Short communication: Antimicrobial potential of Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from Slovak raw sheep milk cheeses.

The objective of this study was to screen Lactobacillus plantarum strains isolated from the traditional Slovak raw sheep milk cheese for their inhibitory potential. Seventy-two strains were obtained from samples of raw sheep milk and raw sheep milk cheeses collected from April 2017 to September 2018, in 23 geographical areas of Eastern Slovakia, by inoculation of de Man, Rogosa, and Sharpe agar plates (Oxoid, Basingstoke, UK). Using both the genus- and species-specific PCR methods, 43 strains were identified as Lactobacillus spp., and 10 strains were confirmed as Lb. plantarum. First, the whole bacterial cultures of Lb. plantarum strains were tested by disc diffusion assay. All showed very good antibacterial activities against 6 selected foodborne pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Salmonella Enteritidis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Listeria monocytogenes, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus. Then, cell-free neutralized supernatants and partially purified bacteriocins were prepared from the 4 Lb. plantarum strains that exhibited the best antibacterial potential, and they were tested the same way as the whole bacterial cultures. Seven of the 10 Lb. plantarum strains harbored the plnEF gene, 3 strains harbored the plnD gene, and 2 strains possessed both the plnA and plnC genes that encode the production of the respective plantaricins. The presence of both plnR and plnL genes was only detected in a single Lb. plantarum isolate. Based on the results of this study, 4 strains of Lb. plantarum appeared to be suitable candidates for further testing in the dairy manufacturing sector, particularly in the production of raw sheep milk products.

Burden of acute respiratory disease of epidemic and pandemic potential in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: A literature review.

There are gaps in the knowledge about the burden of severe respiratory disease in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR). This literature review was therefore conducted to describe the burden of epidemicand pandemic-prone acute respiratory infections (ARI) in the Region which may help in the development of evidence-based disease prevention and control policies. Relevant published and unpublished reports were identified from searches of various databases; 83 documents fulfilled the search criteria. The infections identified included: ARI, avian influenza A(H5N1), influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) infection. Pneumonia and ARIs were leading causes of disease and death in the Region. Influenza A(H1N1) was an important cause of morbidity during the 2009 pandemic. This review provides a descriptive summary of the burden of acute respiratory diseases in the Region, but there still remains a lack of necessary data.

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: current knowledge and future considerations.

A literature review of publically available information was undertaken to summarize current understanding and gaps in knowledge about Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), including its origin, transmission, effective control measures and management. Major databases were searched and relevant published papers and reports during 2012-2015 were reviewed. Of the 2520 publications initially retrieved, 164 were deemed relevant. The collected results suggest that much remains to be discovered about MERS-CoV. Improved surveillance, epidemiological research and development of new therapies and vaccines are important, and the momentum of recent gains in terms of better understanding of disease patterns should be maintained to enable the global community to answer the remaining questions about this disease.

Zika virus: no cases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region but concerns remain.

Following the WHO declaration on 1 February 2016 of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) with regard to clusters of microcephaly and neurological disorders potentially associated with Zika virus, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean conducted three rounds of emergency meetings to address enhancing preparedness actions in the Region. The meetings provided up-to-date information on the current situation and agreed on a set of actions for the countries to undertake to enhance their preparedness and response capacities to Zika virus infection and its complications. The most urgent action is to enhance both epidemiological and entomological surveillance between now and the coming rainy seasons in countries with known presence of Aedes mosquitoes. Zika virus like other vector-borne diseases poses a particular challenge to the countries because of their complex nature which requires multidisciplinary competencies and strong rapid interaction among committed sectors. WHO is working closely with partners and countries to ensure the optimum support is provided to the countries to reduce the risk of this newly emerged health threat.

[Good's syndrome (thymoma associated hypogammalobulinaemia) - 2 case reports]. / Gooduv syndrom (s thymomem spojená hypogamaglobulinemie) - 2 kazuistiky.

Although tumours of the thymus are rare, they are common among neoplasms of the anterior superior mediastinum. They usually exhibit indolent behavior, but do have the capacity to invade surrouding structures. Their metastatic potential is low. Paraneoplastic complications including autoimmune disorders (frequently myastenia, cytopenia) or combined immunodeficiency are of clinical significance. Here we report two case reports of thymoma patients associated with secondary immunodeficiency known as Goods syndrom. The first case exhibited as symptomatic combinated immunodeficiency with oral lichen planus. Thymoma findings was accidental. Severity of immunodeficiency required long-term intravenous immunoglobulins supplementations, even after complete surgical resection. On the other hand, the second case manifested by signs of advanced local tumour growth. Antibiotic prophylaxis was selected as immunodeficiency treatment.

