Comparative and developmental anatomy of cardiac lymphatics.

The role of the cardiac lymphatic system has been recently appreciated since lymphatic disturbances take part in various heart pathologies. This review presents the current knowledge about normal anatomy and structure of lymphatics and their prenatal development for a better understanding of the proper functioning of this system in relation to coronary circulation. Lymphatics of the heart consist of terminal capillaries of various diameters, capillary plexuses that drain continuously subendocardial, myocardial, and subepicardial areas, and draining (collecting) vessels that lead the lymph out of the heart. There are interspecies differences in the distribution of lymphatic capillaries, especially near the valves, as well as differences in the routes and number of draining vessels. In some species, subendocardial areas contain fewer lymphatic capillaries as compared to subepicardial parts of the heart. In all species there is at least one collector vessel draining lymph from the subepicardial plexuses and running along the anterior interventricular septum under the left auricle and further along the pulmonary trunk outside the heart and terminating in the right venous angle. The second collector assumes a different route in various species. In most mammalian species the collectors run along major branches of coronary arteries, have valves and a discontinuous layer of smooth muscle cells.

Molecular analysis of drug-resistant Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates collected in central Poland.

In total, 48 Mycobacterium tuberculosis clinical isolates from 48 patients with drug-resistant pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in central Poland during 2004 were analysed by spoligotyping and IS6110-Mtb1/Mtb2 PCR. Twelve (25%) isolates were clustered by spoligotyping in combination with IS6110-Mtb1/Mtb2 PCR. Patients from whom these isolates were obtained were assumed to have developed TB as a result of recent transmission. Spoligotyping, used alone, overestimated the number of clustered isolates. However, combined use of spoligotyping and IS6110-Mtb1/Mtb2 PCR was an efficient approach for revealing clonal relatedness among M. tuberculosis isolates.