resistance of parasites of domestic animals. In frame of this area, the

COST project of EU has been carried in 2006-2009: “Novel solutions for the sustainable

control of nematodes in ruminants (PARASOL)”; CONTRACT No 022851 (FOOD); STREP

Project.

[3] The subsequent COST project of the EU “Goat-parasite interactions: from knowledge to

control (CAPARA)”, No. FA0805, 2009 –2013, involves 20 European countries

[4] The research of trichinellosis was also maintained in the frame of 6th Framework Programme

of EU, comprising 17 countries: Network of Excellence, subprogramme MED-VET-NET,

programme “TrichiNet: Formation of a European network for a risk assessment, detection

and control of trichinellosis”: FOOD-CT-2004-506122.; 2004-2009.

26

[5] The Institute became a subcontractor of the project of 7th Frame Programme “Assessment

and monitoring the impacts of genetically modified plants on agro-ecosystems (AMIGA)”, No.

289706, comprising 17 European countries, 1.12.1011 – 30 Nov 2015, coordinator: Agenzia

Nazionale per le Nuove Technologie, l'Energia e lo Sviluppo Economico Sostenible,

Taliansko.

[6] The broad research co-operation with Institutions and Universities from the Czech Republic

has been focused e.g. on genetic and species diversity of helminths related to water

environment, ecology, epidemiology and diagnostics of Lyme boreliosis in humans and

domestic animals, and on several other topics, under signed contracts and joint projects.

[7] Co-operation with Poland was aimed at surveys of prevalence of parasitic zoonoses, Lyme

boreliosis and blood parasites in both countries. The joint research of alveolar

echionococcosis revealed the high prevalence of the disease agents predominantly in the

area alongside the Slovak-Polish border. The further project designed to study immune

response of hosts against Trichinella nematodes has been also performed.

[8] Bilateral co-operations with research Institutions in other European countries (Italy, Turkey,

Austria, France, the U.K., Germany, etc.) have been focused on the research of biodiversity,

genetics, ecology, immunity and antigen structure of parasites, as well as epidemiology,

diagnostics and therapy of zoonoses.

[9] Employees of the Institute are members of the Slovak Parasitological Society at SAS, which

represents a part of the European Federation of Parasitologists and the World Federation of

Parasitologists.

[10] Two researchers are representatives of the Slovak Republic in the International

Commision of Trichinellosis.

ii. List of international conferences (co-) organised by the Organisation

[1] Scientific conference: „Internationl Helminthological Symposium X“, 9-14 September, 2007,

Stará Lesná, Slovak Republic (organizer)

[2] Scientific conference: „7th Czech and Slovak Parasitological Days“, 12-16 May, 2008,

Sezimovo Ústí, Czech Republic (co-organizer)

[3] Scientific workshop „6th International Workshop on Cestode Systematics and Phylogeny“, 15-

20 June, 2008, Smolenice, Slovak Republic (organizer)

[4] Scientific conference „Ecology and Veterinary Medicine VII“, 22-23 April, 2008, Košice,

Slovak Republic. (co-organizer)

[5] Scientific conference: „8th Czech and Slovak Parasitological Days“, 19-23 May, 2009,

Sezimovo Ústí, Czech Republic (co-organizer)

[6] Scientific workshop „Workshop of Systematics of Parasites“, 30 November – 3 December,

2009, Smolenice, Slovak Republic (organizer)

27

[7] Scientific conference: „9th Slovak and Czech Parasitological Days“, 24-28 May, 2010,

Liptovský Ján, Slovak Republic (organizer)

[8] Scientific workshop „2nd Working groups Workshop and Management Committee Meeting of

COST Action FA0805“, 28 September - 1 October, 2010, Stará Lesná, Slovak Republic

(organizer)

iii. List of journals edited/ematics andd published by the Organisation:

[1] WOS Helminthologia – Warsaw: Versita; Košice: Institute of Parasitology of SAS; Berlin,

Heidelberg: Springer. ISSN 0440-6605, scientific journal published quarterly, Volumes 44-

49/2007-2011 (IF2006 0.500, IF2007 0.373, IF2008 0.443, IF2009 0.951, IF2010 0.847). Editor in

Chief: M. Várady, 24-member Editorial Board: P. Dubinský, V. Hanzelová, E. Dvorožňáková, M.

Špakulová; Managing Editor: Z. Vasilková, Assistant of the Editor in Chief: S. Sabolová

Barláková.

iv. List of edited proceedings from international scientific conferences and other

proceedings

[1] 6th International Workshop on Cestode Systematics and Phylogeny. Košice: Slovak Society

for Parasitology at SAS and Parasitological Institute, 2008. 25 pp.

[2] IX. Slovak and Czech Parasitological Days, 24-28 May 2010. Programme & Abstracts.

Liptovský Ján: Institute of Parasitolgy SAS, 2010. 87s. ISBN 978-80-968473-6-5 FAI

National position of the Organisation i. List of selected most important national projects (the EU Structural Funds,

Slovak Research and Development Agency (APVV), State Research

Programmes, Scientific Grant Agency of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and

the Ministry of Education (VEGA), Centres of Excellence, National Reference

Laboratories and others)

In the period of 2007–2011, the Institute was dealing with 6 projects of the EU

Structural Funds, 16 APVV research projects (plus 2 APVV projects for the

popularisation of science – not shown in chapter 4), 1 State Research Programme, and

30 VEGA projects. Here we show rough information, for details see Chapter 4.

EU Structural Funds:

[1] Title: „Centre of excellence for parasitology“ OPVaV-2008/2.1/01-SORO, 26220120022, 2009

– 2012. Partner Institution: University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice.

28

[2] Title: „Application centre for the protection of people, animals and plants from parasites“

OPVaV-2008/2.2/01-SORO, 26220220018. 2009 – 2012. No partner Institution.

[3] Title: „ Centre of Excellence for Biological Methods of Forest Protection“ Grant number:

OPVaV-2008/2.1/01-SORO, 26220120008. 2009 – 2011. Coordinator: National Forestry

Centre Zvolen.

[4] Title: „ INFEKTZOON - Centre of excellence for infections of animals and zoonoses “OPVaV-

2008/2.2/01-SORO, 26220120002. 2009 – 2011. Coordinator: University of Veterinary

Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice.

[5] Title: „ Protection of living environment against parasitozoonoses under the influence of global

climatic and social changes“ OPVaV-2010/4.2/06-SORO, ITMS 26220220116. 2011 – 2013.

No partner Institution.

[6] Title: „Competence centre for biomodulators and nutritional supplements (Probiotech)“

OPVaV-2010/4.2/06-SORO, 26220220152. 2011 – 2014. Coordinator: Institute of Animal

Physiology SAS. Other partner Instituions: Institute of Parasitology SAS, Institute of

Neurobiology SAS, University of Pavel Jozef Šafárik I Košice, University of Veterinary

Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Dairy Research Institute, a.s., IMUNA PHARM, a.s.

Slovak Research and Development Agency (APVV): A total of 16 APVV projects

(including 6 LPP projects) of 13 principal investigators. The Institute served as the

coordinator of 13 projects and as the contractor of the rest of 3 projects.

State Research Programmes: One project of Ministry of Health of SR.

Scientific Grant Agency of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of

Education (VEGA): A total of 30 projects of 22 principal investigators, VEGA

commissions Nos 8, 9, and 10 before 2008 and Nos 4 and 8 from 2009.

ii. List of national scientific conferences (co)-organised by the Organisation

[1] Scientific conference: „Natural Foci Diseases“, 3-5 October, 2008, Košice, Slovak Republic

(co-organizer)

[2] Scientific conference: Labuda Days“, 23-24 April 2009, Bratislava, Slovak Republic (co-

organizer)

[3] Scientific conference: „2nd Labuda Days“, 28-29 April 2011, Bratislava, Slovak Republic (co-

organizer)

iii. List of edited proceedings of national scientific conferences/events

[1] Proceedings of Abstracts, Scientific conference: „Natural Foci Diseases“, 3-5 October, 2008,

Košice, Slovak Republic, 62 pp.

29

International/European position of the individual researchers i. List of invited/keynote presentations at international conferences, documented

by an invitation letter or programme

[1] HRČKOVÁ, G. - VELEBNÝ, S. - OBWALLER, A. - AUER, H. - KINČEKOVÁ, J.- KÖNIGOVÁ,

A. Toxocara canis infections in paratenic hosts: evaluation of follow-up therapy with

benzimidazole carbamates. In Program and Abstracts. Tenth Helminthological Symposium,

September 9-14, 2007 Stará Lesná, the High Tatras, Slovak Republic: Helminths,

Helminthoses and Environment. Košice: Parasitological Institute SAS, 2007, p. 56.

[2] HURNÍKOVÁ, Z. - MITERPÁKOVÁ, M. Parasitic zoonoses threatening from wildlife with

special reference to red fox (Vulpes vulpes). In Program and Abstracts. Tenth

Helminthological Symposium, September 9-14, 2007 Stará Lesná, the High Tatras, Slovak

Republic: Helminths, Helminthoses and Environment. Košice: Košice: Parasitological Institute

SAS, 2007, p. 37.

[3] D´AMELIO, Stefano – ŠNÁBEL, Viliam From cestodes to nematodes: 15 years of scientific

collaboration between Parasitological Institute SAS and the Section of Parasitology og the

Sapienza Univesity of Rome. In Program and Abstracts. Tenth Helminthological Symposium,

September 9-14, 2007 Stará Lesná, the High Tatras, Slovak Republic: Helminths,

Helminthoses and Environment. Košice: Parasitological Institute SAS, 2007, p.19-20.

[4] KINČEKOVÁ, J. - PAVLINOVÁ. J. Toxoplasmosis infection in relation to pregnancy and

prenatal complicationsm. In XIIth One-day Conference "Problems of toxoplasmosis“.

December 13, 2007. SZÚ – Prague, Czech Republic. Prague: 2007.

[5] KRÁĽOVÁ-HROMADOVÁ, I. - ŠPAKULOVÁ, M. - TURČEKOVÁ, Ľ. Molecular approach in

studies on taxonomy and biogeography of Fascioloides magna. In Program and Abstracts.

Tenth Helminthological Symposium, September 9-14, 2007 Stará Lesná, the High Tatras,

Slovak Republic: Helminths, Helminthoses and Environment. Košice: Parasitological Institute

SAS, 2007, p. 25.

[6] PEŤKO, B. Host preference of Ixodes ricinus ticks in the population of secondary school

students. In Arthropods - Environment, pathoges and hosts: Stawonogi, Srodowisko,

patogeny i zywiciele, May 15-17, 2007. - Lublin: Koliber, 2007. ISBN 978-83-60497-26-5, s.

77.

[7] ŠTEFANČÍKOVÁ, A. - ŠTĚPÁNOVÁ, G. - PEŤKO, B. - ŠKARDOVÁ, I. - SESTÁKOVÁ, E. –

STANKO, M. Serposurvey of Lyme borreliosis in animals from Slovakia with the emphasis on

the problems of diagnostics. In Merial Pet Day, February 17, 2007, Budapest. Budapest:

2007.

[8] TURČEKOVÁ, Ľ. - SPIŠÁK, F. – KODYM, P. Genetic characteristics and diagnostics of

Toxoplasma gondii. In XII. One-day Conference "Problems of toxoplasmosis“.Decebmer 13,

2007. SZÚ – Prague, Czech Republic. Prague: 2007.

30

[9] PEŤKO, Branislav, et al. Epidemiologically important species of ticks (Ixodidae) in Central

Europe in terms of climate change. In 8th Czech and Slovak parasitological Days, Sezimovo

Ústí, Czech Republic, May 19-13, 2008.

