Antimicrobial resistance of bacterial isolates from sheep and goat cheeses in eastern Slovakia.

The aim of this study was to determine prevalence of undesirable bacteria and their antimicrobial profile in samples obtained from a productive farm situated in border region Slanské vrchy (Slovakia), involved in keeping sheep and goats for the purpose of processing raw milk to special products (cheeses). Genus and species identification was carried out by PCR method and MALDI -TOF MS. Isolates thus identified were detected for antimicrobial resistance using the Agar Dilution Method. Bacteria of Staphylococcus spp. exhibited the highest resistance to penicillin (98% isolates). Isolates from the family Enterobacteriacae showed the highest resistance to azithromycin (90%). At the same time, in isolates of Enterococcus spp. we detected high resistance to linezolid (100%). Our investigation showed that all tested strains were resistant to more than one antibiotic used in this study.

Antibacterial effects of hydrogen peroxide and caprylic acid on selected foodborne bacteria.

Bactericidal activity of caprylic acid (CA) and hydrogen peroxide (HP) was investigated in this study in order to design a suitable formulation for use in the food-processing industry. Antibacterial effects of the two chemicals were tested in vitro against the reference strains of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Enteritidis CCM 4420, Escherichia coli CCM 3988, Listeria monocytogenes CCM 5578 and Staphylococcus aureus CCM 4223, as well as against the wild bacterial strains obtained from various food commodities (poultry meat, rabbit meat, raw milk sheep cheese 'Bryndza') and potable water. First, suspension test was carried out to determine the minimum bactericidal concentrations for individual chemical compounds. While most Gram-negative bacteria tested were effectively inhibited by HP at a 0.5% concentration, the growth of Gram-positive bacterial strains was stopped by a 2% solution. CA showed similar antibacterial effect on all bacterial strains tested except for Staph. aureus showing the same sus-ceptibility as Gram-negative bacteria. The wild strains generally had higher resistance to both chemicals than the reference strains. Combination of HP and CA at concentrations of 0.01%; 0.05% and 0.1% was further tested by the suspension test, carrier test, and carrier test with simul-taneous exposure to UV light. The total bactericidal activity against selected foodborne pathogens was already observed at a concentration of 0.1% and the efficiency was significantly increased by the use of UV radiation. A novel disinfectant based on the combination of HP with CA appears to be a suitable binary formulation for potential use in the food sector.

Single umbilical artery and reproduction losses in Slovak population: relation to karyotype and fetal anomalies.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to monitor the association between single umbilical artery (SUA), chromosomal abnormalities and associated anomalies during the routine examination of spontaneous or induced miscarriages and premature births. METHODS: During 1992-2015 we morphologically and cytogenetically examined a series of 4098 samples. For 1330 cases the number of umbilical cord vessels could be reported. RESULTS: The presence of single umbilical artery was identified in 67 fetuses of 1330 pregnancies (5.04 %); 36 of the 67 fetuses (53.7 %) had additional congenital malformations. The cultures were unsuccessful in 29 of 67 cases (43.3 %). 38 cases (56.7 %) were successfully karyotyped; 20 out of them had a normal karyotype and 18 had chromosomal anomalies including trisomy 18 (n = 4), trisomy 13 (n = 3), trisomy 21 (n = 2), trisomy 11 (n = 1), triploidy (n = 3), monosomy X (n = 3) and structural chromosomal aberrations (n = 2). CONCLUSION: Isolated SUA is not at increased risk of chromosomal abnormalities and generally does not endanger pregnancy. All chromosomally abnormal embryos and fetuses had associated congenital anomalies. The most frequently associated congenital anomalies were in the musculoskeletal system, central nervous system and genitourinary tract (Tab. 4, Ref. 44).

Distribution of the most common polymorphisms in TYMS gene in Slavic population of central Europe.

Thymidylate synthetase (TS) plays a critical role in the de novo synthesis of dTMP inside the cell. Therefore, TS is a suitable target for cytotoxic drugs such as fluoropyrimidines. Drug efficacy and toxicity depend on the intracellular level of TS, which is significantly influenced by the polymorphisms in the 5'UTR (TSER - rs45445694, TSER*3G>C - rs2853542) and 3'UTR (1494del TTAAAG - rs151264360) of TYMS gene. Polymorphic variants of TYMS gene affect TS activity via gene expression and transcript stability. Patients who undergo fluoropyrimidine therapy may benefit from genetic testing prior to the administration of chemotherapy. At the 5' terminus of TYMS, there is a polymorphic region represented by a variable number of 28bp long tandem repeats (2-9 tandems) with the G or C nucleotide variant (SNP G>C). The 3'end of TYMS gene may decrease the stability of mRNA in the case of 6 base deletion (1494del6, D). In our study, we have focused on testing of TYMS gene polymorphisms, determination of TYMS variant frequencies in Western Slavic population and comparison of Slovak population with other populations.We performed identification of 5'UTR (rs45445694 - TSER*2 or TSER*3; rs2853542 - TSER*3G>C; TSER*3+ins6) and 3'UTR (rs151264360/1494del6/D) polymorphic regions of TYMS gene among 96 volunteers by PCR-RFLP and fragment analysis. Slovak frequencies of selected polymorphisms were established as follows: the frequency of TSER*2, TSER*3, TSER*3G>C, 1494del6/D and I to be 41%, 59%, 34%, 37.5% and 62.5% respectively. The high resolution of the capillary electrophoresis technique allowed among TSER*3 group identification of a subgroup of four individuals with rare 6bp insertion in 3R allele, id est 2.1% TSER*3+ins6 allele frequency. In our study, we have revealed individuals with rare G>C substitution in the first 28bp tandem repeat of TSER*2 promoter enhancer region (rs183205964) as well, the overall frequency of this polymorphic allele in Slovak population was 2.1%. Our results proved that Slovak population is in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and proportion of TYMS polymorphisms is in accordance with other published data.

