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Janusz Slusarczyk

Publications and source records attributed to Janusz Slusarczyk.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

[Genetic diversity analysis of isolates belonging to Bordetella pertussis, Bordetella parapertussis and Bordetella bronchiseptica species].

In this study, Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphism (AFLP) method was used to track differences among human and animal isolates of B. pertussis, B. parapertussis and B. bronchiseptica species. One hundred and sixty representative strains of these species orginated from international and Polish bacterial collections were genotyped according to AFLP involving EcoRI/Msel and SpeI/ApaI restriction/ligation/amplification procedures. This study has confirmed high potential AFLP SpeI/ApaI procedure for intra-species differentiation of B. pertussis and B. bronchiseptica strains. Both AFLP EcoRI/MseI and SpeI/ApaI procedures have been found to be useful for species-specific classification in case of B. pertussis strains. In case of B. bronchiseptica or B. parapertussis species-specific classification, SpeI/ApaI procedure has been found more precise than EcoRI/MseI one.

Bordetella bronchiseptica↗

Mumps in Poland since 1990 to 2003; epidemiology and antibody prevalence.

The annual incidence of mumps in Poland over the period 1990-2003 was 45-570 per 100,000 population with the epidemic peak every 4-5 years. Till 2003, mumps vaccination has not been included in the part of National Immunisation Program in Poland that comprises the obligatory vaccinations. However, mumps vaccination was recommended by National Health Authority for children at the second year of life and it could be obtained privately. The proportion of vaccinated children has increased by 50% in last years. It has influenced on decreasing of number of notified mumps cases in Poland, on lengthening of inter-epidemic period as well as on drift of infections towards older groups of children. The results of serological survey carried out on 1390 serum samples have indicated, that the proportion of positive serum samples (>11 VE/ml) was only 24.1% for children aged 1-4 years, 45.4% for children aged 5-9 years, 72.5% for age group 10-14 years, and over 85% for persons aged 15-30 years. Epidemiological data and the high proportion of individuals with negative titres of specific mumps IgG antibodies justify the need of introduction of obligatory mass immunisation against mumps in Poland.

Adolescent↗

Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) versus randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) as new tools for inter- and intra-species differentiation within Bordetella.

Automated amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) and randomly amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) techniques with fluorescently labelled primers were used to track differences among isolates of the eight known species of the Bordetella genus. Eighty-one representative strains of these species from international and Polish bacterial collections were genotyped according to RAPD protocols using primer 1254 or 1247, and AFLP involving EcoRI/MseI or newly designed SpeI/ApaI restriction/ligation/amplification procedures. By comparing AFLP and RAPD data, it was concluded that the discriminatory power of AFLP is higher in comparison with RAPD for both intra- and inter-species differentiation of isolates of the Bordetella genus. The most precise level of inter-species discrimination and the highest level of intra-species discrimination of the Bordetella isolates of the eight species were observed in the AFLP EcoRI/MseI and SpeI/ApaI sets, respectively. Both techniques might provide alternative tools for the identification of Bordetella at the genomic species and strain levels, and thus may be valuable in human and veterinary diagnostics as well as in epidemiology. By applying the AFLP technique presented in this article, more precise data on the emergence of newly acquired and/or on expanded clones and transmission routes of isolates of the Bordetella genus in the human and animal environments might be obtained.

Animals↗

[Diagnostic difficulties in identification of Haemophilus influenzae colonising the nasopharynx of children].

The frequency of capsulated or non-capsulated Haemophilus influenzae strains colonisation among children attending day-care centres or orphanages has been studied. Detection of capsulated or non-capsulated H. influenzae strains has been compared for agglutination test and PCR. Misdiagnosing of H. influenzae serotype with agglutination found in the study suggest that the frequency of Hib strains colonizing the nasopharynx might be lower that previously evaluated. Due to perspectives of the wider use of Hib Immunisation in the future, more efficient diagnosis scheme for identification/differentiation of capsulated and non-capsulated H. influenzae strain should be undertaken.