[10] STANKO, Michal et al. . New knowledge on parasitological and epidemiological

significance of Mus spicilegus in Slovakia. In 8th Czech and Slovak parasitological Days,

Sezimovo Ústí, Czech Republic, May 19-13, 2008.

[11] PAVLINOVÁ, Jana - KINČEKOVÁ, Jana - KODYM, Peter, ŠVAJDLER, Marián -

OSTRÓ, Alexander. Toxoplasma gondii: from animals to pathology of abortions in women. In

XVth One-day Conference "Probllems of toxoplasmosis", December 9, 2009, Prague.

[12] JALILI, N. - ONDRISKA, F. - BABÁL, P. - KOBZOVÁ, D. - NOVÁK, I. - LENGYEL, M. -

MITERPAKOVÁ, M. - DUBINSKÝ, P. - BELADIČOVÁ, V. - VALENTOVÁ, D. Dirofilariosis in

Slovakia. In Proceedings of the workshop "Travel Medicine: parasites still topical", April 7,

2009, Prague. Prague, Czech Republic, 2009, p. 23-27.

[13] BULLOVÁ, Eva - LUKÁŇ, Martin - PEŤKO, Branislav. Phenology of questing Ixodes

ricinus ticks in Carpathian basins: Temporal pattern on a regional scale. In: The 11th

International Symposium parasitic and allergic Arthropods - Medical and sanitary significance,

June 1-3, 2009, Kazimierz Dolny, Poland, p. 44.

[14] DVOROŽŇÁKOVÁ, E. Immunogenic variability of Trichinella spiralis, T. britovi, and T.

pseudospiralis in mice after the low infection., W. Stefanski Institute of Parasitology, Polish

Academy of Sciences, Warsaw, Poland, eptember 8, 2009.

[15] REITEROVÁ, Katarína. Neospora caninum in sheep and goats in the Eastern

Slovakia - possible causative agent of abortions W. Stefanski Institute of Parasitology PAS,

Warsaw, Poland, September 8, 2009.

[16] KRÁĽOVÁ-HROMADOVÁ, Ivica – BAZSALOVICSOVÁ, Eva – ŠPAKULOVÁ, Marta -

ŠTEFKA, Ján - RADVÁNSKÝ, Ján – MINÁRIK, Gabriel. Study of spread routs of introduced

parasites using modern molecular approaches: model species Fascioloides magna

(Trematoda, Fasciolidae). In IX. Slovak and Czech Parasitological Days, May 24-28, 2010.

Programme and Abstracts. - Liptovský Ján: Parasitological Institute SAS, 2010

[17] HRČKOVÁ, Gabriela – VELEBNÝ, Samuel. Flavonoid silymarin potentiates

anthelmintic effect of praziquantel via down-regulation of oxidative stress and fibrogenesis in

the liver. In Proceedings of the World Medical Conference, Malta, September 15-17, 2010: –

Malta: WSEAS Press, 2010, p. 250-257. ISSN: 1792-4839. ISBN 978-960-474-224-0.

[18] HRČKOVÁ, Gabriela – VELEBNÝ, Samuel - BAJNOK, Jaroslav. The mechanism of

fibrogenesis in the liver at larval cestodosis and the possibility of influencing the natural

antioxidant silymarin and drug praziquantel. In IX. Slovak and Czech Parasitological Days,

May 24-28, 2010. Programme and Abstracts. - Liptovský Ján: Parasitological Institute SAS,

2010, p. 32-33. ISBN 978-80-968473-6-5.

[19] PEŤKO, Branislav. Actual problems in tick research in science and fields praxis in

Slovakia (Central Europe). In The International Symposium Parasitic and allergic arthropods –

31

medical and sanitary significance. Kazimierz Dolny, POLAND. AKAPIT LUBLIN, jún 2010, p.

67.

[20] STANKO, Michal – et al. New knowledge on parasitological and epidemiological

significance of mound-building mouse (Mus spicilegus Petényi, 1882) in Slovakia. In The

International Symposium Parasitic and allergic arthropods – medical and sanitary significance.

Kazimierz Dolny, POLAND. AKAPIT LUBLIN, jún 2010.

[21] PEŤKO, Branislav - DERDÁKOVÁ, Markéta - ŠTEFANČÍKOVÁ, Astéria -

MAJLÁTHOVÁ, Viktória - LENČÁKOVÁ, Daniela -VÍCHOVÁ, Bronislava - NOVÁKOVÁ, Mária

- HRKĽOVÁ, Gabriela - LUKÁŇ, Martin - BULLOVÁ, Eva. New findings on the prevalence and

epidemiological importance of ticks in Slovakia. In IX. Slovak and Czech Parasitological Days,

May 24-28, 2010. Programme and Abstracts. - Liptovský Ján: Parasitological Institute SAS,

2010, p. 63-64. ISBN 978-80-968473-6-5.

[22] VÁRADY, Marián. Anthelmintics - to treat or not to treat? In NOVA - conference in

Veterinary Parasitology, Prevention and Treatment of parasitic Diseases, September 20-24,

2010, Tuusula, Finland.

[23] VÁRADY, Marián. Anthelmintic resistance – can science win? In NOVA - conference

in Veterinary Parasitology, Prevention and Treatment of parasitic Diseases, September 20-24,

2010, Tuusula, Finland.

[24] VÁRADY, Marián - von SAMSON HIMMELSTJERNA, Georg. Anthelmintic resistance

– do we really have highly sensitive diagnostic tool? In Proceedings of 2nd Working Groups

Workshop & Management Committee Meeting of CAPARA 29th September - 1st October 2010,

Stará Lesná, Slovakia, p. 10

[25] VÁRADY, Marián. Resistance of parasites to antihelmintics: can science win? In IX.

Slovak and Czech parasitological Days, 24-28 May, 2010. Programme and Abstracts. -

Liptovský Ján: Parasitological Institute SAS, 2010, p. 80-81. ISBN 978-80-968473-6-5.

[26] PEŤKO, Branislav et al. Changes in the extension of the ordinary tick in Slovakia in

the last three decades and review the causes. In International conference Ecology and

veterinary Medicine VIII, September 22.23, 2011. Košice, Slovak Republic.

[27] REITEROVÁ, Katarína: The spreading of Echinococcus multilocularis in Slovakia (Az

Echinococcus multilocularis elterjedtsége Szlovákiában). 1st Workshop of Parasitology

focusing on Echinococcus multilocularis and Dirofilaria repens organized by the Hungarian

Society of Parasitologists and the Department of Parasitology and Zoology of the Faculty of

Veterinary Science, Szent István University on November 26, 2010, Budapest, Hungary, 25.

11. 2010, Budapest, Hungary.

[28] BARCIOVÁ, Tímea. Biomonitoring of water pollution using fish parasites. National

History Museum, Department of Mineralogy, London, UK, April 30, 2010.

[29] ASH, Anirban - OROS, Mikuláš. Diversity of fish cestodes in India. In 19th

Helminthological Days, May 9-13, 2011, Kunžak, Czech Republic: Book of Abstracts. - Brno:

Masaryk University, 2011, p.19. ISBN 978-80-210-5478-3.

32

[30] DUBINSKÝ, Pavol – MITERPÁKOVÁ, Martina – HURNÍKOVÁ, Zuzana –

KINČEKOVÁ, Jana – REITEROVÁ, Katarína. Global and local riscs of parasitoses. In

Infectious and parasitic diseases of animals. 4th International Conference: Proceedings and

abstracts – Košice: University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy I Košice, 2011, p. 11-14.

ISBN 978-80-8077-2307.

[31] OROS, Mikuláš. Research on cestode parasite in Slovakia. In International Seminar

on Recent Trends in Zoology, March 8, 2011, Post Graduate Department of Zoology,

Jhargram Raj College, Jhargram, India.

[32] OROSOVÁ, Martina. Cytogenetics and chromosomes of tapeworms: past, present

and future. In 19th Helminthological days, May 9-13, 2011, Kunžak, Czech Republic, s.33.

[33] PEŤKO, Branislav. Changes in the extention of ordinary tick (Ixodes ricinus) in

Slovakia in the past three decades and an assessment of their causes. In Ecology and

veterinary medicine VIII: Proceedings from international scientific conference Hygiene and

environmental issues related to veterinary medicine. September 22-23, 2011. Košice: UVLF,

2011, p. 27-28. ISBN 978-80-8077-249-9.

[34] VÁRADY, Marián. Anthelmintic resistance in parasites of goats – do we really have

highly sensitive diagnostic tool? In Proceedings of the 23rd International Conference of the

WAAVP, Buenos Aires, August 21-25, 2011. - Buenos Aires : AAPAVET, 2011, s.130. ISBN

978-987-27164-0-0.

[35] DERDÁKOVÁ, Markéta. Tick-borne pathogens II: bacterial and protozoa agents. In

Spring school on tick biology and ecology, May 30 - June 3, 2011, České Budějovice: Postick:

post graduate training [electronic source]. - České Budějovice: Biologické Centrum AV, 2011.

[36] DERDÁKOVÁ, Markéta. Molecular detection of bacterial and protozoan agents in tick.

In Spring school on tick biology and ecology, May 30 - June 3, 2011, České Budějovice:

Postick: post graduate training [electronic source ]. - České Budějovice: Biologické Centrum

AV, 2011.

ii. List of employees who served as members of the organising and/or programme

committees for international conferences

[1] 2007 Seven researchers of the Institute - Organizing Committee of the “Internationl

Helminthological Symposium X“, Stará Lesná, Slovak Republic, 9-14 September, 2007

[2] 2008 Eight researchers of the Department of Systematics IP SAS - Organizing Committee of

the „6th Workshop on Cestode Systematics and Phylogeny“, Smolenice, 15-20 June, 2008.

[3] 2008 Assoc. Prof. B. Peťko, D.Sc. - Programme commitee of the „ EMOP X”, Paris, 24-29

September 2008.

[4] 2008 Prof. P. Dubinský, D.Sc. - Programme commitee of the „8th Czech and Slovak

Parasitological Days“, 12-16 May 2008, Sezimovo Ústí, CR

33

[5] 2008 Dr. I. Papajová, PhD - Organizing Committee of the „Ecology and Veterinary Medicine

VII“, Košice, 22–23 April 2008. Honorary chairs - Prof. P. Juriš, PhD. and Assoc. prof. B.

Peťko, D.Sc.

[6] 2010 Seven researchers of the Institute - Organizing Committee of the „9th Slovak and Czech

Parasitological Days“, 24-28 May, 2010, Liptovský Ján, Slovak Republic

[7] 2011 Dr. Zuzana Hurníková, PhD. - Organizing Committee of the „Infectious and parasitic

diseases of animals“, Košice, 7-8 September 2011.

iii. List of employees who served as members of important international scientific

bodies (e.g. boards, committees, editorial boards of scientific journals)

[1] B. Peťko: 1) member of steering committees of ESF EuroCORES – EUROSCOPE; ESF

EuroCORES – EURODIVERSITY and member of Slovak Bioethics Commission at UNESCO;

2) contact person for SAS of Alpha Galileo Foundation Advisory Council; 3) member of

Editorial Board of scientific journal Annals of Agricultural and Environmental Medicine, Poľsko.

