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Biomedical subjects

D Sedlácek

Publications and source records attributed to D Sedlácek.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

[Congenital cytomegalovirus infection].

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) belongs to the herpesvirus family. Its distribution is ubiquitous in man and many other mammals. CMV causes a typical cytopathic effect with enlargement of the cells that contain intranuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions. CMV is spread directly or by a contact with secretions. Nosocomial transmission can occur during blood transfusion or organ transplantation. Virus excretion after infection continues for a long time. CMV is the most frequent cause of congenital infections (1-2% children). A foetal infection can lead to a preterm labour. Most of CMV congenital infections are benign, only a small proportion of children develop a disease with sensorineural hearing loss or a life threatening multiorgan disease. The diagnosis can be done on the basis of identification of specific antibodies, virus cultivation and PCR from urine, saliva, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid. An antiviral drug ganciclovir can be used for treatment. Anti-CMV vaccines are under the development. Three cases of a congenital CMV infection are described in the paper.

Adult↗

[Free radicals in immunology and infectious diseases].

Free radicals contribute significantly in modification of immune processes and inflammatory reactions. They are produced by activated phagocytes which use them for killing microorganisms. Free radicals facilitate production of cytokines, which are important as modifiers of inflammatory reactions. Formation of free radicals is influenced by antioxidants which can thus modify the intensity of inflammatory reaction and immune response. The authors describe in detail the contribution of free radicals in etiology and pathogenesis of autoimmune diseases including rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. The role of free radicals and modifying influence of antioxidants in viral, bacterial, parasitic and mycotic diseases is described in the second part of the review. Finally, influence of free radicals and antioxidants on immunity changes in patients with malignant tumours, during aging and physical exercise is discussed.

Aging↗

[Status of HIV-positive persons followed at the AIDS Center of the Medical School Hospital in Pilsen].

The AIDS centre for the western Bohemian region was established at the Infectious Diseases Clinic of the Plzen Faculty Hospital in 1993 but since 1986 the Clinic looks after HIV-positive patients. By Dec. 31, 1996 23 HIV-positive patients were on the records of the centre, the majority having dispensary care. Two patients met the criteria for stage C3 according to CDC (Center for Disease Control), i.e. AIDS. One of them died from generalized cytomegalovirus infection (CMV). Nine subjects are in stage B, the remainder are still asymptomatic. In the submitted paper the authors analyze the health status of different patients with regard to special features of infectious complications in these subjects.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

[Changes in clinical and epidemiologic characteristics in Western Bohemia of invasive meningococcal disease associated with the occurrence of an invasive clone of Neisseria meningitidis].

The authors analyzed the incidence of meningococcal diseases in the West Bohemian region in 1982-1996. The draw attention to changes of clinical and epidemiological characteristics of the disease which appeared in 1994 in conjunction with a new invasive clonus of Neisseria meningitidis C:2a:P1.2, P1.5, ET-15/37. While in 1982-1993 invasive meningococcal diseases had in 75% the course of meningitis with a relatively low fatality (4%), during the subsequent period a marked change occurred. Since 1994 the disease took in the West Bohemian region in 58% the course of sepsis with a fatality of 16%. 25% cases of meningococcal meningitis were diagnosed combined sepsis and meningitis in 17%. The disease lost its seasonal character and the authors confirmed the highest incidence of the disease in the age group from 15-19 years and 0-4 years. Neisseria meningitidis group C was detected in 1994-1996 in 73% and the invasive clone C:2a:P1.2, P1.5, ET-15/37 in 62%.

Adolescent↗

[Immunologic risks in patients after splenectomy].

The more frequent incidence of infections after splenectomy, some leading even to OPSI syndrome, is known from the literature and practice. The authors investigated in two groups of 20 splenectomized patients (on account of injury of the spleen or for haematological reasons) in particular changes of immunological indicators. On both groups they revealed a predominating increase of the absolute number of leucocytes, lymphocytes, the phagocytic index of PMN leucocytes, the ratio of active nucleoli, FW. They found also in both groups a predominating reduction of the number of T lymphocytes (p less than 0.05), with a high probability also NK cells, and a reduction of the late type reactivity of the skin test (Immunoskin test USOL, Praha). In patients splenectomized on account of injury the number of B lymphocytes was raised in 50% of the patients. In both groups of patients IgG serum levels were elevated, alpha-1-antitrypsin and haptaglobin levels were reduced. The CRP level in patients with haematological diagnoses was elevated as compared with the group of patients splenectomized on account of injury (p less than 0.05). In both groups after splenectomy a greater susceptibility to respiratory infections was found. On examination patients with a greater risk were detected and included under dispensary care.

Adult↗