Occurrence of urogenital mycoplasmas in men with the common genitourinary diseases.

Many serious and fatal infections with urogenital mycoplasmas in immunocompromised patients have been reported. M. genitalium is recognized as a cause of male urethritis and other common genitourinary diseases.

Prevalence of Urogenital Mycoplasmas Among Men with NGU in Upper Silesia, Poland. Preliminary Study.

The prevalence of urogenital mycoplasmas in men with NGU in Upper Silesia (Poland) was studied. Mycoplasmas were detected in 36.7% men (Ureaplasma parvum and Mycoplasma genitalium were found in 30% and 16.

Assessment of selected B cells populations in the workers of X-ray departments.

Objectives: Workers of X-ray departments are occupationally exposed to long-term low levels of ionizing radiation (LLIR), which may affect their humoral immunity. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of LLIR on the number and proportion of B cells (CD19+), B1 cells (CD5+CD19+) and memory B cells (CD27+CD19+) in peripheral blood of such workers.

Materials And Methods: In the study group of 47 X-ray departments workers and the control group consisting of 38 persons, the number and percentage of CD19+, CD5+CD19+, CD27+CD19+ cells as well as CD5+CD19+/CD19+ and CD27+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratios were assessed using flow cytometry.

Vasculopathy and vasculitis in systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease, where vascular lesions are one of the typical symptoms. The pathological process often involves skin vessels, renal glomeruli, the cardiovascular system, brain, lung alveoli, and gastrointestinal tract vessels. This review presents possible adverse mechanisms underlying the cause and effect relationship of various factors causing vascular lesions in SLE patients.

Expression of cellular isoform of prion protein on the surface of peripheral blood lymphocytes among women exposed to low doses of ionizing radiation.

Ionizing radiation affects the expression of adhesive and co-stimulatory molecules in lymphocytes. The physiological function of cellular isoform of prion protein (PrPc) is little known. Evidences indicate a link between lymphocytes activation and PrPc expression on their surface; however, no direct effect of radiation on PrPc level in these cells was investigated.

Characterization of coagulase-negative staphylococci isolated from cases of ostitis and osteomyelitis.

Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are often responsible for cases of chronic ostitis and osteomyelitis, especially in patients with orthopedic prosthesis/implants. The aim of this study was to characterize CoNS isolated from ambulatory patients with chronic ostitis/osteomyelitis and to compare them by PFGE (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis). Out of 263 bacterial strains isolated from wounds/sinuses of patients with chronic ostitis/osteomylitis, 41 were identified as CoNS.

Assessment of blood serum immunoglobulin and C-reactive protein concentrations in workers of x-ray diagnostics units.

Objectives: Workers of x-ray departments are occupationally exposed to long-term low levels of ionizing radiation. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of occupational exposure of low-level x-ray radiation on immunoglobulin and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in radiology workers.

Materials And Methods: In the study group of 41 x-ray department workers and the control group composed of 32 persons, immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, IgA) and CRP concentrations were analyzed.

[Role of cytokines and pathogen associated molecular pattern receptors in sepsis].

Sepsis is life-treating state caused by overwhelming inflammatory response to infection accompanied by disregulation of non-specific immunity mechanisms. In this review we discussed influence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial virulence factors, cytokines as well as pathogen associated molecular pattern receptors (TLR-toll like receptors, peptydoglican recognition proteins, nucleotide binding oligomerization domains, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1) on the development and course of sepsis.

[Mechanisms of respiratory system lesions in chemical plant workers of the environmental protection department in comparison with workers of pesticide producing departments].

In chemical plant workers producing pesticides chronic bronchitis and disturbed pulmonary ventilation are frequent. The aim of the examination of the staff (sewage-treatment plant, waste combustion plant, waste storage, industrial water pumping station)--16 males aged 21-53 years--was to assess: 1. Connective tissue metabolism--serum concentration of type I and III procollagen propeptides, collagen I telopeptide, hydroxyproline, alpha1-AP and alpha2-M antiproteases, interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) activity, as well as urine hydroxyproline and desmosine.

Peripheral blood lymphocytes and selected serum interleukins in workers operating X-ray equipment.

The objective of these studies was to determine the effect of low X-ray doses on peripheral blood lymphocytes in the workers operating X-ray equipment. In 30 workers and 18 persons who constituted the control group the absolute number of peripheral blood lymphocytes, the number of T CD4+ and T CD8+ lymphocytes, the ratio CD4+/CD8+ and the concentration of serum interleukins (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6) were tested. Subgroups with respect to sex and employment period were selected.