Burden of acute respiratory disease of epidemic and pandemic potential in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: a literature review

There are gaps in the knowledge about the burden of severe respiratory disease in the Eastern Mediterranean Region [EMR]. This literature review was therefore conducted to describe the burden of epidemic- and pandemic-prone acute respiratory infections [ARI] in the Region which may help in the development of evidence-based disease prevention and control policies. Relevant published and unpublished reports were identified from searches of various databases; 83 documents fulfilled the search criteria. The infections identified included: ARI, avian influenza A[H5N1], influenza A[H1N1]pdm09 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus [MERS-CoV] infection. Pneumonia and ARIs were leading causes of disease and death in the Region. Influenza A[H1N1] was an important cause of morbidity during the 2009 pandemic. This review provides a descriptive summary of the burden of acute respiratory diseases in the Region, but there still remains a lack of necessary data

On observe des lacunes en matière de connaissances concernant la charge des maladies respiratoires sévères dans la Région de la Méditerranée orientale. La présente analyse documentaire détaille la charge des infections respiratoires aiguës [IRA] à potentiel épidémique et pandémique dans la Région, ce qui peut aider à l'élaboration de politiques et programmes de prévention et de lutte contre les maladies reposant sur des données factuelles. Des articles pertinents publiés et non publiés ont été identifiés grâce à des recherches dans différentes bases de données ; 83 documents satisfaisaient à nos critères de recherche. Les infections identifiées comprenaient les infections respiratoires aiguës [IRA], la grippe aviaire A[H5N1], la grippe A[H1N1]pdm09 et l'infection par le coronavirus du syndrome respiratoire du Moyen-Orient [MERS-CoV]. La pneumonie et les IRA constituaient les principales causes de morbidité et de mortalité dans la Région. La grippe A[H1N1] était une cause importante de morbidité durant la pandémie de 2009. Cette analyse fournit un résumé descriptif de la charge des maladies respiratoires aiguës dans la Région mais il existe toujours une lacune concernant les donneés nécessaires à cet égard

Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus: current knowledge and future considerations

A literature review of publically available information was undertaken to summarize current understanding and gaps in knowledge about Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus [MERS-CoV], including its origin, transmission, effective control measures and management. Major databases were searched and relevant published papers and reports during 2012-2015 were reviewed. Of the 2520 publications initially retrieved, 164 were deemed relevant. The collected results suggest that much remains to be discovered about MERS-CoV. Improved surveillance, epidemiological research and development of new therapies and vaccines are important, and the momentum of recent gains in terms of better understanding of disease patterns should be maintained to enable the global community to answer the remaining questions about this disease

Une analyse documentaire des informations publiques disponibles a été entreprise afin de passer en revue les connaissances et les lacunes actuelles sur le coronavirus du syndrome respiratoire du Moyen-Orient [MERS-CoV], notamment sur son origine, la transmission, les mesures de lutte efficaces et la prise en charge. Notre objectif est d'améliorer la compréhension du virus au plan de la santé publique, et d'agir sur l'intervention de santé publique internationale. Nous avons effectué des recherches dans les principales bases de données et avons examiné les articles et rapports publiés pertinents pour la période 2012-2015. Sur les 2 520 articles et rapports publiés initialement sélectionnés, 164 études ont été jugées pertinentes. Les résultats recueillis indiquent qu'il reste encore beaucoup à apprendre sur le MERS-CoV. Il est impératif d'améliorer la surveillance, de procéder à des recherches épidémiologiques et de mettre au point de nouveaux traitements et vaccins. De même, il est nécessaire de maintenir l'élan suscité par les récentes découvertes en matière de compréhension améliorée du tableau épidémiologique, afin de permettre à la communauté mondiale de répondre aux questions jusqu'à présent sans réponse à propos de cette maladie

Burden of acute respiratory disease of epidemic and pandemic potential in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region: A literature review

There are gaps in the knowledge about the burden of severe respiratory disease in the Eastern Mediterranean Region [EMR]. This literature review was therefore conducted to describe the burden of epidemic- and pandemic-prone acute respiratory infections [ARI] in the Region which may help in the development of evidence-based disease prevention and control policies. Relevant published and unpublished reports were identified from searches of various databases; 83 documents fulfilled the search criteria. The infections identified included: ARI, avian influenza A[H5N1], influenza A[H1N1]pdm09 and Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus [MERS-CoV] infection. Pneumonia and ARIs were leading causes of disease and death in the Region. Influenza A[H1N1] was an important cause of morbidity during the 2009 pandemic. This review provides a descriptive summary of the burden of acute respiratory diseases in the Region, but there still remains a lack of necessary data

