Comparison of Kinetics of Antibody Avidity and IgG Subclasses' Response in Patients with COVID-19 and Healthy Individuals Vaccinated with the BNT162B2 (Comirnaty, Pfizer/BioNTech) mRNA Vaccine.

There are limited reports concerning the levels of antibodies in IgG subclasses and the avidity of IgG, which is the functional strength with which an antibody binds to an antigen in serum samples obtained at different times after infection or vaccination. This study investigated the kinetics of antibody avidity and the IgG antibody response within IgG1-IgG4 subclasses in individuals vaccinated with the BNT162B2 mRNA vaccine and in COVID-19 patients. Serum samples were collected from individuals vaccinated with three doses of the BNT162B2 (Comirnaty, Pfizer/BioNTech) vaccine and from unvaccinated COVID-19 patients.

The Mechanisms Involved in the Fluoroquinolone Resistance of Strains Isolated from Humans in Poland, 2018-2019: The Prediction of Antimicrobial Genes by In Silico Whole-Genome Sequencing.

Salmonellosis remains the second most common zoonosis in Europe. Resistance to fluoroquinolones (FQs) in has been increasing worldwide, with WHO considering FQ-resistant spp. as high-priority pathogens.

Quantitative analysis of RT-PCR test results for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostics across Poland during COVID-19 pandemic: Comparison between early stage and major pandemic waves in 2020 and 2021 with reference to SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Purpose: From April to September 2020, Poland was minimally affected by COVID-19 compared to other EU countries. We aimed to investigate the risks of false reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results during the first wave (compared to later waves), that rises when cycle threshold (Ct) of positive result is close to limit of detection (LOD).

Materials/methods: We analyzed Ct values of SARS-CoV-2 positive RT-PCR results of 7726 patients in Poland from April-September 2020.

Prevalence of Plasmid-Mediated Quinolone Resistance (PMQRs) Determinants and Whole Genome Sequence Screening of PMQR-Producing Isolated from Men Undergoing a Transrectal Prostate Biopsy.

Unlabelled: Fluoroquinolones (FQs) are recommended as prophylaxis for men undergoing transrectal prostate biopsy (TRUS-Bx). Recent studies suggest a significant share of FQ-resistant rectal flora in post-TRUST-Bx infections.

Methods: 435 isolates from 621 patients attending 12 urological departments in Poland were screened by PCR for PMQR genes.

Comparison of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA antibody responses post complete vaccination, 7 months later and after 3rd dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine in healthy adults.

Background: The mRNA Covid-19 vaccine (BNT162b2) is administered in two doses with 21 days interval. On 4th October 2021 European Medicines Agency approved administration of a booster dose in at least 6 months after the second dose for people aged 18 years and older.

Objectives: In the present study we compare the anti-SARS-COV-2 IgG and IgA antibody responses post complete vaccination, 7 months later and after the 3rd (booster) dose of the BNT162B2 vaccine in healthy adults.

Pictograms for safer medication handling by health care workers: a validation study in nursing students in Poland.

Background And Objective: Medication use often causes errors that are dangerous to the health of patients. Previous studies indicate that the use of pharmaceutical pictograms can effectively reduce medication errors. The purpose of this study was to determine the comprehensibility, representativeness, and recall rate of nine medication safety pictograms in a sample of nursing students in Poland in order to validate these images.

The molecular mechanisms of fluoroquinolone resistance found in rectal swab isolates of Enterobacterales from men undergoing a transrectal prostate biopsy: the rationale for targeted prophylaxis.

Background: Transrectal ultrasound-guided prostate biopsy (TRUS-Bx) is considered an essential urological procedure for the histological diagnosis of prostate cancer. It is, however, considered a "contaminated" procedure which may lead to infectious complications. Recent studies suggest a significant share of fluoroquinolone-resistant rectal flora in post-biopsy infections.

