Seronegative hepatitis C virus infection in Polish blood donors-Virological characteristics of index donations and follow-up observations.

Nucleic acid testing (NAT) was implemented in Poland in 1999 for screening of plasma for fractionation and for all blood donors in 2002. To analyze seronegative NAT-positive samples representing hepatitis C virus (HCV) window-period (WP) in the years 2000 to 2016 and to determine infection outcome. We analyzed results of 17 502 739 donations screened in minipools (6-48) or individually.

Factors associated with hepatitis C prevalence differ by the stage of liver fibrosis: A cross-sectional study in the general population in Poland, 2012-2016.

Background & Aims: There is a considerable burden of hepatitis C in Europe related to the lack of prompt diagnosis. We aimed to estimate the prevalence and related risk factors of HCV infections by the stages of liver fibrosis, using non-invasive methods, to understand testing needs in Poland.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012-2016 adopting a stratified random sampling of primary health care units followed by systematic sampling of patients within each unit.

What affects response rates in primary healthcare-based programmes? An analysis of individual and unit-related factors associated with increased odds of non-response based on HCV screening in the general population in Poland.

Objectives: Response rate in public health programmes may be a limiting factor. It is important to first consider their delivery and acceptability for the target. This study aimed at determining individual and unit-related factors associated with increased odds of non-response based on hepatitis C virus screening in primary healthcare.

Hepatitis C virus epidemiology and prevention in Polish and Swiss population - similar and contrasting experiences.

Objective: The aim of the study was to review available data on HCV in Poland and Switzerland, in order to compare the two European countries with respect to epidemiological situation and efficiency of the response systems.

Materials And Method: A search of registries, published and grey literature was performed to assemble data on prevalence, rate of detection of new cases, identified risk factors for transmission, mortality due to HCV, prevalence of HCC and the consequent liver transplantations, as well as data on treatment in Poland and Switzerland.

Results: Overall, the prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies was similar, not exceeding 1%.

Epidemiology of HCV infection in Central and Eastern Europe.

Aim Of Study: is the estimation of prevalence of HCV infection in fourteen Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC).

Material And Methods: This review describes the comparative data of persons possessing anti-HCV antibodies and persons with HCV viremia (% of population and number) in fourteen Central and Eastern European countries (CEEC). The study was performed according to data on the ≥15 years of age populations obtained from the Statistical Offices of the countries.

Current views on the persistence of immunity following hepatitis B vaccination.

This paper presents current views on the persistence of immunity following vaccination against hepatitis B. Very high effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination has been reported in a number of studies worldwide. Standard vaccination with approved schedule induces protective antibody titers in healthy newborns, children, adolescents and adults in more than 96% and 90% of cases, respectively.

[HCV inection in pregnancy].

The prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies in pregnant women ranges from 0.1% to 3.6% worldwide.

[HCV replication in Huh-7.5 cell line].

Introduction: Infection with hepatitis C virus is a serious worldwide health problem. Since its discovery in 1989, the development of a cell culture system for HCV has been a major goal for scientists worldwide. In 2005 the first tissue culture that led to the production of HCV particles (2a genotype) has been created.

[Methods of testing potential inhibitors of hepatitis C in Huh-7.5 cell line].

Introduction: According to WHO reports, there are 130-170 million persons chronically infected with hepatitis C virus on a global scale. There is no effective vaccine against HCV, and the current standard of chronic hepatitis C therapy has limited efficiency and undesirable side effects. Current studies are focused on searching for a new therapeutic agents, which are specifically targeted against the virus.

[Professor Adam Nowosławski (1925-2012)--founder of the Polish School of Immunopathology].

Professor dr med. Adam Nowosławski, has died at age of 87, on February 3, 2012, the founder of the Polish school of immunopathology, member of Polish Academy of Sciences and of Polish Academy of Art and Sciences. Professor was born on April 30, 1925 in Rzeszów (SE Poland).

[Prevalence of anti-HCV antibodies among adults in Poland--results of cross-sectional study in general population].

Unlabelled: According to WHO data, there are 130-170 million hepatitis C virus (HCV) infected persons world-wide. Data on the prevalence of HCV infection in Poland is still insufficient.

Objective: The aim of study was to determine the prevalence of HCV infection in the general population in Poland and to characterize the positive predictive value of the ELISA screening test.

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.

