ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Susceptibility to inflammatory bowel disease is partially genetically determined and the HLA (human leukocyte antigen) alloantigens and genes located in the HLA region have been studied over the course of many years as the candidate genes responsible for ulcerative colitis. Improvements in molecular genotyping have allowed disease association with HLA to be narrowed down to specific subtypes. For class II antigens, increasing phenotype frequency of DRB1*0103, DRB1*1502 is observed and positive correlation to disease susceptibility is proposed. We investigated the incidence of HLA DRB1*0103 in ulcerative colitis patients in North-Eastern Poland and possible association with overall disease susceptibility and clinical course of the disease. METHODOLOGY: 41 patients and 45 healthy control blood donors were included in this study. All subjects were Polish. RESULTS: The incidence of HLA DRB1*0103 was low (2.44%), but was associated with fulminant course of the disease (pancolitis with megacolon toxicum). None of the ethnically matched healthy control blood donors possessed the HLA DRB1*0103 allele (0.00%). CONCLUSIONS: The results gained in the presented study confirm, that in the Polish population HLA DRB1*0103 allele is uncommon and it would not be a useful marker of disease susceptibility.
Subject(s)
Colitis, Ulcerative/genetics , HLA-DR Antigens/genetics , Adult , Female , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/epidemiology , HLA-DRB1 Chains , Humans , Male , Poland , Seroepidemiologic StudiesABSTRACT
Some countries explore biological agents (toxins, bacteria and viruses) as a potential threat that can be used as a weapon of mass destruction. The list of a biological and chemical weapons is still expanding. Despite military aspect of the issue, medical and civil staff must be aware that also an act of bioterrorism could happen. We must not be afraid, but we must be prepared.
Subject(s)
Bioterrorism , Civil Defense/organization & administration , Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control , Awareness , Disaster Planning/organization & administration , Humans , Poland , Public Health PracticeABSTRACT
A case study of iatrogenic streptococcal sepsis is presented. That was caused by the stomatological device left in a dental alveolus at time of dental treatment and prosthetic restoration. Systemic inflammatory response because of dentigenous spread endangered the patients life.
Subject(s)
Dental Restoration, Permanent , Iatrogenic Disease , Medical Errors , Streptococcal Infections/etiology , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/etiology , Dental Instruments , Dental Restoration, Permanent/adverse effects , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Streptococcal Infections/diagnosis , Streptococcal Infections/therapy , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/diagnosis , Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome/therapy , Tooth Socket/pathology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
Hydatid liver disease is the most common form of human echinococcosis in Poland. Epidemiological data show a rising number of cases recognised last years. It is probably because of easier availability of ultrasound examination and computed tomography in the diagnostic procedures. While surgery remains the only approach for a radical cure, the chemotherapy with albendazole has became a useful advance in the management of cystic echinococcosis for the problem patient (inoperable disease, widely disseminated cysts, high surgical risk, etc.). The authors describe a patient with hydatid liver disease successfully treated with albendazole as a alternative treatment to surgery. A cyclic treatment of 28 days with 2 week break in between for 9 months with low doses of albendazole (6 mg/kg) resulted in clinical improvement and involution of hepatic cysts.
Subject(s)
Albendazole/therapeutic use , Anthelmintics/therapeutic use , Echinococcosis/drug therapy , Aged , Dose-Response Relationship, Drug , Female , Humans , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
The extra-bowel manifestation can be found among patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The most common are the joint changes. A group of 18 patients with ulcerative colitis was investigated. The physical and radiological signs of joint inflammation and presence of HLA-B27 antigen in blood were examined. Appearance of HLA-B27 antigen among 28% of patients with ulcerative colitis can support involvement of autoimmunologic mechanism in joint inflammation. The joint changes (swelling of small joints of hand, presence of nodes, sacroileitis, and particularly spondyloarthritis) were observed in 50% of patients.
Subject(s)
Colitis, Ulcerative/complications , Colitis, Ulcerative/immunology , HLA-B27 Antigen/immunology , Joint Diseases/complications , Joint Diseases/epidemiology , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle AgedABSTRACT
During the last 10 years 70 cases of echinococcosis were diagnosed in the Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University School of Bialystok, of whom 63 were Echinococcus (E.) granulosus infections. The Urban population (70%) and women (60%) dominated among infected persons. Seven cases were due to E. multilocularis infection. A family and endemie focus of E. multilocularis human invasion has been identified.