Genetic diversity and antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus from recurrent tonsillitis in children

The aim of this study was to analyze the prevalence of Staphylococcus aureus in the tonsils of children subjected tonsillectomy due to recurrent tonsilitis and to determine the spa types of the pathogens, carriage of virulence genes and antimicrobial resistance profiles. The study included 73 tonsillectomized children. Bacteria, including S. aureus were isolated from tonsillar surface prior to tonsillectomy, recovered from tonsillar core at the time of the surgery, and from posterior pharynx 2–4 weeks after the procedure. Staphylococcus aureus isolates were compared by spa typing, tested for antimicrobial susceptibility and for the presence of superantigenic toxin genes (sea-seu, eta, etb, tst, lukS/lukF-PV) by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Seventy-three patients (mean 7.1 ± 4.1 years, 61.6% male) were assessed. The most commonly isolated bacteria were S. aureus. The largest proportion of staphylococcal isolates originated from tonsillar core (63%), followed by tonsillar surface (45.1%) and posterior pharynx in tonsillectomized children (18.2%, p = 0.007). Five (6.3%) isolates were identified as MRSA (mecA-positive). Up to 67.5% of the isolates synthesized penicillinases (blaZ-positive isolates), and 8.8% displayed MLS_B resistance. The superantigenic toxin genes were detected in more than half of examined isolates (56.3%). spa types t091, t084, and t002, and clonal complexes (CCs) CC7, CC45, and CC30 turned out to be most common. Staphylococcus aureus associated with RT in children showed pathogenicity potential and considerable genetic diversity, and no clones were found to be specific for this condition although further studies are needed.     

Serum levels and tissue expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2) in colorectal cancer patients

The objective of the study was the assessment of serum levels and tissue expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2) and tissue inhibitor of matrix metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). The study included 72 CRC patients and 68 healthy subjects. The serum levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method, whereas tissue expression of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in cancer cells, interstitial inflammatory cells, and adjacent normal colorectal mucosa were examined by immunohistochemical staining of tumor samples. The serum levels of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 in cancer patients were significantly lower than those in control group, but the percentage of positive immunoreactivity of these proteins were higher in malignant and inflammatory cells as compared to normal tissue. There was a significant correlation between MMP-2 immunoreactivity in inflammatory cells and the presence of distant metastases and between TIMP-2 expression in inflammatory cells and tumor size, nodal involvement, and distant metastases. Area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) for serum MMP-2 was higher than for serum TIMP-2. Moreover, positive tissue expression of MMP-2 was a significant prognostic factor for CRC patients’ survival. Our findings suggest that MMP-2 and TIMP-2 might play a role in the process of colorectal cancer invasion and metastasis, but the significance of their interactions with tumor stroma and interstitial inflammatory infiltration in colorectal neoplasia require further elucidation.     

Transforming growth factor-beta1 and IL-13 response to allergen predict steroid needs in asthmatic children

BackgroundThe remission of asthma, which is induced during specific immunotherapy (SIT) or appears spontaneously in children is not completely understood and predictors of this phenomenon are still undefined.ObjectiveTo assess CD4⁺CD25⁺Foxp3⁺ Treg cells and cytokine/proliferation response to allergen-specific stimulation of PBMC as predictors of steroid sparing effect of SIT and steroid dosage needs without SIT during 5 years of follow-up in asthmatic children.MethodsThis is a 5-year long study of 32 asthmatic children, sensitive only to house dust mite (HDM). Eighteen children who had completed 5 years of HDM SIT – SIT group, and 14 children without SIT as a control group were studied. All patients had baseline clinical/immunological assessment; before and after observation the minimum effective ICS dose was defined and lung function was measured.ResultsIn children from SIT group minimum effective ICS dose was reduced more than in children from control group (median reduction 65% vs. 0%; p < 0.001). Among patients in control group asthma severity was reduced after 5 years of observation in those who had at baseline higher TGF-beta1 and lower IL-13 answer to allergen stimulation of PBMC. Better response to 5 years immunotherapy was observed in those who had at baseline higher TGF-beta1 and lower proliferation answer to allergen stimulation of PBMC.ConclusionSimilar processes may decide on both, SIT-induced and spontaneously appearing, reduction in asthma severity. Immunotherapy was much more effective than pharmacotherapy in our study. IL-13 overproduction may impede reduction of disease severity in asthmatic children independently from TGF-beta pathway.     

Decrease of wheat flour allergenicity via lactic acid fermentation

Results of the research on the lowering of allergenicity of wheat flour fermented using homo- and heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria and mixed cultures with yeast were discussed. The gliadins’ immunoreactivity was measured using the indirect non-competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. The biggest decrease of the immunoreactivity of gliadin fraction was observed in the case of fermentation performed with the use of mixed cultures of lactic acid bacteria and yeast. This way of wheat flour modification seems to be promising, because fermentation is a natural process causing not only lowering of the allergenicity, but also improving organoleptic and nutritional values of obtained products.     

Environmental monitoring and control strategy of urban mosquito Culicidae (Diptera: Culicidae) populations in Wrocław

Among dipterans of medical and veterinary importance, the mosquitoes (Culicidae) play the most important role both as vectors and nuisance insects. Mass occurrence of floodwater mosquito species in the flooded area in Wroc?aw district (Lower Silesia, Poland) in 1997 has enhanced the already existed problem of mosquito control. A successful model of control strategy for the city based on the currently recommended integrated methodologies with special emphasis on preventive treatment of aquatic larvae with microbial insecticides has been conducted. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis-based formulations replaced chemicals to control Culex pipiens and Culiseta annulata--two dominant species out of eight noticed during field study in Wroc?aw area in the years 1998-2000. Use of Bti larvicide or other biocontrol agent, conserving biodiversity, requires collecting entomological data, mapping and treating all breeding sources as well as the designing appropriate strategies every year.     

Physiotherapeutic assessment and management of chronic pelvic pain syndrome: A case report

Introduction:Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is difficult for the diagnosis and therapy and that means the patient attending the physician or physiotherapist may present various symptoms. There are no guidelines concern physiotherapy diagnosis and treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. This study presents the physiotherapeutic assessment and management in men with pelvic pain symptoms.Patient concerns:Forty-six-year-old man attended the physiotherapy consulting room due to symptoms of pain in the perineum, lower abdomen, urethra, and scrotum for a year. Earlier, the patient had consulted a urologist who made a diagnosis of cystitis and prescribed medications that did not get results.Diagnosis:Ultrasound imaging and manual inspection (per rectum) of the pelvic floor was conducted by physiotherapist. Also, the abdominal and lower extremities muscles were assessed. Patient reported pain symptoms during examination of the musculus ischiocavernosus, puboanalis, pubococcygeus, iliococcygeus, coccygeus, and canalis pudentalis seu Alcocki.Interventions:The patient was given physiotherapeutic interventions consisting in the manual therapy of the lumbopelvic hip complex and the manual therapy per rectum.Outcomes:During 10th session of the physiotherapeutic treatment, patient reported improvement in pain symptoms. A month later, patient reported total alleviation of the pain symptoms during control visit.Conclusion:Therapy of chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a process that involves application of different therapies and different approaches. Functional and structural assessment and also therapy conducted by physiotherapist is becoming an integral part of urology and represents 1 possible conservative treatment form.