Immunity to hepatitis A virus among working professionals in Poland - Results of a 3-year serological survey 2013-2015.

INTRODUCTION: Hepatitis A (HA) is caused by infection with the hepatitis A virus (HAV). The differential etiological diagnosis of acute hepatitis is based on a positive result of the serological test detecting IgM class anti-HAV. For epidemiological studies on past infection and seroprevalence of HAV in populations, the tests measuring IgG class anti-HAV or total anti-HAV are used. Since the 1990s, specific prophylaxis is possible by vaccination against HA. In Poland, vaccination is recommended and in majority is performed at own cost. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Database was obtained from electronic medical records of the 2 major private health care providers networks (Luxmed and Medicover) operating in Poland. During a 3-year period (2013-2015), 1,124 persons with unknown status of anti-HA vaccination were tested for the presence of total anti-HAV. Objective. The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of anti-HAV among working professionals in Poland. RESULTS: Anti-HAV were detected in 603 (53.6%) persons, while 521 (46.3%) tested negative. The study group was divided into 2 subgroups: 25-44 and 45-64-years-old. For detailed statistical analysis, the presence of anti-HAV was considered as a dependent variable, and its predictors were gender, age and the year of the test performance. The presence of anti-HAV was significantly more prevalent in older age group. The lack of specific antibodies was more prevalent in younger age group. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the study show increasing susceptibility to HAV infection in the younger age group, compared with the older age group of corporate professional employees in large cities in Poland. Since the epidemiological situation of HA is currently changing with increasing number of symptomatic cases of HA, it is suggested that employers might consider including an additional procedure of vaccination against HA into their private health insurance portfolio.

Immunogenicity of Pertussis Booster Vaccination in Children and Adolescents with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Controlled Study.

BACKGROUND: There are limited data on antibody response to vaccination in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this study, we aimed to assess the immunogenicity of a booster dose of pertussis vaccine in pediatric patients with IBD and to compare their response with healthy controls. METHODS: We performed a multicenter, prospective, and controlled trial. Eligible for inclusion were children and adolescents (11-18 year olds), with no history of pertussis booster immunization after the age of 6 years or history of pertussis. Study population was divided into 4 groups: patients with IBD receiving no immunosuppressive therapy (group 1), those on thiopurines only (group 2), those on thiopurines and TNF-α agents (group 3), and healthy controls (group 4). Patients and controls received 1 dose of pertussis vaccine intramuscularly and were asked to record adverse effects for 3 days after vaccination. The primary outcome measure was adequate vaccine response, defined as the concentration of anti-Bordetella pertussis antibodies >11 µg/mL, measured between 4 and 8 weeks after the vaccination. RESULTS: In total, 138 subjects (111 patients and 27 controls) were enrolled in the study. Rates of adequate vaccine response did not differ among the 4 study groups (P = 0.11). Moreover, those patients with IBD who were on immunosuppressive therapy did not differ from those who were not (90.6% versus 88.2%, P = 0.37). No serious adverse effects in relation to the administration of vaccine were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Booster dose of pertussis vaccine was immunogenic and safe in pediatric patients with IBD.

[Studies in the fauna of waters in the Polish part of the Tatra Mountains in the years 1919-1939]. / Badania faunistyczne wód polskiej czesci Tatr w latach 1919-1939.