The first imported human infestation with Furuncular myiasis in man in the Slovakia and current knowledge of myiasis.

INTRODUCTION: Furuncular myiasis is caused by the genus of botfly Dermatobia hominis. It belongs to the family Cuterebridae and is indigenous to Central and South America. OBJECTIVE: to present a case report of the first case of this disease in Slovakia. CURRENT STATE OF PROBLEM SOLUTION: The term myiasis refers to infestation of the host (animal, man) by botfly larvae. Its larvae burrow under the skin. They feed on the host's living tissues and fluids. MateriAl and methods: Patient's history analysis, parasitological examination. RESULTS: A 58-year-old woman after returning from Central America found in the skin above her m. gluteus mayor 2 indurations, which contained three botfly larvae. DISCUSSION: Infestation with botfly larvae Dermatobia hominis is for man annoying and from a health point of view dangerous. CONCLUSION: With proper diagnosis, it is possible to remove the larvae safely from furuncles. The authors point to the first case of imported infestation with Furuncular myiasis caused by botfly Dermatobia hominis in man introduced to Slovakia. They note that increasing tourism spread to the countries with the endemic occurrence of Furuncular myiasis will cause its higher prevalence also in Central European countries (Fig. 5, Ref. 45).

Can we predict orofacial cleft in future pregnancy?

AIM: The aim of this thesis was not only to define the frequency of all orofacial clefts and their particular types, but also to determine the sex of an embryo or fetus and detect associated developmental and chromosomal abnormalities. Approximately one third of orofacial clefts are a part of chromosomal syndromes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective morphological and cytogenetic study of 43 cases of different types of orofacial clefts between 1992-2014 from miscarriages (spontaneous abortions) and premature births. RESULTS: Associated abnormalities were found in 34 cases. Most of the anomalies were skeletal anomalies (29), NTD (24) and anomalies of the abdominal wall (9). Most associated anomalies were found in the R III group (93.3 %). Eleven of the successfully cultivated cases (26 %) had a normal karyotype and in 14 of the cases (32 %), numerical or unbalanced structural chromosomal aberrations were found. CONCLUSION: Our data did not show that isolated clefts were not associated with a higher risk of chromosomal aberrations. Higher percentage of chromosomal aberrations found in isolated clefts in our pool can be explained by the age of the embryos and fetuses - usually between day 43 and week 12. It is nearly impossible to diagnose some associated congenital defects at such an early age. Thanks to the morphological and cytogenetic analysis of embryos and fetuses with orofacial cleft, it is possible to estimate if not determine the etiologic factor which influenced the miscarriage. Additionally, in the case of birth defects, the prognosis for future pregnancy can be offered, which is important information for gynecologist and clinical geneticist (Tab. 5, Fig. 5, Ref. 31).

Developmental defects and chromosomal aberrations in spontaneous abortions and stillbirths.

The authors analysed 1488 cases of spontaneous abortions and stillbirths in Bratislava. They focused on the course of human embryogenesis and the chromosomal constitution. A high mean frequency rate of both developmental defects (14.4%) and chromosomal aberrations (33.6%) was revealed and both were found to be in close relation with the length of gestation. The most severe developmental defects occurred mostly in early stages of human embryogenesis, i.e. in the 1st trimester of gestation.

[Diagnosis of partial hydatidiform mole using molecular genetics]. / Molekulárno genetická diagnostika parciálnej moly hydatidózy.

The aim of our study was to confirm the diagnosis of partial hydatidiform mole (PMH) and to determine mechanism of PMH development by chromosomal DNA analysis. In our study we analysed 8 cases of morphologically and histologically confirmed PMH. Their karyotype was determined by using methods of direct, 24-hour and a long-term tissue culture. The restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLP) method was used for DNA analysis of PMH chorionic villi and from progenitor lymphocytes in peripheral blood. All cases were triploid. DNA analysis revealed in six cases one maternal and two paternal RFLP bands, and in two cases two maternal and one paternal RFLP bands.

Cytogenetic analysis of 1508 spontaneous abortions originating from south Slovakia.

Knowledge with regard to the spontaneous abortion cytogenetics has been derived exclusively from populations of the highly developed countries; its full applicability to east-european populations living in the peculiar conditions of the former 'socialist countries' may be questioned. The consecutive series of 1912 spontaneous abortion products with identifiable embryonal tissue was collected in six maternal clinics in south Slovakia. 1508 specimens were set in culture. Among 926 (61.4%) successfully karyotyped abortions, 46.0% were chromosomally abnormal specimens. The proportion of the groups of abnormalities is similar to that in other large series, with the exception of a higher proportion of mosaics (14.3% of the abnormalities). The abnormality rate in the whole sample also lies within the range of values published. However, significant inter-regional variability has been established: the chromosome abnormality rate in the urban subsample is 47.8%, whereas the value was only 35.3% for rural southern districts. The anomaly rates are lower for all maternal ages and gestation phases in the country subsample. The possibility of the environmental diversity effect was discussed. No other major peculiarity of cytogenetic abortion characteristics can be determined in the population studied.