Arsenicicoccus cauae sp. nov., isolated from the blood of a pediatric gastroenteritis patient.

A Gram-stain-positive coccus was isolated from the blood of a paediatric patient suffering from gastroenteritis. The taxonomic position of this catalase-positive, non-motile, non-spore-forming facultative anaerobe designated as strain MKL-02T was investigated using a polyphasic approach. Colonies grown on tryptic soy agar with 10 % sheep blood were circular, creamy yellow, and convex. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene and whole-genome sequences revealed that this strain was most closely related to Arsenicicoccus bolidensis CCUG 47306T within the cluster of the genus Arsenicicoccus. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain MKL-02T and A. bolidensis DSM 15745T, A. dermatophillus DSM 25571T and A. piscis DSM 22760T were 89.5 and 37.0 %, 79.6 and 22.4 %, and 75.9 and 21.0 %, respectively. The genomic size of strain MKL-02T was 3 423 857 bp with a 72.7 mol% G+C content. Growth was observed at 10-45 °C (optimum, 37-40 °C) and pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0), in the presence of 0-10 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5 %). Cells of strain MKL-02T were non-motile cocci and 0.50-0.60 µm long, as determined by transmission electron microscopy. The strain was catalase-positive and oxidase-negative. The major fatty acid type (>10 % of total) was C15 : 0. The polar lipid profile consisted of two unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified lipids and an unidentified aminophospholipid. The strain contained MK-8 (H4) as the predominant menaquinone. Based on phylogenetic and phenotypic considerations, it is proposed that strain MKL-02T be classified as a new species, named Arsenicicoccus cauae sp. nov. The type strain is MKL-02T (=NCCP 16967T=JCM 34624T).

Evaluation of the Diagnostic Accuracy of Thymus and Activation-Regulated Chemokine to Discriminate Food Protein-Induced Enterocolitis Syndrome from Infectious Gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND: Post-emetic elevation in thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) levels has been reported in patients with food protein-induced enterocolitis syndrome (FPIES); however, no studies have investigated differences in TARC levels between FPIES and other diseases. OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the clinical usefulness of TARC measurement in differentiating between FPIES and infectious gastroenteritis. METHODS: This study included 8 patients with solid-food FPIES (FPIES group; hen's egg [n = 6], rice [n = 1], and short-neck clam [n = 1]; a total of 11 episodes necessitating emergency department visit or positive result of oral food challenge test) and 17 patients with infectious gastroenteritis (control group), and all patients had no eczema. Post-emetic serum TARC levels and modified TARC levels (serum TARC value - normal mean for each age) were compared between the 2 groups. RESULTS: The median (range) ages for the FPIES and control groups were 0.7 (0.5-6.2) and 1.8 (0.1-4.4) years, respectively (p > 0.05). In the FPIES and control groups, median (range) TARC levels were 2,911 (1,062-7,816) and 600 (277-2,034) pg/mL, and median (range) modified TARC levels were 2,204 (355-7,109) and 129 (0-1,314), respectively. The TARC and modified TARC levels were significantly higher in the FPIES group than in the control group (p < 0.001 for both). CONCLUSION: In the absence of eczema, post-emetic serum TARC levels might be a potential diagnostic biomarker for distinguishing FPIES from infectious gastroenteritis.

Molecular and serologic characterization of rotavirus from children with acute gastroenteritis in northern Iran, Gorgan.