[2] M. Várady: 1) independent expert at Programme Committee of 6th Framework

Programme of EU „Integrating and Strengthening the European Research Area“ for „Life

sciences, genomics and biotechnologies for health“; 2) member of World Association for

Advancement in Veterinary Parasitology (WAAVP), 3) Editor in chief of International scientific

journal Helminthologia.

[3] P. Dubinský: 1) member of Editorial Board of the journal Acta Veterinaria, Beograd,

Serbia; 2) representative of the Slovak Republic in International Commission of Trichinellosis

– ICT, 3) expert of „European Academies Science Advisory Council (EASAC), Working Group

on Zoonoses, 4) member of World Association for Advancement in Veterinary Parasitology

(WAAVP), 5) member of Editorial Board of the journal Wiadomosci Parazytologiczne,

Warszawa, Poland.

[4] G. Hrčková: representative of the Slovak Republic as an expert for the New technologies

and genetic engineering at United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO).

[5] M. Bruňanská: member of Editorial Board of Open Parasitology Journal (Betham Science

Publisher.

[6] K. Reiterová: member of Editorial Board of Open Veterinary Science Journal (Betham

Science Publisher.

[7] Z. Hurníková: member of the International Commission of Trichinellosis – ICT

iv. List of international scientific awards and distinctions

[1] 2009 Prof. Pavol Dubinský, D.Sc. became an honorary member Der Osterreichischen

Gesellschaft für Tropenmedizin und Parasitologie, Austria.

[2] Assoc. Prof. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc and Dr. Viktória Majláthová, PhD. and co-authors were

awarded by organizers of „VIth International Conference on Ticks and Tick-Borne Pathogens“,

Buenos Aires, Argentine, 21-26 September, 2008 for two “Outstanding posters”.

34

[3] 2009 Dr. Marianna Reblánová - Diploma for the 1st place in the student competition during the

conference “8th Czech and Slovak Helminthological Days”, 19-23 May 2009, in the section of

PhD. students awarded by the Czech Society for Parasitology.

[4] 2010 Assoc. Prof. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc. – Award for development of INTERRISMU

awarded by the Dean of the Faculty of Education of J E Purkyne Univerzity, Ústí nad Labem,

CR.

v. List of employees with the highest H – index indicating field of science by WOS

[1] Dr. Bruňanská Magdaléna PhD. H-index 16

[2] Dr. Hanzelová Vladimíra D.Sc. H-index 14

[3] Assoc. Prof. Stanko Michal D.Sc., Dr. Várady Marián D.Sc. H-index 13

[4] Dr. Viliam Šnábel, PhD. H-index 12

[5] Dr. Hrčková Gabriela, PhD., Dr. Oros Mikuláš, PhD., H-index 11

[6] Prof. Dubinský Pavol, D.Sc., Dr. Špakulová Marta, D.Sc. H-index 10

National position of the individual researchers i. List of invited/keynote presentations at national conferences documented by

an invitation letter or programme

[1] DERDÁKOVÁ, Markéta. Genetic variability of tick-borne bacterial pathogens in Slovakia and

their diagnostics. In Natural foci infections: Proceeding of abstracts: Košice: Slovak

Parasitological Society at SAS, 2008. p. 13.

[2] DUBINSKÝ, Pavol. Measures against the threat agents - recent recommendations of the

Advisory Scientific Corps of the European Academy (EASAC). In Zoonoses - joint protection

of human health and animal health: program and abstracts of conference proceedings.

Bratislava: SVPS SR, September 11, 2008. p. 22.

[3] HURNÍKOVÁ, Zuzana – DUBINSKÝ, Pavol. Trichinellosis – still relevant zoonosis. In Natural

foci infections: Proceedings of abstracts. – Košice: Slovak Parasitological Society at SAS,

2008. s. 23.

[1] MITERPÁKOVÁ, Martina. The urgency of prevention in endemic areas of alveolar

echinococcosis. In Natural foci infections: Proceeding of abstracts: Košice: Slovak

Parasitological Society at SAS, 2008. p. 24.

[2] PAPAJOVÁ, Ingrid - JURIŠ, Peter. Current parasitological problems breeding dogs in the

protection of the urban environment. In Natural foci infections: Proceeding of abstracts:

Košice: Slovak Parasitological Society at SAS, 2008. p. 25.

[4] DERDÁKOVÁ, Markéta - MITERPÁKOVÁ, Martina - PEŤKO, Branislav. Článkonožcami

prenášané ochorenia na Slovensku. Vyžiadaná prednáška na Celoslovenskej konferencii

35

zdravotníckych pracovníkov MV SR - MEDICON 2009, RZ MV SR Smrekovec Donovaly 20.-

21. 11. 2009

[5] DERDÁKOVÁ, Markéta et al. Tick-borne pathogens in terms of global climate change, its

diagnosis and prevention. Plenary lecture at the Closing Ceremony of the first interactive

conference of young scientists, June 11, 2009, Centre of Scientific and Technical Information,

Bratislava

[6] PEŤKO, Branislav. Lyme borreliosis in light of new knowledge. The scientific working session

of the Slovak Medical Society in Kezmarok, May 21, 2009.

[7] KINČEKOVÁ, Jana et al. Clinical findings and diagnosis of echinococcosis - current situation

in Slovakia. In 26th Pharmacy Days and 4th Liptov Orava Pharmacy Days, June 10-12, 2010,

Ružomberok.

[8] KINČEKOVÁ, Jana, et al.Clinical findings and diagnosis of echinococcosis - current situation

in Slovakia. In 26th Pharmacy Days and 4th Liptov Orava Pharmacy Days, June 10-12, 2010,

Ružomberok.

[9] NOVÁKOVÁ, Mária. et al. Epidemiology of human granulocytic analpasmosis in Slovakia. In

26th Pharmacy Days and 4th Liptov Orava Pharmacy Days, June 10-12, 2010, Ružomberok.

[10] PEŤKO, Branislav - HURNÍKOVÁ, Zuzana - MITERPÁKOVÁ, Martina. Actual

parasitozoonoses in Slovakia in terms of global changes. In 26th Pharmacy Days and 4th

Liptov Orava Pharmacy Days, June 10-12, 2010, Ružomberok.

[11] PEŤKO, Branislav et al. Ticks of southern Slovakia. In 2nd Labuda Days: Proceedings

of Abstracts. Bratislava, April 28-29, 2011, p. 12.

[12] STANKO, Michal et al. Reviews of parasite-host relationships in rodent models and

their ectoparasites – clear trends or complications in conclusions? In 2nd Labuda Days:

Proceedings of Abstracts. Bratislava, April 28-29, 2011, p. 129.

i. List of employees who served as members of organising and programme

committees of national conferences

[1] 2007 Prof. P. Dubinský, D.Sc. and Dr. J. Kinčeková, PhD. - Programme commitee of the

Current problems of human parasitology, Bratislava, SR.

[2] 2008 Assoc. Prof. B. Peťko, D.Sc., Dr. Viktória Majláthová, PhD., Dr. Dana Čerňanská, PhD.,

Dr. Eva Bullová, Dr. Bronislava Víchová and Renáta Ivanová - Organizing Committee of the

Natural foci diseases, Košice.

[3] 2009 Dr. Ľudmila Turčeková, PhD. - Organizing Committee of the The situation in

ecologically polluted regions of Slovakia and Central Europe, Hrádok, SR, 22-23 October

2009.

[4] 2010 Dr. Ľudmila Turčeková, PhD. - Organizing Committee of the The situation in

ecologically polluted regions of Slovakia and Central Europe, Hrádok, SR, 21-22 October

2010.

36

[5] 2011 Assoc. Prof. B. Peťko, D.Sc., Dr. Derdáková, PhD., assoc. prof. Michal Stanko, D.Sc.,

Prof. Pavol Dubinský, D.Sc. - Oganizing Committee of the 2nd Labuda Days.

[6] 2011 Dr. Ľudmila Turčeková, PhD. - Organizing Committee of the The situation in

ecologically polluted regions of Slovakia and Central Europe, Hrádok, SR, 20-21 October

2011.

ii. List of employees serving in important national scientific bodies (e.g. boards,

committees, editorial boards of scientific journals)

[1] P. Dubinský: 1) Member of Scientific Board and Directory Board at the Pavol Jozef Šafárik

University, Košice, Slovak Republic, 2) member of Scientific Board at the University of

Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy, Košice, 3) Member of the Scientific Board at the Institute

of Animal Physiology SAS in Košice, 4) President of the Slovak Parasitological Society at SAS

(before 2008), member of the Editorial Board og the Encyclopedia Belianna, SR

[2] B. Peťko: President of the Slovak Parasitological Society at SAS (after 2008).

[3] V. Hanzelová, M. Špakulová, I. Hromadová, M. Stanko – members of the Committee of the

Slovak Parasitological Society at SAS

[4] P. Juriš: 1) Member of the Scientific Board College of Health Service and Social Work,

Bratislava, Slovak Republic, 2) Acting editor of the Slovak Veterinary Journal.

[5] Z. Vasilková: 1) Member of the Editorial Board of Veterinary Bulletin, member of the Editorial

Board of the Reports of SPS at SAS

[6] V. Hanzelová: member of the Scientific Council of the Slovak Fishing Union, Žilina

iii. List of national awards and distinctions Prizes awarded by the President of the Slovak Republic

[1] 2008 Prof. Pavol Dubinský, D.Sc. was awarded the high state award “Pribinov kríž II. stupňa”

for significant contributions to the socio-economic development of the Slovak Republic,

January 2008.

[2] 2010 Dr. Viktória Majláthová, PhD. was awarded the Outstanding young researcher by the

President of the Slovak Republic Ivan Gašparovič.

rizes awarded by the Mayor of Košice

[3] 2008 Assoc. Prof. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc. was awarded the Prize of Mayor of Košice: For a

long-term work in science and education in Košice, May 2008

[4] 2011 Dr. Hanzelová Vladimíra was awarded the Prize of Mayor of Košice: for significant

results in biological research and for a contribution to the advancement of parasitology in

Slovakia, May 2011

Prizes awarded by Presidium SAS

2009 Prof. Pavol Dubinský, D.Sc. was awarded the Gold Medal of SAS.

37

[5] 2010 Dr. Marta Špakulová was awarded the Honorary Medal for Merit in the Biological

Sciences.

[6] 2011 Dr. Hanzelová Vladimíra D.Sc. was awarded the Medal of SAS for support of science.

[7] 2008 Maria Lazarovská, was awarded the Memorial Plaque at the 55th SAS years of SAS as

excellent technical staff

[8] 2007 Dr. Viktoria Majláthová, PhD. Award (honorable mention) in the Competition of young

researchers for the best scientific publication.

[9] 2008 Dr. Martina Miterpáková, PhD. Award (honorable mention) in the Competition of young

researchers for the best scientific publication.

[10] 2008 Assoc. Prof. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc.: Award of the Presidium of SAS for the

science popularisation activities

[11] 2010 Dr. Mikuláš Oros, PhD. Award (3rd place) in the Competition of young

researchers for the best scientific publication.

[12] 2011 Dr. Daniela Antolová, PhD. Award (3rd place) in the Competition of young

researchers for the best scientific publication.

[13] 2011 Dr. Mikuláš Oros, PhD. Award of the Presidium of SAS for the excellent young

researcher.

