Rickettsia spp. in Ticks, Poland

Ticks are recognized as the main vectors and reservoirs of spotted fever group rickettsiae. We searched for the most prevalent Rickettsia spp. in Poland and found R. slovaca and R. helvetica bacteria in ticks in southern and central Poland; R. raoulti was found in ticks in all parts of Poland

Bactericidal Activity of Octenidine to Various Genospecies of Borrelia burgdorferi, Sensu Lato Spirochetes in Vitro and in Vivo

The aim of our studies was to invent a reliable method for detection of the bactericidal activity of disinfectants against Borrelia burgdorferi in suspension (in vitro) and in cell line cultures (in vivo). In the suspension method, 0.01% octenidine at 20°C and 35°C was bactericidalto Borrelia afzeli; Borrelia garini, B. burgdorferi sensu stricto after 5 minutes treatment. Increase of the temperature to 35°C speed up the bactericidal effect to 1 minute. The bactericidal action of octenidine towards B. burgdorferi spirochetes growing in fibroblasts was less effective and needed a longer time to kill them than in the suspension

Carotid intima-media thickness better differentiates between groups of stroke patients and persons without cerebrovascular disease than other conventional and novel risk factors

When measured by ultrasound, the morphological markers of carotid atherosclerosis such as intima-media thickness (IMT) and cross-sectional plaque area have been associated with the risk of ischaemic stroke. We set out to determine whether the morphological parameters of the carotid arteries made it possible to better differentiate between groups of older atherothrombotic stroke patients and persons without cerebrovascular disease than conventional and novel risk factors of stroke. Of the total number of 623 persons examined, 54 stroke patients (mean age 63.3 years) and 74 controls without cerebrovascular disease (mean age 66.3 years) fulfilled the inclusion criteria for this investigation and were enrolled in the case-control study. After adjustment for age, gender and education level, the strongest associations were found between stroke and carotid IMT [odds ratio (OR) = 10.6; 95% confidence interval (CI): 4.3–26.9] and plaque area (OR = 5.4; 95%CI: 2.3–13.1). Other risk factors showed weaker associations with stroke occurrence. Of the clinical risk factors, a significant association was found between stroke and coronary heart disease (OR = 3.5; 95%CI: 1.2–10.2), hypertension (OR = 3.2; 95%CI: 1.5–7.2) and smoking (OR = 2.7; 95%CI: 1.1–6.4). From the laboratory-derived risk factors a significant association was found between stroke and triglyceride levels (OR = 4.4; 95%CI: 1.9–10.0), and an inverse correlation was observed between stroke occurrence and HDL-cholesterol level (OR = 0.4; 95%CI: 0.2–0.8). The carotid IMT and plaque area, measured with the use of ultrasonography, showed a better correlation with stroke occurrence than currently recognised clinical and biochemical risk factors. The intima-media thickness and plaque area of the carotid arteries could be useful parameters in the development of strategies to identify patients at high risk of atherothrombotic ischaemic stroke

Wind in November, Q Fever in December

An investigation in southern France confirms the role of wind in Coxiella burnetii transmissio

A review on the eco-epidemiology and clinical management of human granulocytic anaplasmosis and its agent in Europe

Anaplasma phagocytophilum is the agent of tick-borne fever, equine, canine and human granulocytic anaplasmosis. The common route of A. phagocytophilum transmission is through a tick bite, the main vector in Europe being Ixodes ricinus. Despite the apparently ubiquitous presence of the pathogen A. phagocytophilum in ticks and various wild and domestic animals from Europe, up to date published clinical cases of human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) remain rare compared to the worldwide status. It is unclear if this reflects the epidemiological dynamics of the human infection in Europe or if the disease is underdiagnosed or underreported. Epidemiologic studies in Europe have suggested an increased occupational risk of infection for forestry workers, hunters, veterinarians, and farmers with a tick-bite history and living in endemic areas. Although the overall genetic diversity of A. phagocytophilum in Europe is higher than in the USA, the strains responsible for the human infections are related on both continents. However, the study of the genetic variability and assessment of the difference of pathogenicity and infectivity between strains to various hosts has been insufficiently explored to date. Most of the European HGA cases presented as a mild infection, common clinical signs being pyrexia, headache, myalgia and arthralgia. The diagnosis of HGA in the USA was recommended to be based on clinical signs and the patient’s history and later confirmed using specialized laboratory tests. However, in Europe since the majority of cases are presenting as mild infection, laboratory tests may be performed before the treatment in order to avoid antibiotic overuse. The drug of choice for HGA is doxycycline and because of potential for serious complication the treatment should be instituted on clinical suspicion alone