This work constitutes a continued presentation of the history of Polish research in the fauna of the Tatra waters and covers the inter-war period. During the years 1919-1939 these studies were still conducted but on a smaller scale than before the 1st World War. Many publications were based on earlier research done before 1914, which were broader works concerning the territory of the whole country, including also the Tatra waters, such as a monograph on the leeches of Poland by Michal Giedroyc, lacewing insects by Józef Dziegielewicz, or juxtaposition of Heteroptera (true bugs) of "Galicia" by Adam Krasucki. Alfred Litynski summed up his many years' research on the fauna of Cladocera (water fleas) conducted in 120 ponds, both on the Polish and Slovak sides of the Tatra Mountains. Unpublished materials of deceased scientists were used as well. Professor Kazimierz Simm, the disciple of professor Antoni Wierzejewski who died in 1916, published his monograph on Spongaria, in which he mentioned Spongaria from the Toporowy Pond and included notes about the winter fauna in the outflow of Morskie Oko. Museum collections were also used. Edward Schechtel worked out feed for trouts caught in Morskie Oko in 1900. New research on the fauna of the Tatra Mountains were conducted both as part of broader studies in the Polish fauna but also presented results of studies pursued only in the Tatras. Numerous researchers continued earlier studies of zooplankton crustacea in the waters of the Tatra Mountains during the inter-war period. Monographic study on Phyllopoda and Copepoda complexes of the Toporowy Pond was presented by Kazimierz Gajl. Several works of Zygmunt Kozminski were devoted to population and taxonomic studies on plankton crustacean Cyclops strennus. Tadeusz Wolski found in the bog-spring on Kalatówki a new Tatra species of water flea (Cladocera) ­ Moina rectirostris. Meaningful from the scientific point of view and, at the same time, controversial, was the work of Gajl on Branchinecta paludosa. Using an enormous amount of materials coming from the Dwoisty Pond, as well as comparative material from Scandinavia, arctic European and Asian parts of Russia, Greenland, Alasca, and on the basis of differences in anatomical features, he came to a conclusion that the population of the Polish Tatras was a separate species Branchinecta polonica. This distinction was questioned later by scientists. It remained unsolved, however, because the population of this species in the Dwoisty Pond died out. At that time, for much broader scale studies were performed on flatworms (Dendrocoelum lacteum). They were started by Wladyslaw Polinski with his monograph on the distribution of two species of Acoela ­ Crenobia alpina i Dugesia gonocephala ­ in Poland, and continued by W. Tomaszewski. Yet much greater achievements in learning about this group were made by Marian Gieysztor, who not only named several new species from the Tatras but on the basis of the materials coming from there also described species quite new to science: Macrostomum catarractae and Dalyellia tatrica. His research were on the global scale and later scientists named one species Gieysztor. From the world-science point of view, equally important were studies conducted by Witold Stefanski on nematodes living freely in pond mosses and the lakes of the Tatra Mountains. In addition to the register of species, majority of which were found for the first time in the Tatra waters, he described three species new to science: Tripyla tatrica, Steratocephalus demani and Bunonema steineri. One of the greatest achievements of inter-war hydrobiology were studies concerning biology of the inshore sands, the so-called psammon, conducted by Jerzy Wisniewski all over Poland, including the territory of the Tatra Mountains. In the Tatras Wisniewski studied the fauna of rotifers occurring in the psammon on the shores of lakes and streams and the fauna of underwater sand. Briofile rotifers in Poland were studied by Leszek Kazimierz Pawlowski and in his research materials from the Tatra Mountains were also included. Similarly, Wladyslaw Rydzewski in his review of Polish water mites from the Tatras named 9 species. On a smaller scale studies were conducted on the insects living in the Tatra waters. In his key to mayflies, based on the archive materials, Józef Stanislaw Mikulski listed 7 species from the Tatra Mountains. A note on morphologic differences of mayflies from Baetis alpinus group was published by Anna Steinberg. Publishing his findings of many-years' studies on lacewings in Poland from the area of the Tatra Mountains, Jan Zacwilichowski named only one species Sialis flavilateratafrom Stawy Gasiennicowe. In a thorough monograph by Tadeusz Jaczewski on water boatmen (Heteroptera) in Poland, there is only one mention of aquatic bug Glaenocorisa cavifrons occurring in the Toporowy Staw. In his subsequent work (Jaczewski), another species from Toporowy Staw was mentioned ­ Notonecta lutea. Of fundamental importance were only the studies on Tatra dragonflies conducted by Józef Fudakowski. He found 39 species of dragonflies in the area of the Tatra Mountains, occurring in lower water bodies: Toporowy Staw Nizny, Toporowy Staw Wyzny, Smreczynski Staw, at Capki bog-spring, on Siwa Polana, in Dolina Kondratowa, Dolina Pyszna, and the high-situated bog-spring near Morskie Oko. A popular-science review of studies on the Tatra lakes, which included also fauna research, were presented by Jerzy Mlodziejowski i J. Rzóska.