[14] 2011 Assoc. Prof. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc. Award of the Presidium of SAS for the

science popularisation activities, as a member of the team dealing with projects

Microkosmos, An hour of the science and Scientific Incubator.

Prizes awarded by Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport of SR

[15] 2009 Assoc. Prof. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc. Grand prize Scientia Pro Futuro, awarded

for the supervisor of the winning student scientific work on the National competitive exhibition

of scientific and technical projects of secondary school students (Erika Horváthová).

[16] 2011 Dr. Ingrid Papajová, PhD. Grand prize Scientia Pro Futuro, awarded for the

supervisor of the winning student scientific work on the National competitive exhibition of

scientific and technical projects of secondary school students (Tomáš Porubän).

Prizes awarded by the Journalist Studio, SAS, and MESRS SR

[17] 2008 RNDr. Viktória Majláthová, PhD. Prize for Young Researcher for the year 2007.

Prizes awarded by the Slovak Parasitological Society at SAS

[18] 2009 Dr. Ľudmila Turčeková, PhD. and Dr. Samuel Velebný, PhD. were awarded the

Medal of Professor Ján Hovorka.

[19] 2011 Ing. Katarína Reiterová, D.Sc. and Prof. Peter Juriš, PhD. 2009 were awarded

the Medals of Professor Ján Hovorka.

[20] 2007 Dr. Daniela Lenčáková, PhD. Award of the SPS at SAS for the best publication

of young parasitologists under the age of 35.

38

[21] 2008 Award of the SPS at SAS for the best publication of young parasitologists under

the age of 35. (RNDr. Mikuláš Oros, PhD. 1st Prize, Ing. Marek Renčo, PhD. 2nd Prize, RNDr.

Marta Bombárová, PhD. 3rd Prize).

[22] 2009 Dr. Daniela Lenčáková PhD. Award of the SPS at SAS for the best publication of

young parasitologists under the age of 35.

Prizes awarded by the Slovak Medical Association

[23] 2009 MUDr. Jana Kinčeková, PhD. was awarded the Medal of Stanislav Prowázek

Prizes awarded by the Slovak Academy of Agricultural Sciences

[24] 2007 – Dr. Daniela Lenčáková, PhD. Award (1st place) for the best scientific

publication of young parasitologists under the age of 35.

[25] 2009 Dr. Dana Čerňanská, PhD. Award (1st place) for the best scientific publication

with an implementation of proven benefit of young parasitologists under the age of 35.

[26] 2010 Dr. Daniela Antolová, PhD. Award (2nd place) for the best scientific publication

in the field of veterinary medicine, of young parasitologists under the age of 35.

Prizes awarded by Universities in Slovakia

[27] 2008 MUDr. Jana Kinčeková, PhD. et al. Award for the best presentation of case

report at the conference The Slovak Festival of case reports of pediatric , Faculty of Medicine,

University of Pavol Jozef Šafarik in Košice.

[28] 2008 Dr. Danica Ševcová, Univerzity of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice:

Diploma for the 1st place the student competition “ŠVOČ” in the section of young scietists.

[29] 2009 Dr. Eva Bazsalovicsová, University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in

Košice: Diploma for the 2nd place the student competition “ŠVOČ” in the section of young

scietists.

[30] 2009 Dr. Marianna Reblánová, Univerzity of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in

Košice: Diploma for the 3rd d place the student competition “ŠVOČ” in the section of young

scietists.

[31] 2010 Eva Bazsalovicsová, Univerzity of Veterinary Medicine any Pharmacy in Košice:

Diploma for the 1st place the student competition “ŠVOČ” in the section of young scietists.

Other Prizes

[32] 2009 Dr. Ivana Guľová – PhD. student, Premium of Slovak Literary Fund for her

Diploma work.

[33] 2009 Dr. Silvia Špilovská, Award of the INTENDA Foundation in the programme “We

Suppord Individualities”.

[34] 2008 Staff of the Institute of Parasitology SAS – INCHEBA Gold Prize in the

Exposition „Slovmedica 2008“ (EXPO INCHEBA Bratislava) for the set of posters about

research of parasitic diseases.

39

iv. Supplementary information and/or comments documenting international and

national status of the Organisation

The Institute of Parasitology SAS is established as integrated and essential member of

network of European institutions oriented at research in parasitology and related fields. The

Institute has been successfully competing in efforts to receive grant funds in the European

research area; applications for individual projects for young researchers have also been

approved in the U.S. and other world countries. The Institute possesses a substantial

scientific potential generated by respected personalities and research teams, particularly in

areas of zoonotic diseases and parasite systematics and phylogeny. In research of parasitic

nematodes of plants, the Institute has irreplaceable position in the European context which

resulted in involvement in 7th FP of EU. Currently the Institute participates also in EU COST

project goat-parasite interactions.

Another activity of the researchers, reflecting significant position of the Institute, is

represented by dozens of manuscript reviews in scientific journals and expert reports which

are not listed here. The number of reviews had an increasing trend during the evaluated

period. In Slovakia, the Institute is a leading research institution dealing with basic and

partially applied research in parasitology and closely collaborates with Universities and other

Institutions of the related fields in the national frame.

Researchers of the Institute performed extensive activities in the organs of SAS: Assoc.

Prof. B. Peťko, D.Sc. was a member of the Presidency of SAS (till 2007), a member of the

Commission SAS for the Promotion and Media, a member of the The Commission SAS for

Cooperation with Universities, and a member of the Commision for Environment (2008-10),

and a member of the Scientific College of SAS for bio-ecological science (2010-2011). Prof.

P. Dubinský, D.Sc. is a member of the Scientific Advisory Board SAS for Bio-Ecological

Sciences , member of the Jury of SAS to award international prizes, a member of the

Council SAS for training and scientific education, and a member of the Editorial Board of

Encyclopedia Beliana (2007-2012), and a member of the Commission SAS to assess the

scientific qualifications of staff (2007-2011). Dr. I. Papajová, PhD. is a member of the

Commission SAS for Environment (2009-2011). Dr. V. Hanzelová, D.Sc. is a member of the

Assembly Committee of SAS and a member of the Scientific College of SAS for bio-

ecological science (2010-2011). Dr. M. Špakulová, D.Sc. is a member of Comission 9 of the

VEGA Grant Agency (2007), and of the Commision 4 (2008-2011), Dr. M. Várady, D.Sc. is a

member of SAS Editorial Board (2009) and a member of the Comission 10 of the VEGA

Grant Agency (2007) and of the Commision 8 (2008-2011). Besides, Dr. G. Hrčková, PhD. is

a member of the Scientific College of SAS for Molecular Biology and Genetics (2010-2011)

and Dr. Z. Vasilková is a member of the Editorial Board of the national research journal

40

“Spravodajca Univerzity veterinárskeho lekárstva a farmácie v Košiciach” (previously

Veterinársky spravodajca), Vol. 36-40 (2007-2011), 6 issues per annum.

4. Project structure, research grants and other funding resources

International projects and funding

i. List of major projects within the European Research Area – 6th and 7th

Framework Programme of the EU, European Science Foundation, NATO, COST,

INTAS, CERN, etc. (here and in items below please specify: type of project, title,

grant number, duration, total funding and funding for the Organisation,

responsible person in the Organisation and his/her status in the project, e.g.

coordinator, work package leader, investigator)

[1] Type of project: 6th Framework Programme (Network of Excellence), subprogramme MED-

VET-NET, programme “TrichiNet. Title: Formation of a European network for a risk

assessment, detection and control of trichinellosis: Grant number: FOOD-CT-2004-506122,

Duration: 09/2004 – 08/2009 Funding for IP SAS: 2007/664, 2008/531, 2009/664 EUR from

MVTS, Total funding 1195 EUR. Responsible person: Prof. Pavol Dubinský, D.Sc. (principal

investigator)

[2] Type of project: 6th Framework Programme (STREP) Title: Novel solutions for the sustainable

control of nematodes in ruminants (PARASOL) Grant number: 022851 (FOOD), Duration:

02/2006 - 01/2009 Funding: Funding for IP SAS : 2007/30740 from EU + 7469 from MVTS,

2008/47744 from EU + 6971 from MVTS, 2009/10564 from EU + 5123 EUR from MVTS. Total

funding 104000 EUR. Responsible person: D.V.M. Marián Várady, D.Sc. (principal

investigator)

[3] Type of project: COST

Title: “Goat-parasite interactions: from knowledge to control (CAPARA)”, Grant number:

FA0805, Duration: 23 Jan 2009 – 6 April 2013, Funding for IP SAS: 2009/3319, 2010/3800,

2011/3800 EUR from MVTS, total funding 10919 EUR.

Responsible person: D.V.M. Marián Várady, D.Sc. (principal investigator)

[4] Type of project: Mechanismus of European Economic Area (EHP). Title: Identification,

expression and use of bioactive substances from parasitic helmints, ticks and insects in

clinical medicine) Number: SAV-FM-EHP-2008-02-06, Duration: 1 Jan 2009 – 31 Oct 2010,

Funding for the Institute from FM EHP 164 577,13 EUR.

Responsible person: Dr. Zuzana Hurníková, PhD. (principal investigator)

[5] Type of the project: 7th Frame Programme. Title: Assessment and monitoring the impacts of

genetically modified plants on agro-ecosystems (AMIGA), No. 289706, Duration: 1 Dec 1011

– 30 Nov 2015, coordinator: Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Technologie, l'Energia e lo

41

Sviluppo Economico Sostenible, Taliansko. No funding in 2011. Responsible person: Dr.

Andrea Čerevková, PhD. (principal investigator).

ii. List of other international projects incl. total funding and funding for the

Organisation

[1] Type: Slovakia – Italy Inter-Govermental Project Title: Characterization of parasitozoonotic

agents circulating in Slovak Republic and Italy using genetic and immunological approaches.

Grant number: 08, Duration: 2004 – 2007.

Funding: MVTS year 2007 – 2 656 EUR. Responsible person: Dr. Viliam Šnábel, PhD.

[2] Type: Slovakia – Czech Republic Inter-Govermental Project Title: Epidemiological importance

of small mammals and their parasites on the model areas of Czech and Slovak republic.

Grant number: Sk-CZ-0126-09, Duration: 2010 – 2011

Funding: MVTS year 2279 EUR. Responsible person: Dr. Jana Fričová, PhD.

[3] Type: Slovakia – Bulgary Inter-Govermental Project Title: Influence of environmental pollution

on fish and their parasites in internationally important aquatic ecosystems in Slovakia and

Bulgaria. Grant number: Sk-BG-0031-08, Duration: 2009 – 2010

Funding: total of 4978 EUR from MVTS (APVV). Responsible person: Dr. Vladimíra

Hanzelová, D.Sc.

[4] Type: Slovakia – Poland Inter-Govermental Project Title: The role of free-living rodents in

circulation and epidemiology of helminthes. Grant number: SK-PL-0060-09, Duration: 2010 –

2011. Funding: total of 1828 EUR from MVTS (APVV). Responsible person: Dr. Zuzana

Hurníková, PhD.

[5] Type: Slovakia – France Inter-Govermental Project Title: Evolutionary ecology of mammal

ectoparasites. Grant number: SK-FR-007-09, Duration: 2010 – 2011

Funding: total of 2333 EUR from MVTS (APVV). Responsible person: Assoc. Prof. Michal

Stanko, D.Sc.

[6] Type: Slovakia – Italy Inter-Govermental Project Title: Molecular and immunological

characterization of agents of echinococcosis in Italy, Slovakia and neighbouring countries.

