Isolation of Sabin-like Polioviruses from Sewage in Poland.

As a complement to the active search for cases of acute flaccid paralysis, environmental sampling was conducted from January to December 2011, to test for any putative polio revertants and recombinants in sewage. A total of 165 environmental samples were obtained and analyzed for the presence of polioviruses by use of cell culture (L20B, RD and Caco-2) followed by neutralization and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. Out of the 31 CPE positive samples, 26 contained one and 5 two different serotypes, yielding a total of 36 PVs.

Detection of Polioviruses in Sewage Using Cell Culture and Molecular Methods.

The work presented here demonstrates the utility of a two-step algorithm for environmental poliovirus surveillance based on: preselection of sewage samples tested for the presence of enteroviral genetic material-RT-PCR assay and detection of infectious viruses by cell culture technique (L20B for polioviruses and RD for polio and other non-polio enteroviruses). RD and L20B cell lines were tested to determine their sensitivity for isolation of viruses from environmental samples (sewage). Finally, we wanted to determine if sewage concentration affects the results obtained for RT-PCR and cell cultures.

Reprogramming antitumor immunity against chemoresistant ovarian cancer by a CXCR4 antagonist-armed viral oncotherapy.

Ovarian cancer remains the most lethal gynecologic malignancy owing to late detection, intrinsic and acquired chemoresistance, and remarkable heterogeneity. Here, we explored approaches to inhibit metastatic growth of murine and human ovarian tumor variants resistant to paclitaxel and carboplatin by oncolytic vaccinia virus expressing a CXCR4 antagonist to target the CXCL12 chemokine/CXCR4 receptor signaling axis alone or in combination with doxorubicin. The resistant variants exhibited augmented expression of the hyaluronan receptor CD44 and CXCR4 along with elevated Akt and ERK1/2 activation and displayed an increased susceptibility to viral infection compared with the parental counterparts.

Seroprevalence of measles-specific antibodies in the group predominantly affected by measles in 2006-2009 in Poland.

Introduction: Irrespective of the high vaccination coverage against measles, sporadic measles outbreaks still occur in Poland. In 2006-2009, a slight increase in the number of measles cases was observed. Of these cases, people born in 1976-198 9 were predominantly affected.

Non-influenza viruses in acute respiratory infections among young children. High prevalence of HMPV during the H1N1V.2009 pandemic in Poland.

Unlabelled: In Poland the majority of hospitalized cases of pneumonia (annually more than 70000) were reported without determination of an aetiological agent (J18 of ICD-10), also because diagnosis of viral ARTI is limited to identification of influenza viruses or sometimes RSV.

Material And Methods: For determination the contribution of non-influenza viruses in ARTI among children, 381 nasopharyngeal swabs from hospitalized in period X.2008-IV.

Measles outbreak among Roma people in Wrocław, Poland, 2012.

A measles outbreak that affected mainly the Roma ethnic group has been observed in Wrocław, southwest Poland, in spring/summer 2012. There were 15 confirmed measles cases occurring among young Roma people aged from 0 to 16 years including a newborn infant, born by a mother who showed measles symptoms immediately after delivery. Measles virus transmission into the general Polish population was restricted to two contact cases.

Relationship between measles outbreaks based on genetic analysis of measles virus genomes detected in patients in Poland between 2006 and 2012.

This study describes the molecular characterization of 56 MeV strains obtained from 56 patients in Poland from 2006 to 2012. The C-terminal fragment of nucleoprotein gene was analysed. It has been found out during 2006 and 20012 MeV strains circulating in Poland belonged to genotypes D4, D5, D6 and B3.

Genetic analysis of poliovirus strains isolated from sewage in Poland.

The study describes genetic characterization of poliovirus (PV) strains isolated from sewage samples in Poland. The analyses were performed for the detection of any putative polio revertants and recombinants in three genomic regions by sequencing analysis. Thirty-six strains were analyzed.

The detection of enteroviruses in sewage using Caco-2 cells.

The work presented here demonstrates the utility of Caco-2 cells to detect enteroviruses in sewage. Viruses were concentrated by beef extract elution and organic flocculation prior to analysis by cell culture assays and RT-PCR. Enteroviruses were detected in all sewage samples, but only one sample was positive solely in RT-PCR assay.

RSV respiratory infection in children under 5 y.o.--dynamics of the immune response Th1/Th2 and IgE.

Introduction: The imbalance of Th1/Th2 cytokine concentrations and increased level of IgE might be useful tool for prediction of severity of RSV infection among young children and possibility of sequels. The ratio of cytokines Th1/Th2 varied during the disease. THE AIM of our studies was the assessment of immunological response by dynamics of Th1 and Th2 cytokines and IgE in RSV infections.

Sequence based typing and pre-absorption test in retrospective analysis of a pseudo-outbreak of Legionella infections differentiates true cases of legionellosis.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was elimination of false positive results obtained by the Chlamylege kit. Two serological kits (IgM ELISA L. pneumophila sgs1-7; ImmuView(TM) L.

