Human Taeniases in Slovakia (2010-2019): Genetic Analysis of Isolates.

and , known as beef and pork tapeworm, are foodborne pathogens of global importance having a substantial impact on human health and economy. The study aimed to summarize the occurrence of human spp. infection in past 10 years in Slovakia based on reports of clinicians and diagnostic laboratories to Public Health Authority of the Slovak Republic.

Ocular Dirofilariasis after Clinically Manifested Subcutaneous Migration of the Parasite: A Case Report.

is the causative agent of human subcutaneous or, less often, ocular dirofilariasis. The work presents a rare case of ocular dirofilariasis manifested by previous subcutaneous migration accompanied by severe headache symptoms. In February 2017, a 58-yr-old man from Trnava region, western Slovakia, noticed red and itchy stripes on his left leg.

Pseudo-Tumor of the Epididymis, a Rare Clinical Presentation of Human Dirofilaria repens Infection: a Report of Autochthonous Case of Dirofilariasis in Southwestern Slovakia.

Purpose: Dirofilariasis caused by the filarial nematode Dirofilaria repens is mainly a disease of dogs and other carnivores. Also, humans can be accidentally infected with this parasite. The infective third-stage filariform larvae are transmitted by various species of mosquitoes.

The first report of animal genotypes of Cryptosporidium parvum in immunosuppressed and immunocompetent humans in Slovakia.

The aim of our study was to determine species and genotypes of Cryptosporidium in patients suffering from immunosuppressive illnesses, but also in immunocompetent patients suffering from diarrhoea. A total of 80 samples of faeces were collected from both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients. The immunosuppressed patients (65 samples) - 35 adult patients (group A) and 30 children (group B) were hospitalized at the Clinic of Oncohemathology.

Assessment of the diagnostic value of specific anti-Toxocara IgA in Slovakian patients suspected to have toxocarosis.

Human toxocarosis is one of the most widespread and prevalent helminthic zoonosis in many countries, including Slovakia. The aim was to evaluate the usefulness of IgA anti-Toxocara antibody detection in the serodiagnosis of toxocarosis. The levels of specific IgA antibodies were determined by excretory-secretory (ES)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Human Dirofilaria repens infections diagnosed in Slovakia in the last 10 years (2007-2017).

Human dirofilariosis is currently considered to be an emerging zoonosis of Central Europe with climate change and globalization playing a key role in its spreading. Additionally, the occurrence of Dirofilaria spp. is strongly subject to a certain number of microfilaremic dogs and the presence of the mosquito vectors.

Immunodiagnostic approaches for the detection of human toxocarosis.

Human toxocarosis is an important zoonosis caused by larvae of Toxocara canis/cati. The objective was to evaluate the role of IgG anti-Toxocara antibody detection and the specific IgG avidity in diagnostics of human toxocarosis. Anti-Toxocara IgG antibodies and IgG avidity were evaluated by excretory-secretory (ES)-enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Molecular characterization and first report of Cryptosporidium genotypes in human population in the Slovak Republic.

In our study, we examined 91 fecal samples from five different groups of people containing HIV patients, hemodialysis patients, kidney transplant recipients, immunocompetent humans without clinical signs, and humans with suspected cryptosporidiosis. The purpose of our study was to determine species and genotype composition of representatives of Cryptosporidium spp. using PCR analysis of small subunit ribosomal RNA gene and 60-kDa glycoprotein gene and examine their phylogenetic relationship.

Synthesis of structural analogues of hexadecylphosphocholine and their antineoplastic, antimicrobial and amoebicidal activity.

Twelve derivatives of hexadecylphosphocholine (miltefosine) were synthesized to determine how the position and length of the alkyl chain within the molecule influence their biological activities. The prepared alkylphosphocholines have the same molecular formula as miltefosine. Activity of the compounds was studied against a spectrum of tumour cells, two species of protozoans, bacteria and yeast.

Cytomorphological changes and susceptibility of clinical isolates of Acanthamoeba spp. to heterocyclic alkylphosphocholines.

The treatment of diseases caused by pathogenic strains of Acanthamoeba spp. is to date limited and frequently unsuccessful. Alkylphosphocholines (APCs) are promising agents with interesting results of antiparasitic activity in experimental and clinical conditions.

Synthesis, self-aggregation and biological properties of alkylphosphocholine and alkylphosphohomocholine derivatives of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetylpyridinium bromide, benzalkonium bromide (C16) and benzethonium chloride.

A series of alkylphosphocholine and alkylphosphohomocholine derivatives of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, cetylpyridinium bromide, benzalkonium bromide (C16) and benzethonium chloride have been synthesized. Their physicochemical properties were also investigated. The critical micelle concentration (cmc), the surface tension value at the cmc (γcmc), and the surface area at the surface saturation per head group (Acmc) were determined by means of surface tension measurements.

The first reported cases of human cryptosporidiosis caused by Cryptosporidium hominis in Slovak Republic.

Cryptosporidiosis belongs to the important parasitic infections with zoonotic potential and the occurrence in European countries is rare. The first cases of cryptosporidiosis caused by Cryptosporidium hominis detected in the Slovak republic were described here. Collection of examined humans consisted of five family members.

Relationship between aggregation properties and antimicrobial activities of alkylphosphocholines with branched alkyl chains.

Synthesis of five alkylphosphocholines with branched alkyl chains (Isophol-PCs) with different length of alkyl chains was described. Isophol(8)-PC and Isophol(12)-PC represent new compounds. The physico-chemical properties of Isophol-PCs were determined, critical micelle concentration and types of formed aggregates in aqueous solutions were investigated.

Human dirofilariosis in the Slovak Republic - a case report.

The spread of dirofilariosis, as a newly emerging zoonosis, due to global changes has been documented in several Central European countries. In Slovakia, the first autochthonous case of dirofilariosis was recorded in dogs in 2005. The first case of human subcutaneous dirofilariosis caused by Dirofilaria repens was diagnosed in a 60- year-old patient from an area of western Slovakia.

Synthesis and biological activity of dialkylphosphocholines.

A series of dialkylphosphocholines were prepared and evaluated for their biological activity. The antiprotozoal activity was determined against Acanthamoeba lugdunensis. Compound 15 exhibited excellent trophocidal activity.

Dialkylamino and nitrogen heterocyclic analogues of hexadecylphosphocholine and cetyltrimetylammonium bromide: effect of phosphate group and environment of the ammonium cation on their biological activity.

A series of dialkylamino and nitrogen heterocyclic analogues of hexadecylphosphocholine and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide have been synthesized. The prepared compounds exhibit significant cytotoxic, antifungal and antiprotozoal activities. Alkylphosphocholines possess higher antifungal activity against Candida albicans in comparison with quaternary ammonium compounds.

First cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis in Slovakia.

We present the case report of the first identification of Acanthamoeba as a causative agent of keratitis in the Slovak Republic. For the first time, Acanthamoeba sp. Group III was isolated from a 53-year-old patient with keratitis, which was manifested after an injury of the right eye.