Investigations on the occurrence of Plasmodium knowlesi in travellers returning from the endemic areas of simian malaria

Malaria remains an important public health issue all over the world. Among 5 Plasmodium species invasive to humans, Plasmodium knowlesi has been identified most recently. It is sometimes difficult to differentiate this species from P. malariae with the use of microscopic examination. However, P. knowlesi infection may be associated with rapidly increasing parasitaemia and severe clinical course with the risk of death. Samples from Polish travellers returning from areas where simian malaria is endemic were examined with the use of polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The small subunit of ribosomal RNA (SSU rRNA) genes was subjected to analysis using nested PCR reaction. No positive results of P. knowlesi were obtained. Due to morphological similarities to P. malariae, potentially severe clinical course of infection and P. knowlesi endemic regions being a common tourist destination, diagnostic and clinical vigilance is necessary, including molecular methods use for precise parasite identification

Different serotypes of dengue virus (DENV) imported by Polish travellers from dengue endemic areas to Poland

Background: Dengue viruses are the most widespread arboviruses (transmitted mainly by Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus mosquitoes), which have shown an unexpected geographic expansion. There are four dengue virus serotypes: DENV-1, DENV-2, DENV-3, and DENV-4. Subsequent infections increase the risk of developing severe dengue fever. Materials and methods: Samples from travellers returning from the endemic area of dengue fever were examined with the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction method. Primers amplified 743 bp fragment of the NS5 and 3’UTR genomic region of mosquito-borne flaviviruses of JEV group were used. Results: The sequences from the 10 examined patients were compared to available DENV sequences in GenBank database and the basic local alignment search tool (BLAST) results confirmed that the infective virus was DENV-1 (6 patients), DENV-2 (2 patients) and DENV-3 (2 patients). Conclusions: For the first time in Poland, dengue virus serotypes were determined in travellers returning from dengue-endemic areas

Dengue antibodies in Polish travellers returning from the tropics. Evaluation of serological tests

Dengue is a viral disease caused by an RNA virus of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, occurring as four serotypes (DEN-1, -2, -3, -4). It is transmitted to humans by the Aedes mosquitoes, mainly A. aegypti. The occurrence of dengue is strictly related with their preferred breeding areas. Dengue endemic regions are inhabited by some 2.5 billion people. 50-100 million cases of dengue fever and up to 1 million cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever are noted worldwide in more than 100 countries every year. The aim of the reported examinations was to diagnose dengue virus infections in returning travellers. In the years 2006-2009 serological tests were performed in 753 persons. In the diagnostics we used ELISA to find IgM and/or IgG class of antibodies against dengue virus, rapid immunochromatographic (cassette) test, NS1 viral antigen detection by ELISA, and virus RNA detection by RT-PCR method. IgM or IgG class antibodies, and both classes simultaneously, were detected in 19.8% of the examined cases. The greatest number of infections came from India and the Far East, next from South and Central America, and the smallest number from Africa. Sixteen patients with diagnosed dengue, including three cases of dengue haemorrhagic fever, were hospitalized. Int Marit Health 2010; 61, 1: 36-4

Evaluation of vertical transmission of two species of Ureaplasmas in term newborns without respiratory disorders – a preliminary study

Abstract Pregnancy promotes ureaplasma vaginal colonization. This creates the possibility of vertical transmission of these organisms to the child. These microorganisms can cause complications during pregnancy and poor condition of newborn. Objectives: Objectives of this study were to analyze the vertical transmission of different species of ureaplasmas in term newborns without respiratory distress. Materials and Methods: The study included 50 mothers and 50 of their newborn children. Swabs were obtained from swabs of the cervix in women and tracheal aspirates from neonates. The presence of ureaplasmas was confirmed by culture and PCR. Ureaplasmas species identification was performed using PCR. Results: infection of ureaplasmas was found in 21 women (42%). Predominant species was U.parvum, which was found in 18 women. In 3 patients only the presence of U.urealyticum was confirmed. Ureaplasma infection in mother and her newborn baby was confirmed in 8 (17.4%) mother-child pairs, including 6 of these cases showing the presence of U.parvum and 2 U.urealyticum. The incidence of vertical transmission of ureaplasma infection was assessed at 33% for U.parvum and 67% for U.urealyticum, and the total for both species at 38%. It should be noted that in the group of 18 women infected with U.parvum, in 12 cases there was no transmission of infection to the child. However, in 3 women infected with U.urealyticum 2 cases of transmission from mother to child were observed (67%). Although the group infected with U.urealyticum accounted for only 3 women, our preliminary observations may suggest that this species is probably more likely to be transferred from mother to child. Conclusions: Infection with U.urealyticum may be more frequently transferred from the genital tract of mother to child

c.1810C>T Polymorphism of NTRK1 Gene is associated with reduced Survival in Neuroblastoma Patients