Cross-sectional, anonymous screening for asymptomatic HCV infection, immunity to HBV, and occult HBV infection among health care workers in Warsaw, Poland.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological data on symptomatic HCV infection in Poland has shown that its prevalence among health care workers (HCWs) may exceed the prevalence notified among general population. Since such epidemiological situation would be similar to the increased prevalence of HBV infection among HCWs before anti-hepatitis B vaccine era, a seroprevalence study on HCV infection and immunity to HBV was performed in the group of volunteering HCWs. MATERIAL AND METHODS: All the persons employed as HCWs in the two largest clinical hospitals in Warsaw were invited to participate in the study. They voluntarily gave a sample of blood for serological examination and were asked to fill-in a questionnaire containing questions relevant to the possible routes of infection, period of employment, and in part also to their life style. Both were done anonymously and in the unlinked manner. The activity of aminotransferases has also been determined in all the samples. RESULTS: 961 serum samples were collected from HCWs employed in both hospitals. Anti-HCV were detectable in 16 out of 961 sera (1.7%). HCV RNA was detected in 3 out of these 16 (19%) sera; in 2 serum samples genotype 2, in 1--genotype 1b HCV. Anti-HBs were detected in 943 out of 961 (98.1%) sera. Anti-HBc (total) were detectable in 151 out of 961 (15.7%) sera. Out of 151 sera with anti-HBc in 149 (98.7%) samples anti-HBs were also detected. HBV DNA was detected in 6 (4%) samples out of 151 sera containing anti-HBc. While the prevalence of asymptomatic HCV infection among HCWs is similar to that seen in general population in Poland, the 15.7% prevalence of anti-HBc exceeded almost three times the percentage found in another study. CONCLUSIONS: Since vaccination of health care personnel against HBV is at present obligatory, a large percentage of anti-HBs positive persons indicates for a high rate of immune response to vaccination. However, it seems that the presence of anti-HBs may not always be taken as indicating for immunity to HBV, but in some persons it may mask occult HBV infection. Since a younger population is immune to HBV infection due to universal vaccination of newborns and catch-up vaccination program for teenagers, older generations of HCWs may constitute a risk group for occult HBV infection.

[Vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis as an occupational health practice by a private health care provider]. / Realizacja szczepien przeciw kleszczowemu zapaleniu mózgu w ramach ochrony zdrowia pracowników, w praktyce niepublicznego zakladu opieki zdrowotnej.

UNLABELLED: The paper analyses influence of eligibility type offered by a health provider for vaccination against tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) in comparison with employees adherence to a vaccination schedule. AIM: The aim of the study was to calculate a proportion of immunized employees among those provided with free of charge vaccination. Two different types of eligibility have been analysed--general eligibility as one of the services included into employee health program, and a special action targeted specifically at TBE vaccinations as an initiative of the employer. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] The medical records of6121 field workers were anonymously and retrospectively analyzed in order to track vaccination records between Oct 2009 and Sep 2011 (24 months). RESULTS: The study group included a subpopulation of employees allowed to take a vaccine during special actions of vaccination initiated by the employer (n = 421, 6.8%). Vaccination rate measured by at least one dose of vaccine administered was 4.74% (290 out of 6121 employees) in the whole study population, while in 290 immunized employees had taken only one dose of vaccine during the two- year period, and 80% out of all vaccine doses were administered within first 14 months. CONCLUSIONS: The results show better adherence to vaccination among employees who participated in a special action announced separately from the general health plan. Presented analysis also pinpoints the necessity to remind employees about next vaccine doses in the due time after the launch of vaccination process.

[Study on engagement in health promotion at the workplace of non-public health providers in Poland]. / Badanie zaangazowania firm oferujacych pracownikom opieik medyczna w promowanie zdrowia w miejscu pracy w Polsce.

