To vaccinate or not to vaccinate - BNT162b2 seroconversion rate and side effects among Polish healthcare workers.

OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to analyze the effect of BNT162b2 vaccination among Polish healthcare workers in terms of serologic response and adverse events. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A questionnaire survey covered data in the period January 1-March 31, 2021 gathered in 2 hospitals in Wielkopolska, Poland. Additionally, serological analysis (SARS-CoV-2 anti-S protein IgG) was performed. RESULTS: A total of 617 medical workers were vaccinated with BNT162b2 (Comirnaty, Pfizer). Data from the questionnaires were received from all of the staff after the first and the second dose. No severe side effects were observed. The most common side effect following the first and second doses of vaccination was pain at the injection site. After the first dose, 3 (1.4 %) women aged 18-55 years, 5 women (3.9 %), and 3 men (8.3 %) aged >55 years had negative SARS-CoV-2 anti-S protein IgG result. After the second dose, all those who agreed to have antibodies tested responded to vaccination with positive SARS-CoV-2 anti-S protein IgG results. CONCLUSIONS: Vaccination tolerance was good in the studied population; no severe side effects were observed. After the second dose, all tested healthcare workers responded to vaccination with antibody production. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2022;35(6):761-66.

Tissue expression of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-2 receptor (IL-2R(alpha)/CD25) in non-Hodgkin B-cell lymphomas in children: correlations with clinical data.

SUMMARY: The study aimed at analysis of tissue expression of interleukin 2 (IL-2) and subunit alpha of its receptor (IL-22R(alpha)/CD25) in B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-cell NHLs) in children as related to selected clinical data. The studies were performed on an archival tissue material originating from children with B-cell NHLs (n=26) using avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method and in-situ hybridization with biotinylated tyramine amplification signal (ImmunoMax technique). As compared with non-neoplastic lesions, in B-cell NHLs a significantly higher expression was noted of both IL-2 and IL-22R(alpha). In children with B-cell NHLs, frequency of IL-2 detection was 62%, and that of IL-22R(alpha), 46%. Using hybridocytochemistry, presence of mRNA for IL-2 could be detected, but not mRNA for IL-22R(alpha) in children with B-cell NHLs. A significant direct relationship was demonstrated between expressions of IL-2 and IL-22R(alpha) in children with B-cell NHLs. No significant relationships could be detected between expression of IL-2 and/or IL-22R(alpha) on one hand and histopathologic diagnosis, tumor location, age, or sex in B-cell NHLs on the other. The new element in the results involved demonstration of significant differences in shorter survival of children with B-cell NHLs, as related to cellular expression of IL-2 and IL-22R(alpha) (CD25). Comparing the expected percentage of patients at risk, children with CD25-positive tissue expression had a significantly lower chance to survive longer time than children with IL-2-positive tissue expression. The positive relationship between tissue expression of IL-22R(alpha) and the shorter survival of children with B-cell NHLs should prompt further investigations to identify other risk factors in patients with this type of tumors in children.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas in children: virus latency and its correlation with CD21 and CD23 molecules.

Epstein Barr virus (EBV) infection of human B lymphocytes in vitro results in immortalisation of the cells and augmented membranous expression of numerous B-cell activation molecules, including CD23. Other studies demonstrated that only those B lymphocytes which carry the surface CD21 (EBV receptor) become transformation-competent. Inspired by the relatively unclear relations between expression of EBV and those of CD21 and CD23 in in vivo conditions we have decided to define correlations between tissue markers of EBV and of CD21 and CD23 molecules in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) in children. The studies were performed on an archival tissue material originating from children with B-cell NHLs (n=26) using immunocytochemical techniques, in situ hybridisation, and PCR. Our studies confirmed the latent phase of EBV infection in all of the EBV-positive patients. Viral proteins as well as viral RNAs (EBERs) was found both in the cytoplasm, in cell nuclei and in cell membranes of mainly the transformed lymphocytes B. Expression of the latent proteins (EBNA2 and LMP1) and that of EBERs in B-cell NHLs was significantly higher as compared to children with nonneoplastic lesions. The studies demonstrated reciprocally positive correlations between expressions of CD21 and CD23 in our children, but no correlation could be demonstrated between expression of EBV tissue markers and that of CD21 and/or CD23. Positive correlation was confirmed between expression of EBNA2 and LMP1 as well as between expression of the two proteins and EBERs in B-cell NHLs. Our studies have shown mainly latency III pattern of EBV. We have also demonstrated a novel form of EBV latency with no EBERs expression. The high detectability of EBV-positive cases both in the group of B-cell NHLs (77%), and in the group with non-neoplastic lesions (64%) suggested that only more pronounced tissue expression of EBV markers in B-cell NHLs as compared to the non-neoplastic material may point to a potential role of EBV in pathogenesis of lymphoma in this group of population in our country.

Interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression in livers of patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection.

The studies performed till now have pointed to an increased serum levels of interleukin 2 (IL-2) in infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV). The present study was aimed at examining intrahepatic expression of IL-2 in children (n=15) and in adults (n=11) with chronic hepatitis C as well as its correlations with histological lesions and selected clinical data. The immunocytochemical techniques and in situ hybridization method were applied at light and electron microscopy level. Under the light microscope, expression of IL-2 was analysed semiquantitatively. As compared to the control material, in livers of both groups of chronic hepatitis C patients augmented expression of IL-2 was demonstrated. The reaction product was localized mainly in the cytoplasm of hepatocytes which was confirmed by hybridocytochemistry. The mean proportion of cells with positive reaction for IL-2 mRNA was significantly lower than the proportion of cells positive for the respective protein. No correlation was disclosed between IL-2 expression on one hand and grading or staging, alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and HCV RNA levels in serum on the other. At the ultrastructural level, IL-2 in hepatocytes was present mainly in the endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria. Our studies have confirmed augmented expression of IL-2 in livers of patients with chronic hepatitis C and have demonstrated that hepatocytes represent the principal source of the cytokine in HCV in vivo infection. Moreover, expression of IL-2 in the infection was examined for the first time at the ultrastructural level. Mitochondrial localization of IL-2 suggests a direct involvement of the cytokine in disturbed function of the organelles.

Morphological and molecular diagnosis of a fatal form of EBV infectious mononucleosis in a child.

Mortal cases of acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in the form of mononucleosis have been seldom described and used to be related to complications of the disease. In this report, the case of a 3-year-old girl is described, with severe form of infectious mononucleosis, deceased in the course of respiratory-circulatory insufficiency with a sudden cessation of heart action. Particular attention was given to histological lesions, phenotype of inflammatory cells and to expression of proteins and EBV RNAs (EBERs) in tissues, examined using immunocytochemical techniques and in situ hybridization. Histological patterns were dominated by massive lymphocyte infiltrates (mostly CD45RO+ and CD3+ cells), mainly in lungs and in liver and, less pronounced, in kidneys and in leptomeninx. Lymphocyte proliferation exhibited polyclonal character: both lambda and kappa chains were present. No myeloblastic differentiation could be demonstrated. The EBV proteins, as well as EBV RNAs (EBERs) were detected both in small lymphocytes B and in enlarged (blast) cells, frequently resembling Reed-Sternberg cells. In our tissue material co-expression of the two proteins (EBNA2+, LMP1+) and EBER has been demonstrated in every organ, in accordance to the latency III pattern described by other authors.

Expression of cytokines (TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, and IL-2) in chronic hepatitis C: comparative hybridocytochemical and immunocytochemical study in children and adult patients.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is one of the principal causes of hepatitis, which in more than 80% of cases leads to chronic lesions in the liver and involvement of extrahepatic organs. It remains unknown why the infection so frequently turns chronic, independently of patient age. Using immunocytochemistry (IHC) and in situ hybridization (ISH) (both linked to the ImmunoMax technique) we examined cell sources of TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, and IL-2 in control and HCV-infected children and adults. We demonstrated augmented expression of all the cytokines in HCV-infected patients compared to controls. No differences were detected in amounts of studied transcripts or cytokine proteins between biopsies taken from HCV-infected children and adults. Expression of TNF-alpha was localized mainly in liver sinusoidal cells (macrophages, endothelial cells). A high proportion of hepatocytes demonstrated expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, and IL-2. In both groups of patients, higher amounts of cytokine proteins than studied transcripts were demonstrated. The augmented expression of TNF-alpha, IL-1alpha, and IL-2 in liver with a similar proportion of involved cells (mainly hepatocytes) in children and in adults points to participation of the cytokines in the pathogenesis of chronic hepatitis C. The expression is insufficient to terminate the infection and may be linked with the comparably frequent chronic transformation of HCV infection noted in children and adults.

