[Molecular Genetic Testing for Acute Myeloid Leukemia]. / Molekulárne genetické vysetrení u akutní myeloidní leukemie.

BACKGROUND: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a clinically complex and very heterogeneous disease at the molecular level. Conventional cytogenetic analysis and FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) tests provide important information about the biological and clinical background of the disease and enable the classification of AML patients into three risk groups. However, up to half of patients have normal cytogenetics. Determining prognosis and treatment strategies in this group of patients is challenging. The development of molecular genetic methods, including next generation sequencing in the last decade, has led to the discovery of a number of recurrent mutations that have contributed to increasing the accuracy of prognosis of those patients with cytogenetically normal AML. Besides the prognostic value of these mutations, they may also be used to monitor minimal residual disease during and after treatment of AML and additionally constitute potential targets for the development of new therapeutic agents. The importance of molecular genetic testing of all patients with AML is highlighted by the WHO classification of 2008 in which subgroups of AML are purely defined by molecular genetics markers. AIM: In this article, we provide an overview of the most significant mutations in patients with cytogenetically normal AML. We describe their significance for prognosis, their importance in monitoring minimal residual disease, and their potential for the development of new targeted therapies. Further, we briefly draw attention to the significance of gene mutation accumulation in clonal disease development and how it affects the time of AML relapse.

[Dermatomycosis of the nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) caused by the dermatophyte trichophyton mentagrophytes]. / Dermatomykóza antilop druhu nilgau pestrý [Boselaphus tragocamelus] púsobená dermatofytem Trichophyton mentagrophytes.

The authors described a dermal lesion in seven antelopes of the species Boselaphus tragocamelus (Pallas 1776), kept in a zoo-park. Mycological examination revealed the dermatophyte Trichophyton mentagrophytes (Robin) Blanchard 1896 as the causative agent of the lesion. The clinical picture of the dermatophytosis was manifested by a non-inflammatory desquamation of the epidermis with focal hair shedding. The lesions, mostly localized on the heads of the animals affected, were successfully treated with local antimycotics and by oral administration of griseofulvin. The authors present a list of the species of Artiodactyla in which Trichophyton mentagrophytes has been found until the present time. They draw attention to the fact that in wild animals the dermatophyte mostly causes symptomless disease.

[The incidence of Streptococcus pneumonia strains with resistance to penicillin]. / Výskyt kmenu Streptococcus pneumoniae s rezistencí k penicilínu.

In the submitted paper the authors give an account of the incidence of 10 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae resistant to penicillin and other antibacterial substances in children under one year. In the majority otitis media was involved (8 x), in one instance with septic manifestations and detection of pneumococci also from the haemoculture. From a total number of 580 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated from the end of 1986 to the first half of 1988 the ratio of penicillin resistant strains was 1.72%. The values of penicillin resistance varied within the range of MIC from 1 mg/l to more than 16 mg/l. The strains were also resistant to ampicillin, oxacillin, cephalotine and tetracycline. One strain was moreover resistant also to erythromycin and lincomycin. There was also one strain resistant to cotrimoxazole with a MIC of 64 mg/ml.

Experimental skin sensitization in guinea pigs verified by the skin test and the lymphocyte migration inhibition test.

The sensitization properties of a number of chemicals were estimated on experimental models, using white female guinea pigs. Sensitization as effected in four ways a) intradermal application jointly with Freund's complete adjuvants (FCA), b) repeated epicutaneous applications together with FCA intradermally, c) a single intradermal application of the tested substance to the ear lobe, d) a single injection of the substance together with FCA into the paws. The results were evaluated with the skin test (ST) and in vitro with the macrophage migration inhibition test (MIT). The suitability of these methodical procedures was verified and agreement in the positivity of the ST and MIT confirmed. The sensitization effect of the tested substance does not depend on the intensity of skin reaction but on the frequency of positive skin test results in the monitored sample.

Adjuvant activity of muramyldipeptide in a guinea pig model of contact allergy to chromium.

New chemical agents encountered increasingly in the human environment underline the urgent need for a routine testing of their sensitizing potential for man and the development of a suitable experimental model appears to be essential for a reliable assessment of this potential. In our present experiment we studied a guinea pig model of contact hypersensitivity to chromium using as immunoadjuvants Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA) and Freund's incomplete adjuvant (FIA) emulsified with muramyldipeptide. The study showed that the use of adjuvants was essential for inducing the state of hypersensitivity in experimental animals. It was also demonstrated that muramyldipeptide was not only a fully potent substitute for FCA, but was even superior to it in all the parameters tested. The optimal time interval for demonstrating the induced hypersensitivity to chromium was the third week after the onset of sensitization. This animal model appears to be well suited for the experimental testing of contact allergen potentials.

The immune profile of contact allergy patients.

Nonspecific parameters of antibody-related and cellular immune responses were studied in a group of 30 patients treated for manifest contact allergy to metals (chromium, cobalt, nickel) or non-metals (epoxy resin, rubber) confirmed in each of them by specific patch test positivity. In addition, every patient was tested for the pattern of skin reactivity to the Immunoskintest (USOL, Prague) antigens administered intradermally. The group of 20 metal allergy patients had decreased suppressor index values, enhanced formation of immediate active rosettes and an elevation of serum IgM and IgA immunoglobulins. The remaining 10 patients reacted by a reduced ability of neutrophils to exert phagocytic action on HEMA particles and a decrease in levels of alpha-2-macroglobulins in serum. This may help select a series of suitable immune parameters to be used as prediction tests in the secondary prevention of cases of occupational contact dermatitis.