UNLABELLED: Increasing life expectancy in Europe impose a necessity to extend a work ability span. Appropriate health status of working population requires not merely curative care in case of diagnosed diseases but also comprehensive preventive care. AIM: The article provides results of a study on engagement of the Polish companies that are covered by a private employee health plans in certain workplace health promotion activities. MATERIAL AND METHODS: [corrected] 411 companies out of invited 3512 (11,7% participation rate) took part in the study performed in 2011. The majority of study group were large companies (over 50 employees--74%), and smaller, privately owned (less than 50 employees--77%). Companies were asked questions using ENWHP checklist tool on supporting employees in physical activity, smoking cessation, healthy diet and coping with stress. RESULTS: In general, 44% of the companies declared any engagement in employee health promotion. Results showed that companies support mainly physical activity (27% of a study group) and quitting smoking (19%). Researched employers rarely offered support in healthy diet (8%) or stress reduction (5%). There is also a significant relation between higher engagement rate in health promotion among companies that have implemented a special health policy and detailed action plans. However, small enterprises were less likely to provide any preventive action to employees. Even if small enterprises decide to implement any health promotion they usually were based on a single action without broader planning.

[Demographic profile of a person with symptomatic hepatitis C in Poland]. / Profil osoby z objawowym wirusowym zapaleniem watroby typu C w Polsce.

UNLABELLED: In Poland high HCV prevalence was observed among people infected with HIV, injecting drug users, people dialyzed before 1998, people with hemophilia born before 1990. However the majority of cases are diagnosed outside of those groups and the incidence varies by demographic factors. In this study we aimed to distinguish demographic profiles among symptomatic cases diagnosed and reported to the surveillance system and to assess the frequency of exposures previously shown to impact HCV incidence in Poland in relation to the profiles. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We used routine HCV surveillance data collected on all cases registered in 2006: 2935 cases, including 97 (3.3%) classified as acute and 1281 (43.6%) females. The profiles were distinguished by a two stage procedure--firstly constructing 2 most important factors with principal component analysis based on demographic variables. Then cluster analysis by Ward's minimum variance was performed using these 2 factors' scores. RESULTS: 5 profiles were found: (1) young men, inhabiting villages and small towns; (2) older inhabitants of villages and small towns, frequently women; (3) young men, inhabiting large cities; (4) older women inhabiting large cities; (5) inhabitants of Warsaw. The medical exposures were the most common, but the distribution of exposures was significantly different between profiles. For example injecting drug use ever was reported by 3.4% of all cases, but was more common in clusters 3 (6.0%) and 5 (5.5%) and very rare in cluster 4 (0.9%), in which hospitalization in the past was more common (63.1%) then on average (47.2%). CONCLUSION: HCV transmission patterns in Poland vary depending on demographic factors. Our results could help target screening campaigns that ideally should pick up HCV cases before they develop chronic hepatitis symptoms.

Prevalence of HBV genotypes in Central and Eastern Europe.

The importance of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotypes for disease progression and response to interferon-alpha-based treatment is well established. While almost all patients in the Mediterranean area are infected with HBV genotype D, HBV genotype A is dominant in Northern Europe. However, the distribution of HBV genotypes is unknown for several Central and Eastern European countries. Data are described of 1313 HBsAg-positive patients recruited at 14 referral centers in eight countries. There were only very few cases of HBV genotype B, C, E, F, and H infection while HBV genotypes A and D were found in 42% and 48% of patients, respectively. Eight percent of patients had positive bands for more than one genotype using the hybridization assay. The frequency of genotype A was higher in Poland (77%) and the Czech Republic (67%) as compared to Hungary (47%), Lithuania (41%), Croatia (8%), and Germany (32%). In contrast, HBV genotype D was most frequent in Croatian, Romanian, and Russian patients with 80%, 67%, and 93% of cases, respectively. In conclusion, HBV genotype A versus D showed significantly different distribution patterns in Central and Eastern Europe which deserves consideration for national guidelines and treatment decisions.

[Occurrence of potentially invasive nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae strains isolating from children attending day-care centres and orphanages]. / Wystepowanie u dzieci z przedszkoli i domów malego dziecka potencjalnie inwazyjnych, bezotoczkowych szczepów Haemophilus influenzae.