[Concentration of interleukin-6 and interleukin-12 in pregnant women infected and noninfected with parvovirus B19].

The aim of the study was to pay attention to the frequency and consequences of Parvovirus B19 infection and observation of IL-6 and IL-12 concentrations in pregnant women who have or have not undergone parvovirus infection. In 32 pregnant women in their first or the next pregnancy with the imminent abortion IgM and IgG antibodies against Parvovirus B19 and serum concentrations of IL-6 and IL-12 were determined using ELISA test. Parvovirus infection was diagnosed in 14 patients, abortion occurred in 5 cases and in 1 case fetal dystrophy was found.

Humoral and cellular immunity rates in chemical plant workers producing dust pesticides.

Background: Exposure to pesticides may affect humoral and cell-mediated immunity.

Material And Methods: The study group was composed of 24 men employed in the production of dust pesticides and 23 females performing ancillary jobs under conditions of lower pesticide exposure. Chronic bronchitis was diagnosed in 10 males (41.

[Difficulties in diagnosis of lyme borreliosis].

A case of borreliosis in female aged 28 years is presented. Diagnosis was made late. The course of the disease was characterized by long-lasting high fever, enlargement of liver and spleen, pancreatitis, pneumonia of the left lung and anemia.

Release of interleukin-1 beta from peripheral blood monocytes and its concentration in the blood serum of the workers employed at the production of chlorfenvinphos.

Our earlier investigations of people exposed to chlorfenvinphos revealed obstructive impairment of pulmonary function and changes in collagen metabolism. In order to evaluate the role of interleukin-1 beta in the development of these changes the serum interleukin-1 beta concentration and the ability of spontaneous and LPS stimulated production of interleukin-1 beta by monocytes were determined in 25 males aged 33-54 years and employed at the department producing chlorfenvinphos (its air concentration did not exceed permissible levels). Higher spontaneous production of interleukin-1 beta was found; the remaining parameters did not differ significantly as compared to the control group of 23 healthy males.

Humoral and cellular immunity rates in chemical plant workers employed in the production of liquid pesticides.

In order to assess the immunological system of the chemical plant workers certain rates of cellular and humoral immunity were estimated. The study group was composed of 19 males employed in the production of liquid pesticides, and 18 females performing ancillary jobs and handling closed containers. They were alternatively exposed to phosphoroorganic compounds and pyrethroides, and to chlorinated hydrocarbons, carbamates, nitrophenols and organic solvents, however exposure to the latter was lower.

[Effect of bismuth salts in elimination of Helicobacter pylori from gastric mucosa in patients with duodenal ulcer].

Bismuth salts belong do basic drugs used for elimination of Helicobacter pylori (HP), a microorganism which is postulated to participate in etiopathogenesis of duodenal ulcer. The study was aimed at evaluation of effectiveness of application of tripotassium bismuth citrate (Ventrisol-Polfa) in elimination of HP and its influence on treatment of the ulcer. In 30 patients with diagnosed endoscopically duodenal ulcer, Ventrisol in tablets was applied (2 x 2); it was also used in its fluid form (4 x 5 ml).

[Occurrence of Helicobacter pylori in mucous membrane of stomach in patients with duodenal ulcer and inflammation of stomach mucous membrane].

In 1990-1991 microbiological studies were performed aimed at determination of frequency of occurrence of Helicobacter pylori in patients treated because of peptic ulcer in Department of Gastroenterology in Katowice. Studies were performed in 112 patients. Out of these, in 73 duodenal ulcer was detected endoscopically (group I), in 26--inflammation of stomach mucous membrane with erosion (group II), and in 13--both duodenal ulcer and erosion of stomach membrane (group III).

[Immunoregulating properties of histamine H2 receptor antagonists].

The clinical aspects and their possible implication in the several disease treatment have been reviewed in the context of the immunomodulatory H2-receptor antagonist action. The therapeutical possibility considering the perspectives of the application of the H2-receptor blockers has been discussed.

[Difficulties in diagnosing a case of typhoid fever].

A sporadic case of typhoid fever of 41 years of age male was characterized clinically mainly with long duration of fever and a few enlargement of liver. Diagnosis was made relatively late. In this case an endoscopic picture of upper gastrointestinal tract and ultrasonographic findings of the organs of abdominal cavity was described.