BACKGROUND: The pattern and distribution of human rotavirus genotypes in young children in developing countries play an important role in epidemiological studies, as well as providing a strategy for the development of future rotavirus vaccine. METHODS: We evaluated stool samples from 349 children with acute gastroenteritis from Northern Iran (Gorgan city, Golestan province). Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) and Latex Agglutination Test (LAT) were utilized to determine the prevalence of human rotavirus in fecal samples. Moreover semi-multiplex RT-PCR technique was carried out in order to determine the P and G genotypes of human rotavirus in rotavirus-positive samples. RESULTS: A total of 46 rotavirus-positive samples were G and P genotyped. Whereas 28 (60.8%) fecal specimens contained only one rotavirus strain, 14 (30.4%) were mixed rotavirus infections and 4 (8.8%) was non-typeable. Overall, during the study, 57.82% of strains identified as genotype G1, G2 (18.70%), G3 (4.69%), G4 (3.13%), G8 (3.13%), G9 (6.26%) and non-typeable G (6.26%). From all these mentioned rotavirus strains, 46 were characterized as P [8] (97.80%) and P [4] (2.20%).Our analysis of the G and P genotyping of strains from all 46 rotavirus-infected children has revealed that 4/46(6.26%) of G type strains were non-typeable. The predominant single G/P combination was G1P [8] (57.82%), followed by, G2P [8] (16.98%), G2P [4] (1.72%), G3P [8] (4.69%), G4P [8] (3.13%) G8P [8] (3.13%), G9P [8] (6.26%) and four cases of non-typeable G (6.26%). Rotavirus was detected in 39 specimens (11.17%) by PAGE and in 38 specimens (10.88%) by LAT. Both tests were 100% specific; however, the LAT was 82.61% sensitive compared to the PAGE, which was 84.78% sensitive. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that to characterize rotavirus strains as well as design new effective vaccines for children with acute gastroenteritis, a large-scale study is needed in future.

Red blood cell distribution width as a useful marker for severity in pediatric acute gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND: Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children is still one of the most important causes of mortality and morbidity in developing countries. Therefore, it is very important for clinicians to detect the presence and severity of acute gastroenteritis. Red cell distribution width (RDW) is thought to have the potential for AGE evaluation in children. We sought to investigate the value of RDW for severity assessment in children with AGE. METHODS: A total of 97 AGE patients were included in a prospective observational study. Complete blood count, serum C-reactive protein, and stool examinations were carried out. Modified Vesikari score (MVS) was evaluated to determine severity. RESULTS: Median age was 19 months (min-max, 1-198 months). The male/female ratio was 1.55 (59/38). Rotavirus was detected in 31 of 97 children (32%). median MVS was 9 points (min-max, 5-24 points). A total of 32 (33%), 43 (44%) and 22 patients (23%) were classified in the mild-, moderate-, and high-severity groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between rotavirus-positive and rotavirus-negative children. Hemoglobin, mean corpuscular volume, and RDW differed significantly according to severity. RDW had the highest area under the curve when the high-severity group was compared with the combination of low- and moderate-severity groups on receiver operating characteristic analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Red cell distribution width increased with the increase in severity of AGE. RDW may offer additional severity stratification in children with AGE.

Norovirus Infection and Histo-blood Group Antigens in Children Hospitalized with Diarrhea in Lulong and Chenzhou in China.

Norovirus (NoV) is a pathogen that commonly causes viral diarrhea in children. Studies indicate that NoV recognizes human histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) as cell attachment factors. In order to explore the correlation between of NoV infection and HBGAs, a cross-sectional study was conducted in children less than five years old who were hospitalized with diarrhea in two areas of China between November 2014 and February 2015. Of the paired stool and saliva samples taken from 424 children, NoV was detected in 24 (6%) children, with viral genotypes GII.3 (n=5), GII.4 (n=14), GII.12 (n=1), and GII.17 (n=4). All of the individuals having NoV infection were either secretors (Lea-b+/Lex-y+) or partial secretors (Lea+b+/Lex+y+) except one GII.3 infection of a non-secretor (Lea+b-/Lex+y-). These results suggest that secretor positive is associated with NoV infection, although non-secretors are not absolutely protected from NoV infection.

