Vitamin B12: Could It Be a Promising Immunotherapy?

Vitamin B12 is a water-soluble vitamin and an important micronutrient with critical role in DNA, protein, and lipid synthesis. It is responsible for one-carbon metabolism and cell division of nervous and hematopoietic cells. Among its various functions, the role as immunomodulator in cellular immunity, especially in elevating the number of CD8+ cells and NK cells, attracts scientific interest. Many alternative anticancer and anti-inflammatory treatments involve the use of B12 together with other vitamins and nutrients, but still the scientific information is too obscure and insufficient. Controversial data link tumorigenesis with either increased or decreased B12 blood levels in different types of cancer. Dietary intake and additional supplement with the vitamin do not protect against cancer risk, but the dominant opinion is to integrate B12 as part of rational and healthy nutrition to ensure proper function of the immune system. This chapter will review in brief the most important facts for vitamin B12 functions and properties. We will try also to present in concise way the human immune system and the exact role of B12 in immune activity with emphasis on the questionable participation of vitamin B12 in the process of carcinogenesis and its significance as anticancer immunotherapy

Tuberculosis and HIV — Doubling the Fatality

Tuberculosis (TB) and HIV/AIDS infection are one of the most ubiquitous and deadliest communicable diseases in the world. They cause millions of deaths each year and are recognized as major threats for public health worldwide. The corresponding pathogens (Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV) share overlapping epidemiology—they affect low-income countries and place an immense burden on their feeble health care systems. Over the last decades, the natural history of both diseases has changed; in addition to devastating single HIV and TB infections, the coinfection with both pathogens has emerged and has spread in pandemic scale. When present as dual infection in an individual, Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV potentiate each other and kill in cooperation the host. TB is the leading cause of death in HIV-positive patients and in turn HIV infection is the strongest risk factor for the development of new or reactivation of dormant TB disease. Both pathogens (as single or dual infection) provoke a robust immune response in the infected host but the immune system does not achieve to eliminate the infectious agent(s). The failure of immune defense results in vulnerable immune balance between the micro- and the macroorganism and often ends up in a fatal outcome

Foodborne Bacteria: Potential Bioterrorism Agents

Bioterrorist attacks are usually associated with airborne infections because of their easy dissemination and maximal effect on the human population. However, foodborne pathogens represent potential bioterrorist weapons, as the consumption of safe food affects every individual in the society. Most of the foodborne microorganisms can be readily isolated from natural sources and can cause severe outbreaks with a number of hospitalized persons. Biological agents, which may contaminate food products, are bacteria, viruses, yeasts, parasites, or chemical substances with microbial origin. They cause more than 200 diseases—ranging from diarrhea to cancers. Typical symptoms of food poisoning are abdominal cramps, nausea, vomiting, upset stomach, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, and others. Most isolated bacterial agents responsible for foodborne infections include bacteria from genera such as Salmonella, Shigella, Bacillus, Clostridium, Listeria, Campylobacter, Escherichia, Staphylococcus, Vibrio, Enterobacter, and Yersinia. In this chapter, we discuss the bacterial species causing food poisoning in the context of a potential bioterrorist attack. We review in a concise manner their morphological and biochemical characteristics, as well as the treatment and possible prevention measures. Popular examples of attacks with food poisoning agents and their impact on the society are also given

Seroprevalence of Syphilis among Pregnant Women in the Varna Region (Bulgaria)

Syphilis is a sexually transmitted disease with continuously rising rates among European countries. The vertical (mother to child) transmission is an important way of dissemination, often leading to stillbirth and permanent impairment of the newborn. We present a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of 2702 pregnant women tested for syphilis seropositivity. During the study period (2009-2013) non-specific and specific treponemal antibodies were detected in 15 pregnant women (0.56% of sample size with 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-0.84). Our results showed a lack of correlation between syphilis seropositivity and age, ethnic origin, or pregnancy trimester of the mother. The only factor found to influence syphilis seropositivity was the mother’s place of residence – rural inhabitants had significantly higher risk for syphilis infection when compared to urban inhabitants, with a seropositive proportion of 1.08% versus 0.36%, respectively. </p