Carrier State↗

[Transmission of Haemophilus influenzae type b strains among children attending day-care centers and orphanages].

Goal of the work was to evaluate the differences level among H. influenzae strains of b serotype isolated from children attending day-care centres and orphanages and among strains isolated from invasive infections. In the work PFGE in Hib strains transmission examination and for epidemiological studies among three sources of invasive infection was applied. Among 35 Hib strains tested and control strain 8 different pulsotyped were found. Among 21 strains colonising the nasopharynx of healthy children, and among 13 Hib strains isolated from cerebrospinal fluid, 6 and 1 pulsotypes were found, respectively. Results obtained show that healthy children might be colonizing with genotypes characteristic for Hib strains isolated from invasive infections. In this view wider Hib vaccination seems be expected, as Hib circulation is common.

Carrier State↗

[Genetic diversity analysis of isolates belonging to Bordetella genus].

In this study, RandomAmplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) method was used to track differences among human and animals isolates of eight known species of Bordetella genus. One hundred representative strains of these species from international and Polish bacterial collections were genotyped according to RAPD protocols using primer 1254 or 1247. Problems with reproducibility and discriminatory power, frequently discussed in literature, have been overcome by precise optimization procedure, which allowed to achieve reliable conditions for Bordetella species analysed. This study proved high potential of RAPD method using primers 1247/1254 for intra-species differentiation of B. bronchiseptica and B. hinzii isolates. Additionally RAPD method has been found to be useful for confirming B. avium and B. holmesii identification.

Animals↗

Sequence variation in pertussis S1 subunit toxin and pertussis genes in Bordetella pertussis strains used for the whole-cell pertussis vaccine produced in Poland since 1960: efficiency of the DTwP vaccine-induced immunity against currently circulating B. pertussis isolates.

The present study indicates that the appearance of the B. pertussis harbouring prn2 gene allele variant (not found among clinical isolates before 1990s) may have been induced by long-term vaccination in Poland with DTP-composed vaccine strains presenting exclusively prn1. However, ptxS1A allele of pertussis toxin subunit S1 encoding gene, predominant in the currently isolated B. pertussis strains, has been found in vaccine strains used for whole-cell pertussis component (wP) production of DTP vaccine in 1960-1978. This outrules the possibility that the appearance of ptxSIA allele might be related to vaccine pressure driven by non-ptxS1A vaccine strains used for long-term immunization with wP. Intranasal challenge animal model testing the efficiency of the clearance of B. pertussis strains harbouring different ptxS1/prn allele gene combinations revealed that currently produced DTwP vaccine may not contain adequate B. pertussis vaccine strains, since isolates with gene variants different from those observed in vaccine strains were eliminated from the lungs of the immunized animals with lower efficiency.

Animals↗

Potency of pertussis component in the DTP vaccine--an overview of three decade study in Poland.

In Poland, similar to many highly immunized Western countries, a recent increase in cases of pertussis has been observed. This study aims to evaluate the level of potency fluctuations of the pertussis component of Polish-produced DTP vaccine due to the changes having occurred in production and potency testing procedures. We compared the potency of the pertussis component of DTP vaccine lots produced and evaluated in similar periods and with similar production and testing procedures. Records of Kendrick test results performed over a 30-year period were available for analysis. This study confirms the role of different manufacturers, changes in vaccine strain compositions, in-house reference preparations used as reference vaccines in the Kendrick tests, and in mice of single strain sources in the potency values obtained. In addition, the comparisons performed revealed a downtrend in potency levels since 1992. Potency decrease in vaccine lots produced during 1992-1997 has been positively correlated to the lowering of the number of IOU/dose. Strain compositions of the DTP vaccine pertussis component and in-house references have been found to be associated with the fluctuation in potency estimations, and confirmed their crucial role in ensuring vaccine efficacy. Our study reveals that relative efficacy of the DTP vaccine produced in 1992-1997 might be lower than that of vaccines produced in other periods. This might in turn explain the increase in pertussis cases among children aged 5-15 years which is presently being observed in Poland.