Broad blockade antibody responses in human volunteers after immunization with a multivalent norovirus VLP candidate vaccine: immunological analyses from a phase I clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Human noroviruses (NoVs) are the primary cause of acute gastroenteritis and are characterized by antigenic variation between genogroups and genotypes and antigenic drift of strains within the predominant GII.4 genotype. In the context of this diversity, an effective NoV vaccine must elicit broadly protective immunity. We used an antibody (Ab) binding blockade assay to measure the potential cross-strain protection provided by a multivalent NoV virus-like particle (VLP) candidate vaccine in human volunteers. METHODS AND FINDINGS: Sera from ten human volunteers immunized with a multivalent NoV VLP vaccine (genotypes GI.1/GII.4) were analyzed for IgG and Ab blockade of VLP interaction with carbohydrate ligand, a potential correlate of protective immunity to NoV infection and illness. Immunization resulted in rapid rises in IgG and blockade Ab titers against both vaccine components and additional VLPs representing diverse strains and genotypes not represented in the vaccine. Importantly, vaccination induced blockade Ab to two novel GII.4 strains not in circulation at the time of vaccination or sample collection. GII.4 cross-reactive blockade Ab titers were more potent than responses against non-GII.4 VLPs, suggesting that previous exposure history to this dominant circulating genotype may impact the vaccine Ab response. Further, antigenic cartography indicated that vaccination preferentially activated preexisting Ab responses to epitopes associated with GII.4.1997. Study interpretations may be limited by the relevance of the surrogate neutralization assay and the number of immunized participants evaluated. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination with a multivalent NoV VLP vaccine induces a broadly blocking Ab response to multiple epitopes within vaccine and non-vaccine NoV strains and to novel antigenic variants not yet circulating at the time of vaccination. These data reveal new information about complex NoV immune responses to both natural exposure and to vaccination, and support the potential feasibility of an efficacious multivalent NoV VLP vaccine for future use in human populations. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01168401.

Human norovirus infection and the acute serum cytokine response.

Noroviruses (NoV) are the most common cause of epidemic gastroenteritis worldwide. The acute immune response to NoV in humans is poorly understood, hindering research on prevention and treatment. To elucidate the acute immune response and test for cytokine predictors of susceptibility to infection, serum samples from two human NoV challenge studies were tested for 16 cytokines. Subjects who became infected (n = 26) were age-matched with subjects who remained uninfected following NoV challenge (n = 26). Samples were tested from prechallenge and days 1-4 post-challenge. Cytokine responses were compared between infected and uninfected groups. Overall, infected individuals exhibited an elevation in T helper type 1 (Th1) and Th2 cytokines, as well as chemokines interleukin (IL)-8 and monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1), compared to uninfected individuals (all P < 0.05). Most cytokines peaked on day 2 post-challenge in infected subjects, and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, IL-8, and IL-10 remained elevated to day 3. The only cytokine elevated significantly among infected subjects to day 4 post-challenge was IL-10 (P = 0.021). Prechallenge cytokine concentrations were not predictive of infection status post-challenge. There were no significant changes in serum cytokines among NoV-challenged subjects who remained uninfected. These results suggest that NoV infection elicits a Th1-type response, with some Th2 activation. Persistent elevation of IL-10 among infected subjects is consistent with activation of adaptive immune responses, such as B cell expansion, as well as down-regulation of Th1 cytokines. This study presents the first comprehensive description of the acute cytokine response to GI.1 NoV in humans.

Seroepidemiology of Norovirus GII.3 and GII.4 Infections in Children with Diarrhea in Xi'an, China.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the seroepidemiology of immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies against Norovirus (NoV) GII.3 and GII.4 genotypes among children younger than 5 years with acute diarrhea in Xi'an, China. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 362 serum samples were collected from diarrheal children in the Department of Digestive Diseases of Xi'an Children's Hospital between March 2009 and October 2012. Recombinant capsid proteins of NoV genotypes GII.3 and GII.4 were expressed using the baculovirus expression system. The viruslike particles (VLPs) were examined by electron microscopy and Western blot, and VLPs were used as antigens for serological IgG tests using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. RESULTS: The overall seroprevalence for GII.4 (86.2%) was significantly higher (p<0.01) than for GII.3 (67.9%). The seroprevalence remained in a high and stable level (70.9% for GII.3 and 88.7% for GII.4) in children under 1 year of age, then dropped in the age group 12-17 months (49.3% for GII.3 and 68.1% for GII.4), and finally increased to 77.8% for GII.3 and 96.8% for GII.4 in the group >18 months. The seroprevalence in the age group 12-17 months showed more statistically significant differences than the other age groups for both GII.3 and GII.4 (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, seroprevalence of NoV GII.3 and GII.4 was high in young children in Xi'an, China, and the anti-GII.4-positive rates were statistically higher than GII.3 across all the age groups.

High serum levels of norovirus genotype-specific blocking antibodies correlate with protection from infection in children.

