Detection of vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 from sewage samples and public health response, Poland, November to December 2024.

In October and December 2024, circulating vaccine-derived poliovirus type 2 (cVDPV2) was detected from two wastewater samples in Poland during routine environmental surveillance. The first isolate was characterised and matched previous cVDPV2 isolates detected in Spain in September, as well as in Germany, Finland, and the United Kingdom in November and December 2024. In response to the event, active surveillance for acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) has been strengthened, and the frequency of environmental sample collection has been increased.

Fresh Versus Frozen Stool for Fecal Microbiota Transplantation-Assessment by Multimethod Approach Combining Culturing, Flow Cytometry, and Next-Generation Sequencing.

The objective of this work was to compare the quality of FMT preparations made from fresh feces with those made from feces frozen at -30°C without any pre-processing or cryopreservation additives. The research hypothesis was that such preservation protocol (frozen whole stool, then thawed and processed) is equipotent to classical fresh FMT preparation. For that, three complementary methods were applied, including: (i) culturing in aerobic and anaerobic conditions, (ii) measuring viability by flow cytometry, and (iii) next-generation sequencing.

Faecal Microbiota Transfer - a new concept for treating cytomegalovirus colitis in children with ulcerative colitis.

Introduction: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is reactivated by the use of immunosuppressive drugs. CMV infection may produce IBD flares refractory to standard therapy.

Objective: The aim of our study was to assess the efficacy and safety of faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for the treatment of CMV colitis in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC) flare.

Multimodal Approach to Assessment of Fecal Microbiota Donors based on Three Complementary Methods.

Methods of stool assessment are mostly focused on next-generation sequencing (NGS) or classical culturing, but only rarely both. We conducted a series of experiments using a multi-method approach to trace the stability of gut microbiota in various donors over time, to find the best method for the proper selection of fecal donors and to find "super-donor" indicators. Ten consecutive stools donated by each of three donors were used for the experiments (30 stools in total).

Eosinophilic gastroenteritis and graft-versus-host disease induced by transmission of Norovirus with fecal microbiota transplant.

Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) was performed to decolonize gastrointestinal tract from antibiotic-resistant bacteria before allogeneic hematopoietic cells transplantation (alloHCT). AlloHCT was complicated by norovirus gastroenteritis, acute graft-versus-host disease, and eosinophilic pancolitis. Norovirus was identified in samples from FMT material.

A Two-Week Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Course in Pediatric Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Dysbiosis plays a major role in the etiology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) is a new promising option for IBD treatment. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of a two-week FMT course in children with IBD.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation in Patients With Blood Disorders Inhibits Gut Colonization With Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria: Results of a Prospective, Single-Center Study.

Background: Patients with blood disorders colonized with antibiotic-resistant bacteria (ARB) are prone to systemic infections that are difficult to treat. Reintroduction of commensal bacteria in a murine model of enterococcal colonization of the gut can lead to eradication of enterococci. We hypothesized that fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) could be used to eradicate ARB in humans.

Fecal Microbiota Transplantation Inhibits Multidrug-Resistant Gut Pathogens: Preliminary Report Performed in an Immunocompromised Host.

Colonization of the gastrointestinal tract with multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria is a consequence of gut dysbiosis. We describe the successful utilization of fecal microbiota transplantation to inhibit Klebsiella pneumoniae MBL(+) and Escherichia coli ESBL(+) gut colonization in the immunocompromised host as a novel tool in the battle against MDR microorganisms. ClinicalTrials.

Rotavirus vaccination in central Europe.

Each year, rotavirus (RV) infection is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis requiring hospitalisation and of nosocomially transmitted diseases in children younger than 5 years across Central European Vaccination Awareness Group (CEVAG) countries; however, inadequate surveillance systems and lack of routine RV testing still exist in most CEVAG countries, making it difficult to accurately assess the present burden of acute RV gastroenteritis in the younger population. Furthermore, routine immunisation of infants with RV vaccines has not been implemented, and no official and uniform recommendations exist in most of the countries in these territories. The present study provides CEVAG country-specific estimates of the disease burden of RV gastroenteritis among the youngest population and presents evidence-based advice on the use of RV vaccines in the region, while providing a framework for vaccination at the national level.

Cost-effectiveness of polysaccharide pneumococcal vaccination in people aged 65 and above in Poland.

Introduction: Invasive pneumococcal disease is associated with substantial morbidity, mortality and cost implications, which could be reduced by vaccination.

Aim: To assess the cost-effectiveness of a 23-valent pneumococcal vaccine in the elderly (65 and older) in Poland.

Methods: A Markov model with a 1-year cycle length was developed, allowing up to 10 cohorts to enter the model over the lifetime horizon (35 years).

Progress towards implementing the e-Bug Project in Poland.

The e-Bug Project provides useful educational tools that can be implemented in primary and secondary schools, and plays important role in reducing the burden of community-acquired infections. Consideration of the Polish education system and educational programmes in schools facilitated the selection of the best age groups for the implementation of e-Bug materials in Poland. The Polish version of the resources has been reviewed by a special group of experts and teachers from pilot schools.

