Enteric fever imported to the Czech Republic: epidemiology, clinical characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility.

The aim of this study was to describe epidemiological and clinical characteristics of imported enteric fever in Czech travellers and to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of isolated strains. Retrospective descriptive study included adult patients treated with enteric fever at Hospital Na Bulovce during January 2004-December 2012. A case of typhoid or paratyphoid fever was defined as isolation of Salmonella Typhi or Paratyphi from blood or stool.

Reconstruction of elbow flexion in arthrogryposis multiplex congenita type I: results of transfer of pectoralis major muscle with follow-up at skeletal maturity.

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of a pectoralis major transfer to restore active elbow flexion in patients with extension elbow contracture in arthrogryposis. The hypotheses were: (1) this transfer ensures permanent useful elbow flexion; and (2) flexion elbow deformity will not progress during growth and after its cessation.

Methods: Unipolar transfer of the 3 distal parts of the pectoralis major muscle was used in 9 extremities of 5 patients (age range, 5 to 9 y; average age, 6.

Surgical treatment of lumbar spondylodiscitis: a comparison of two methods.

Purpose: This study evaluates two basic hypotheses: (1) the risk of an isolated dorsal approach to ventral lumbar spondylodiscitis based on clinical and radiographic results and (2) the risk of anterior radical debridement due to using a titanium implant in the site of bone infection.

Methods: Group A consisting of 23 patients was treated only by a dorsal transmuscular approach and group B consisting of eight patients was treated by two-stage posteroanterior surgery. Both evaluated groups were assessed before surgery, six weeks and one year after surgery with the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Kirkaldy-Willis functional criteria.

Incidence, immunological and clinical characteristics of reactivation of latent Toxoplasma gondii infection in HIV-infected patients.

To determine changes in incidence of reactivation of Toxoplasma gondii infection, manifesting as toxoplasmic encephalitis, and to assess the immunological mechanisms controlling reactivation in HIV-infected patients, a Czech cohort of 502 HIV/T. gondii co-infected patients was followed for 2909·3 person-years. The incidence of toxoplasmic encephalitis between the periods before and after the introduction of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) was compared.

Comparison of the cellular composition of two different chondrocyte-seeded biomaterials and the results of their transplantation in humans.

Our study compares the histological and immunohistochemical cellular composition of two different chondrocyte-seeded biomaterials and the results of their transplantation. Our study cohort included 21 patients, comprising 19 men and two women with a mean age of 32 years, who were affected by single chondral lesions of the femoral condyles. These patients were enrolled in our study and treated with arthroscopic implantation of the tissue Hyalograft C and/or Brno culture.

Factors influencing decisions about surgical treatment of cervical precancerous lesions.

Cervical precancerous lesions represented by cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical glandular intraepithelial neoplasia may progress to invasive cancer. The principle treatment of CIN is eradication of the transformation zone. However, all eradication methods are associated with some adverse events, particularly with perinatal consequences.

Preliminary study with SprayShield™ Adhesion Barrier System in the prevention of abdominal adhesions.

Introduction: Peritoneal adhesions, the fibrotic bands that form between the surfaces in the peritoneal cavity following surgery, still pose a difficult clinical challenge.

Aim: To evaluate the SprayShield™ Adhesion Barrier System (PEG ester amine solution and a buffer solution) in reducing post-operative adhesion formation.

Material And Methods: This was a prospective, multi-center, randomized, single blind study.

The relationship between the cervical and anal HPV infection in women with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia.

Background: More than 90% of cases of anal cancers are caused by high-risk human papillomavirus (HR HPV) infection and a history of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) is established as possible risk factor.

Objectives: To demonstrate relationship between anal and cervical HPV infection in women with different grades of CIN and microinvasive cervical cancer.

Study Design: A total of 272 women were enrolled in the study.

Muscle transfers in children and adults improve external rotation in cases of obstetrical brachial plexus paralysis: a comparative study.

Purpose: Latissimus dorsi and teres major transfers to the lateral side of the humerus with lengthening of the pectoralis major and subscapularis muscles for residual shoulder deformity were compared in children and skeletally mature patients.

Methods: Fifteen patients (nine children, six skeletally mature patients aged three to 30 years, follow-up one to 22 years) were treated for internal shoulder contracture after birth plexus lesions: C5-C6 (seven patients); C5-7 (five patients); C5-C8-T1 (three patients, respectively). Range of movement, Mallet shoulder function score and radiographs were assessed.

Treatment of high risk prostate cancer with combined radiotherapy and hormonal treatment- results and identification of factors influencing outcome.

Purpose: The aim of this work was to prospectively analyze the outcome of combined hormonal treatment and radical radiotherapy in high risk non metastatic prostate cancer patients (T1=4, N0-1, M0).

Methods: Between April 2003 and December 2007 196 patients with high risk prostate cancer were treated with curative intent. The treatment consisted of 2-month neoadjuvant hormonal treatment (LHRH analog), radical radiotherapy (68-78 Gy, conformal technique) and an optional 2-year adjuvant hormonal treatment.

[Bacteria cleaving small-colony variants as causative agents of infective endocarditis and other severe diseases].

Small-colony variants (SCV) associated with specific biochemical features were described in many bacterial species. Bacteria with SCV phenotype have knocked out metabolic pathways for aerobic respiration, thus they behave like strict anaerobes. They are handicapped in competition for nutrients with other microbes but on the other hand they are able to resist some antibiotics and survive inside eucaryotic cells.