BACKGROUND: Norovirus is a common cause of acute gastroenteritis in children. Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies have been implicated in protection against norovirus-associated gastroenteritis, but the level, specificity, and functionality necessary for protection remain to be elucidated. METHODS: Norovirus-specific IgG antibodies to genogroup II (GII)-4-2010 New Orleans (NO), GII-4-1999, GII-12-1998, GI-1-2001, and GI-3-2002 virus-like particles (VLPs) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in serum samples collected from children who presented to the hospital because of acute norovirus gastroenteritis in 2009-2011. The blocking activity of the antibodies was tested in a surrogate neutralization assay. RESULTS: Most norovirus infections (62.8%) in the study population were caused by a GII-4 NO variant. Children who acquired GII-4 NO infection had a low preexisting type-specific IgG level and blocking activity of the sera, in contrast to children infected with other GII genotypes. Following GII-4 NO infection, genotype-specific seroconversion and a corresponding increase in blocking antibody potential was observed. Although seroconversion to the heterologous GII-4-1999 variant was observed, there was no corresponding increase in the specific blocking antibody titer. There was no concomitant seroconversion against GI VLPs, indicating a highly genogroup-specific antibody response. CONCLUSIONS: High preexisting norovirus genotype-specific serum IgG titers and blocking activity in children indicate protection from norovirus infection in a strain-specific manner.

[DYNAMICS OF APOPTOTIC MARKERS (INTERLEUKIN-2 AND TNF-α) IN THE BLOOD SERUM OF CHILDREN WITH CHRONIC GASTRODUODENITES].

UNLABELLED: The aim was to investigate apoptotic dynamics by IL-2 and TNF-α levels in the blood serum of children with chronic gastroduodenites. MATERIALS AND METHODS: There were examined 90 children with chronic gastroduodenitis. Cytokine level in the serum was studied at admission and in dynamics. RESULTS: Chronic gastroduodenitis is accompanied by the increase of IL-2 and TNF-α concentration thus reflecting the activity of apoptotic processes. The decrease of the markers' (IL-2 and TNF-α) levels after 10-11 days, 3 and 9 months after treatment indicates the decrease of apoptotic activity. In hyperplastic and atrophic gastritis there has been registered the highest and the lowest concentration of the markers, respectively. H. pylori contributes to the TNF-α production mainly.

Vitamin A deficiency is associated with gastrointestinal and respiratory morbidity in school-age children.

Infection is an important cause of morbidity throughout childhood. Poor micronutrient status is a risk factor for infection-related morbidity in young children, but it is not clear whether these associations persist during school-age years. We examined the relation between blood concentrations of micronutrient status biomarkers and risk of gastrointestinal and respiratory morbidity in a prospective study of 2774 children aged 5-12 y from public schools in Bogotá, Colombia. Retinol, zinc, ferritin, mean corpuscular volume, hemoglobin, erythrocyte folate, and vitamin B-12 concentrations were measured in blood at enrollment into the cohort. Children were followed for 1 academic year for incidence of morbidity, including diarrhea with vomiting, cough with fever, earache or ear discharge with fever, and doctor visits. Compared with adequate vitamin A status (≥30.0 µg/dL), vitamin A deficiency (<10.0 µg/dL) was associated with increased risk of diarrhea with vomiting [unadjusted incidence rate ratio (IRR): 2.17; 95% CI: 0.95, 4.96; P-trend = 0.03] and cough with fever (unadjusted IRR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.30, 4.31; P-trend = 0.05). After adjustment for several sociodemographic characteristics and hemoglobin concentrations, every 10 µg/dL plasma retinol was associated with 18% fewer days of diarrhea with vomiting (P < 0.001), 10% fewer days of cough with fever (P < 0.001), and 6% fewer doctor visits (P = 0.01). Every 1 g/dL of hemoglobin was related to 17% fewer days with ear infection symptoms (P < 0.001) and 5% fewer doctor visits (P = 0.009) after controlling for sociodemographic factors and retinol concentrations. Zinc, ferritin, mean corpuscular volume, erythrocyte folate, and vitamin B-12 status were not associated with morbidity or doctor visits. Vitamin A and hemoglobin concentrations were inversely related to rates of morbidity in school-age children. Whether vitamin A supplementation reduces the risk or severity of infection in children over 5 y of age needs to be determined.