Antimicrobial Resistance and Whole-Genome Characterisation of High-Level Ciprofloxacin-Resistant Enterica Serovar Kentucky ST 198 Strains Isolated from Human in Poland.

Background: Kentucky belongs to zoonotic serotypes that demonstrate that the high antimicrobial resistance and multidrug resistance (including fluoroquinolones) is an emerging problem. To the best of our knowledge, clinical Kentucky strains isolated in Poland remain undescribed.

Methods: Eighteen clinical Kentucky strains collected in the years 2018-2019 in Poland were investigated.

Patients with epilepsy as drivers in Poland.

Background: Drivers suffering from epilepsy are commonly regarded as a threat to road safety. However, inability to use their own means of transport very often implies specific professional effects and lowers the quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyze the driving status of patients with epilepsy in Poland.

The first SARS-CoV-2 genetic variants of concern (VOC) in Poland: The concept of a comprehensive approach to monitoring and surveillance of emerging variants.

Purpose: We analyzed the SARS-CoV-2 genome using our integrated genome analysis system and present the concept of a comprehensive approach to monitoring and surveillance of emerging variants.

Material/methods: A total of 69 SARS-CoV-2 positive samples (with Ct value ​≤ ​28) were tested. Samples included in this study were selected from 7 areas of eastern Poland.

[Health protection of employees against SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection causing the COVID-19 disease - the current state of knowledge and recommendations].

The COVID-19 pandemic, despite the restrictions and preventive measures applied, has rapidly spread and reached Poland. The adaptation to the dynamically changing epidemiological situation requires a prompt implementation of effective preventive measures. The aim of the publication is to provide current knowledge to all persons involved in the preventive care system, i.

Draft genome sequence of an Escherichia coli ST410 isolate co-harbouring bla, bla, bla, aac(3)-IIa and aac(6')-Ib-cr genes with gyrA and parC mutations isolated from a paediatric patient in Poland.

Objectives: Escherichia coli is one of the major causative agents of nosocomial infections. Here we report the first draft genome sequence of an E. coli strain (no.

Emergence of Enterobacteriaceae co-producing CTX-M-15, ArmA and PMQR in Poland.

Background: Plasmid-mediated extended-spectrum β-lactamases (ESBLs), 16S rRNA methylases and quinolone resistance mechanisms (PMQRs) are well-known agents conferring resistance to more than 1 antimicrobial in its group. The accumulation of these agents poses, therefore, a serious risk to public health.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to investigate the presence of common ß-lactamases and 16S rRNA methylases in Qnr-producing Enterobacteriaceae and their genetic relatedness.

Factors associated with hepatitis C prevalence differ by the stage of liver fibrosis: A cross-sectional study in the general population in Poland, 2012-2016.

Background & Aims: There is a considerable burden of hepatitis C in Europe related to the lack of prompt diagnosis. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and related risk factors of HCV infections by the stages of liver fibrosis, using non-invasive methods, to understand testing needs in Poland.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012-2016 adopting a stratified random sampling of primary health care units followed by systematic sampling of patients within each unit.

Distribution of carbapenem resistance mechanisms in Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates among hospitalised children in Poland: Characterisation of two novel insertion sequences disrupting the oprD gene.

This study aimed to analyse the distribution of carbapenem resistance mechanisms among Pseudomonas aeruginosa clinical isolates. Fifty-five P. aeruginosa isolates, resistant both to imipenem and meropenem, from children hospitalised in 2009-2010 were studied.

Distribution of 16S rRNA Methylases Among Different Species of Aminoglycoside-Resistant Enterobacteriaceae in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Poland.

Background: Aminoglycosides are a group of antimicrobial agents still the most commonly used in the treatment of life-threatening bacterial infections in human and animals. The emergence and spread of 16S rRNA methylases, which confer high-level resistance to the majority of clinically relevant aminoglycosides, constitute a major public health concern.

Objectives: Our goal was to evaluate the distribution of 16S rRNA methylases among different species of Enterobacteriaceae during a five month-long survey in a tertiary hospital in Warszawa, Poland.