MICROBIOLOGICAL MONITORING OF HOSPITAL ENVIRONMENT IN REGION VARNA

The hospital environment is widely contaminated with opportunistic and pathogenic microorganisms and is considered as a source of outbreaks of nosocomial infections which are a worldwide phenomenon. Thus, it is clear that monitoring of the hospital environment is an essential element in the control of nosocomial infections. The purpose is to isolate and identify the microbes from hospital environment samples of different hospitals and healthcare services in the Region Varna and to analyze the risk that hospital environment poses in the region. This study was conducted over a period of 5 years from January 2012 to December 2016. A total of 12,673 different types of samples were collected and delivered quickly to the Laboratory of Microbiology of Regional Health Inspectorate Varna, where analyses were performed. We found bacteria in 816 of the tested objects and isolated a total of 29 bacterial species. The results show predominant Gram positive flora (71.81%), while Gram negatives represented only 28.19%. Prevention of nosocomial infections is a responsibility of all health-care workers. Microbiology laboratories should play a significant role in the attempts to minimize the occurrence of nosocomial infection through accurate identification of responsible organisms, timely reporting of laboratory data and participation in hospital infection control

HEPATITIS B INFECTION IN EASTERN REGIONS OF BULGARIA

Background: Bulgaria is a country of moderate endemicity for hepatitis B infection with 3-7% of the general population chronically infected with the virus. Since 1991, an obligatory vaccination has been implemented for all healthy newborns. As a result, twenty years later, hepatitis B prevalence is significantly reduced but viral hepatitides still represent an important public health problem that needs to be addressed especially in some ethno-religious and regional groups. Purpose: No recent published data are available about hepatitis B circulation in Bulgaria and in its Eastern part particularly. In the current study, we analyze the epidemiological data on hepatitis B cases in easternmost Bulgarian regions and try to determine the possible risk, which the infection poses to public health in these regions. Material/Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis (2008-2014) using epidemiological data from the National surveillance system for hepatitis B notification. Results: The incidence of acute hepatitis B in all considered regions has been durably decreasing for the last seven years: while in 2014 its total value was 9,69%000, in 2014 it reached a minimal rate of 3,09%000. We found that young individuals in their 20s years (the borderline generation before and after implementation of mandatory vaccination) are most vulnerable to hepatitis B. South regions are also more affected by hepatitis B infection when compared with regions on the North. Conclusions: We reported a stable downward trend in the incidence of hepatitis B infection in all studied regions of Bulgaria. This result can be directly linked with the presence of effective vaccination program at national level

YEAST PRION PROTEIN Ure2p – A USEFUL MODEL FOR HUMAN PRION DISEASES.

Mammalian transmissible spongiform encephalopathies are uncommon and irreversible diseases caused by prions. Prions lack nucleic acid and can self-propagate by converting normal cell protein to isomeric prion form. In the pathogenesis of these diseases a long variable incubation period occurs, followed by progressive appearance of severe clinical symptoms and death. A major knowledge in the field of prions comes from studies on a functionally unrelated protein of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae – [URE3], which in normal state (Ure2p) possesses a variety of regulatory and enzymatic functions. Ure2p is a cytoplasmic homodimeric protein with structural homology to glutathione S-transferases and crucial role in nitrogen metabolism, oxidant protection and heavy metal resistance in yeast. In this work, we discuss the role of Ure2p to provide valuable information about protein infectivity, prion structure and functions

The Role of Cytomegalovirus in Congenital and Early Postnatal Infections in Northeastern Bulgaria

Background: Human cytomegalovirus is a ubiquitous, large enveloped DNA β-herpesvirus that, like other herpesviruses, establishes lifelong latency following primary infection. It is the most frequent cause of congenital, neonatal and early postnatal infections with long lasting sequelae

A PULMONARY INFECTION CAUSED BY MYCOBACTERIUM PEREGRINUM– A CASE REPORT.

Mycobacterium peregrinum is a member of the group of rapidly growing Nontuberculous Mycobacteria (NTM). It can be found in high frequency in natural and laboratory environments and is considered to be uncommonrare pathogen for both immunocompetent and immunosuppressed individuals. Currently, pulmonary infections caused by Mycobacterium peregrinum are unusual and diagnosed only in limited number of cases. Here, we present a clinical case of elderly man (72 years) with 1 month history of non-specific respiratory symptomatic. The patient was without underlying immunosuppressive condition or lung disease. Chest X-ray demonstrated persistent pleural effusion, opacities and cavitations in the right lobe. One of the sputum culturesgrewa rapidly growing mycobacterium and the isolated strain was found to be Mycobacterium peregrinumas identified by molecular genetic detection (PCR and DNA strip technology). To our knowledge, this is the third case in the world to report Mycobacterium peregrinumas a possible causative agent of pulmonary infection