MSRV pol sequence copy number as a potential marker of multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neurological disease in which demyelination in the brain and spinal cord is observed. The causal influence of bacterial/viral infections and genetic/immune factors in the etiology of multiple sclerosis is suggested. Multiple sclerosis-related retrovirus (MSRV) is one of the potential agents, which can lead to development of the disease.

Limited pattern of TCR delta chain gene rearrangement on the RNA level in multiple sclerosis.

Susceptibility to multiple sclerosis (MS) is most likely affected by a number of genes, including HLA and T-cell receptor (TCR) genes. T cells expressing gamma/delta receptors seem to contribute to autoagression in MS, as evidenced by their localization in the MS plaques in the brain. The aim of this study was to analyse the TCRdelta chain gene rearrangement at the RNA (cDNA) level and compare to the DNA pattern rearrangement.

Transmission of HCV infection among long-term hospitalized onco-haematological patients.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is becoming a substantial problem in long-term hospitalized patients. Onco-haematological patients undergoing chemotherapy are especially prone to HCV infection. These patients are usually immunosuppressed and therefore antibodies to HCV are not produced despite the presence of HCV RNA in peripheral blood.

Activity and expression of human telomerase in normal and malignant cells in gastric and colon cancer patients.

Background: The reactivation of telomerase is believed to play an important role in immortalization and carcinogenesis.

Objective: To investigate the expression of three components of the telomerase complex (hTR, hTERT and TP1), along with telomerase activity in malignant and normal cells.

Methods: Cells were isolated from gastric and colon cancer, and from normal mucosa from the stomach and colon of participating patients.

[Prevalence of TT virus in patients with hepatitis B,C and hepatitis of unknown etiology].

Discovery of TT virus in 1997 gave raise to intensive subsequent studies to learn about its structure, features and, what is the most important, about its role in pathogenesis of liver disease. The aim of the work was to analyze prevalence of TTV DNA in patients with diagnosed hepatitis B, C, that of unknown etiology and in healthy blood donors as well. Additionally the divergence of TTV sequence was estimated in selected cases.