[Quantitative analysis of sigma genes expression in Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures exposed to rifampicin and isoniazid].

The aim of the study was quantitative analysis of five genes encoding Mycobacterium tuberculosis sigma factors sigA, sigE, sigF, sigH, and sigI as well as the 85B reference gene known as the mycobacterial viability marker, in cultures exposed to rifampicin and isoniazid. The mRN levels were assessed using QRT-PCR technique, in the automated system of real time quantification with the ABI PRISM 7700 Sequence Detector System (TaqMan). The number of each analyzed gene transcript copies was expressed as a number of mRNA per 1 eg of isolated total RNA.

PCR-RFLP analysis of a point mutation in codons 315 and 463 of the katG gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolated from patients in Silesia, Poland.

Resistance to antituberculous agents is an important cause of ineffectiveness of antimicrobial therapy. The resistance of M. tuberculosis to antituberculous agents is a result of mutations in genes participating in those agent's action.

[Detection of 85B mRNA in Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures using the quantitative QRT-PCR (TaqMan) method].

The paper presents the in-house method of quantitative analysis of 85 B mRNA in Mycobacterium tuberculosis cultures coming from seeded biological material taken from tuberculosis patients. After the proper culture time, the total RNA was isolated. Than, a one-step QRT-PCR was performed.

[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in inhabitants of Zabrze].

In 2001 a modified MRC questionnaire and spirometry were performed in the inhabitants of Zabrze (Poland). Two hundred and thirty-nine men and 320 women aged 19-69 years were studied. Forty percent of men and 23% of women were smokers.

Human cytomegalovirus serological status in patients with interstitial lung diseases.

Recent data, especially from immunocompromised patients, suggest that human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) plays an important role in lung pathology. In this study the serological status of HCMV infection and characteristic of the HCMV infected patients with interstitial lung diseases were determined. The subjects were enrolled prior to immunosuppression therapy introduction.