Humoral beta-cell autoimmunity is rare in patients with the congenital rubella syndrome.

The congenital rubella syndrome (CRS) is associated with increased risk for diabetes and thyroid disease. However, the mechanisms by which the rubella virus may cause these diseases are poorly characterized. Previous studies were carried out before modern immunological methods were available.

[Factors influencing prevalence and clinical course of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in kidney transplant patients].

In the paper the authors tried to identify factors influencing prevalence and clinical course of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in kidney transplant patients. The study was performed in the group of 100 patients after cadaveric kidney transplant followed up in the Chair and Department of Nephrology, Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University in Krakow. CMV infection was demonstrated to occur more frequently and significantly earlier in the patients administered prednisone, cyclosporin A and mycophenolate mofetil, compared to the group treated with standard triple-drug-therapy (prednisone, cyclosporin A, azathioprine) or double-drug-therapy (prednisone, cyclosporin A).

[Prions and their characteristics in light of recent tests].

Some Prusiner's research leading to prion discovery as well as structure and properties of cellular protein (PrPc) and infectious prion protein (PrPsc) were presented. Unusual resistance of PrPsc to physical and chemical agents was shown. Prusiner's theory on PrPsc creation as an etiological agent of transmissible spongioform encephalopathies (TSE) in humans and animals was described.

Cytomegalovirus infection in kidney transplant patients: clinical manifestations and diagnosis.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is an important cause of morbidity and mortality after solid organ transplantation. CMV infection after kidney transplantation was confirmed in 19 (54.3%) out of 35 patients.

Rubella infection during pregnancy in the 1985-86 epidemic: follow-up after seven years.

The study covered 310 pregnant women from southern Poland who were exposed to rubella during the 1985-86 epidemic, none of whom had been vaccinated against rubella. Rubella specific antibodies were detected by hemagglutination-inhibition (HI) tests, and IgM antibodies by enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) (Organon Teknika). Clinical symptoms according to anamnesis were recorded.

[The frequency of cytomegalovirus infection (CMV) in patients immunocompromised patients with malignant and nonmalignant blood disorders].

Studies on CMV infection were carried out in a group of 110 patients, aged from 15 to 78 (average 38), treated in the Department of Haematology. During the course of observation most of the patients were examined repeatedly. Diagnosis was based on serology (CFT, ELISA) and virus isolation from the clinical material.

[Acute neurologic rubella complications observed in children of southeastern Poland during rubella epidemics in 1986 and 1992].

During the last two rubella epidemics in 1985-1986 and 1992, 24 children (15 boys and 9 girls) were hospitalized with acute neurological complications manifested in the first week of clinical symptoms of rubella. Average age of patients was 9 years (3-15 years). Acute rubella encephalitis (ARE) was diagnosed in 22 cases.

[Congenital and acquired cytomegalovirus infection in infants confirmed by virologic studies].

Sixty infants in whom clinical symptoms suspected of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection were studied. CMV infection was found in 50% of the subjects. The diagnosis was based on studies of specific antibodies and isolation of the virus from urine and/or throat swabs.

[Incidence of rubella antibodies and the results of vaccination against rubella in young women].

The incidence and the titer of rubella virus antibodies in sera of 936 girls (average age 21 year) from 5 medical school were examined. The antibodies were determined in HI test (Rubenosticon, Organon Teknika). Serum samples were collected in the period of I.

Combined antiinfluenza activity of a plant preparation SHS-174 and amantadine derivatives.

The results of the study on the combined antiviral activity of the SHS-174 preparation (a lyophylized infusion from three higher plants) and three amantadine derivatives (rimantadine, amantadine glucuronide and its derivative) are presented. The antiviral effect of the drugs on the reproduction of influenza virus strains A/H1N1 and A/H3N2 in vitro was studied. The combined antiviral effect was evaluated on the basis of viral yields and in many cases a synergism was found.

[Cytomegalovirus infections in infants examined in the department of virology in 1988-1992].

Active cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections were found in 91 infants (11%) examined in the Department of Virology from 1988 to 1992. Serological methods (ELISA, CFT) and virus isolation from urine were used to diagnose CMV infection. Congenital or perinatal infections were recognized in 20 infants, while 10 infants were infected by blood transfusion.

[Papilloma virus infections in women with cervical pathology].

The presence of Papilloma capsid antigen in patients hospitalized in the Institute of Gynecology and Obstetrics was studied, using immunoperoxidase technique. Of 73 patients, 44 had cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), in the following grades - CIN 1 (n = 21), CIN 2 (n = 5), CIN 3 (n = 18). Two cases of squamous cell carcinoma were confirmed.