Grant number: SK-IT-0046-08, Duration: 2009 – 2011

Funding: total of 6733 EUR from MVTS (APVV). Responsible person: Dr. Viliam Šnábel, PhD.

iii. List of other important projects and collaborations without direct funding

Bilateral projects

[1] Type: Interacademic Agreement SAS – CAS (Czech Republic) Title: Soil nematodes

(Nematoda) of meadows ecosystems in the Czech and Slovak Republics. 2005–2007,

Responsible person: Dr. A. Čerevková, PhD.

[2] Type: Slovak – Czech Inter-Institutional Project

42

Title: Biotransformation enzyme of the host and parasite - the importance for parasite therapy

and anthelmintic resistance in ruminants. Grant number: 08, Duration: 2007. Responsible

person: D.V.M. Marián Várady, D.Sc.

[3] Type: Polish – Slovak Inter-Institutional Project Title: Does parasites load influence on lizards

survival probability in conditions with high predatory pressure?. Number: N303317433,

Duraton: 2007–2010. Responsible person: Dr. Viktória Majláthová, PhD.

[4] Type: Interacademic Agreement SAS – CAS (Czech Republic) Title: Diversity, systematics

and phylogeny of water-borne helminths. 2007–2009. Responsible person: Dr. Vladimíra

Hanzelová, D.Sc.

[5] Type: Interacademic Agreement SAS – CAS (Czech Republic) Title: Molecular diversity of

emerging parasitic and infectious diseases agens in the light of global changes. 2007–2009

Responsible person: Assoc. Prof. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc.

[6] Type: Interacademic Agreement SAS – PAS (Poland) Title: Immunogenic variability of

different Trichinella species in inbred murine model. 2007–2009 Responsible person: Dr.

Emília Dvorožňáková, PhD.

[7] Type: Interacademic Agreement SAS – PAS (Poland) Title: Emerging parasitic and infectious

diseases of domestic and wild animals in the light of global changes. 2007–2009 Responsible

person: Assoc. Prof. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc.

[8] Type: Interacademic Agreement SAS – PAS (Poland) Title: Immunoreactivity of outbred mice

infected with small doses of different Trichinella species. 2007–2009 Responsible person: Ing.

Katarína Reiterová, D.Sc.

[9] Type: Slovakia – Hungary MAD Project. Title: Emerging parasitic and infectious diseases of

domestic and wild animals in the light of global changes. 2007–2009 Responsible person:

Assoc. Prof. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc.

[10] Type: Slovakia - Italy MAD Project. Title: Molecular discrimination of anthelmintic

resistant strongyles affecting sheep and horses in Slovakia and Italy. 2007–2009 Responsible

person: Dr. Ivica Hromadová, PhD.

[11] Type: Slovakia - Italy MAD Project. Title: New promising technologies in the control of

phytoparasitic nematodes and soilborne pathogens. 2007–2009 Responsible person: Dr.

Ingrid Papajová, PhD.

[12] Type: Slovakia – Czech Republic MAD Project. Title: Nematode communities in the

Protected Landscape Area of Vihorlat in Slovakia . 2008–2010 Responsible person: Dr.

Andrea Čerevková, PhD.

[13] Type: Slovakia – Germany DAAD Project. Title: Express systems. 2007 – 2009

Responsible person: Dr. Dana Handžáková-Lenčáková, PhD.

[14] Type: Slovakia – France Post-doctoral Project. Title: Ecology, evolution and host-

patogenic relationships of model organism Caenorhabditis elegans. 2007 – 2009 Responsible

person: Dr. Andrea Čerevková, PhD.

43

[15] Type: Slovakia - Ukraine Interacademic Agreement. Title: Significance of natural

ecological parameters and estimate of their effects on activity of parasites. 2009 – 2011

Responsible person: Assoc. Prof. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc.

[16] Type: Slovakia – Czech Republic Inter-Institutional Project Title: Cytogenetic study of

fish ectoparasites of the family Diplozoidae (Monogenea, Platyhelminthes. Duration: 2009 -

2011. Responsible person: Dr. Marta Špakulová, D.Sc.

[17] Type: Slovakia – Bulgary Inter-Institutional Project Title: Cytogenetic and

ultrastructural research of fasciolid liver flukes, parasites of domestic and wild ruminants in

Slovakia and Bulgaria. Duration: 2009 - 2012. Responsible person: Dr. Marta Špakulová,

D.Sc.

[18] Type: Slovakia – Czech Republic – Germany Inter-Institutional Project Title: Ticks and

tick-borne diseases under the conditions of South Bohemia and Bavaria. Duration: 2009 -

2011. Responsible person: Dr. Dana Čerňanská – Zubriková, PhD.

[19] Type: Slovakia – Poland MAD Project Title: Embryogenesis in the caryophyllidean

cestodes. Duration: 2010 - 2012. Responsible person: Dr. Magdaléna Bruňanská, PhD.

[20] Type: Slovakia – Poland MAD Project Title: Evaluation of environmental impacts on

circulation and risk of parasitozoonoses in ecologically different areas of Poland and Slovakia.

Duration: 2010 - 2012. Responsible person: Dr. Zuzana Hurníková, PhD.

[21] Type: Slovakia – Hungary MAD Project Title: Arthropod-borne pathogens of lizards

from the family Lacertidae in model areas of Central Europe. Duration: 2010 - 2012.

Responsible person: Dr. Viktória Majláthová, PhD.

[22] Type: Slovakia – Italy MAD Project Title: Efficacy of plant-derived tannins for the

control of nematode parasites of plants and animals. Duration: 2010 - 2012. Responsible

person: Dr. Ingrid Papajová, PhD.

[23] Type: Slovakia – Poland MAD Project Title: Trichinellosis survey in wildlife animals in

Poland and Slovakia: molecular characterization of Trichinella isolates by ISSR-PCR.

Duration: 2010 - 2012. Responsible person: Ing. Katarína Reiterová, D.Sc.

[24] Type: Slovakia – Germany DAAD Project, Number DAAD 6, Title: Genetic structuring

and transmission ecology of Echinococcus pathogens in Europe. Number: DAAD-SAV

293/OMS/06. Duration: 2007 - 2008. Responsible person: Prof. Pavol Dubinský, D.Sc.

[25] Type: Slovakia – Germany DAAD Project, Number DAAD 6, Title: Epidemiology and

genetic diversity of echinococcosis in Central Europe. Duration: 2010 - 2012. Responsible

person: Dr. Viliam Šnábel., PhD

[26] Type: Slovakia – Ukraine MAD Project, Title: Distribution and iidentification of

Trichinella spp. (Nematoda, Trichinellidae), dangerous pathogens of humans and animals in

Ukraine and Slovak Republic. Duration: 2011 - 2013. Responsible person: Dr. Zuzana

Hurníková., PhD.

[27] Type of the project: EU SYNTHESYS Project, Title: Taxonomic and molecular

evaluation of larval and adult stages of the genus Mesocestoides (Cestoda) from Europe, No.

44

GB-TAF-3588, Duration: 2007, coordinator: National History Museum London, UK. Funding:

travel and stay fee for the investigator in London. Dr. Gabriela Grčková, PhD. (principal

investigator)

National projects and funding2

i. List of State Research Programmes, and their funding Type: Project of Ministry of Health of Slovak Republic. Title: Molecular epidemiology of

ehrlichiosis in Slovakia. Grant number: 2006/31-SAV-02, Duration: 09/2007 – 12/2009 Funding for

IP SAS in 2007/29011, 2008/35617, 2009/ 28978 EUR. Total funding: 93 606 EUR. Role of the IP

SAS: coordinator. Responsible person: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc.

ii. List of project supported by APVV

[1] Title: Epizootiology of important parasitoses in Slovakia, their immunopathogenesis and new

pharmacological approaches in therapy. Grant number: APVT-51-010704, Duration: 01/2005 –

12/2007 Funding for IP SAS in 2007/13975 EUR. Role of the IP SAS: coordinator.

Responsible person: Dr. Emília Dvorožňáková, PhD.

[2] Title: Diversity of cyst forming nematodes in agroekosystems and natural meadow

ekosystems. Grant number: APVT-51-014604, Duration: 01/2005-12/2007

Funding: Funding for IP SAS in 2007/4714 EUR. Role of the IP SAS: coordinator. Responsible

person: Ing. Marek Renčo, PhD.

[3] Title: Historical and ecological biogeography of Fascioloides magna and other invasive alien

parasites of free-living animals in Europe. Grant number: APVT-51-062205, Duration: 05/2006

– 04/2009 Funding: Funding for IP SAS in 2007/54903, 2008/30206, 2009/5510 EUR. Total

funding: 90619 EUR. Role of the IP SAS: coordinator. Responsible person: Dr. Marta

Špakulová, D.Sc.

[4] Title: Genetic and immunological characterization and analysis of factors influencing the

dynamics of occurrence of zoonotic pathogens and diseases they induce. Grant number:

APVT-51-027605, Duration: 05/2006 – 04/2009 Funding for IP SAS in 2007/59284,

2008/52612, 2009/1394 EUR. Total funding: 113290 EUR. Role of the IP SAS: coordinator.

Responsible person: Dr. Viliam Šnábel, PhD.

[5] Title: Molecular epizootiology and epidemiology of ehrlichiosis-anaplasmosis in Slovakia.

Grant number: LPP-0341-06, Duration: 12/2006 – 11/2010 Funding for IP SAS in 2007/41492,

2008/41492, 2009/41492, 2010/5093 EUR. Total funding: 129569 EUR. Role of the IP SAS:

coordinator. Responsible person: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc.

[6] Title: Molecular diagnostics of tick-borne pathogens and development of DNA chip. Grant

number: APVV-51-009205, Duration: 05/2006 – 04/2009 Funding for IP SAS in 2007/16 962,

2 Excluding projects for the popularisation of science

45

2008/12 979, 2009/796 EUR. Total funding: 30737 EUR. Role of the IP SAS: contractor.

Responsible person: Dr. Markéta Derdáková, PhD.

[7] Title: Pathogen exploitation of the immunosuppressed tick-host interface: a gap for tick

vaccine intervention. Grant number: APVV-51-004505, Duration: 05/2006 – 04/2009 Funding

for IP SAS in 2007/9493, 2008/7469, 2009/498 EUR. Total funding: 17460 EUR. Role of the

IP SAS: contractor. Responsible person: Dr. Emília Dvorožňáková, PhD.

[8] Title: Ecology and epidemiological importance of small mammals under the conditions of

global and social conditions in the Central Europe. Grant number: APVV-0108-06, Duration:

02/2007 – 12/2009 Funding for IP SAS in 2007/14406, 2008/16265, 2009/16265 EUR. Total

funding: 46936 EUR. Role of the IP SAS: contractor. Responsible person: Assoc. Prof. Michal

Stanko, D.Sc.

[9] Title: Karyosystematics of flukes of the family Fasciolidae, important human and ruminant

parasites. Grant number: LPP-0126-07, Duration: 07/2008 – 06/2012 Funding for IP SAS in

2008/7469, 2009/20713, 2010/21310, 2011/20215 EUR. Total funding: 69 707 EUR. Role of

the IP SAS: coordinaror. Responsible person: Dr. Marta Špakulová, D.Sc.

[10] Title: Fish parasites in a role of indicators of an environmental pollution. Grant number:

LPP-0151-07, Duration: 07/2008 – 06/2012 Funding for IP SAS in 2008/4514, 2009/22472,

2010/22140, 2011/22140 EUR. Total funding: 71266 EUR.Role of the IP SAS: coordinaror.