Decreased mean platelet volume in children with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis.

BACKGROUND: The contribution of platelets to the inflammatory response via several platelet derived mediators is well recognized. The role of mean platelet volume (MPV) in infectious and inflammatory disorders, however, has not yet been well-established. While some of the previous studies demonstrated that MPV acted as a positive acute phase reactant, several others suggested its role as a negative acute phase reactant. In the current study, we aimed to assess the role of MPV as an acute phase reactant in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis. METHODS: We undertook a prospective, randomized, controlled, cross-sectional study and enrolled children diagnosed with acute rotavirus gastroenteritis and healthy controls (HC), between August and November 2012. Children with acute gastroenteritis were assigned either in the rotavirus-positive acute gastroenteritis (RPAG) or in the rotavirus-negative acute gastroenteritis (RNAG) group depending on their stool antigen results. Patients were also classified into two groups based on their Vesikari score (< 11: non-severe and ≥ 11: severe). Complete blood count and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were assessed for all patients. We compared MPV between RPAG, RNAG and HC groups and investigated the association, if any, among MPV, platelets, white blood count and CRP. RESULTS: In total 100 RPAG (54 males; mean age: 38.74 ± 41.45 months), 100 RNAG (58 males; mean age: 32.84 ± 29.64 months) children and 100 HC (43 males; mean age: 33.21 ± 32.55 months) were enrolled into the study. Mean platelet counts were well-matched among groups (p > 0.05). We observed a steady decline in MPV (fL) in the HC, RPAG and RNAG groups (median 7.80, 7.35 and 7.30, respectively; p < 0.0001). We did not find an association between MPV and the clinical score of gastroenteritis (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that MPV could be used as an acute phase reactant in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis. We believe that the current study will contribute to our understanding of MPV as an inflammatory marker.

[Frequency of antibodies to the recombinant protein P39 of C. jejuni in patients with gastrointestinal disorders and reactive arthritis in Poland]. / Czestosc wystepowania przeciwcial dla rekombinowanego bialka P39 paleczek C. jejuni u wybranych osób z zaburzeniami zoladkowo-jelitowymi oraz z reaktywnym zapaleniem stawów w Polsce.

INTRODUCTION: Campylobacterjejuni is has been found to be the leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Clinical manifestation on enterocolitis caused by C. jejuni are diarrhea, fever, abdominal pain and in some patients, fecal blood. After C. jejuni infection, squeals may occur such as reactive arthritis. The aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of antibodies to the recombinant protein P39 sticks C. jejuni in patients with gastrointestinal disorders and reactive arthritis in Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum samples collected from 46 patients with bacteriology confir- med infection caused by Campylobacter jejuni, 472 sera from patients with gastrointestinal disorders, 97 serum samples obtained from patients with reactive arthritis and 84 sera from healthy adults and children. Sera were screened for anti-P39 C. jejuni recombinant protein IgA, IgG andIgM antibodies by using the home-made ELISA. Protein P39 C. jejuni was expressing in E. coli BL21 (DE3) using the pET-30 Ek/LIC expression vector. Purification was accomplished by immobilized metal (Ni2+) affinity column chromatography (His Bind Resign, Novagen). RESULTS: SDS-PAGE and Coomassie brilliant blue staining confirmed a high purity of the recombinant P39 protein preparation with an expected molecular mass of 39 kDa. The results of ELISA with the P39 recombinant protein revealed that IgA antibodies in diagnostically significant level (x + 2SD) were found in 18.8%, IgM in 14.8% and IgG in 7.8% of sera obtained from patients with of gastrointestinal disorders. On the other hand, antibodies to recombinant P39 protein in sera obtained from patients with reactive arthritis were found in more than twice the percentage than in patients with gastrointestinal disorders (IgA in 34.0%, IgG in 26.8% and IgM in 19.6%). CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, based on the data obtained, C. jejuni may be important factor in triggering the gastrointestinal disorder and reactive arthritis in humans in Poland.

[The mode of differential diagnostic of and acute alcoholic gastroenteritis].