Adolescent↗

Pertussis in Poland.

BACKGROUND: Since 1997, an unexpected 2-5-fold increase in the incidence of pertussis has been reported in Poland in comparison with the previous 10 years, although the introduction of the diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis (DTP) vaccination in 1960 reduced the incidence of pertussis approximately 100-fold in the 1980s. The aim of the study was to analyse all available data on pertussis in Poland to identify the risks associated with its re-emergence. METHODS: Available data on notification, incidence, mortality, hospitalization, geographical distribution, incidence according to age, and diagnosis of pertussis were collected from national surveillance monographs and statistically evaluated. RESULTS: Analyses performed in the study found two periods of rising and falling trends: in the incidence before and after 1989, respectively. Moreover, after 1989, the age-specific incidence among children aged 0-4 years decreased, and among 5-9, 10-14, and 15-19 year olds increased in comparison to the previous decade. The incidence rate of pertussis among infants was similar in both decades analysed. Clustering of pertussis incidence increase in provinces along a line from North East to South West was observed. CONCLUSIONS: As vaccination coverage did not decrease and diagnostics have not been improved since the 1980s, it is possible that waning immunity and the appearance of Bordetella pertussis vaccine escape mutants are involved in the changing pertussis epidemiological parameters. Further monitoring studies, together with improving diagnostics, might allow more precise epidemiological data to be obtained. An additional booster dose of acellular pertussis vaccine at age 6 years has been included in the current vaccination schedule.

Adolescent↗

[Increase in the incidence of pertussis and quality of whole-cell pertussis component of the DTP vaccine produced in Poland. Part I. Potency of DTP vaccine].

This study aimed to identify and to evaluate the level of potency fluctuations of the pertussis component of Polish-produced DTP vaccine lots produced within 1972-2001 due to the changes having occurred in production and potency testing procedures. The study confirms that higher potency values were obtained for vaccine lots produced since 80-ties, e.g. after changes of: references lots (1975), vaccine strains (1978) and source of animals used in Kendrick tests (1979). Additionally, the comparisons performed revealed a down trend in potency levels within 1992-1999 correlating to the lowering of the number of IOU/dose.

Animals↗

[Increase in the incidence of pertussis and quality of whole-cell pertussis component of the DTP vaccine produced in Poland. Part II. Consistency of control and production].

This study aimed to identify and to evaluate the level of potency fluctuations of the pertussis component of Polish-produced DTP vaccine lots produced within 1972-2001 due to the changes having occurred in production and potency testing procedures. Obtained results showed high consistency of the production and control tests confirming relevant quality of country-produced DTP vaccine.

Animals↗

Immunity against measles in populations of women and infants in Poland.

During the 1997-1998 measles epidemic in Poland a high attack rate occurred in infants up to 1 year of age (24.6/100,000 in comparison with 5.5/100,000 in total population). Routine vaccination against measles for infants aged 13-15 months was introduced in Poland in 1975, and a second dose added in 1991. The recommended age for measles vaccination was based on information gathered in years when most mothers had a natural measles. Nowadays, many mothers have received measles vaccine. Early loss of passively acquired measles antibody may occur in infants of women who received measles vaccine, because measles vaccine induces lower antibody titres than does natural infection. Therefore, measles-specific antibody titres were determined among vaccinated and unvaccinated women as well as among infants, whose mothers were born after 1976 and likely were vaccinated (Group 1), and those, whose mothers were born before 1969 and likely have had a natural measles (Group 2). All women that were born in prevaccination era had significantly higher geometric mean titre (GMT) of measles antibody than those who were vaccinated (P<0.001). Also infants from Group 2 at every age had higher GMT of measles antibody than those of Group 1. The antibody decay was significantly faster among infants whose mothers acquired immunity by measles vaccination. Because nowadays the majority of women in childbearing age are vaccinated against measles, earlier vaccination in the infants should be considered.

Antibodies, Viral↗

[Genetic variability of Bordetella pertussis strains. Part I. Current knowledge].