Characterisation of Yersinia Secretion Apparatus--Pathogenicity Island (Ysa-PI) of Yersinia enterocolitica 1B/O8 in Poland: an Idle Ysa is a Specific Hallmark of the Epidemic Sensu Stricto Strain.

Yersinia secretion apparatus (Ysa), the chromosomal type three secretion system (T3SS) is considered to contribute to virulence of high-pathogenicity Yersina enterocolitica biovar 1B. DNA-sequence of Ysa pathogenicity island was determined for clinical isolate DM0110 of Y enterocolitica 1B/08 with origin in Poland. We found a premature stop-codon in the regulatory gene ysrR (mutation at position 269).

Development and evaluation of a latex agglutination test for the rapid serodiagnosis of tularemia.

A latex agglutination test (LAT) was developed for a rapid detection of antibodies against Francisella tularensis. The assay is performed by mixing serum with antigen-coated latex beads and read within 5 min. Developed LAT has been proved to be a specific, sensitive, fast, easy-to-perform and cost-efficient tool for the routine diagnosis of tularemia.

Probable Interspecies Transfer of the bla(VIM-4) Gene between Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae in a Single Infant Patient.

We report the interspecies transfer of the bla(VLM-4) gene in MBL-producing Enterobacter cloacae and Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from a newborn patient who had received meropenem therapy. We show evidence that gene bla(VIM-4) was transmitted as a part of the class-1 integron on a ca. -90 kb conjugative plasmid.

Co-existence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance determinants and mutations in gyrA and parC among fluoroquinolone-resistant clinical Enterobacteriaceae isolated in a tertiary hospital in Warsaw, Poland.

Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) determinants and the distribution of mutations in the quinolone resistance-determining regions (QRDRs) of gyrA and parC were investigated in 215 ciprofloxacin-resistant (MIC>1mg/L) clinical Enterobacteriaceae collected during a 6-month prospective study in a tertiary hospital in Warsaw, Poland. PMQR determinants were present in 49 isolates (22.8%), among which aac(6')-Ib-cr and qnrB1 predominated (85.

[Development of molecular PCR-RFLP test for identification of the epidemic strain of Y. enterocolitica bioserotype 1B/O8 circulating in Poland since 2004].

Introduction: Highly pathogenic Y. enterocolitica bioserotype 1B/O8 is considered to be an important etiological agent of yersiniosis in Poland. Infections caused by Y.

Screening for anthrax occurrence in soil of flooded rural areas in Poland after rainfalls in spring 2010.

Introduction And Objective: Anthrax spores remain viable and infectious in soil for decades. Flood water can percolate towards the surface the spores buried in soil. Moreover, the flood water might transport spores to areas previously unaffected.

[Occurrence and characterisation of aac(6')-Ib-cr gene encoding fluoroquinolone-modifying enzyme in clinical ciprofloxacin-resistant Enterobacteriaceae strains isolated in Poland].

Introduction: The aac(6')-Ib-cr gene encodes a variant of aminoglycoside acetyltransferase that confers reduced susceptibility to hydrophilic fluoroquinolones such as ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. AAC(6')-Ib-cr has two amino acid changes, Trp 102Arg and Asp179Tyr, which together are necessery and sufficient for the enzyme's ability to reduce the activity of fluoroquinolones, including ciprofloxacin and norfloxacin. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevelance of aac(6')-Ib-cr determinant among 15 Enterobacteriaceae isolates randomly chosen from 215 fluorochinolone resistant strains recovered during the 6 months of 2010.

[Use of recombinant P1 protein of Mycoplasma pneumoniae for the serodiagnosis of mycoplasmosis].

Introduction: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a common etiologic agent of community-acquired respiratory infection. In serological diagnosis of M. pneumoniae infections tests have been described based on the purified P1 protein, which is the most important virulence factor of this pathogen, as antigen.