Resp. person: Dr. Vladimíra Hanzelová, D.Sc.

[11] Title: Using soil and plant nematodes as biological indicators for soil health. Grant

number: LPP-0085-09, Duration: 09/2009 – 08/2013 Funding for IP SAS in 2009/6783,

2010/24159, 2011/23859 EUR. Total funding: 54801 EUR. Role of the IP SAS: coordinaror.

Responsible person: Dr. Vladimíra Hanzelová, D.Sc.

[12] Title: Systematics of tapeworms of the order Caryophyllidea, parasites of freshwater

fish. Grant number: LPP-0171-09, Duration: 09/2009 – 08/2013 Funding for IP SAS in

2009/6416, 2010/16721, 2011/16621 EUR. Total funding: 39758 EUR.Role of the IP SAS:

coordinaror. Resp. person: Dr. Vladimíra Hanzelová, D.Sc..

[13] Title: In vitro detection of resistance against ivermectine antihelminthics. Grant number

LPP-0186-07, Duration: 07/2008 – 06/2012 Funding for IP SAS in 2008/5568, 2009/19938,

2010/22804, 2011/21377 EUR. Total funding: 69687 EUR. Role of the IP SAS: coordinaror.

Responsible person: Dr. Marian Várady, D.Sc.

[14] Title: Anthelmintic resistance in parasites of sheep: prevalence study and methods of

its detection. Grant number RPEU-0009-006, Duration: 02/2007 – 12 /2009 Funding for IP

SAS in 2007/16 741, 2008/18562, 2009/0 EUR. Role of the IP SAS: coordinaror. Responsible

person: Dr. Marian Várady, D.Sc.

[15] Title: Structure of foci and emerging diseases with emphasis on role of rodents in

urban type of landscape. Grant number: APVV-0267-10, Duration: 05/2011 – 10/2014 Funding

for IP SAS in 2011/23000 EUR. Role of the IP SAS: coordinator. Responsible person: Assoc.

Prof. Michal Stanko, D.Sc.

46

[16] Title: Resistance of parasites of small ruminants to anthelmintics – can science win?

Grant number APVV-0539-10, Duration: 05/2011 – 10/2014 Funding for IP SAS in 2011/12734

EUR. Role of the IP SAS: coordinaror. Responsible person: Dr. Marian Várady, D.Sc.

47

iv. Number of projects supported by the Scientific Grant Agency of the Slovak

Academy of Sciences and the Ministry of Education (VEGA) for each year,

and their funding

Summary of funding from external resources

List of projects the EU Structural Funds

[1] Title: Centre of excellence for parasitology. Grant number: OPVaV-2008/2.1/01-SORO,

26220120022. Duration: 1 June 2009 – 30 April 2012. Funding for IP SAS in 2009/0,

2010/413526, 2011/327683 EUR. Total funding: 741 209 EUR. Role of the IP SAS:

coordinaror. Responsible person: Assoc. Prof. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc.

[2] Title: Application centre for the protection of people, animals and plants from parasites. Grant

number: OPVaV-2008/2.2/01-SORO, 26220220018. Duration: 1 Sept 2009 – 30 Sept 2012.

Funding for IP SAS in 2009/0, 2010/40627, 2011/47461 EUR. Total funding: 88 088 EUR.

Role of the IP SAS: coordinaror. Responsible person: Assoc. Prof. Branislav Peťko, D.Sc.

[3] Title: Protection of living environment against parasitozoonoses under the influence of global

climatic and social changes. Grant number: OPVaV-2010/4.2/06-SORO, ITMS 26220220116.

48

Duration: 1 Jan 2011 – 30 April 2013. Funding for IP SAS in 2011/71940 EUR. Total funding:

71940 EUR. Role of the IP SAS: contractor. Responsible person: Dr. Ingrid Papajová, PhD.

[4] Title: Centre of Excellence for Biological Methods of Forest Protection. Grant number:

OPVaV-2008/2.1/01-SORO, 26220120008. Duration: 1 May 2009 – 30 Nov 2011. Funding for

IP SAS in 2009/0, 2010/650, 2011/34995 EUR. Total funding: 35645 EUR. Partner Institution:

National Forestry Centre Zvolen. Role of the IP SAS: contractor. Responsible person: Ing.

Marek Renčo, PhD.

[5] Title: INFEKTZOON - Centre of excellence for infections of animals and zoonoses. Grant

number: OPVaV-2008/2.2/01-SORO, 26220120002. Duration: 1 June 2009 – 30 Sept 2011.

Funding for IP SAS in 2009/0, 2010/1530, 2011/29890 EUR. Total funding: 31 320 EUR.

Partner Institution: UVMF Košice. Role of the IP SAS: contractor. Responsible person: Dr

Emília Dvorožňáková, PhD.

[6] Title: Competence centre for biomodulators and nutritional supplements (Probiotech). Grant

number: OPVaV-2010/4.2/06-SORO, 26220220152. Duration: 2 Sept 2011 – 31 Dec 2014.

Total budgetary for IP SAS 2011: 0 EUR. Partner Institutions: Institute of animal physiology

SAS, Institute of Neurobiology SAS, University of Pavel Jozef Šafárik in Košice, University of

Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice, Dairy Research Institute, a.s., IMUNA PHARM,

a.s. Role of the IP SAS: contractor. Responsible person: Dr. Emília Dvorožňáková, PhD.

Summary of external resources of the EU Structural Funds (ERDF/ESF)

49

Supplementary info and/or comments on research projects and funding resources

The number of projects solved at the Institute is high. Except of the 6 projects od SF EU,

two new APVT projects have started in 2011 which are dealing with the research of emerging

human diseases with relation to rodents as reservoars and with the reseasch of

antihelmintics resistance of helminths against ivermectin drugs. All the other research fields

are coordinated with the solution of two dozen of VEGA and 16 APVV (including LPP) grants.

Several new VEGA projects are under preparation for submission; three APVV projects are

under review processes. In 2011, the Institute became a subcontractor of the new project of

7th FP of the EU which will be completed in the year 2015. The bilateral international

cooperation is continuing and majority of projects include outputs associated with practice,

therefore the consecutive application of resulting findings is expected.

In addition to research and educational projects, the Institute successfully dealt with two

APVV projects aimed at popularization of science (An hour of the science) and to support

talented students for the school competition (A route of youth towards science - live).

5. Organisation of PhD studies, other pedagogical activities

i. List of accredited programmes of doctoral studies (as stipulated in the

previously effective legislation as well as in the recently amended Act on the

Universities). Period of validity of accredited scientific disciplines,

characterization of perspectives of PhD study on the Organisation

[1] 15-12-9 Parasitology 1997 – 2010

[2] 4.2.-5 Zoology 2006 –

[3] 43-07-9 Infectious and invasive diseases of animals 2003 – 2010

[4] 6.3.7 Infectious and parasitic diseases of animals 2005 –

Perspectives of PhD. study on the Organisation: At present, the Institute has

accreditation for the two scientific disciplines, from which „4.2.5 Zoology” constitutes the

displacement for „Parasitology“. The Faculty of Science of the Comenius University in

Bratislava currently does not dispose of guarantor for the Parasitology, and therefore in

oncoming years the background for the accreditation of this discipline is not feasible in

this institution. However, the discipline Zoology remains appropriate for our students. In

forthcoming period, most of doctoral students will be supervised and skilled in the

50

scientific discipline 6.3.7 „Infectious and Parasitic Diseases of Animals“ at the University

of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice.

ii. Summary table on doctoral studies (number of internal/external PhD students;

number of students who completed their study by a successful thesis defence;

number of PhD students who quitted the programme)

iii. Postdoctoral positions supported by

a) external funding (specify the source)

The project of APVV Agency No. LPP-0171-09 “Systematics of tapeworms of the

order Caryophyllidea, parasites of freshwater fish” (principal researcher RNDr.

Vladimíra Hanzelová, D.Sc.) partially supports the salary (70 %) of postdoctoral

student RNDr. Mikuláš Oros, PhD. from 1.9.2009 – 31.8.2012 (defence of 2009).

b) internal funding - the Slovak Academy of Sciences Supporting Fund of Stefan

Schwarz

D.V.M. M. Derdáková, PhD. 1.1.2005 – 31.12.2009

D.V.M. M. Miterpáková, PhD. 1.5.2005 – 30.4.2009

RNDr. V. Majláthová, PhD. 1.1.2010 – 31.12.2013

D.V.M. D. Antolová, PhD. 1.4.2007 – 31.3.2011

RNDr. Martina Orosová, PhD. 1.1.2011 – 31.12.2014

51

iv. Summary table on pedagogical activities

3 – members in DrSc. commities (in total)

v. List of published university textbooks

[1] JURIŠ, Peter - PAPAJOVÁ, Ingrid - MITERPÁKOVÁ, Martina - JARČUŠKA, P. -

KANTÍKOVÁ, M. Environmental hygiene, biotic and abiotic load of the food chain. Košice:

Harlequin, s.r.o., 2009. 68 s. ISBN 978-80-89082-20-9.Typ: ACB

[2] MITERPÁKOVÁ, Martina - JURIŠ, Peter. Parasitoses in public health. Košice: Harlequin,

2009. 73 s. ISBN 978-80-89082-21-6.Typ: ACB

[3] MITERPÁKOVÁ, Martina - JURIŠ, Peter. Hygiene, safety of food and water. Košice:

Harlequin, s.r.o., 2010. ISBN 978-80-89082-23-0.Typ: ACB

[4] PAPAJOVÁ, Ingrid - ČISLÁKOVÁ, L. Principles of toxicology and poisoning. Košice:

Harlequin, 2011. 67s. ISBN 978-80-89082-33-9.Typ: ACB

[5] CAGÁŇ, Ľ. - ČEREVKOVÁ, Andrea - TANCIK, Ján. Agricultural helminthology and acarology.

Nitra: SPU, 2011. 104s. ISBN 978-80-552-0685-1.Typ: ACB

vi. Number of published academic course books

[1] LACKO, Anton - LITTVA, Vladimir - KADUČÁKOVÁ, Helena - KUBEROVÁ, Helena -

DOMENIK, Jozef - TIMKO, Jaroslav - LESŇÁKOVÁ, Anna - PEŤKO, Branislav - IŽOVÁ,

Marcela - KOMÁREK, Karel - ZRUBÁKOVÁ, Katarína - LEHOTSKÁ, Mária - VICÁŇOVÁ,

Michaela. Health and social education of the Roma communities. Ružomberok: Catholic

University in Ružomberok, 2010. 184s. ISBN 978-80-8084-647-3.Typ: ACB

52

vii. List of joint research laboratories/facilities with the universities

[1] Joint research and educational laboratories of the Institute of Parasitology SAS and Faculty of

Education and Faculty of Health Care of the Catholic University in Ružomberok and the Central

Military Hospital in Ružomberok, for realisation of co-operative research projects in submontane

regions of Slovakia.

[2] Joint workplace for epidemiology of parasitozoonoses of the Institute of Parasitology SAS and

the St. Elizabeth University College of Health and Social Sciences, Bratislava.

[3] The Centre of Excellence for Parasitology consisting of the Institute of Parasitology SAS and

University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice.