SUSCEPTIBILITY OF SPIROCHETES BORRELIA BURGDORFERI SENSU LATO TO ANTIBIOTICS IN VITRO

Kamatne stope pripadaju skupini najpomnije praćenih ekonomskih varijabli. Mediji o njihovim promjenama izvještavaju gotovo svakoga dana. One izravno utječu na svakodnevni život pojedinca i imaju važne posljedice za zdravlje cjelokupnog gospodarstva. Kamatne stope utječu na odluke pojedinaca o tome hoće li trošiti ili štedjeti, hoće li kupiti obveznicu ili ostaviti novac na štednom računu. Kamatne stope također utječu na ekonomske odluke kućanstva i poduzeća, poput odluke da li uložiti novac u novu opremu ili štedjeti novac u banci. Ispravno razumijevanje pojma kamatnih stopa je od velikog značaja za razumijevanje načina funkcioniranja financijskih tržišta i financijskih posrednika. Ovaj završni rad sastoji se od četiri cjeline u kojima su pomno objašnjene kamate, vrste kamata, te uloga kamata. Prvi dio se sastoji o ulogi kamatne stope u financijskom sustavu, te o teorijama kamatnih stopa. Drugi dio govori o razlici između nominalnih i realnih kamatnih stopa, prilagođenih za promjenu razine cijena i neprilagođenih, nominalnih kamatnih stopa. Određuje se razina nominalnih kamatnih stopa, te koji čimbenici utječu na njihovo ponašanje. U trećem djelu su kamate podjeljene u vrste, te ima riječi o metodama i obračunu kamatnih stopa. U zadnjem poglavlju se zaokružuje slika kamatnih stopa, ispitivanjem međusobnih odnosa različitih kamatnih stopa. Razumijevanje uzroka njihovih razlika može pomoći poduzećima, bankama, osiguravajućim društvima i privatnim ulagačima u odluci u koje obveznice uložiti, a koje prodati

Występujące w Polsce bakteryjne choroby przenoszone przez kleszcze

Many infectious diseases are spread by a vector. Some microorganisms require both the vertebrate as well invertebrate host to complete their life cycle. In this way, many bacterial diseases are transmitted to humans. Within Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato species, 15 genospecies have been identified; 7 of which are pathogenic to humans. Lyme borreliosis, classified as a zoonosis, occurs throughout the Northern Hemisphere. The symptoms caused by these spirochetes, in addition to the characteristic erythema migrans, may affect many body systems and organs. Infections caused by Bartonella spp. are classified as emerging and re-emerging diseases. Over 25 species of Bartonella species have been currently recognized, 14 of which are pathogenic to humans. The infections of these microorganisms are transmitted by ticks, lice and fleas, and manifest themselves as endocarditis, meningitis, pneumonia, bacillary peliosis, Parinaud’s oculoglandular syndrome, the mildest of them being the cat scratch disease. Recently, spotted fever group rickettsioses are the most commonly recognized. In Poland, the etiological agents of these diseases are various species of Rickettsia spp., such as R. helvetica, R. monacensis, R. slovaca and R. raoultii. Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is an acute infectious disease caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum. The symptoms of anaplasmosis include: a high fever, headache, malaise, muscle pains and chills. It is characterised by thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, elevated levels of liver transaminases, increased number of neutrophils and mild anemia. There is no specific prophylaxis to avert tick-borne infections. The best prevention method is to avoid tick bites and to remove them from the skin immediately. It is also recommended to use tick repellents.Wiele chorób infekcyjnych rozprzestrzenia się z udziałem wektora. Drobnoustroje chorobotwórcze wymagają zarówno gospodarza kręgowca jak i bezkręgowca dla zamknięcia pełnego cyklu życiowego. W ten sposób wiele chorób bakteryjnych przenoszonych jest na człowieka. W obrębie gatunku Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato wyróżnia się 15 genogatunków, z których 7 jest chorobotwórczych dla człowieka. Borelioza z Lyme jest zoonozą występującą na całej półkuli północnej. Objawy wywoływane przez te krętki, oprócz charakterystycznego rumienia wędrującego, mogą dotyczyć wielu układów i narządów. Zakażenia wywoływane przez bakterie z rodzaju Bartonella zaliczane są do grupy nowo pojawiających i nawracających chorób (group of emerging/re-emerging diseases). Obecnie znanych jest ponad 25 gatunków bakterii z rodzaju Bartonella, wśród których 14 jest chorobotwórczych dla ludzi. Wektorem zakażenia mogą być kleszcze. Zakażenia te są przyczyną zapalenia wsierdzia, zapalenia opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych, zapalenia płuc, naczyniakowatości, plamicy wątrobowej, zapalenia gałki ocznej i najłagodniejszej wśród nich choroby kociego pazura. Najczęściej rozpoznawanymi obecnie riketsjozami są gorączki plamiste. Czynnikiem etiologicznym w Polsce są różne gatunki takie jak: R. helvetica, R. monacensis, R. slovaca i R. raoultii. Ludzka granulocytarna anaplazmoza (human granulocytic anaplasmosis – HGA) jest ostrą chorobą zakaźną wywoływaną przez bakterie Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Objawy anaplazmozy to wysoka gorączka, bóle głowy, złe samopoczucie, bóle mięśniowe i dreszcze. Charakterystyczna jest trombocytopenia, leukopenia, podwyższony poziom transaminaz wątrobowych, zwiększona liczba niedojrzałych neutrofili i łagodna anemia. Nie istnieje swoista profilaktyka pozwalająca uniknąć zakażeń przenoszonych przez kleszcze. Należy unikać ukłuć kleszczy i niezwłoczne usuwać je ze skóry. Zalecane jest stosowanie repelentów odstraszających kleszcze