The investigation of Staphylococcus aureus and coagulase-negative staphylococci nasal carriage among patients undergoing haemodialysis.

The frequency of nasal staphylococcal colonization among haemodialysed patients was investigated. The swabs were collected in 1998 and 2004 from 28 and 43 patients, respectively. Staphylococcus aureus colonization rates were 57.1% and 27.9% in 1998 and 2004, respectively. Twenty-six coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) isolates were cultured: S. epidermidis (21), S. lugdunensis (2), single S. haemolyticus, S. warneri, and S. capitits isolates. One S. aureus and 10 CNS isolates were methicillin resistant. The methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) was resistant to beta-lactams, tetracycline, and harbored the pvl gene encoding the Panton-Valentine leukocidin. The decrease in S. aureus colonization at 6-year interval was observed. The presence of the pvl gene and a favorable antibiotic susceptibility pattern of the MRSA suggest that the isolate was a member of community-acquired MRSA (CA-MRSA). Concluding, screening of haemodialysed patients for staphylococcal colonization accompanied by characterization of cultured isolates is important to understand its epidemiology and to develop infection prevention measures and treatment strategies.

Immunological parameters of candidiasis in cancer patients.

This study attempts to correlate the frequency of infection by Candida with the following immunological factors presented in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy: neutrophil number; level of exogenous myeloperoxidase (MPO); cytokines IL-12, IL-10, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. A total of 31 serum and blood samples were tested for MPO and cytokines concentrations by using the ELISA technique. The level of cytokines and MPO was measured in serum samples and whole blood cell culture (WBC) supernates. We observed that: 1) MPO deficiency seems to be an important risk factor for invasive candidiasis independently of the neutrophil count; 2) the levels of cytokines in serum showed disturbances in cancer-patient group; 3) in vitro production of TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma and IL-10 by WBC is stimulated in cancer patients and to various degrees may be connected with previous Candida colonization or infection. In addition, production of IL-12 is decreased in cancer patients, and Candida spp. Occurrence may have significant influence on its blood concentration.

[Identification of bacterial flora of conjunctival sac in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children]. / Identyfikacja flory bakteryjnej spojówek towarzyszqcej wrodzonej niedroznosci przewodu nosowo-lzowego u dzieci.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate the species of the microorganisms and their susceptibility to antibiotics in congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The pus secretion after lacrimal sac massage was obtained from 81 children with congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction. The laboratory diagnostics was performed using typical microbiological procedures. The modification of these procedures was 24-hour pre-incubation in sugar boullion. RESULTS: The most frequently isolated bacteria were Staphylococcus epidermidis (28%) and Staphylococcus aureus (22%). The isolated staphylococci (only coagulase-negative species MRSE) were resistant to methicillin in 2 cases. Streptococci were obtained in 20% isolations: Streptococcus pneumoniae (14%), Streptococcus viridans (6%). Gram-negative bacilli Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Moraxella spp. and Candida albicans were isolated in a few cases. Negative results of the cultures were obtained in 25% cases. CONCLUSIONS: The microorganisms typically constituting physiological flora of conjunctival sac may become the pathogens in the complications of congenital nasolacrimal duct obstruction in children.

[Nitric oxide level in aqueous humor in patients with glaucoma]. / Poziom tlenku azotu w cieczy wodnistej u pacjentów z jaskra.

PURPOSE: There is increasing evidence suggesting, that nitric oxide may be implicated in the pathogenesis of glaucoma. The aim of the study was to evaluate nitric oxide level in aqueous humor of glaucoma patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The examined group was constituted by 26 persons (13 women and 13 men), aged 60-86 (mean age 70) suffering from glaucoma. In 14 patients glaucoma was classified as POAG and in 12 as PACG. All patients have undergone trabeculectomia. The 14 patients was operated because of age-related cataract (8 women and 6 men), aged 47-82 (mean age 65), constituted a control group. All patients agreed to samples collection. Level of nitric oxide in anterior chamber fluid was assessed using commercial kits based on Griess reaction (R&D) according to manufacturer's instruction. Statistical analysis was performed using U Mann-Whitney test. RESULTS: The mean level of nitric oxide in aqueous humor was not significantly different between glaucoma and cataract group (p=0.535). The level of NO in humor aqueous was statistically significantly lower in patients with primary open angle glaucoma than in patients with primary angle closure (p=0.022), and than in control group (p=0.053). No statistically significant differences in the level of nitric oxide in humor aqueous between PACG and cataract patients were observed (p=0.365).

[Evaluation of antimicrobial properties of silicon oil--in vitro studies]. / Ocena przeciwdrobnoustrojowego dzialania oleju silikonowego--badania in vitro.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate antimicrobial properties of silicon oil in vitro against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, which are considered the major causative agents of endophthalmitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The clinical isolates of representative microorganisms (S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, C. albicans) were selected. The bacteria and the fungus were separately inoculated in PDMS 5000 (produced by AcriMed, Germany). Control inoculations in physiological saline and sugar bouillon were performed. The samples of 0.01 ml from each medium were diluted, according to serial dilution procedure and inoculate on Petri plate dishes 5% sheep blood agar for bacteria and Sabouraud medium for Candida albicans. After 24 h incubations for bacteria and 48 h incubations for fungus, CFUs were counted. RESULTS: All the microorganisms revealed an apparent decrease in CFUs in PDMS 5000. The total elimination was observed for S. aureus after 5 days. For P. aerugisosa solitary colonies (less than 25 CFUs) were observed up to 7 days. After 7 days of incubation no growth of P. aeruginosa was observed. High C. albicans CFU values were counted up to 3 day of the incubation. After 5 days single fungal colonies were observed. CFUs of the examined microorganisms declined slightly in physiologic saline. A growth pattern similar to the growth curve of microorganisms was observed in sugar boullion. CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that silicon oil could have an antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Candida albicans, which are considered the major causative agents of postoperative endophthalmitis.

Evaluation of the association between atypical bacteria infections and respiratory tract diseases with emphasis on bronchial asthma exacerbations in children.

Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumonie are important etiological agents responsible for human respiratory tract diseases. Recently, these atypical microorganisms received much attention regarding their role in bronchial asthma pathogenesis, which is one of the most frequent chronic diseases in children. The aim of the study was to investigate the association between infections caused by these pathogens and respiratory tract diseases in children. Levels of M. pneumoniae and C. pneumoniae-specific antibodies were determined in serum samples obtained from 30 patients suffering from bronchial asthma exacerbations, 10 patients with pneumonia, 28 patients with chronic otitis media with effusion (COME) and 22 sinusitis patients. Specific anti-M. pneumoniae antibodies were detected more frequently in the patients enrolled in the study than in control subjects. The highest percentage of the serum samples, which demonstrated the presence of M. pneumoniae-specific antibodies was demonstrated in patients with asthma (60%) and it was twofold higher than in control subjects. Serologic profile of 26.6% patients with asthma, 50% of patients with pneumonia, 39.2% of patients with COME, 45.4% of patients with sinusitis and 10% of control subjects was consistent with a possible acute infection caused by M. pneumoniae. The presence of specific anti-C. pneumoniae antibodies was demonstrated in a smaller percentage of patients--in 13.3% of children with asthma, 10% of children with pneumonia and in 7.1% of patients with COME; the level of specific antiobodies was suggestive of acute chlamydial infection only in COME patients. Analysis of serologic markers for atypical bacteria infections indicates a possible association between infections caused by M. pneumoniae and bronchial asthma exacerbations and other respiratory tract disorders including pneumonia, sinusitis and COME.