[Toxoplasmosis in pregnancy - questions in clinical practice].

Toxoplasmosis acquired during pregnancy is a serious disease that may significantly affect fetal development and cause irreversible or therapeutically hardly influenced damage to the newborn. Early and correct diagnosis of the disease in the mother is essential for determining prognosis and further diagnostic and therapeutic procedures. The case study combines a number of factors to be encountered in clinical practice which may complicate diagnostic considerations.

[Immune thrombocytopenia as a complication of acute infectious diseases - case reports].

Immune thrombocytopenia (immune thrombocytopenic purpura, ITP) is an acquired autoimmune disease, mediated by antibodies against platelet glycoproteins. ITP can develop in the context of other disorders (secondary ITP), including acute and chronic infections (HIV, H. pylori, HCV, HBV, CMV, EBV, VZV, parvovirus B19, rubella, etc.

[Severe eosinophilia in a patient with clostridium colitis and gastric cancer].

A case of a 77-year-old male repeatedly hospitalized with the diagnosis of Clostridium difficile colitis associated with eosinophilia is presented. The percentage and number of eosinophils achieved maximal values (54 %, 5.4 times 1.

DNA persistence after treatment of Lyme borreliosis.

One hundred twenty-four patients-53 with neuroborreliosis, 48 with erythema migrans, and 23 with Lyme arthritis-were tested in a prospective study for the presence of the DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato in plasma, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), urine, and synovial fluid by nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Specific DNA was detected using five amplification systems simultaneously: three targeted chromosomal genes encoding 16S rDNA, flagellin, and p66; and two plasmid sequences of OspA and OspC. Patients were examined clinically and by PCR before and after treatment and again after 3 and 6 months.

Late acute myopia syndrome induced by combination of sulfonamide drugs.

We present a case of late acute myopia syndrome following discontinuation of treatment with a combination of sulphonamide drugs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case with such a presentation, and suggests that the pathophysiological basis for the acute myopia syndrome is a rapid decrease in serum carbonic anhydrase inhibitors levels which may lead to a rebound increase in the production of aqueous humor and accumulation of suprachoroidal fluid. It is further postulated that there may be a cumulative effect of sulphonamide drug use on carbonic anhydrase activity in the ciliary body epithelium of susceptible individuals.

Anteromedial wedge reduction osteotomy for the treatment of femoral head deformities.

Aspherical femoral head deformity has poor a prognosis which can lead to early arthritic changes in young adults. The intraartricular anteromedial wedge reduction osteotomy restores sphericity of the femoral head.
We performed seven anteromedial wedge reduction osteotomies.

Clinical and laboratory features of viral hepatitis A in children.

Recent outbreaks of viral hepatitis A in non-endemic European countries and the potential outbreak risk in susceptible populations has led us to evaluate the clinical characteristics of children hospitalised with hepatitis A. Retrospective study included 118 children (68 boys and 50 girls) with the mean age of 8.5 years hospitalised at Hospital Na Bulovce in Prague from June 2008 to June 2009.

The relevance of monitoring of antibodies against the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) and PAH-DNA adducts in serum in relation to lung cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Certain substances from the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) group are major inducers of respiratory tract carcinogenesis. The presented are the results of a serological epidemiological study aimed at monitoring the levels of anti-PAH antibodies and antibodies to PAH-DNA adducts in serum. The patients studied belonged both to the group of those with known lung disease (COPD and lung cancer), as well as to the healthy population of people who due to the work conditions or those at the place of residence can expect increased exposure to PAHs.

Definitive radiochemotherapy with weekly cisplatin in patients with head and neck cancer; single institution outcome analysis.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, toxicity and efficacy of definitive radiochemotherapy with weekly cisplatin in head and neck cancer in a single institutional setting.

Methods: Previously untreated patients with stage II-IV head and neck cancer were included. Radiotherapy consisted of 70 Gy/7 weeks/35 fractions.

Postoperative radiochemotherapy with weekly cisplatin in patients with head and neck cancer single-institution outcome analysis.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, toxicity and efficacy of postoperative radiochemotherapy with weekly cisplatin in locoregionally advanced or high risk head and neck cancer in a single institutional setting. Patients with head and neck cancer of stage III/IV or patients with insufficient margins of resection were included in the study. Radiotherapy consisted of 70 Gy/ 7 weeks/ 35 fraction after R1/2 resection and 60-64 Gy/ 6-6,5 weeks/ 30-32 fraction after R0 resection, respectively.

Results of combined radiotherapy and hormonal treatment of prostate cancer patients with initial PSA value >40 ng/ml.

Aim: To evaluate the outcome of prostate cancer patients with initial PSA value >40 ng/ml.

Background: The outcome of prostate cancer patients with very high initial PSA value is not known and patients are frequently treated with palliative intent. We analyzed the outcome of radical combined hormonal treatment and radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients with initial PSA value >40 ng/ml.

Cruciate ligaments in proximal femoral focal deficiency: arthroscopic assessment.

Background: Because there is limited information concerning the cruciate ligaments in proximal femoral focal deficiency, knee arthroscopy was used to identify the changes of cruciate ligaments and their relation to the different types of this deficiency.

Methods: Knee arthroscopy was performed in 21 consecutive patients with deficiency types III, IV, VII-IX using the Pappas classification. A new classification of the knee was created.