Close contacts between children attending day-care centres, orphanages or similar institutions favours mutual transmission of infections with nontypeable H. influenzae (NTHi) strains. NTHi are transmitted via air-droplets or via direct contact with respiratory system exudates from nonsymptomatic carriers. The study aimed at monitoring of potentially invasive nontypeable H. influenzae strains of hmwA+ profile among children in day-care centres and orphanages. Monitoring of prevalence of strains of hmwA profile in a single day-care centres within 8 months confirmed high level of NTHi strains transmission including NTHi strains potentially invasive. It has been shown, that potentially invasive NTHi strains appear with different frequency in day-care centres and orphanages. It also points out that dissemination NTHi is easy in such an environment.

[Study of genetic diversity of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae strains isolated from healthy children and patients with infection symptoms]. / Genetyczna zmiennosc bezotoczkowych szczepów Haemophilus influenzae izolowanych od nosicieli i chorych dzieci z objawami zakazen.

In the study the usefulness of genotyping methods for genetic variability examinations of non-typeable H. influenzae strains circulating in population as well as level the variability of NTHi strains isolated from healthy children and from symptomatic infection cases have been evaluated. Among genotyping methods evaluated, AFLP method of the MfeI/BglII set has been found most useful to study level of genetic variability of NTHi strains population. It has been shown that NTHi strains colonizing nasopharyngeal of healthy children present higher polymorphism level than strains isolated from patient with clinical symptoms of NTHi infection.

[Evaluation of whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines effectiveness in clearance of experimental B. pertussis infection in mice]. / Ocena efektywnosci pelnokomórkowych i bezkomórkowych szczepionek przeciw krztuscowi w eliminacji eksperymentalnego zakazenia myszy Bordetella pertussis.

The study is based on assumption that B. pertussis strains harbouring different allele variants of genes encoding subunit S1 of pertussis toxin and pertactin might be eliminated with different efficiency from lung tissue of mice which were immunized with whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines. It has been assumed that strains containing combinations of genes alleles which were not prevalent since 1990-ties are consisting of mutated strains in respect to pertussis toxin subunit S1 and pertactin, and are capable to decrease efficiency of pertussis vaccines. Experiments performed in vivo dealt with activity of tested vaccines against B. pertussis strains of different combinations of ptxS1/prn. The study indicated for lowered efficiency of whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines in elimination of mutated strains of B. pertussis from animal lung tissue in comparison with strains currently used for vaccine production.

[Application of DNA microcarriers for evaluation of mice splenocytes genes expression after immunization with pertussis vaccines and challenged with different B. pertussis strains]. / Zastosowanie mikronosników DNA do oceny profilu ekspresji genów komórek hodowli splenocytów myszy immunizowanych szczepionkami przeciwkrztuscowymi i zakazanych szczepami B. pertussis.

The study aimed at identification of splenocytes genes expression induced after immunization with whole-cell or acellular pertussis vaccines and subsequent challenge with B. pertussis strains of different ptxS1/prn genes alleles in correlation with differences in bacteria elimination from the lung tissue. Investigations were performed using DNA microcarriers. Analysis of genes expression generated through B. pertussis challenge on DNA microcarriers confirmed the role of specific B. pertussis virulence factors in differences of induced transcription response in the host. Level of differences in splenocytes transcriptional response of mice immunized with whole-cell pertussis vaccine was higher than that found in animals immunized with acellular pertussis vaccine. Level of genes expression change induced with B. pertussis 2316 strain was as much as twice higher than that found after challenge with B. pertussis 629 strain. Levels of gene expression change during challenge with B. pertussis 629 and 2316 strains were similar after immunization with acellular pertussis vaccine. Differences of transcriptional response induced with B. pertussis 2316 strain were associated with induction of immunological response, activation of inflammatory mediators, as well as with synthesis of heat shock proteins. Further studies performed with DNA microcarriers on sufficient number of B. pertussis strains might confirm this initial screening of genes identification involved in activation and repression of basic regulatory pathways after challenge with B. pertussis strains variant's for statistical evaluation of functional differences detected in presented study.

