Humoral beta-cell autoimmunity is rare in patients with the congenital rubella syndrome.

The congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is associated with increased risk for diabetes and thyroid disease. However, the mechanisms by which the rubella virus may cause these diseases are poorly characterized. Previous studies were carried out before modern immunological methods were available.

[Factors influencing prevalence and clinical course of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in kidney transplant patients].

In the paper the authors tried to identify factors influencing prevalence and clinical course of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in kidney transplant patients. The study was performed in the group of 100 patients after cadaveric kidney transplant followed up in the Chair and Department of Nephrology, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University in Krakow. CMV infection was demonstrated to occur more frequently and significantly earlier in the patients administered prednisone, cyclosporin A and mycophenolate mofetil, compared to the group treated with standard triple-drug-therapy (prednisone, cyclosporin A, azathioprine) or double-drug-therapy (prednisone, cyclosporin A).

[Prions and their characteristics in light of recent tests].

Some Prusiner's research leading to prion discovery as well as structure and properties of cellular protein (PrPc) and infectious prion protein (PrPsc) were presented. Unusual resistance of PrPsc to physical and chemical agents was shown. Prusiner's theory on PrPsc creation as an etiological agent of transmissible spongioform encephalopathies (TSE) in humans and animals was described.

Cytomegalovirus infection in kidney transplant patients: clinical manifestations and diagnosis.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality after solid organ transplantation. CMV infection after kidney transplantation was confirmed in 19 (54.3%) out of 35 patients.

Rubella infection during pregnancy in the 1985-86 epidemic: follow-up after seven years.

The study covered 310 pregnant women from southern Poland who were exposed to rubella during the 1985-86 epidemic, none of whom had been vaccinated against rubella. Rubella specific antibodies were detected by hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) tests, and IgM antibodies by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) (Organon Teknika). Clinical symptoms according to anamnesis were recorded.