Is interleukin-8 an additional to histopathological changes diagnostic marker in HCV-infected patients with cryoglobulinemia?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze histopathological changes in the liver and serum inflammatory cytokine level in hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients with and without cryoglobulinemia.

Methods: The study group consisted of 34 patients with chronic hepatitis C, confirmed by serological and virological markers. Ten out of 34 patients had cryoglobulinemia.

[Evaluation of quality of HIV diagnostic procedures in Poland].

Unlabelled: The aim of this work was quality assessment of HIV diagnostic procedures in Poland, including human and technical resources as well as laboratory practice. Sixty questionnaires were distributed among diagnostic centers to obtain qualitative data. Basing on the survey data serological control using coded panels of HIV-1/2 samples was performed.

[Prof. Włodzimierz Kuryłowicz (MD) (1910-1991)--100th anniversary of birthday].

The death of Professor Włodzimierz Kuryłowicz on February 21, 1991 at the age of 80 was a great loss that is especially felt by all those who have been involved in the research of antibiotics. He is remembered as one of pioneers of the antibiotic era. Prof.

[Inhibitors of hepatitis C virus--therapeutic possibilities].

The search for new drugs against HCV contains new ways to obtain pro-drugs which inhibit translation and block viral proteins, and inhibit host proteins important in HCV-induced pathogenesis. This group of agents are serine protease NS3 inhibitors (telaprevir, boceprevir, R-7227, TMC-435, SCH 900518, GS-9256). The most advanced studies are developed with telaprevir and boceprevir; at present their effect in combined therapy with PegIFN-alpha and RBV in the III clinical phase is tested.

[Inhibitors of hepatitis C virus--current standards and status of investigations].

The current standard of chronic hepatitis C therapy is the combined use of pegylated IFN-alpha 2a (PegIFN-alpha) and rybavirin (RBV). The new form of interferon, IFN-alpha 2b, was also introduced with no better results. Overall, the effectiveness of therapy with the use of the above scheme is not satisfactory.

Anti-preS responses influence the anti-HBs response in newborns after vaccination with the third generation Sci-B-Vac vaccine.

We analysed the specificity and significance of the antibody response towards the linear preS1 sequence that has been shown to represent the "hepatocyte binding site" comprising amino acids preS1 (21-47) or the specific preS2 (131-140) antibody response to the "polymerised albumin receptor" in relation to the antibody response to hepatitis B surface antigen during immunisation of healthy children with the preS-containing Sci-B-Vac vaccine. Twenty-eight healthy newborns received three doses of the Sci-B-Vac vaccine according to a 0-, 1-, and 6-month scheme. Seventeen (61%) of the 28 newborns had detectable levels of anti-preS1 (21-47) antibodies and 14 (50%) were anti-preS2 (131-140) reactive at 6 and/or 9 months after initiation of the vaccination.

[Anti-HCV and HCV RNA in patients with the primary Sjögren syndrome].

The subject of study were 104 patients with the primary Sjögren Syndrome (p. Sj. s.

PreS1 epitope recognition in newborns after vaccination with the third-generation Sci-B-Vac vaccine and their relation to the antibody response to hepatitis B surface antigen.

Background: Sci-B-Vac is a recombinant, hepatitis B vaccine derived from a mammalian cell line and containing hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) as well as preS1 and preS2 antigens. Few studies have been performed on the antibody responses to preS1 in relation to the antibody to hepatitis B surface antigen (anti-HBs) response during immunisation of healthy children with preS-containing vaccines.

Results: In this study 28 healthy newborns were randomly selected to receive either 2.

Functional C1-inhibitor diagnostics in hereditary angioedema: assay evaluation and recommendations.

Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by recurrent episodes of potentially life-threatening angioedema. The most widespread underlying genetic deficiency is a heterozygous deficiency of the serine protease inhibitor C1 esterase inhibitor (C1-Inh). In addition to low C4 levels, the most important laboratory parameter for correct diagnosis of HAE or angioedema due to acquired C1-Inh deficiency is reduced C1-Inh function (fC1-Inh).

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.

[Complement system--an effector of inflammatory reactions. Possibilities of complement regulation in ischaemic diseases].

Activation of the complement system (C) is an important aspect of the immune reaction, and therefore also of inflammatory response. This review summarizes the known pathways for C activation, including the relatively recently described lectin pathway. We must remember that the complement, like the immune response itself, is a two-edge sword.