Serum concentrations of antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin LL-37 in patients with bacterial lung infections.

Nowadays, data indicate that antimicrobial peptides play an important role in immunological defense. Human cathelicidin LL-37 possesses a broad spectrum of antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, and is thereby an important component of defense mechanisms within the respiratory tract. In this study, we determined the LL-37 serum level in patients with pneumonia caused by different bacteria species in comparison with healthy subjects.

Human cathelicidin LL-37 - Does it influence the homeostatic imbalance in mental disorders?

In addition to killing pathogens and influencing immunological processes, cathelicidin LL-37 is a multifunctional host defense peptide with a role in homeostasis. It has been suggested that imbalances in homeostatic signaling from inflammatory/ immune, endocrine and metabolic cascades and oxidative stress may partially contribute to the pathogenesis of mental disorders. The purpose of the study was to identify any differences in LL-37 levels between patients with schizophrenia, euthymic bipolar disorder, bacterial pneumonia, pulmonary tuberculosis, and healthy controls.

Circulating cathelicidin LL-37 in adult patients with pulmonary infectious diseases.

Purpose: The antimicrobial peptide cathelicidin LL-37 plays a role in the immune response in the course of lung infections; however, the exact role of LL-37 in defense mechanisms against bacteria within the respiratory tract is has not been precisely described. The aim of our study was to evaluate LL-37 concentrations in the serum of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) patients, patients with pneumonia caused by Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and to compare them with those of healthy subjects.

Methods: Thirty TB patients, 30 patients with pneumonia caused by Gram-positive bacteria, 30 patients with pneumonia caused by Gram-negative bacteria, and 30 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study.

Evaluation of detection and drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients in the Łódzkie voivodship in 2009-2013.

Study Aim: Evaluation of detection and drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in patients from the Łódzkie Voivodship in the period 2009 - 2013.

Material And Methods: The data presented in the study include information obtained while diagnosing patients from the Łódzkie Voivodship in order to detect infections with Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the period 2009-2013.

Results: In 2009-2013 we analyzed clinical specimens for the purpose of detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

[Strains of Klebsiella isolated from patients Łódź hospitals in 2006 year].

The aim of this study was to determine a susceptibility of 223 clinical strains Klebsiella to 11 antimicrobial agents and occurrence ESBL-positive strains. These strains were isolated from clinical specimens during 2006 year. Susceptibility of these strains against antimicrobial agents was determined with disc diffusion method according to CLSI recommendation.