[Analysis of chosen parameters of immuno response in mice immunized with whole-cell or acellular pertussis vaccines and challenged with B. pertussis strains harbouring different ptxS1/prn allele genes combinations]. / Analiza wybranych parametrów immmunologiczej odpowiedzi myszy szczepionych pelno- lub bezkomórkowa szczepionka przeciw krztuscowi i zakazanych szczepami B. pertussis o róznych kombinacjach alleli genów ptxS1/prn.

Studies concerned evaluation of differences between parameters of cell-mediated immunity in mice, induced with whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines with subsequent challenge with B. pertussis strains harbouring different ptxS1/prn allele genes. In the study, concentrations of IFN-gamma/Il-2 and 1l-4/Il-5 in supernatants of cultured mice splenocytes have been determined to evaluate differences in Th1 or Th2 lymphocytes subpopulation response. Simultaneously, studies of intracellular expression of genes encoding of Il-2, Il-12, IFN-gamma and Il-4, Il-5, Il-10, Il-13 in mice splenocytes, and genes encoding factors involved in inflammatory process in the lung tissue (GM-CSF, TNF-alpha, Il-1beta, Il-6 i TGF-beta) have been performed on RNA level. The obtained results, confirmed high polarization of immunological response toward Th1 in mice immunized with DTP vaccine with whole-cell pertussis component, and toward Th2 in mice immunized with acellular pertussis vaccine. Inflammatory process in the lung tissue was more pronounced in animals immunized with whole-cell pertussis vaccine. There were no quantitative differences of analysed factors involved in the immune response among mice challenged B. pertussis strains containing different ptxS1/prn composition.

[Genetic diversity analysis of isolates belonging to Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica species]. / Zastosowanie metody aflp do oceny genetycznego podobienistwa szczepow Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis oraz Bordetella bronchiseptica.

In this study, Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) method was used to track differences among human and animal isolates of B. pertussis, B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica species. One hundred and sixty representative strains of these species orginated from international and Polish bacterial collections were genotyped according to AFLP involving EcoRI/Msel and SpeI/ApaI restriction/ligation/amplification procedures. This study has confirmed high potential AFLP SpeI/ApaI procedure for intra-species differentiation of B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica strains. Both AFLP EcoRI/MseI and SpeI/ApaI procedures have been found to be useful for species-specific classification in case of B. pertussis strains. In case of B. bronchiseptica or B. parapertussis species-specific classification, SpeI/ApaI procedure has been found more precise than EcoRI/MseI one.

[HBV genotypes among patients with chronic hepatitis B in the area of central Poland]. / Genotypy HBV u pacjentów z przewleklym zapaleniem watroby typu B z terenu centralnej Polski.

At present, eight (8) HBV genotypes have been identified, marked by letters from A to H. The distribution of particular genotypes , both in the world and in Poland, is the focus of particular epidemiological interest as well as its possible association with therapeutic efficacy of patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) undergoing antiviral therapy. The goal of the study was HBV genotype determination among patients with CHB living in the area of central Poland. There were 65 patients (18 females and 47 males) aged 18-80 years (mean: 42.3). All of the patients had HBsAg detectable for at least 6 months and previously they did not receive any antiviral or immunomodulating therapy. HBV genotyping was performed by means of commercial method "INNO LiPA Genotyping". Genotype A was found in 56 out of 65 (86.6%) patients, genotype D in 6 out of 65 (9.2%), and mixed genoptype A+D was found in 3 out of 65 (4.6%) patients. HBeAg was detected in 49 out of 56 (87.5%) persons with genotype A, in 4 out of 6 persons with genotype D and in one person with mixed genotype A+D. Mixed genotype A+D was found only among males. Anti-HBe was found exclusively among 6 out of 56 (10.7%) persons with genotype A. Both HBeAg and anti-HBe were undetectable in one person with genotype A, in 2 persons with genotype D and in 2 persons with mixed genotype A+D. The method applied for this study is particularly suitable for the determination of mixed HBV genotypes, as well as for clinical or epidemiological studies of a large numbers of samples. Future studies to be performed after an antiviral or other form of therapy in patients with CHB may bring some evidence on the influence of treatment in relation to HBV genotype. Further studies on HBV genotypes distribution in different regions of the country may allow to gather data on molecular epidemiology of HBV infection in Poland.

