Molecular methods and techniques used in diagnosis and epidemiology of infections caused by pathogenic fungi

In this paper we reviewed the latest literature on molecular techniques used in diagnosis and epidemiology of infections caused by pathogenic fungi. Traditional methods used for the identification and typing of medically relevant fungi include morphological and biochemical analysis. These methods are time-consuming and base on phenotypic features what makes them unreliable. We described the usefulness in mycological studies of fast and very sensitive molecular methods which rely on PCR and hybridization techniques.     

The clinical consequences of changes occurring in HCV population during the first weeks of chronic hepatitis C treatment with interferon and ribavirin

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is an extremely dangerous human pathogen. It is widespread all over the world and often leads to the development of chronic hepatitis C (CHC), which can eventually result in cirrhosis a hepatocellular carcinoma. The efficiency of the current applied methods of treatment of HCV infection remains unsatisfactory. The main course of development of CHC and of therapeutic problems is the genetic polymorphism of HCV. The conducted analysis of the structure of the virus' population permits are conclude that the degree of diversity it presents is a crucial agent in the prediction of the outcome of IFN and ribavirin therapy.     

Measles in Poland in 2003

In Poland 48 measles cases were registered in 2003 (0.13 per 100,000 population)--of which 65% were cases imported from Chechnya and Afghanistan. Measles outbreaks occurred in 3 centers for immigrants. In total, 31 cases were reported, of which 96.8% were unvaccinated, and 93.5% were under 15 years of age. Of 17 local cases, 5 (29.4%) cases occurred in unvaccinated persons, 3 (17.6%) in persons vaccinated with one dose and 7 (41.2%) in those vaccinated with two doses of measles vaccine (administered at the age of 13-15 months and 7 years). Among 12 vaccinated cases only one 2-year old child was recently vaccinated. The remaining cases were in the 3-7 and 10-24 age ranges. The most affected were infants (incidence 0.57 per 100,000), 1-year old (0.28) and 2-year old children (incidence 0.27). Cases among adolescents and adults over 15 years of age increased from 23.5% in 2002 to 47.1% in 2003. The increasing age of locally-acquired cases, together with constantly high immunization coverage indicates high effectiveness of vaccinations in Poland. Out of all reported cases 13 (38%) were hospitalized. There were no deaths due to measles in Poland in 2003. Poland participates in the WHO Measles Elimination Strategy. Presently, the most important is the maintenance of a sensitive and timely surveillance of measles and measles-compatible cases, with serologic confirmation of one rash-like illness per 100 000 population. The performance of the surveillance system is insufficient with only 55 measles-compatible cases reported in 2003 (15% of expected reports). Serologic confirmation of cases was also insufficient, with 22 cases (40.0%) confirmed by IgM ELISA test. These results indicate the need to maintain the high immunisation coverage and improve measles surveillance system.     

Evaluation of the usefulness of SIS and MS/MS mode for the determination of persistent organochlorine compounds and polychlorinated biphenyls in human specimens

This study aimed of examining of the applicability of the SIS (Selected Ion Storage) and the MS/ MS (Tandem Mass Spectrometry) methods for analyzing organochlorine pesticide (OCs) residues and PCBs in human specimens. The samples of human abdominal adipose tissue, women's breast adipose tissue, and human milk were used as study material. The samples were analyzed using the gas chromatography method with EC and MS detectors. MS/MS and SIS mode allow to eliminate system-based (e.g., column, septum) ions and the biological samples extract impurities' ions from the background to achieve the analytical system sensitive enough for trace analysis of organochlorine compounds in human specimens.     

The evolution of epidemiology and clinical characteristics of laryngeal and hypopharyngeal carcinoma in Poland from 1991 to 2001

On the base of retrospective analysis of 12,888 cases of carcinoma of larynx and hypopharynx, diagnosed in 19 ENT Departments in Poland from 1991 to 2001, the assessment of basic epidemiological data, including the localization of tumor and stage of local and clinical advancement of the disease at the time of diagnosis has been conducted. In analyzed period of 11 years the trends to change of the mentioned above parameters has been examined. The significant increase of female patients in this period was observed, with average proportion M:F = 8:1. The glottis localization of carcinoma dominated (47.6%), followed by supraglottis (40.8%) and pyriform fossa (7.8%), with significant increase of pyriform fossa tumors in the analyzed period of 11 years. In the majority of cases the carcinoma of larynx and hypopharynx was diagnosed in the advanced stage (T3 + T4) of local disease, with the highest percentage in localization within the pyriform fossa (81.0%), and the lowest percentage in glottis tumors (45.6%). The regional lymph nodes metastases has been diagnosed in 46.7% of the analyzed group, with the highest percentage in tumors localized in pyriform fossa (82.9%), and the lowest percentage in tumors of glottis localization (33.1%). In the 11 years time the significant drop down of N0 cases and tendency to increase of N2 and N3 in the supraglottis localization of tumor. The distant metastases in the analyzed group at the time of diagnosis has been registered in 2.0%, with the highest percentage in posterior pharyngeal wall (7.6%) and pyriform fossa (7.4%). The authors postulate the renewal of prospective study on epidemiology, clinical characteristics and treatment results of larynx and hypopharynx carcinoma in Poland.     

Peripartum cardiomyopathy--a case report

Peripartum cardiomyopathy -- a case report. A case of a 32-year old woman, previously healthy, with heart failure symptoms occurring during third pregnancy, is described. In spite of standard pharmacological treatment, her condition worsened and the pregnancy had to be terminated at 28 hbd by cesarean section. The patient's condition improved and three months later normal left ventricular function as well as good exercise tolerance were observed.     

Effect of coronary artery bypass graft in patients with unstable angina on left ventricular remodelling in medium-term follow-up

INTRODUCTION: Left ventricular remodelling is a process of change in size, shape, wall thickness and heart function, initiated by a noxious stimulus such as ischaemia. Methods of pharmacological and surgical inhibition or reversal of remodelling are being sought. AIM: To assess the influence of coronary artery bypass grafting on echocardiographic measures of left ventricular size and shape in medium-term follow-up. METHODS: In a group of 30 patients three echocardiographic examinations were performed: before CABG operation, 3 months after and 20 months after the operation. Left ventricular area and volumes as well as indices of sphericity, thinning and expansion were calculated. RESULTS: After the operation, left ventricular areas measured in short axis and in apical four-chamber view increased among patients with a history of myocardial infarction. Improvement in the sphericity index occurred after the operation in patients with a history of myocardial infarction in whom the ejection fraction before the operation was less than 50%. CONCLUSIONS: The left ventricular remodelling process progresses after coronary artery bypass grafting in patients with a history of myocardial infarction. Inhibition of remodelling may be expected in patients without myocardial infarction, with preserved left ventricular systolic function.