LIFESCIENCES 2003

Portrait of a third stage larvae. The second of three larval stages of this fly species can be used to treat poorly healing, necrotizing wounds when other treatments fail. This applies in particular to for osteomyelitis, gangrene, ulcers caused by venostasis and mastoiditis. The sterile larvae are placed on the wounds and eliminate rotting, pus-stricken and already dead tissue. The healthy tissue is left completely in peace. The movement of the larvae and their metabolic products cleans the wound and stimulates wound healing. This method has been documented since the Middle Ages and is gaining importance with increasing antibiotic resistance.

L. Destructor is a widespread stock mite. Mites belong to the arachnids and, unlike insects, have 4 pairs of legs. Plum mites grow up to 0.75 mm in size and feed on moulds, flour and rice. They thrive optimally at 25 ºC and high humidity. Also stock mites can be the cause of allergies.

The kidney is the body's filter organ. The picture shows the finest loops of a kidney corpuscle (Malpighi body) from the kidney cortex. In these vessels, the urinary substances (waste products of metabolism) are separated from the blood. The regulation of the body's water and electrolyte balance and the production of renal hormones (prostaglandin, renin, erythropoietin, vitamin D3, kinins) takes place in the kidneys.

The picture shows the mouth parts of an adult animal, seen from below. Ticks go through 3 stages of development up to the sexually mature animal and have a different host animal (e. g. mouse, rabbit, human or big game) in each phase, with which they suck blood. Dermacentor ticks are often carriers of rickettsia (bacteria) which, when transmitted to humans, cause spotted fever (rickettsiosis), which causes the death of about 70% of those affected.

Fleas are blood-sucking insects. The species found in cats and dogs also occasionally affect humans, but after a few stings they abandon this false host. They can transmit pathogens, e. g.: Rickettsias (bacteria) or tapeworms. The breeding place of cat fleas is usually the sleeping place of the affected cat (dog).

Viruses are not capable of their own metabolism. They channel their DNA into foreign cells to use their metabolism and force their own reproduction. There are 16 different phages known for E. coli.