The study was carried out to develop mode of differential diagnostic of salmonella and acute alcoholic gastroenteritis on the basis of phospholipid specter of blood serum. The indicators of phospholipid fractions of blood serum were analyzed in 50 healthy persons, 50 patients with acute alcoholic gastroenteritis and 50 patients with salmonella gastroenteritis were analyzed. The relative content of following fractions of whole phospholipids were analyzed--total lysophospholipids, sphyngomiyelin, phosphatidcholine, phosphatidyletanolamin. The phospholipid spectrum of blood serum can be applied in differential diagnostic of salmonella gastroenteritis and acute alcoholic gastroenteritis. The disorders of metabolism of lipids under given pathological conditions have a multidirectional character. The salmonella gastroenteritis is characterized by decreasing of relative content of total lysophospholipids and increasing of phosphatidcholine as compared with standard conditions. The acute alcoholic gastroenteritis is characterized by increasing of relative content of total lysophospholipids and phosphatidcholine and decreasing of level of phosphatidcholine. The content of total Iysophospholipids in blood serum is lower on 35% or 30.0 mg% permits diagnosing acute alcoholic gastroenteritis. The content of phosphaltidcholine in blood serum higher than 40% or 50 mg% permits diagnosing salmonella gastroenteritis.

[Serum hydrogen sulfide levels in children with benign infantile convulsions associated with mild gastroenteritis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the changes and significance of serum hydrogen sulfide (H2S) levels in children with benign infantile convulsions associated with mild gastroenteritis (BICE). METHODS: Forty-two hospitalized children diagnosed with BICE were recruited to the observation group, and 46 children admitted due to acute gastroenteritis alone were recruited to the control group. Serum H2S levels were measured by a spectrophotometer. RESULTS: The serum H2S level in the observation group was significantly lower than in the control group (28±12 µmol/L vs 45±10 µmol/L; P<0.01). The patients with a number of convulsions greater than or equal to two had significantly lower serum H2S levels than those with a number less than two (P<0.05). The number of convulsions was negatively correlated with serum H2S level in BICE patients (r=-0.485, P=0.001). When a convulsion exceeded 5 minues in duration, the duration was negatively correlated with serum H2S level (r=-0.736, P=0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The reduction in endogenous H2S level might be one of the causes of convulsions in BICE patients. The degree of reduction in H2S level is associated with the number of convulsions and the duration of convulsion (when it exceeds 5 minues). Further investigation is needed to determine the clinical significance of these results.

The impact of Rotavirus mass vaccination on hospitalization rates, nosocomial Rotavirus gastroenteritis and secondary blood stream infections.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of universal mass vaccination (UMV) against rotavirus (RV) on the hospitalization rates, nosocomial RV infections and RV-gastroenteritis (GE)-associated secondary blood stream infections (BSI). METHODS: The retrospective evaluation (2002-2009) by chart analysis included all clinically diagnosed and microbiologically confirmed RV-GE cases in a large tertiary care hospital in Austria. The pre-vaccination period (2002-2005) was compared with the recommended and early funded (2006-2007) and the funded (2008-2009) vaccination periods. Primary outcomes were RV-GE-associated hospitalizations, secondary outcomes nosocomial RV disease, secondary BSI and direct hospitalization costs for children and their accompanying persons. RESULTS: In 1,532 children with RV-GE, a significant reduction by 73.9% of hospitalized RV-GE cases per year could be observed between the pre-vaccination and the funded vaccination period, which was most pronounced in the age groups 0-11 months (by 87.8%), 6-10 years (by 84.2%) and 11-18 years (88.9%). In the funded vaccination period, a reduction by 71.9% of nosocomial RV-GE cases per year was found compared to the pre-vaccination period. Fatalities due to nosocomial RV-GE were only observed in the pre-vaccination period (3 cases). Direct costs of hospitalized, community-acquired RV-GE cases per year were reduced by 72.7% in the funded vaccination period. The reduction of direct costs for patients (by 86.9%) and accompanying persons (86.2%) was most pronounced in the age group 0-11 months. CONCLUSIONS: UMV may have contributed to the significant decrease of RV-GE-associated hospitalizations, to a reduction in nosocomial RV infections and RV-associated morbidity due to secondary BSI and reduced direct hospitalization costs. The reduction in nosocomial cases is an important aspect considering severe disease courses in hospitalized patients with co-morbidities and death due to nosocomial RV-GE.

