[Registration of hospital infections: effects of 5 years observation of peritonitis]. / Ocena efektów rejestracji zakazen szpitalnych w 5-letnim okresie obserwacji przypadków zapalenia otrzewnej.

In connection with a great availability of antibiotics, many negative side effects have been observed. A registration program of hospital infections' occurrence and drug-sensitiveness has been conducted for five years in all wards of Mining Hospital in Sosnowiec. This paper presents our first data and conclusions after examinations of the biological materials coming from patients suffering from different kinds of the peritonitis.

[The value of evaluating tumor markers: CA 15-3 and ferritin in blood serum of patients grouped as "high risk" for breast cancer]. / Wartosc kliniczna oznaczen markerów nowotworowych: CA 15-3 oraz ferrytyny w surowicy krwi chorych grupy "wysokiego ryzyka" zachorowania na raka sutka.

We studied 127 patients. 35 patients (group I) with mastopathy disease (average 44.3 years old) included 9 patients with a breast cancer family history (subgroup I A), 26 patients without a breast cancer family history (subgroup I B) and 92 patients (group II) with a breast cancer of I-IV grade (average 49.25 years old). The results of the study revealed statistically significant higher level of CA 15-3 in serum of patients with mastopathy compared to patients with a breast cancer of I grade (p < 0.05). CA 15-3 level in patients with a breast cancer of III, IV grade in serum, was considerably higher and there was significant difference comparing to the patients with a breast cancer of I, II grade (p < 0.001) and patients with mastopathy disease. There were also higher average levels of CA 15-3 in patients with mastopathy disease with a breast cancer family history (subgroup I A) compared to patients without an oncological risk (subgroup I B), however there were not significant differences. There were also higher average levels of ferritin revealed in patients with a breast cancer of III, IV grade and which shows significant difference between patients with breast cancer of I, II grade and with mastopathy patients (p < 0.001). It seems that determination of CA 15-3 and ferritin in patients of a high risk group of a breast cancer could be a useful diagnostic tool for early determination of a breast cancer.

[Strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated from patients in surgical and non-surgical wards and their serotypes according to HABS schema]. / Szczepy Pseudomonas aeruginosa izolowane od pacjentów oddzialów zabiegowych i niezabiegowych oraz ich serotypy wedlug schematu Habsa.

The purpose of this research was to determine serological types of Pseudomonas aeruginosa according to Habs and their susceptibility to various antibiotics. The material consisted of 316 strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolated in the period from November 1, 1988 to March 30, 1990. Among 259 strains isolated from patients treated in operative wards, the immunotype P 16 (28.18%) was most frequent. Among 57 strains isolated from patients treated in non-operative wards, the immunotype P 16 (36.84%) was also most frequent. The majority of isolated strains were resistant to a number of applied antimicrobial drugs. Such antibiotics as netilmicin, imipenem, amikacin, ceftazidime, carbenicillin and timentin proved to be most effective.

[Phage and serological types of bacteria infecting patients in anesthesiology and intensive therapy (1988-1990)]. / Typy fagowe i serologiczne bakterii w zakazeniach u chorych w oddziale anestezjologii i intensywnej terapii (1988-1990).

1736 of biological materials, being taken from 264 patients, were investigated since 1988 to 1990. 1410 kinds of microorganisms were cultured from 999 biological materials, in which the growth of bacterial flora was noticed. Following species were isolated most frequently: Pseudomonas aeruginosa 15.39%, Proteus mirabilis 12.91%, Klebsiella pneumoniae 10.43% and Staphylococcus aureus 10.43%. The most frequent serological type according to Fisher's scheme was Pseudomonas aeruginosa--immunotype T 3.7 and according to Habs scheme--immunotype P 16. Strains of Staphylococcus aureus were most frequently sensitive to phages the group II. In case of Klebsiella sp. bacilli, the most predominant strains were not typed either by basic or extended phage sets.

[Etiologic bacterial factors of infections in patients treated at the clinical anesthesiology ward and with intensive therapy]. / Bakteryjne czynniki etiologiczne zakazen u chorych leczonych w Klinicznym Oddziale Anestezjologii i intensywnej Terapii.

Bacteriological investigations were carried on 264 patients treated in 1988-1990. 1736 samples of biological materials were taken and it amounts to 6-7 samples from each patient. Most frequently isolated microorganisms were: Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15%), Proteus mirabilis (13%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (10%) and Staphylococcus aureus (10%). Serological typing of Pseudomonas aeruginosa was performed according to Habs and domination of immunotype P16 (30%) was detected. Majority of isolated Klebsiella pneumoniae were not typable with basic and broadened phage set. One strain was susceptible to phages KI12 and KI27. This phage type was not isolated in Poland before. Staphylococci were most frequently susceptible to group II phages (29%), additional phages (19%) and 15% were not typable with the phage set used. Isolated bacteria were in majority resistant to numerous antibiotics.

Determination of immune complexes in patients with acquired valvular heart disease.

The authors investigated the incidence of circulating immune complexes (CIC) in 52 patients with acquired valvular heart disease (VHD) and in 50 control blood donors. There was a statistically significant relationship between the CIC occurrence in patients with VHD and the presence of an active process in endocardium. However, no relation was found between the presence of CIC and heart operations, enucleation of palatine tonsils and the past history of rheumatic disease. The authors conclude that CIC investigation is a valuable diagnostic tool in patients with VHD and in those suspected of active infective endocarditis (IE). The obtained results confirm the presence of an immune factor in the etiopathogenesis of IE leading to VHD. However, they do not explain the implantation of the inflammatory process in the heart valves.