[4] The Centre of Excellence for Animal diseases and zoonoses of the Institute of Parasitology

SAS and University of Veterinary Medicine and Pharmacy in Košice.

viii. Supplementary information and/or comments on doctoral studies and

pedagogical activities

The Institute has made an immense effort for accreditation of two scientific disciplines

(see above). The number of accepted PhD. students is limited by the rules established

by the Presidium of the SAS. This limit has been increased by the successful doctoral

APVV project for four additional students. In the period of 2007 – 2011, 13 internal and

four external PhD. students have defended their dissertations. Out of them, six most

successful young researchers are employed at the Institute. The interest to carry out an

external form of PhD. study still persists; institutional scientists act as supervisors also in

this kind of dissertations.

The amount of pedagogical activities at universities performed by the Institute

research workers has increased from 2011 (Table iv). At present, the Institute employs

two university professors and two associate professors. The teaching activities have also

been extended to universities in Bratislava, Prešov and Ružomberok. The important role

has the common working-place with the Catholic University Pedagogical Faculty in

Ružomberok, where some of our PhD. students are employed. There is a long-lasting

co-operation with the Comenius University in Bratislava, UVMF and UPJŠ in Košice and

other Universities in Slovakia.

Within the pedagogical activities the number of bachelor and diploma theses

supervised by institute scientists has significantly increased. The diploma theses

contribute to research projects, mainly owing to collections of the experimental material

in different Slovak regions by students, which are subsequently analysed at the institute.

The Institute obtains external sources for supporting one post-doctoral places.

53

5. Applied research (Applications of results)

i. List of the most important results of applied research projects

[1] In cooperation with the Carmeuse Slovakia s.r.o., suitability of the waste dust from lime

production was verified in order to hygienisation organic wastes from agricultural production

[2] In cooperation with the slaughterhouse Tauris Danubius, a. s. Dunajská Streda, samples

were examined for the presence of endoparasites in slaughtered animals and the risk of

spreading zoonoses in this environment has been detected.

[3] In cooperation with non-profit organizations that operate shelters for pet animals, the

occurrence of agents of zoonotic parasitoses (toxocarosis, dirofilariosis) and tick-borne

diseases (babesiosis, Lyme disase) was regularly monitored.

[4] Livestock were investigated for parasitoses (neosporosis, gastrointestinal parasitoses)

resistent against anthelmintic drugs and recommendations were made to reduce losses

caused by the diseases.

[5] In cooperation with private veterinarians, small animals were examined for newly emerging

diseases (dirofillariosis, babesiosis, anaplasmosis, echinococcosis). Recommendations were

made to prevent them from spreading in Slovakia.

[6] In cooperation with the TANAP (Tatras National Park) Research Station, the pilot research of

epizootology of serious parasitozoonoses and tick-borne diseases was initiated after the

ecological disaster which is carried out so far.

[7] In contracts with health facilities, blood samples of hospitalized patients were examined for

tissue parasitoses (larval toxocarosis, echinococcosis, trichinellosis etc.). A total of 635 such

samples were examined in 2007 and 1470 samples in in 2008, respectively.

ii. List of the most important studies commissioned for the decision-making

authorities, the government and NGOs, international and foreign organisations

[1] For National Reference Laboratory for Trichinellosis we maintain Trichinella reference strains,

we provide reference material for education and training of veterinarians, and we prepare inter-

laboratory proficiency tests. We perform confirmation tests and genotypisation of Trichinella

isolates by means of molecular methods.

[2] Risk assessment of animal health in connection with the spread of new vectors and

pathogens. Study for the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development SR (2011) published in

the web page of the Ministry.

[3] For the Ministry of Interior and the Ministry of Defence of the Slovak Republic, a regular

investigation of working dogs – high sensitive for Dirofilaria infection - was performed, and

effective prevention has been established.

54

[4] Members of research team dealing with the research of plant parasitic nematodes of the

Institute provide consultations and methodological assistance for various organisations dealing

with plant diseases and plant protection at national and international level, in particular in the

field of quarantine parasitic nematodes.

[5] For The State Veterinary and Food Administration (SVFA) and the Ministry of Health SR, the

“Surveillance of zoonoses. Helminthozoonoses of the Slovak Republic” were elaborated in years

2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010. (Eds. Institute of Parasitology SAS and SVFA SR).

[6] For the Regional office of SVFA in Komárno, the expert report on the occurrence of

Fascioloides magna and other helminths in deer in the regions of Danube and Morava rivers

was prepared.

[7] In cooperations with Regional offices of SVFA in Dunajská Streda, Prešov, Rožňava, Nitra

etc., the Institute collaborated to tackle parasites of wild and domestic animals.

[8] For SVFA, expertise “The incidence of echinococcosis agents in foxes and other freliving

animals in Slovakia“ has been developed

iii. List of licences sold abroad, incl. revenues: NONE

iv. List of licences sold in Slovakia, incl. revenues: NONE

v. List of contracts with industrial partners, incl. revenues4: NONE

vi. List of research projects with industrial partners, incl. revenues3: NONE

vii. Supplementary information and/or comments on applied activities

Applications of the Institute results were preferably directed into:

a) public health sector in a form of diagnosis of tissue parasitic zoonoses and interpretation

of results through consultations during treatment of these diseases;

b) veterinary practice in a form of diagnosis, particularly attributed to newly emerging

dirofilariosis, a Lyme disease and babesiosis of dogs, and by means of therapy and control

of these diseases in police dogs;

c) agriculture in a form of diagnosis and consultation of prophylaxis of resistance acquisition

against anthelmintics and decrease of economic loss in parasitoses of animals and

nematodoses;

3 If not included in documentation of projects in chapter 4 (Projects structure, research grants and other funding resources).

55

d) environmental sphere in a form of evaluating dissemination of parasite larval stages and

sanitation of environment with use of effective measures and procedures (e.g., composting) ;

e.) epizootology and epidemiology of vector-borne diseases, by examining vector distribution

and disesaes they transmit in humans and animals.

A potential capacity of the Institute and its research workers is not fully utilized due to

lower interest of practice and/or administrative constraints. To improve the situation, the

Institute participates in a project of EU structural funds (SF EU) „Application Centre for the

Protection of Humans, Animals and Plants Against Parasites“, which covers certification,

accreditation and specialized laboratories for diagnosis of tissue helminthoses in humans,

identification of Trichinella spp. circulating in Slovakia and diagnosis of plant nematodoses.

Research workers publish research outputs applicable in the above mentioned fields

in scientific journals and present findings in media targeted both specialists and laic public.

7. Popularisation of Science (outreach activities)

i. List of the most important popularisation activities

Books, booklets and internet presentations, movie

[1] 2007 MITERPÁKOVÁ, M. - ANTOLOVÁ, D.: Dirofilariosis – new dangers. Brochure for

veterinarians and public, Pfizer Animal Health and Institute of Parasitology SAS, 2007

[2] 2010 PEŤKO, B. et al. Vampires attack. DOCUMENTARY MOVIE, STV 2, Spectrum of the

Science, 8.6.2010

[3] 2011 MITERPÁKOVÁ, M. – IGLÓDYOVÁ, A. Dirofilariosis. – Brochure, Bayer s.r.o. and

Institute of Parasitology SAS, Prague, CR, 2011

Telecomunication media

[4] 2007 DUBINSKÝ, P., PEŤKO, B., HURNÍKOVÁ, Z., MAJLÁTHOVÁ, V.: Radio Lúmen,

regional broadcast (27.9.2007): Parasitic diseases and animal diseases transmitted from

animals to humans. 20-minute block

[5] 2007 HURNÍKOVÁ, Z.: Slovak Radio, 7.9.2007, Parasitic diseases and animal diseases

transmitted from animals to humans .

[6] 2007 LENČÁKOVÁ, D., PEŤKO, B.: TV News, STV 1, 18.3.2007: About Ticks and Tick-borne

diseases.

[7] 2007 ŠPAKULOVÁ, M.: TV News, STV 1, TV Markíza, TV TA 3, 18.3.2007: interwiev:

Fascioloidosis: New threat for wild ruminants in Slovakia.

[8] 2009 MITERPÁKOVÁ, M. TV News, STV 1: 19.30, 14.7.2009: Spreads of diseases

transmitted by mosquitoes in dogs and cats STV

[9] 2009 PEŤKO, B. First TV News, TV JOJ, 29.7.2009: Overabundant foxes lost their shyness.

[10] 2009 PEŤKO, B., BHIDE M. STV 1, Slovakia Today. 12.6.2009: Lyme disease is one

of the most common tick-borne diseases.

56

[11] 2010 DERDÁKOVÁ, M. Radio Devín, Solarium. 6.4.2010: Know your enemy.

[12] 2010 DUBINSKÝ, P. STV2, 30.3.2010, Focus – Health: Trichinelosis.

[13] 2010 PAPAJOVÁ, I. Radio Košice. 17.5.2010: Children's sandboxes and dog

parasites.

[14] 2010 PEŤKO, B. Parasitologist Branislav Peťko – NON CELEBRITIES STV 2.

27.11.2010

[15] 2011 DUBINSKÝ, P. Radio Regína. 4.12.2011: – Portraits. Celebrities of research and

development of our region.

[16] 2011 ANTOLOVÁ, D. Radio Regína, 25.5.2011 Celebrities of Slovak science -

interview to the prize for young scietist.

[17] 2011 HROMADOVÁ, I., BAZSALOVICSOVÁ, E. STV2, Spectrum of Science,

2.2.2011: Young science.

[18] 2011 OROS, M. STV 1: Interview about his Medal of SAS for young scientist for

excellent research.

[19] 2011 PEŤKO, B. STV-FOCUS 19.8.2011: Summer dangers of the forest.

[20] 2011 VÁRADY, M. Radio Regina 10.5.2011. Celebrities of research and development

of our region.

Selected papers in monthly journals or daily newspapers

[21] 2007 HURNÍKOVÁ, Z.., DUBINSKÝ, P. EU requirements will lead to the demise

slaughters? In Roľnícke noviny, Roč. 78, č. 4 (2007), s. 9.

[22] 2007 OROS, M.: Rivers in the east is occupied by invasive fish. In SME, roč. 15, 8. 4.

2007, s.15.

[23] 2007 ANTOLOVÁ, D., MITTERPÁKOVÁ, M.: Dirofilarióza – disease of dogs and cats

currently now in Slovakia? In: Pes a mačka, 2007, ročník 7, č. 4, 2007, s. 40-41.

[24] 2008 ČEREVKOVÁ, A. - RENČO, M. Communities of nematodes as a reflection of the

ecological status of the soil environment. In Životné prostredie, 2008, roč. 42, č. 3, s. 145-148.

[25] 2008 BRUŇANSKÁ, Magdaléna. New knowledge about the structure of the body

surface primitive tapeworms (Cestoda). In Electronic Journal SAS. 2008, no. 2.

[26] 2008 DUBINSKÝ, P., HURNÍKOVÁ, Z., KINČEKOVÁ, J., REITEROVÁ, K.,

ANTOLOVÁ, D., KERPAN, L., JURIŠ, P., PLIEŠOVSKÝ, J. Decade of the largest epidemic

outbreak of trichinellosis in Slovakia. In Pes a mačka. ISSN 1335-7778, 2008, roč. 8, č. 7, s. 3-4.

[27] 2008 ŠPILOVSKÁ, Silvia - REITEROVÁ, Katarína. Neosporosis in dogs. In Život so

psom. ISSN 1336-5940, roč. 5, č. 20, 2008, s. 22-23.