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>TrkA (encoded by <it>NTRK1 </it>gene), the high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptor for neurotrophins, is involved in neural crest cell differentiation. Its expression has been reported to be associated with a favourable prognosis in neuroblastoma. Therefore, the entire coding sequence of <it>NTRK1 </it>gene has been analysed in order to identify mutations and/or polymorphisms which may alter TrkA receptor expression.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>DNA was extracted from neuroblastomas of 55 Polish and 114 Italian patients and from peripheral blood leukocytes of 158 healthy controls. Denaturing High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (DHPLC) and Single-Strand Conformation Polymorphism (SSCP) analysis were used to screen for sequence variants. Genetic changes were confirmed by direct sequencing and correlated with biological and clinical data.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Three previously reported and nine new single nucleotide polymorphisms were detected. c.1810C>T polymorphism present in 8.7% of cases was found to be an independent marker of disease recurrence (OR = 13.3; p = 0.009) associated with lower survival rates (HR = 4.45 p = 0.041). c.1810C>T polymorphism's unfavourable prognostic value was most significant in patients under 18 months of age with no <it>MYCN </it>amplification (HR = 26; p = 0.008). <it>In-silico </it>analysis of the c.1810C>T polymorphism suggests that the substitution of the corresponding amino acid residue within the conservative region of the tyrosine kinase domain might theoretically interfere with the functioning of the TrkA protein.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p><it>NTRK1 </it>c.1810C>T polymorphism appears to be a new independent prognostic factor of poor outcome in neuroblastoma, especially in children under 18 months of age with no <it>MYCN </it>amplification.</p

Zoonotic Viruses in Three Species of Voles from Poland

Rodents are known to be reservoir hosts for a plethora of zoonotic viruses and therefore play a significant role in the dissemination of these pathogens. We trapped three vole species (Microtus arvalis, Alexandromys oeconomus and Microtus agrestis) in northeastern Poland, all of which are widely distributed species in Europe. Using immunofluorescence assays, we assessed serum samples for the presence of antibodies to hantaviruses, arenaviruses and cowpox viruses (CPXV). We detected antibodies against CPXV and Puumala hantavirus (PUUV), the overall seroprevalence of combined viral infections being 18.2% [10.5–29.3] and mostly attributed to CPXV. We detected only one PUUV/TULV cross-reaction in Microtus arvalis (1.3% [0.1–7.9]), but found similar levels of antibodies against CPXV in all three vole species. There were no significant differences in seroprevalence of CPXV among host species and age categories, nor between the sexes. These results contribute to our understanding of the distribution and abundance of CPXV in voles in Europe, and confirm that CPXV circulates also in Microtus and Alexandromys voles in northeastern Poland

Zoonotic Virus Seroprevalence among Bank Voles, Poland, 2002-2010

Bank voles in Poland are reservoirs of zoonotic viruses. To determine seroprevalence of hantavirus, arenavirus, and cowpox virus and factors affecting seroprevalence, we screened for antibodies against these viruses over 9 years. Cowpox virus was most prevalent and affected by extrinsic and intrinsic factors. Long-term and multisite surveillance is crucial.Non peer reviewe

Zmiany malakofauny w małej rzece nizinnej wschodniej Polski

In 2016, the species composition and the structure of the dominance of molluscs in the Muchawka River (left-bank tributary of the Liwiec River) were assessed. The occurrence of 19 species of molluscs were recorded, including 11 species of snails and 8 species of mussels. The eudominant was Pisidium casertanum, which, only in the last two sites, constituted 43.1% of all molluscs. Two other species of molluscs from the Sphaeriidae family were also eudominants - Pisidium subtruncatum (22.8%) and Sphaerium corneum (10.3%). Snails were most frequently represented by the dominant Bithynia tentaculata, constituting 5.4% of all molluscs, and the subdominant Bathyomphalus contortus at 2.8%. Sixteen years after the first malacological analysis, an increase in species richness and differences in the dominance of molluscs were found in the Muchawka River. Clams from the Sphaeriidae family invariably dominated but with a different species composition. The disappearance of the protected Anodonta cygnea and Sphaerium rivicola has been noted, and the occurrence of the protected Unio crassus has also been noted.W 2016 roku dokonano oceny składu gatunkowego oraz struktury dominacji mięczaków rzeki Muchawki (lewobrzeżny dopływ Liwca). Odnotowano występowanie 19 gatunków mięczaków, a w tym 11 gatunków ślimaków i 8 gatunków małży. Eudominantem był małż Pisidium casertanum, który występując tylko na dwóch stanowiskach stanowił 43,1% wszystkich mięczaków. Eudominantami były także dwa inne gatunki małży z rodziny Sphaeriidae - Pisidium subtruncatum (22,8%) i Sphaerium corneum (10,3%). Ślimaki najliczniej reprezentował dominant Bithynia tentaculata, stanowiąc 5,4% wszystkich mięczaków oraz subdominant Bathyomphalus contortus - 2,8%. Po szesnastu latach od pierwszej analizy malakologicznej stwierdzono w rzece Muchawka wzrost bogactwa gatunkowego oraz różnice w dominacji mięczaków. Niezmiennie dominowały małże z rodziny Sphaeriidae, ale przy innym składzie gatunkowym. Odnotowano zanik chronionej Anodonta cygnea i Sphaerium rivicola, a pojawienie się również chronionej Unio crassus