Translocation of outer membrane vesicles from enterohemorrhagic O157 across the intestinal epithelial barrier.

Outer membrane vesicles (OMVs) carrying virulence factors of enterohemorrhagic (EHEC) are assumed to play a role in the pathogenesis of life-threatening hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS). However, it is unknown if and how OMVs, which are produced in the intestinal lumen, cross the intestinal epithelial barrier (IEB) to reach the renal glomerular endothelium, the major target in HUS. We investigated the ability of EHEC O157 OMVs to translocate across the IEB using a model of polarized Caco-2 cells grown on Transwell inserts and characterized important aspects of this process.

A COMBINATION OF HERPES VIRUS INFECTION (HSV-1, HHV-6) AND MULTI-RESISTANT BACTERIAL INFECTION IN A SEVERELY BURNED PEDIATRIC PATIENT - A CASE REPORT.

Serious burn trauma is associated with changes of the immune system, and immunosuppression induced by burn trauma can lead to reactivation of latent infections. Herpetic viruses are known for their lifelong persistence after primary infection and ability to reactivate. Their reactivation in the setting of burn trauma or primary infection can cause serious complications for a weakened burn patient.

Attack of the clones: whole genome-based characterization of two closely related enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli O26 epidemic lineages.

Background: Enterohemorrhagic Escherichia coli (EHEC) O26:H11/H, the most common non-O157 serotype causing hemolytic uremic syndrome worldwide, are evolutionarily highly dynamic with new pathogenic clones emerging rapidly. Here, we investigated the population structure of EHEC O26 isolated from patients in several European countries using whole genome sequencing, with emphasis on a detailed analysis of strains of the highly virulent new European clone (nEC) which has spread since 1990s.

Results: Genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based analysis of 32 EHEC O26 isolated in the Czech Republic, Germany, Austria and Italy demonstrated a split of the nEC (ST29C2 clonal group) into two distinct lineages, which we termed, based on their temporal emergence, as "early" nEC and "late" nEC.

Low maternal serum concentrations of mannose-binding lectin are associated with the risk of shorter duration of pregnancy and lower birthweight.

Chronic inflammation has been implicated as the underlying mechanism responsible for the pathophysiology of preterm labour. Mannose-binding lectin (MBL) plays a central role in the innate immune response and is thus an important component of the first line of defense. The aim of this study was to investigate whether serum concentrations of MBL correlated with the incidence of preterm birth and low birthweight in a cohort of women with signs of threatened preterm birth.

Differences in cognitive functions between cytomegalovirus-infected and cytomegalovirus-free university students: a case control study.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is the herpetic virus, which infects 45-100% people worldwide. Many reports suggest that CMV could impair cognitive functions of infected subjects. Here we searched for indices of effects of CMV on infected subjects' intelligence and knowledge.

[The role of T-regulatory lymphocytes in pathogenesis of preterm delivery].

Objective: To describe the role of T-regulatory lymphocytes in pathogenesis of preterm delivery.

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, General University Hospital and 1st Medical Faculty, Charles University, Prague.

Method: T-regulatory lymphocytes modulate the immune system, secure the tolerance to own antigens and prevent autoimmune disease.

[The role of maternal imunity and woman´s microbiome in the pathogenesis of preterm labor].

Objective: To summarize available data concerning the role of maternal imunity and woman´s microbiome in the pathogenesis of preterm labor and their use in clinical practice.

Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology od the First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague, and General Teaching Hospital.

Design: Review article.

Detection of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in endomyocardial biopsy specimens in individuals with recent-onset dilated cardiomyopathy.

Aims: Recent studies in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) have detected the genome of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (BBSL) in endomyocardial biopsy (EMB) specimens using a qualitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR), suggesting a causal link between Lyme disease and DCM in areas in which Lyme disease is endemic. We aimed to study this relationship using a comprehensive molecular analysis detecting BBSL in EMB samples.

Methods And Results: We performed a comprehensive histopathological, immunohistochemical, ultrastructural, and molecular analysis targeting cardiotropic viruses and BBSL in EMB specimens of 41 individuals with recent-onset DCM and 15 controls with end-stage coronary artery disease.

Herpes simplex virus-induced cardiomyopathy successfully treated with acyclovir.

Inflammatory dilated cardiomyopathy (DCMi) represents an acquired form of dilated cardiomyopathy. Viral infection is the most common cause of DCMi. In contrast with other cardiotropic viruses, herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a very rare finding in endomyocardial biopsies of patients with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Presence of Borrelia burgdorferi in endomyocardial biopsies in patients with new-onset unexplained dilated cardiomyopathy.

Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) represents the third most common cause of heart failure and the most frequent cause of heart transplantation. Infectious, mostly viral, and autoimmune mechanisms, together with genetic abnormalities, have been reported as three major causes of DCM. We hypothesized that Lyme disease (LD), caused by spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb), might be an important cause of new-onset unexplained DCM in patients living in a highly endemic area for LD such as the Czech Republic.

[A comparison of the detection of IgM antibodies against the viral capsid antigen (VCA) of EBV (Epstein-Barr virus) in various groups of patients, using indirect immunofluorescence, indirect ELISA and reverse ELISA. Study of the diagnostic efficacy of the anti-VCA EBV IgM ELISA-VIDITEST kit].

Objectives: To test diagnostic efficiency of a novel method for detection of IgM antibodies to VCA EBV. To compare sensitivity and specificity of detection of IgM antibodies to VCA EBV from patients at various stages of EBV infection by various serological methods.

Material And Methods: IgM antibodies to VCA EBV were detected using IgM ELISA Viditest anti-VCA EBV IgM assay (Vidia, Ltd.

Direct PCR detection of Burkholderia cepacia complex and identification of its genomovars by using sputum as source of DNA.

We developed a nested PCR assay that detects the recA gene of the Burkholderia cepacia complex in sputum. The product of the first PCR round is also used to identify the genomovar of the pathogen. The protocol achieves high sensitivity and specificity with simple interpretation of genomovar status.