Variability of B. pertussis genome concerning S1 subunit of pertussis toxin (ptxS1) and pertactin (prn) genes has recently been recognised. Studies clearly showed differences in the DNA patterns and ptxS1 and prn alleles present in B. pertussis strains used for production of pertussis component in the DTP vaccine, in comparison to strains presently isolated from clinical materials. This trend has been observed in highly immunized populations with a long history of pertussis vaccination (The Netherlands, Finland, Poland, USA). Different ptxS1 and prn allele distribution for different countries needs further careful monitoring.

Alleles↗

[Genetic variability of Bordetella pertussis strains. Part II. Perspectives].

In some highly immunized countries with long history of pertussis vaccination (The Netherlands, Finland, Poland, USA, France, Great Britain) differences in the DNA patterns and ptxS1 and prn alleles present in B. pertussis strains used for production of pertussis component in the DTP vaccine, in comparison to strains presently isolated from clinical materials have been found. Studies on efficacy of whole-cell and acellular pertussis vaccines in elimination of B. pertussis strains harbouring different gene variants in a particular country might indicate a need for a change of B. pertussis strains used for production of the vaccine against pertussis.

Alleles↗

[Polymorphism analysis of Haemophilus influenzae strains isolated from healthy children with respect to amplification reaction].

The random-amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) assay was used to generate DNA fingerprints for 44 isolates H. influenzae obtained from healthy children. Problems with reproducibility and discriminatory power, frequently cited in the literature, were overcome by optimization procedure allowing to achieve reliable conditions for H. influenzae analysed. Particular parameters of RAPD fingerprinting were evaluated with respect to selection of best working primer, DNA polymerase and DNA concentration for amplification pattern. This study proved high sensitivity and efficiency of optimized RAPD profiling applicable for searching the epidemiology traces.

Child, Preschool↗

[Phenotype and genotype of Clostridium sp. strains producing botulism neurotoxin].

Neurotoxins produced by strains of Clostridium sp. are belonging to the most toxic biological substances. In the study phenotypes and genotypes of C. botulinum strains in animal studies in vivo and on the DNA level were evaluated, respectively. Additionally, the presence of genes encoding BoNT toxins of A, B, and E types among strains of Clostridium sp. were identified. In case of C. botulinum DNA was isolated from vegetative bacterial cells and from spores. Two different genes encoding two different neurotoxins harboured by three strains of Ae biotype/ae genotype, and by two strains of B biotype/be genotype were detected. Additionally, above E type C. botulinum strains, the presence of gene encoding E type neurotoxin, was found in genome of two C. baratii, two C. butyricum, and C. bifidobacterium, and C. oedematicum strains. C. bifidobacterium and C. oedematicum strains positive for presence of gene encoding E type neurotoxin, were found negative for E neurotoxin production in vivo in TN test. The study indicates that genes encoding BoNT/E neurotoxins are very common among Clostridium species. Phenotype and genotype analysis indicated co-presence of B phenotype together with be genotype and A phenotype together with ae genotype among C. botulinum strains.

Animals↗

[Immunity of children aged 6-8 against pertussis, tetanus and diphtheria].

Vaccination against pertussis has been performed since 1960. Whole cell pertussis vaccine produced by Plant of Sera and Vaccines Biomed S.A. in Kraków, has been used. After vaccination has been introduced, epidemiological situation of pertussis in Poland improved, but in 90's the decrease of immunity was observed. The aim of this work was to determine pertussis immunity of children after several years from the last dose of pertussis vaccine. For comparison purposes immunity against tetanus and diphtheria was tested. Protective antibody levels were detected in 70%, 58%, and 45% children aged 6, 7, and 8, respectively. It shows that decrease of immunity may cause increasing number of pertussis in children above 5. Taking into consideration our results, it seems necessary to introduce additional dose of pertussis vaccine among children aged 5 years. The level of tetanus and diphtheria antibodies was high in all tested groups.

Antibodies, Bacterial↗