The expression of calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide and somatostatin in the thyroids of rats of different ages.

Using immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridisation expression of calcitonin, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and somatostatin was examined in rat thyroids. The immunocytochemical reactions demonstrated the presence of the proteins under investigation at all stages of rat life. Calcitonin and CGRP produced the most numerous parafollicular cells, while somatostatin was present in a few cells only. The number of cells producing the above-mentioned hormones was found to increase in rats with the progressing of age. Hybridocytochemical techniques corroborated the results obtained using immunocytochemical techniques. The most numerous cells were found to contain mRNAs for calcitonin and CGRP. In the case of somatostatin, however, multiple parafollicular cells produced mRNA for the hormone but few cells demonstrated the presence of the corresponding protein.

Tissue expression of cytokines (IL-1alpha, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha) in B-cell lymphomas in children.

In most malignant tumours disturbed production of cytokines and of their receptors can be noted. The main immune system cells engaged in tumour regression with the involvement of cytokines include helper lymphocytes (Th1), cytotoxic lymphocytes (Tc) and dendritic cells. It has been noted that cytokines are also produced by the cells of a tumour. The present study aimed at immunocytochemical localisation of cytokines (IL-1alpha, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, TNF-alpha) in B-cell lymphomas in children (n = 10). The studies were performed on surgical material following formalin fixation and embedding in paraffin. The control material involved human reactive lymph nodes (n = 5). IL-2, IL-6, IL-12 were detected in 4/10 examined cases. Expression of IL-1alpha was highly pronounced, as in the control, and was detected in 6/9 examined patients. No TNF-alpha could be demonstrated in tumours even if lymph node expression of the cytokine was demonstrated in the control. The studies pointed to a decreased production of antitumour cytokines in B-cell lymphomas in children, which might correspond to the progression of the tumour.

Tissue markers of Epstein-Bar virus (EBV) infection in B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas.

UNLABELLED: AIM OF the study was to analyze the cellular expression of two latent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) proteins and one of the lytic protein, two small RNAs (EBERs) and EBV DNA in children and adult patients with B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphomas (NHLs) and to characterise more strictly patterns of EBV latency in both groups of patients in our country. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The studies were performed on an archive tissue material from 26 children and from 27 adults with B-cell NHLs. The studies used immunocytochemical techniques, in situ hybridisation, and PCR. RESULTS: The detectability and expression of EBV infection were significantly higher in children with B-cell NHLs as compared to adult patients. Expression of EBNA2 and LMP1 and that of EBERs in B-cell NHLs involved mainly cells of CD20(+) phenotype. Positive correlation was confirmed between expression of EBNA2 and LMP1 as well as between expression of the two proteins and EBERs in children with B-cell NHLs. Also in children with B-cell NHLs, type III latency form dominated. In adults the latency forms were more variable. We have demonstrated a novel form of EVB latency with no EBERs expression, noted in children as well as in adults with B-cell NHLs. CONCLUSIONS: The significantly higher cellular expression and higher detectability of latent EBV infection in B-cell NHLs in children as compared to adults points to a potential role of EBV infection in the pathogenesis of lymphoma, particularly in this age group of patients.

Intracellular localization of NS3 and C proteins in chronic hepatitis C.

AIMS AND METHODS: The cellular localization of hepatitis C virus (HCV) proteins in chronic hepatitis C remains a debatable issue. Aim of the studies included cellular and subcellular localization of two HCV proteins, NS3 and C protein, in liver biopsies from 20 children with chronic hepatitis C employing commercially available monoclonal antibodies and a semiquantitative technique of the proteins expression. In the studies advantage was taken of (Strept)avidin-biotin peroxidase complex and ImmunoMax technique. RESULTS: The cytoplasmic localization of both proteins dominated over nuclear localization. The total amount of NS3 protein exceeded that of C protein. At the ultrastructural level, we observed both proteins in endoplasmic reticulum membranes and mitochondria, but small amount of both proteins was seen also in cell nuclei. The amount of either protein did not correlate with liver histology in our patients. No correlation could be disclosed between content of both proteins and HCV RNA levels in serum. Content of NS3 demonstrated negative correlation with activity of alanine transaminase. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the new aspect in present studies involved localization of C and NS3 proteins at the levels of light and electron microscopy in children. For the first time also intramitochondrial localization of NS3 protein was demonstrated.