[Study on genetic diversity of genes encoding main adhesins among nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae strains isolated from children in Poland]. / Badania profilu determinant genetycznych kodujacych glówne adhezyny bezotoczkowych szczepów Haemophilus influenzae izolowanych od dzieci w Polsce.

The study was based on hypothesis that in the nontypeable population of H. influenzae strains isolated from children there are some genetically predisposed to induce symptomatic infection in children and that they might be divided into different groups depending on profiles of genes encoding main adhesins synthesis. The work aimed at analysis of distribution of genes encoding adhesins and evaluation of domination possibility of some strains representing particular adhesins genes profiles among NTHi population. Results of the study revealed that among population of NTHi strains, distribution of genes encoding main adhesins are differing. Among children, NTHi strains harbouring genes encoding HA and HMW1/HMW2 adhesins were more prevalent in healthy children and in children with symptomatic infections, respectively. Analysis of strains harbouring main adhesins profiles might be a useful screening method in monitoring strains circulating among children, in order to determine the most invasive NTHi strains.

[Diagnostic difficulties in identification of Haemophilus influenzae colonising the nasopharynx of children]. / Problemy diagnostyczne przy identyfikacji szczepów Haemophilus influenzae kolonizujacych jame nosowo-gardlowa dzieci.

The frequency of capsulated or non-capsulated Haemophilus influenzae strains colonisation among children attending day-care centres or orphanages has been studied. Detection of capsulated or non-capsulated H. influenzae strains has been compared for agglutination test and PCR. Misdiagnosing of H. influenzae serotype with agglutination found in the study suggest that the frequency of Hib strains colonizing the nasopharynx might be lower that previously evaluated. Due to perspectives of the wider use of Hib Immunisation in the future, more efficient diagnosis scheme for identification/differentiation of capsulated and non-capsulated H. influenzae strain should be undertaken.

[Transmission of Haemophilus influenzae type b strains among children attending day-care centers and orphanages]. / Badania transmisji szczepów Haemophilus influenzae typu b krazacych w populacji dzieci w przedszkolach i domach dziecka.

Goal of the work was to evaluate the differences level among H. influenzae strains of b serotype isolated from children attending day-care centres and orphanages and among strains isolated from invasive infections. In the work PFGE in Hib strains transmission examination and for epidemiological studies among three sources of invasive infection was applied. Among 35 Hib strains tested and control strain 8 different pulsotyped were found. Among 21 strains colonising the nasopharynx of healthy children, and among 13 Hib strains isolated from cerebrospinal fluid, 6 and 1 pulsotypes were found, respectively. Results obtained show that healthy children might be colonizing with genotypes characteristic for Hib strains isolated from invasive infections. In this view wider Hib vaccination seems be expected, as Hib circulation is common.

Mumps in Poland since 1990 to 2003; epidemiology and antibody prevalence.

The annual incidence of mumps in Poland over the period 1990-2003 was 45-570 per 100,000 population with the epidemic peak every 4-5 years. Till 2003, mumps vaccination has not been included in the part of National Immunisation Program in Poland that comprises the obligatory vaccinations. However, mumps vaccination was recommended by National Health Authority for children at the second year of life and it could be obtained privately. The proportion of vaccinated children has increased by 50% in last years. It has influenced on decreasing of number of notified mumps cases in Poland, on lengthening of inter-epidemic period as well as on drift of infections towards older groups of children. The results of serological survey carried out on 1390 serum samples have indicated, that the proportion of positive serum samples (>11 VE/ml) was only 24.1% for children aged 1-4 years, 45.4% for children aged 5-9 years, 72.5% for age group 10-14 years, and over 85% for persons aged 15-30 years. Epidemiological data and the high proportion of individuals with negative titres of specific mumps IgG antibodies justify the need of introduction of obligatory mass immunisation against mumps in Poland.