Detection of hMPV antigen by EIA in clinical specimens.

Unlabelled: Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV) is one of the latest discovered viruses. It has been classified to Paramyxoviridae family. It is the second viral etiological agent, after RSV, which causes respiratory tract infections (RTI) in children, especially children below 5 years old.

Infections caused by RSV among children and adults during two epidemic seasons.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is one of the most common causes of lower respiratory tract infections in young children, immunocompromised patients (children and adults), patients with chronic respiratory diseases and elderly people. Reinfections occur throughout the life, but the severity of disease decreased with subsequent infection. The aim of this study was to analyze the frequency of RSV infections in two selected subpopulations: young children (below 5 y.

Seroprevalence of varicella-zoster virus in Polish population.

A varicella zoster virus (VZV) is the first herpesvirus for which a vaccine was developed. Since 1999, the varicella vaccine is licensed in Poland and recommended for use in adults without history of a varicella infection, and in children and young adults with remission of acute leukemia. While serological data is essential to assess the appropriate vaccination programme, we conducted the first in Poland serosurvey on a representative group of Polish population aged 1-19.

[The influence of Namalwa cells on inhibition of HSV-1 replication].

The main immunological elements that control infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 include interferon, NK cells, and specific T and B cells. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of Namalwa cells (B cell immortalized by EBV) which produce IFN alpha in large amount on inhibition of HSV-1 replication in CV-1 and MDBK cells. Inhibition of HSV-1 replication was measured by MTT assay.

[Epidemiological surveillance of measles occurrence in Poland in 2006 by means of virological and molecular methods].

The availability of sensitive cell line for isolation of measles virus from clinical samples and establishment RT-PCR and molecular sequencing metods have allowed for rapid genetic characterization of wild-type strains of measles virus. This sequence information makes it possible to identify the source of wild-type viruses and differentiate between native and reported cases. The aim of this study was evaluation of virus isolation in cell culture in National Laboratory in Poland (Department of Virology in NIH), presentation of RT-PCR and molecular genotyping results performed in Regional Reference Laboratory in Berlin (Robert Koch Institut).

[Epstein-Barr infections in children with acute leukaemia. Preliminary report].

Introduction: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is common all over the world. Primary EBV infection can lead to latent or chronic infection resulting in lymphoproliferative diseases.

The Aim: of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of laboratory methods used to detect EBV and to monitor EBV infections in children with acute leukaemia.

Composition of inflammatory infiltrate and its correlation with HBV/HCV antigen expression.

Aim: To study the composition of liver inflammatory infiltrate in biopsy material from patients chronically infected with hepatotropic viruses and to evaluate the correlation of inflammatory infiltrate with hepatitis B virus (HBV) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) viral antigen expression in chronic B and C hepatitis.

Methods: The phenotype of inflammatory cells was evaluated by the EnVision system, using a panel of monoclonal antibodies. HBV and HCV antigens were detected with the use of monoclonal anti-HBs, polyclonal anti-HBc and anti-HCV antibodies, respectively.

High genetic diversity of measles virus, World Health Organization European Region, 2005-2006.

During 2005-2006, nine measles virus (MV) genotypes were identified throughout the World Health Organization European Region. All major epidemics were associated with genotypes D4, D6, and B3. Other genotypes (B2, D5, D8, D9, G2, and H1) were only found in limited numbers of cases after importation from other continents.

[Occurrence of human hantavirus infections in Poland].

A spread of hantavirus infections causing hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome is one of the rising epidemiological problems in the world. There is evidence that this type of viruses exists in almost all European countries. It is known that in Poland all the species of wild rodents hosting European hantaviruses are present.

[The cross and unspecific reactions in serological examination for antibodies against hantavirus Puumala].

A serological survey of 78 zoologist capturing small wild rodents in their environment, 9 patients with suspected hantavirus infections and 21 patients with acute renal dysfunction for antibodies to hantaviruses was conducted in Poland. Survey was done by the indirect ELISA with Puumala and Hantaan virus antigens. Out of the 78 mammalogists 15 were seropositive for hantavirus Puumala IgG without history of clinical illness.

[Hantavirus specific IgG antibodies in population of zoologists and forest workers].

Serological diagnostic tests were introduced for detection of immunoresponse against to etiological agents of current infectious diseases. Interpretation criteria for those tests should eliminate unspecific reactions, cross-reactivity with related viruses as well as traces amounts of immunological response against to the past infections. In the case of past hantaviruses infections for obtaining an adequate seroepidemiological data revalidation of this tests are required.

Parvovirus B19 infection in five European countries: seroepidemiology, force of infection and maternal risk of infection.

We conducted a seroprevalence survey in Belgium, Finland, England & Wales, Italy and Poland on 13 449 serum samples broadly representative in terms of geography and age. Samples were tested for the presence of immunoglobulin G antibody using an enzyme immunoassay. The age-specific risk of infection was estimated using parametric and non-parametric statistical modelling.