On observe des lacunes en matière de connaissances concernant la charge des maladies respiratoires sévères dans la Région de la Méditerranée orientale. La présente analyse documentaire détaille la charge des infections respiratoires aiguës [IRA] à potentiel épidémique et pandémique dans la Région, ce qui peut aider à l'élaboration de politiques et programmes de prévention et de lutte contre les maladies reposant sur des données factuelles. Des articles pertinents publiés et non publiés ont été identifiés grâce à des recherches dans différentes bases de données ; 83 documents satisfaisaient à nos critères de recherche. Les infections identifiées comprenaient les infections respiratoires aiguës [IRA], la grippe aviaire A[H5N1], la grippe A[H1N1]pdm09 et l'infection par le coronavirus du syndrome respiratoire du Moyen-Orient [MERS-CoV]. La pneumonie et les IRA constituaient les principales causes de morbidité et de mortalité dans la Région. La grippe A[H1N1] était une cause importante de morbidité durant la pandémie de 2009. Cette analyse fournit un résumé descriptif de la charge des maladies respiratoires aiguës dans la Région mais il existe toujours une lacune concernant les donneés nécessaires à cet égard

Zika virus: no cases in the Eastern Mediterranean Region but concerns remain

Following the WHO declaration on 1 February 2016 of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern [PHEIC] with regard to clusters of microcephaly and neurological disorders potentially associated with Zika virus, the WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean conducted three rounds of emergency meetings to address enhancing preparedness actions in the Region. The meetings provided up-to-date information on the current situation and agreed on a set of actions for the countries to undertake to enhance their preparedness and response capacities to Zika virus infection and its complications. The most urgent action is to enhance both epidemiological and entomological surveillance between now and the coming rainy seasons in countries with known presence of Aedes mosquitoes. Zika virus like other vector-borne diseases poses a particular challenge to the countries because of their complex nature which requires multidisciplinary competencies and strong rapid interaction among committed sectors. WHO is working closely with partners and countries to ensure the optimum support is provided to the countries to reduce the risk of this newly emerged health threat

A la suite de la déclaration de l'OMS le 1[er] février 2016 faisant état d'une urgence de santé publique de portée internationale, eu égard à l'existence de groupes de cas de microcéphalie et de troubles neurologiques potentiellement associés à la maladie à virus Zika, le Bureau régional de l'OMS de la Méditerranée orientale a conduit trois cycles de réunions d'urgence en vue d'améliorer les mesures de préparation dans la Région. Les réunions ont fourni des informations actualisées de la situation actuelle et ont permis de convenir d'un ensemble d'actions à entreprendre par les pays afin d'améliorer leurs capacités de préparation et de réponse face à l'infection à virus Zika et ses complications. L'action la plus urgente consiste à améliorer la surveillance épidémiologique et entomologique à partir d'aujourd'hui et jusqu'à la prochaine saison des pluies dans les pays où la présence de moustiques Aedes est établie. La maladie à virus Zika, comme toutes les maladies à transmission vectorielle, constitue un défi pour les pays du fait de sa nature complexe qui nécessite des compétences multidisciplinaires et une interaction forte et rapide entre les secteurs impliqués. L'OMS travaille en étroite collaboration avec ses partenaires et les pays afin de garantir que le meilleur soutien soit apporté aux pays en vue de la réduction du risque de cette nouvelle menace sanitaire émergente

Cumulation NOx in foodstuffs and raw materials of animal origin.

In recent years quality of all raw materials processed by agricultural-food industry complex has been influenced by penetration of contaminating hazardous substances into the food chain as a result of high chemization, as well as by the exhalation fall-outs of industrial enterprises. In our study we followed the cumulation of nitrates and nitrites in food and raw materials of animal origin in the exposed industrial area of East Slovak Ironworks in Kosice. Determined were the residual levels of nitrates and nitrites in meat and organs of slaughterhouse cattle, milk and water from individual agricultural enterprises. Consistent control of the content of these hazardous substances in foodstuffs of vegetable and animal origin, water, soil and air represents a considerable contribution from viewpoint of consumer protection.