[28] 2009 KINČEKOVÁ, J. Overabundant foxes spread deadly parasite. SME, 8.7.2009

[29] 2009 REITEROVÁ, K., ŠPILOVSKÁ, S. Neosporosis incidence in dogs. Pes a mačka,

2009, 9/4, 48-49.

[30] 2011 MITERPÁKOVÁ, M. IGLÓDYOVÁ, A. Dangerous heartworm. Lovu zdar, 2011,

3/7-8, 50-53

57

[31] 2011 ANTOLOVÁ, D. Parasites - an integral part of life around us. Mladý vedec 2011,

14, p. 4-6,

Public populatisation lectures

[32] 2007 VÁRADY, M.: Resistance of gastro-intestinal parasites against sheep

anthelmintics. In Shepherd seminar: Parasitic diseases of sheep and goats in the light of new

knowledge, 15.2. 2007, Rimavská Sobota. Rimavská Sobota 2007.

[33] 2007 PAPAJOVÁ, I.: Coexistence of child and animal from veterinarian perspective. In

The conference of general practitioners for children and adolescents. 27.-28.4.2007,

Trenčianske Teplice. (invited lecture)

[34] 2007 HOVORKA, I.: Diseases of game and animal care. Theoretical training of

seekers for hunting license. Regional organization of the SPZ, Košice. (18 ours of lectures)

[35] 2008 PEŤKO, B., BULLOVÁ, E., VÍCHOVÁ, B.: Summer dangers of the forest, or just

about ticks. Teledom Košice, public lecture in the framework of the project “An Hour of the

Science”, 18.6.2008.

[36] 2008 RENČO, M., LIŠKOVÁ, M., ČEREVKOVÁ, A., ŠALAMÚN, P.: Even a small

"snake" can cause problems. Teledom Košice, public lecture in the framework of the project “An

Hour of the Science”, 16.10.2008.

Participation in exhibitions

[37] 2009 PEŤKO, B., RENČO, M, ČEREVKOVÁ, A.: Major parasites of people, animals

and plants in Slovakia: Research, new knowledge, control. In: SLOVMEDICA 2009, Incheba

Bratislava, September 23, 2009.

[38] 2009 PEŤKO, B. et al.: Exposition of Centres of excellence in research and

development in Slovakia. Our exposition: Centre of excellence for parasitology. Incheba

Bratislava, November 5, 2009

[39] 2009 PEŤKO, B. et al.: Important parasite of people, animals and plants in Slovakia.

AGROKOMPLEX Nitra, August 23, 2009.

[40] 2010 PEŤKO, B. et al.: Festival of science – Biology, exposition and discussions

with the public at the occasion of the Days of Košice, May 3, 2010, Alžbetina street, Košice.

[41] 2010 PEŤKO, B. et al.: Night of the researcher, exposition and discussions with the

public at the occasion of the European Activities, OPTIMA Business Centre, Košice

[42] 2011 PEŤKO, B., RENČO, M, ČEREVKOVÁ, A.: Parasites of Slovakia under the

influence of climate change. In: SLOVMEDICA 2011, Incheba Bratislava, September 22, 2011

[43] 2011 PEŤKO, B. et al.: Parasites of Slovakia under the influence of climate change.

AGROKOMPLEX Nitra, August 24, 2011.

58

ii. Summary of outreach activities

iii. Supplementary information and/or comments on popularisation activities

A great attention is being paid to popularisation of our scientific results. This strength

activity of the Institute is intentionally supported by the Executive body of the

Organisation via regular press conferences aimed at informing the public about

parasitic diseases of man, animals and plants, organization of Exhibitions

(Agrokomplex, Incheba), the Institute Open Days, Festival of Science to the Public,

Researchers Night (the EU event) etc. The Press conferences resulted in television,

radio and media reports and disscusions (Top STV Stories, STV2, TV JOJ, TV

Markíza, TA3, and plenty of Radio stations) where research workers presented the

latest results from parasitological research. The information was published in daily

newspapers, e.g. SME, Pravda, Plus jeden deň, Plus 7 dní, Život etc., or in magazines

as Dog and Cat, Quark, Slovak Veterinary Journal, Farmer Newspaper, and Infovet.

These activities caused that the journalists themselves ask our researchers for

scientific programs. The Institute researchers made a script and actively participated in

the shooting of the two 30-minute films for the STV2 programm “Spectrum of the

Science. An important activities are implemented in two popularisation APVV projects

of the Institute „An hour of the science“ and „A route of youth towards science – live”

which are focused on the searching of talented youth using popularisation lectures at

dozens of Slovak high shools. Out of several hundred pupils, the best ones received

awards in the competitions Biology Olympiad, Secondary professional activity, as well

as in national and international competitions. The high acknowledgement of the

popularisation activities of the Institute was expressed by awarding the “Award of the

Presidium of SAS for the science popularisation activities” – two times to Assoc. Prof.

Branislav Peťko, D.Sc. (2008 and 2011), and two prizes “Grand Prize Scientia Pro

59

Futuro” from Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport SR to Assoc. Prof. B.

Peťko, D.Sc (2009) and to Dr. Ingrid Papajová, PhD. (2011).

8. Background and management. Staffing policy and implementation of recommendations from previous assessments

i. Summary table of personnel

ii. Professional qualification structure (as of 31.12. 2011)

4, 5 iii. Status and development of research infrastructure incl. experimental,

computing and technical base (description of the present infrastructure,

premises, and material and technical resources. Infrastructure, instrumentation

and major technical equipment necessary for the achievement of the objectives

specified in the research Concept).

In 2008, a partial renovation of the building at Hlinkova street was performed

supported by the subsidy of P SAS, followed by a significant innovation of experimental

IT and technical equipment from the projects of the EU Structural Funds. At present, the

4 Responsibility to organize PhD study 5 Responsibility to be a supervisor of PhD study

60

building at Hlinkova Street has the exterior wall insulation with the new roof insulation

and windows, ensuring a stable internal climate. From the EU funds, the following

equipment was purchased: modern devices for morphological studies (light and

fluorescent microscopes and stereomicroscopes, scanning electron microscope; for

molecular biology (termocyclers for PCR and RT-PCR, high speed refrigerated

centrifuges, laminar boxes, digestors, electrophoreses, laboratory equipment) for

epidemiology (spectrofotometres), for ecological studies (GIS, GPS), toxicology (atomic

spectrophotometer), equipment for plant parasitology (a greenhouse), new laboratory

equipment and laboratory furniture. A computer network has been built, two video

conferencing rooms created, gradual upgrading of the PCs, the data stations for

molecular analysis and GIS programs have been built, software for spatial analysis

purchased. For educational purposes, a vivarium has been newly built for breeding

laboratory animals with a dissecting room and modern optical equipment for transmitting

video and audio from specialized laboratories for animals into the classrooms. The

Library was transferred into the building at Puškinova street to vacate the premises for

the modern molecular laboratory and workplace of the Centre of Excellence for Biological

Forest Conservation. As mentioned, the breeding of laboratory animals was transferred

into the vivarium, thus vacating the premises for a cytogenetics laboratory. Deep-freez

boxes were transferred into the Institute Hall, the premises were modified for scanning

electron microscope. Specialized storage cabinets for poison and inflammable products

have been also purchased.

iv. Describe how the results and suggestions of the previous assessment were

taken into account

In 2007, the accreditation process resulted in two recommendations, which have been

completely fulfilled.

The first recommendation was directed to increase activity of obtaining international

projects and grants from SF of EC, and in this way, to improve instrumentation of the

laboratories. As it is readily apparent from the Questionnaire, the Institute was successful

in obtaining several European projects. Substantial restoration of laboratory equipment is

ongoing at present, and the results should reflect the improved research in near future

The other recommendation related to improving the quality of publications in hightly

impacted scientific journals. As documented in Chapter 3.1 and our annual “Reports”,

substantial part of the publications in years 2007 – 2011 had IF higher than the mean

impact factor for the field Parasitology was, and the quality of papers and even

monographs had an upward trend. There is high chance for improving the quality of

future research not only due to new equipment. Relatively high proportion of young

61

creative researchers of the Institute staff also represents a hopeful perspective for future

progress of parasitological research.

v. Supplementary information and/or comments on management, research

infrastructure, and trends in personnel development

During the accreditation period, the elections of a director of the Institute were held

twice. As of November 1, 2007, and having prematurely ended his appointment as a

member of Presidium SAS and Scientific Board of SAS, Assoc. Prof. Peťko, D.Sc.

became the new director, coming after long term tenure of Prof. Dubinský. New

management in association with the heads of departments and the Scientific Board of

the Institute have focused on the launch of calls for implementations of the EU Structural

Funds (SF) under the Operational Programme Research and Development and under

the Education Programme. During 2009 – 2011, the Institute has become a coordinator

of 4 projects and a contractor of 2 projects of the SF EU; the other two projects are

currently under evaluation.

The enormous increase in administration about the SF projects has required the

appointment of a second Deputy Director responsible for SF implementation, RNDr. I

Papajová, PhD. In November 2011, The Presidium SAS appointed Assoc. Prof. Petko a

Director of the Institute for the next 4-year term and appointed Dr. Papajová to the post

of a Deputy Director.

Changes were also made in the organizational structure of the Institute. The

Presidium of SAS has granted a request by the Director of IZ of SAS for affiliation of the

Košice section of the Department of Medical Zoology of the Institute of Zoology in

Bratislava to the Institute of Parasitology in April 2010, thus increasing the staff by 5

employees affiliated to the Department of Vector-borne Diseases.

In 2010, on the proposal of the Scientific Board of the Institute, two of the smallest

scientific departments have merged into a single one - the Department of Plant and

Environmental Parasitology. In this connection, the Statute of the Institute has been

updated and the English name changed to the Institute of Parasitology SAS. The names

of 3 departments have also been changed, so as to correspond with the current

developments in parasitology.

The current personnel policy corresponds with the implementation of the SF projects.

The Institute’s Management supports hiring the best PhD. graduates with an emphasis

on obtaining payroll funds from extra-budgetary sources, as in the past two years the

wage fund of the Institute has been reduced. Staffing new positions within the SF

projects is secured in terms of the Statute through cumulating multiple posts or activities.

62

Other information relevant to the assessment

In the period under review, there was a massive construction work and restoration

on the Institute’s buildings and laboratories. Out of five years, for three years the Institute

worked in the worsened or emergency conditions, often at the bounds of possibilities of

scientific work. During the thermal insulation of the building and windows replacement,

the sensitive devices were stored in dust-proof rooms, thus setting back many

experimental works for more than a half a year. Having acquired new equipment, it was

necessary to install a new electricity network into the laboratories, as the old one did not

comply with the new standards for purchased equipment. Laminar boxes necessitated

the replacement of doors and door frames. The purchasing laboratory furniture has

necessitated additional interventions in the electricity supply, water and gas distribution

for joining tables on the media. Despite these obstacles the Institute has maintained and

even increased its publication activity, which was at the highest level during the very

years of reconstruction.

In 2009, the Košice branch of the Institute of Zoology SAS in Bratislava was affiliated

with its movable and immovable property and five-member staff. The building is in a

rather bad technical condition thus requiring construction works. A stress analysis

expertise was performed, resulting in a permission to start the re-construction. In order to

fund it, a project application was submitted for Calls of the Ministry of Agriculture and

Rural Development of SR for cross-border cooperation with Hungary which is currently in

evaluation process.