Spatial variability of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Silesian voivodeship, Poland.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) and related to infection COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) remain a new and global challenge for public health. Due to the location, specifics of employment, and the high density of population in the Silesia voivodeship it is appropriate to study the available epidemiological data in a region with a potentially higher risk of infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the descriptive model of the study, data on the number of infected, hospitalized, and dead people due to SARS-CoV-2 infection were analyzed. The source of information was daily reports conducted by the Provincial Sanitary and Epidemiological Station in Katowice, in the period from March 5 to August 18, 2020. RESULTS: Results of antigenic molecular tests for SARS-CoV-2 infection in the Silesian voivodeship indicate that in the first half of 2020, the infection rate was approximately 5% and the symptomatic form of the disease was approximately 20%. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis of the frequency of infection and mortality in the poviats reveals a large variation in the occurrence of both phenomena, but the explanation of this difference is not possible due to the descriptive nature of the analysis and the secondary form of epidemiological data.

Application of a real-time PCR method for Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens detection in water samples.

The diagnostic assessment of water sanitary state is based mainly on the cultivation of bacteria retained on membrane filters. However classical microbiology methods have a lot of disadvantages. More and more frequently, rapid detection and identification of pathogens present in water is based on molecular biology techniques. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness and usefulness of a real-time PCR method, when compared to the recommended bacteria culture method, in diagnostics of pathogens in water samples. The research concerned the detection and identification of main sanitary indicators of water such as: Salmonella spp., Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium perfringens. The analyses were conducted in water samples contaminated with the reference material (the aforementioned bacteria) and real environmental samples, which were examined for the presence of nucleic acid of: Salmonella spp., E. coli, S. aureus and C. perfringens using a real-time PCR method.

[Borrelia burgdorferi genostrains detected in the Silesian Voivodeship in years 2010-2012]. / Genogatunki kretków Borrelia burgdorferi wykryte na terenie województwa slaskiego w latach 2010-2012.

The aim of this study was to analyze Borrelia burgdorferi genostrains appearing in the Silesian voivodeship in years 2010-2011 and the first half of 2012. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The analysis was conducted on blood samples of persons bitten by ticks and ticks provided to The Provincial Sanitary Epidemiological Station in Katowice from patients. The material was examined under the angle of three genostrains of Borrelia burgdorferi: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto, Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia garinii with using real-time PCR method. RESULTS. It was shown that only two genostrains of Borrelia burgdorferi were detected in the nucleic acid extracts from samples i.e.: Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto and Borrelia afzelii. Borrelia garinii wasn't detected in the nucleic acid extracts. CONCLUSIONS. Study on the prevalence of individual Borrelia burgdorferi genostrains are important in assessing the risk of infection spirochetes inhabitants of The Silesian province and persons staying there temporarily.

[Threats related to the presence of eggs of intestinal parisites in sludge]. / Zagrozenia wynikajace z obecnosci jaj pasozytów jelitowych w osadach sciekowych.

The article describes the problem of potential epidemic threats caused by the presence of the eggs of intestinal parasites in the soil fertilized with sewage sludge. The analysis' results note the lack of legal solutions in this area as well as the necessity to increase the control of the reportability of infectious diseases, both of which are essential to realistic evaluation of epidemic situation.