Antiviral activity of Flos verbasci infusion against influenza and Herpes simplex viruses.

The lyophilized infusion from flowers of Verbascum thapsiforme Schrad. (FVI) showed antiviral activity in in vitro studies against Fowl plague virus, several influenza A strains, influenza B strain as well as Herpes simplex virus. Influenza viruses titer decreased by 1-3 log units, while of H.

Protection of mice against vaccinia and herpes simplex virus infection by Propionibacterium acnes.

Heat-killed cell suspension of several Propionibacterium acnes strains were prepared and studied for their protective activity in viral infection of mice and immunomodulating properties. Majority of the strains caused marked spleen enlargement in the treated mice. These changes persisted for several weeks.

A study on the antiviral action of a polyphenolic complex isolated from the medicinal plant Geranium sanguineum L. VIII. Inhibitory effect on the reproduction of herpes simplex virus type 1.

The antiviral activity of a polyphenolic complex, isolated from a Bulgarian medicinal plant Geranium sanguineum L., on the reproduction of herpes simplex virus type 1 was studied. The substance inhibited the intracellular stages of viral replication and exhibited a virucidal effect.

[Biological properties of Mycoplasma isolated from bulls' semen].

The occurrence of Mycoplasma in bulls' semen obtained from different Artificial Insemination Centers in Poland was studied. Out of 380 semen samples 234 mycoplasma strains were isolated (61%). Nutritional requirements and biochemical properties of the isolated strains were studied.

Inhibition of herpes simplex virus replication by Flos verbasci infusion.

The preliminary phytochemical investigations have revealed the presence of flavonoids, iridoids, phenolic acids, saponins, amino acids, free sugars, and mucilages in the lyophilized infusion obtained from flowers of Verbascum thapsiforme Schrad. (FVI). Antiviral activity of the FVI on Herpes simplex type 1 virus (HSV-1) was studied in vitro by the yield reduction test.

Interferon production in Propionibacterium acnes treated mice.

Interferonogenic properties of Propionibacterium acnes (PA) was studied in vivo and in vitro using CBA, BALB/c and 129AoBoy strains of mice. IFN was induced only in CBA strain after i.v.

Immune response in vaccinia virus infected mice treated with N,N'-bis/methylisatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone/-2-methylpiperazine.

The effect of the compound N,N'-bis/methylisatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone/-2-methylpiperazine (bis-MIBTP) on immune response in BALB/c and Swiss mice have been studied in the course of vaccinia virus infection. Humoral response tested by neutralization and hemagglutination inhibiting antibodies was similar in compound-treated mice to this of untreated mice. Cell-mediated immune response, examined by spleen lymphocytes migration inhibition test, has been delayed or temporally depressed in bis-MIBTP treated mice as compared with the control group.

Characteristics of Mycoplasma strains isolated from stallion semen.

Eleven mycoplasma strains were isolated from the semen of 24 stallions. Eight of these strains were identified as Mycoplasma equigenitalium. Three strains which hydrolized arginine could not be identified.

Site of action of N,N'-bis(methylisatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone)-2-methylpiperazine in the vaccinia virus replication cycle.

N,N'-Bis(methylisatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone)-2-methylpiperazine inhibits late function or synthesis of a late component in the replication cycle of vaccinia virus. The kinetics of formation of the component sensitive to the inhibition with N,N'-bis(methylisatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone)-2-methylpiperazine precedes that of appearance of infectious virus by 30 min. The finding is in accord with the site of action of unsubstituted isatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone.

Effect of dipyridamole on immune response in mice.

Dipyridamole in the dose of 50 mg/kg body weight stimulated the primary humoral response in BALB/c and C57Bl mice. The cell-mediated immune response was not influenced in BALB/c mice.

Evaluation of ectodermal lesions in intravenous vaccinia infected mice as a method to investigate the antiviral activity of isatin beta-thiosemicarbazone derivative (TSK VI compound).

In this paper ectodermal lesions on the tails of mice inoculated intravenously with vaccinia virus were used to study the influence of N,N'-bis[methylisatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone]-2-methylpiperazine (TSKI VI) on the number and dynamics of lesion formations. The activity of this compound was compared to that of the antiviral drug, methisazone. The reduction in lesions after treatment with TSKI VI was similar to the reduction induced by methisazone, which, on the basis of earlier theroretical and experimental data as well as on the lower toxicity of TSKI VI for the tissues and a more favorable therapeutic index, makes this compound worth considering in the treatment of postvaccinal complications.