Induction and properties of guinea pig serum interferon. Preliminary report.

Guinea pigs, 250-350 g body weight, both sexes, were injected with 5X10(8.5) EID50 NDV (Radom strain) intracardially and intraperitoneally simultaneously. The animals were bled by cardiac puncture 0, 3, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after injection. After virus inactivation, serum interferon titration was performed in cultures of guinea pig embryo kidney cells with 50 percent plaque inhibition test using VSV. The highest interferon titer (64 u./ml) was found after 6 hours of inductor injection. Interferon titer decreased quickly and after 12 hours it was lower than 16 u./ml. Guinea pig serum interferon induced by NDV was resistant to pH 2 and 56 degrees C during 1 hour. Interferon was inactivated by trypsin. The decribed interferon did not protect heterologous species cells (swine) against Teschen Disease Virus infection. Other properties of this interferon are being studied.

Biological properties and clinical application of propolis. V. The action of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) on laboratory animals. Histochemical investigations.

In the experiment on rats the ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) injections caused an activation of all experimental enzymes. The greatest effect EEP exerted was on NADPH2 tetrazolium reductase and glucose-6-phosphatase.

Biological properties and clinical application of propolis. I. Some physico-chemical properties of propolis.

The presence of 19 elements has been shown in the ethanol extracts of propolis (EEP). Three fractions have been obtained by filtration through a structural gel that did not show an initial antibacterial activity when investigated separately. Fractions 2 and 3 joined together have regained this activity. EEP solutions maintain their anitbacterial activity in acidic or neutral pH. Insensitivity of EEP solutions on temperautre of 75 degrees C for 30 min has been found.

Biological properties and clinical application of propolis. IV. The action of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP) on cells cultured in vitro.

An increase of total cell number was shown in the cell culture in vitro under the influence of ethanol extract of propolis (EEP). Addition of EEP to the nutrient medium of the cells caused a strong activation of mitoses. Besides, distinctly intensified metabolism of these cells expressed by a strong activation of NADH2-reductase was also observed.

A trial of using antibodies as carriers of alkylating agents. II. Evaluation of ability to form 32P-cyclophosphamide + immune antibody complexes with homologous antigen.

32P-cyclophosphamide was found to combine with gamma-globulin fractions of immune sera. Immune sera incubated with 32P-cyclophosphamide retained ability to react specifically with homologous antigen in vitro in the system: MN antigens of human erythrocytes + rabbit anti-MN antibody, and probably reacted selectively with target antigens in vivo in the system: antigens of guinea pig kidney tissue + rabbit antibodies against these antigens. Hemagglutination, passive hemagglutination and precipitation in agar gel tests were used in the experiments. Ability to combine of the immune antibody + 32P-cyclophosphamide complex with homologous antigens was evaluated by measurements of radioactivity of studied materials (erythrocyte agglutinates and organ homogenates). The results indicate feasibility of using immune antibodies as carriers of cytostatic agents.

Studies on stimulation and properties of antiglobulin antibodies. III. Antiglobulin antibodies with different specificity in patients with bronchial asthma complicated by suppurative catarrh of the respiratory tract.

Sera from 14 of 50 patients suffering from bronchial asthma complicated by suppurative catarrh of the respiratory tract contained antibodies to homologous and heterologous gamma-globulins. The findings were attributed to hyperimmunization causing changed in antigenic properties of antibodies. Antigenically altered antibodies can act as autoimmunogenic stimuli inducing an immune response manifested by the appearance of antibodies to autologous gamma-globulins and cross reacting with homologous and heterologous gamma-globulins.

A trial of utilizing antibodies as carriers of alkylating agents. I. Influence of cyclophosphamide and chlormethine on antigenic properties of serum proteins.

Electrophorograms of human and rabbit sera before and after incubation with various concentrations of cyclophosphamide and chlormethine (Nitrogranulogen) were compared. Sera of rabbits injected with chlormethine and cyclophosphamide in therapeutic doses for humans were examined for antibodies reacting with homologous and antologous gamma-globulins. Immunoelectrophorograms of sera incubated with both alkylating agents differed from those of preincubation sera with regard to number and intensity of precipitin lines. The changes in electrophorograms were related to the type and concentration of alkylating agent. No antibodies to homologous or autologous serum antigens of rabbits treated with chlormethine or cyclophosphamide were found.

Studies on stimulation and properties of antiglobulin antibodies. II. Antiglobulin antibodies against homologous globulins and antigens of thermally denatured autologous sera in the sera of rabbits immunized with various antigens.

Sera of 48 rabbits after long-term immunization with suspensions of Diplococcus pneumoniae, Klebsiella friedländeri, Proteus OX19 and solution of bovine albumin were examined for antibodies reacting with homologous gamma-globulins and antigens of thermally denatured autologous sera. Appearance of antibodies of this type was related to duration of immunization, but not related to the type of antigen used. The experimental results were explained as a result of altered antigenic properties of antibodies following reaction with homologous antigen.

Studies on stimulation and properties of antiglobulin antibodies. I. Influence of heatig at 56 degrees C and 60 degrees C on antigenicity.

The autoimmunogenic properties of whole rabbit serum heated at 56 degrees C and 60 degrees C were studied in rabbits. Autologous rabbit serum heated 20 min at 60 degrees C was immunogenic. The state of induced immunity manifested itself by the appearance of antibodies to antigens of heterologous sera: human, goat and guinea pig. No antibodies for autologous sera were found, including autologous sera heated 20 min at 60 degrees C. The antibodies for heterologous sera directed against gamma-globulins were detected by the passive hemagglutination test and by precipitation in agar gel.