[Paediatric Expert Group on the Immunization Programme. Activities focusing on effective immunization in Poland].

The Paediatric Expert Group on the Immunization Programme was established in January 2007. It is an independent advisory body to the Minister of Health. The Expert Group consists of paediatricians from various sub-specialities.

Clonal diversity and resistance mechanisms in tetracycline-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in Poland.

The frequency of tetracycline resistance in Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in Poland is one of the highest in Europe. The aim of this study was to analyze the clonal diversity and resistance determinants of tetracycline-nonsusceptible S. pneumoniae isolates identified in Poland and to investigate the effect of tetracycline resistance on their susceptibilities to tigecycline, doxycycline, and minocycline.

Phenotypic and molecular analysis of penicillin-nonsusceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates in Poland.

beta-Lactams are the drugs of choice for the treatment of infections caused by the important bacterial pathogen Streptococcus pneumoniae. The recent growth of resistance of this organism to penicillin observed worldwide is of the highest concern. In this study, using 887 surveillance pneumococcal isolates recovered in Poland from 1998 to 2002, we observed the increase in penicillin nonsusceptibility from 8.

[Self-medication with antibiotics in Poland].

Unlabelled: Antibiotic resistance, the important public health threat, depends on antibiotic overuse/misuse. Self-medication with antibiotics is of serious medical concern. The aim of the study, as a part of SAR project (Self-medication with antibiotic in Europe) was to survey the incidence of this phenomenon.

Self-medication with antimicrobial drugs in Europe.

We surveyed the populations of 19 European countries to compare the prevalence of antimicrobial drug self-medication in the previous 12 months and intended self-medication and storage and to identify the associated demographic characteristics. By using a multistage sampling design, 1,000-3,000 adults in each country were randomly selected. The prevalence of actual self-medication varied from 1 to 210 per 1,000 and intended self-medication from 73 to 449 per 1,000; both rates were high in eastern and southern Europe and low in northern and western Europe.

[Prevalence of antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti i Borrelia burgdorferi in adults in North-Eastern Poland].

The Aim: of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalance of antibodies against Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Babesia Microti in healthy north-eastern Poland, adult population.

Material And Methods: The study was conducted in a group of 142 healthy adults (mean age 19-22), bitten by ticks within last 2 years. The control group consisted of 50 adults from central Poland (nonendemic area).

[Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with advanced carotid atherosclerosis].

Despite the growing number of scientific reports showing different markers of infection caused by Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with advanced atherosclerosis, there is still no clear confirmation of a pathogenetic link between this infection and atherogenesis. The aim of the present study was to investigate the presence C. pneumoniae DNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells and carotid endarterectomy samples obtained from patients with advanced atherosclerosis according to the presence specific antibodies against C.

[Anthrax as a bioweapon].

The risk of biological and chemical terrorism is growing according to availability of modern biotechnologies and financial resources. The most potent biological weapon mentioned in the last decade is anthrax. The number of naturally acquired infections in humans is constantly reduced, however endemic areas are located in South and Middle Americas, South Europe, Asia and Africa.

Characteristics of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis isolated from the nasopharynges of asymptomatic children and molecular analysis of S. pneumoniae and H. influenzae strain replacement in the nasopharynx.

Nasopharyngeal carriage of Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus influenzae, and Moraxella catarrhalis in 226 children in different settings (in a crèche [day care center], in an orphanage, and at home) during two seasons (winter and spring) was studied. The rates of carriage of S. pneumoniae and H.

Antibiotic policies in Central Eastern Europe.

To assess the antibiotic policies in Central Eastern European (CEE) countries, a questionnaire on the prevalence of resistance, antibiotic consumption data for ambulatory and hospital care and antibiotic policies, was mailed to national representatives. Data on antibiotic resistance and consumption of antibiotics at national levels are limited and vary considerably among countries. The importance of surveillance data in altering perceptions of the prevalence of resistance is shown by the comparison of surveillance data and interview data.

The antibodies against Bordetella pertussis in sera of patients with Parkinson's disease and other non-neurological diseases.

Objectives: It has been reported that the prevalance of parkinsonism might be associated with exposure to whooping cough.

Methods: Examination of levels of antibodies against Bordetella pertussis in serum using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) tests [presence of IgG antibodies against filamentous hemagglutinin and pertussis toxin (PT)] were performed in 81 persons (including 45 patients with controls) (age-matched groups).

Results: Positive results were found in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), patients with other non-inflammatory diseases, and controls (about 40-45% in each group).

[Modern possibilities of bioterrorism diagnosis].

One of the most important components of early detecting and response to biological attack are microbiological diagnostic methods. In order to provide the effectiveness of diagnosis continuous training in detection of potentially dangerous bioterrorist agents is needed. Basic information about selected microbiological agents most dangerous for public health, belonging to A and B CDC categories are presented in the article.