The Occurrence of Zoonotic Anaplasma phagocytophilum Strains, in the Spleen and Liver of Wild Boars from North-West and Central Parts of Poland.

PURPOSE: The Anaplasma genus includes a Gram-negative bacterium infecting the blood cells of wild and domestic mammals, causing tick-borne fever. Infection with pathogenic Anaplasma phagocytophilum strains may cause Human Granulocytic Anaplasmosis. Wild boars (Sus scrofa) may act as natural wild reservoir hosts for potentially zoonotic A. phagocytophilum strains; however, there is still little data to confirm this statement. The aim of this study was to verify whether wild boars can be classified as natural reservoirs of Anaplasma spp. and to compare the suitability of spleen and liver samples for such analysis. METHODS: Liver and spleen samples were collected from 59 wild boars (2017-2019). The organs were tested for Anaplasma phagocytophilum using short (partial) fragments of three markers: 16S rRNA, groEL, ankA. RESULTS: Anaplasma spp. DNA was detected in 12 out of 59 samples, with a prevalence of 20.34%. The presence of A. phagocytophilum was confirmed by sequencing of the partial 16S rRNA gene. Positive individuals were tested for the characteristic markers: groEL and ankA. The analysis of the nucleotide sequences of 16S rRNA, groEL and ankA, indicated that the strains of A. phagocytophilum detected in these studies are potentially zoonotic for humans. CONCLUSION: Wild boars from Poland can be classified as a natural reservoir of the zoonotic strain of Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Both the spleen and the liver tissues were found to be suitable materials for the detection of A. phagocytophilum.

Molecular detection of Megatrypanum trypanosomes in tabanid flies.

Trypanosomes of the subgenus Megatrypanum have been isolated from many mammalian hosts around the world. They are usually non-pathogenic, although they may confuse the parasitological diagnosis of trypanosomosis. Additionally, Trypanosoma theileri has been associated with disease in cattle. Megatrypanum trypanosomes are considered to be transmitted by different arthropods, including tabanids. However, little is known about the potential vectors of Megatrypanum trypanosomes in different parts of the world. The present study reports on the detection of Megatrypanum trypanosomes in Heamatopota pluvialis, Tabanus bromius, Tabanus maculicornis and Tabanus distinguendus in Poland. It also discusses the possible role of these tabanids in the transmission of Megatrypanum trypanosomes.

Randomized comparison of sugammadex and neostigmine for reversal of rocuronium-induced muscle relaxation in morbidly obese undergoing general anaesthesia.

BACKGROUND: Complete and fast recovery of neuromuscular function is very important in morbidly obese patients because of the possible influence of postoperative residual curarization (PORC) on respiratory function in the postoperative period. Recent reports underline incidences of the residual influence of neuromuscular blocking agents. METHODS: Seventy morbidly obese (BMI >40 kg m(-2)) patients requiring general anaesthesia and receiving rocuronium for muscle relaxation were randomly assigned into two groups: at the end of the anaesthetic procedure, one group received sugammadex 2 mg kg(-1) of corrected body weight (Group SUG) and the other group received neostigmine 0.05 mg kg(-1) of CBW (Group NEO). At the end of surgery and when response reached a train-of-four (TOF) score of 2, patients received the study drugs. The neuromuscular function was recorded and time to achieve 90% of TOF (safe extubation) was measured. Patients were examined directly after arrival to the post-anaesthesia care unit (PACU) by a blinded investigator for the presence of PORC. RESULTS: Thirty-five patients received sugammadex and 35 neostigmine. Mean dose of rocuronium was 87.9 vs 85.6 mg (P>0.05), mean time to 90% of TOF was 2.7 vs 9.6 min (P<0.05), and TOF at the PACU was 109.8% vs 85.5% (P<0.05) in Groups SUG and NEO, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of sugammadex provides fast recovery of neuromuscular function and prevents PORC in the morbidly obese, however neostigmine does not.

Plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) levels and gene promoter polymorphisms in subjects with colorectal cancer.

The high level of plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (PAI-1) in colorectal cancer predicts poor prognosis for patients. The insertion (5G)/deletion (4G) polymorphism (the 4G/5G polymorphism) and G-->A single base substitution (the G/A polymorphism) located at promoter of PAI-1 gene may have functional significance in regulation of its expression. In the present work the level of PAI-1, distribution of genotypes and frequency of alleles of the 4G/5G and G/A polymorphisms in samples of cancer tissue and normal mucosa as well as in blood were investigated. Blood, tumor and normal tissues were obtained from 40 patients with colorectal cancer. The 4G/5G and G/A polymorphism were determined by PCR amplification using the allele specific primers. The PAI-1 level was measured by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The distribution of the genotypes of both polymorphisms did not differ significantly (p > 0.05) from those predicted by the Hardy-Weinberg distribution. There were no differences in the genotype distributions and allele frequencies between blood, normal mucosa samples and cancer tissue. The 4G/5G and G/A polymorphisms were in linkage disequilibrium. The average level of PAI-1 in tumor samples was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than in normal tissue. The results obtained indicate that a higher level of PAI-1 can be associated with colorectal cancer. On the other hand, in colon cancer, the 4G/5G and G/A polymorphisms are not linked with elevated levels of PAI-1 and therefore may not be used to predict colon cancer prognosis.

Experimental transduodenal diathermic sphincterotomy in pigs.

Transduodenal diathermic sphincterotomy was performed in nine pigs of the large White breed, weighing 70-80 kg. The Erbotom T 400 diathermy unit equipped with a needle knife was used to incise the duodenal papilla and its sphincter. The animals were divided into three groups and the results of the operation were estimated 2, 8 and 12 weeks after surgery. After the respective survival period was over, the animals were examined post mortem to macroscopically inspect the surgery site and take samples for histopathological and histochemical investigations. Histopathological preparations were stained with haematoxylin and eosin as well as by Hale-Müller's or Frankel's methods. Histochemical investigations were performed to determine the activity of three enzymes: alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and succinate dehydrogenase. The present study has revealed that diathermic incision of the duodenal papilla and its sphincter gives very good results as confirmed by the findings of macroscopic as well as histopathological and histochemical investigations.

Regional disaster planning for hospital pharmacies.

The development of a disaster plan for hospital pharmacy services in Hartford, CT, is described. In June 1978, directors of pharmacy from 12 hospitals in the Hartford, CT, area began a project designed to ensure an uninterrupted supply of drugs and an adequate supply of pharmacy personnel during and after any natural disaster. The project initially involved standardization of components of the individual hospital pharmacies' disaster plans. A questionnaire was then completed by each director of pharmacy regarding hours of operation, telephone numbers, and pharmaceutical products usually stocked (including blood derivatives, radiologic-contrast media, and intravenous solutions). Information on inventory levels was collected later. Pharmaceutical manufactures and wholesalers in the region were contracted, and a list of routine and emergency telephone numbers was compiled. The disaster plan was completed in July 1979. The plan has been tested in a mock catastrophe drill and one natural disaster that caused relatively few injuries.