Serum transaminase elevation in children with rotavirus gastroenteritis: seven years' experience.

BACKGROUND: There are no studies on clinically significant transaminase elevation due to rotavirus gastroenteritis in the literature. Also, there are significant discrepancies among previous studies regarding the prevalence of increased serum transaminase levels in rotavirus infection. METHODS: Patients investigated for rotavirus by stool antigen testing, who were followed between January 2005 and May 2012, were retrospectively enrolled in this study. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to their rotavirus results: rotavirus-positive acute gastroenteritis (RPAG) and rotavirus-negative acute gastroenteritis (RNAG) groups. RESULTS: A total of 4317 children who presented with acute gastroenteritis were assessed. The study was completed with 642 patients who met the inclusion criteria. In the RPAG group (n = 272), elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) was found in 42 (15.4%) patients and elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in 69 (25.4%), while in the RNAG group (n = 370), these numbers were 25 (6.8%) and 44 (11.9%), respectively. The elevated ALT and AST levels were found to be significantly higher in the RPAG group than in the RNAG group (both p < 0.001). The prevalence of elevated transaminase levels was found to be similar with respect to gastroenteritis severity score (p > 0.05). The high serum transaminase levels normalized uneventfully in all patients in the RPAG and RNAG groups during follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, our results clearly signify a liver influence in rotavirus infections. Therefore, rotavirus infections should be kept in mind when evaluating the aetiology of transaminase elevation in patients with acute gastroenteritis.

[Characteristics of eosinophilic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract in children--a retrospective analysis of clinical material with review of the literature]. / Charakterystyka eozynofilowych zapalen przewodu pokarmowego u dzieci- -analiza retrospektywna wlasnego materialu klinicznego z przegladem pismiennictwa.

Eosinophilic disorders of the gastrointestinal tract are a heterogeneous group of rare and therefore rarely diagnosed chronic diseases occurring in both pediatric and adults. They represent a diverse clinical presentation, but their common feature is the presence of inflammatory infiltration of the intestinal wall with increased number of eosinophils. The study was a retrospective data analysis of patients hospitalized in the Department of Pediatrics, Gastroenterology and Nutrition, Jagiellonian University Medical College in Krakow, in the last 34 months. Among 11191 hospitalized children with symptoms suggesting gastrointestinal tract disorders, 1918 patients underwent endoscopic examination in which only 23 patients had significantly higher number of eosinophils in biopsies. Two of the four patients with eosinophilia in esophageal biopsy were diagnosed retrospectively as eosinophilic esophagitis. In the remaining 21 patients eosinophilia was secondary to other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Based on the medical documentation we performed thorough characterization study population in terms of history, physical examination and carried out laboratory tests. The results were referred to the current review of the literature.

[Application of immunospecific drug in the treatment of rotavirus gastroenteritis in children].

The case records of 120 children older than 4 years with rotavirus infection have been studied. In this group, 22 patients received basic therapy and 98 received complex therapy with cycloferon. Appropriate therapy resulted in rapid positive dynamics of clinical symptoms, the disease outcomes have been improved. Cytokine reaction has been studied as dependent on the treatment method. Positive dynamics of clinical symptoms and cytokine level has been revealed in a group of children having received cycloferon. It is recommended to include cycloferon in the basic therapy of rotavirus diarrhea in children.

[Serum phospholipids in differential diagnostics of acute alcohol and salmonella gastroenteritis].

The aim of the study was to estimate the possibility of using the serum phospholipid spectrum for differential diagnostics of acute alcoholic and salmonella gastroenteritis. It included 50 patients and 50 healthy subjects. The following fractions were measured: total lipophospholipids (LPL), sphyngomyelin (SM), phosphatitylcholine, (PC) and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE). The serum phospholipid composition in patients of the two groups was significantly different. Salmonella gastroenteritis was characterized by reduced LPL and increased PC levels. Acute alcohol gastroenteritis was associated with elevated LPL, PE levels and reduced PC level. Relative LPL, PE levels in salmonella gastroenteritis were significantly higher and PC levels lower than in alcohol gastroenteritis. In the latter the LPL level was twice that in salmonella gastroenteritis whereas PC level was 1.5 times lower