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K Wieczorek

Publications and source records attributed to K Wieczorek.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

Identification of putative adhesin genes in shigatoxigenic Escherichia coli isolated from different sources.

Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) is an important pathogen responsible for severe human intestinal and systemic infections. The bacterial factors required for colonization of the hosts are still not well defined. In this study, the prevalence of seven putative adhesive genes that are not encoded in the locus of enterocyte effacement (LEE) in 74 STEC strains isolated from humans (n=39), food (n=6), cattle (n=11), and pigs (n=18) was investigated by PCR. In addition, Shiga toxin (stx) and intimin (eaeA including alpha, beta, gamma, delta, epsilon, zeta variants) genes were tested. The most prevalent adhesin was that encoded by toxB gene (52 of 74 isolates; 70.3%). This marker was found in all 12 strains of O157:H7 serotype and in 23 of 32 (71.9%) isolates of the O157:NM serogroup. Moreover, this gene was also present in other 17 STEC of the non-O157 serogroup. The second most prevalent adhesin was that encoded by the lpfAO157/OI-154 gene (43 isolates; 58.1%). This marker was detected in LEE-positive strains of the O157 serogroup but also in 9 LEE-negative isolates of porcine origin. Several STEC isolates tested (42 strains; 56.7%) had the efa1 gene of the Efa1 putative adhesive marker. This adhesin was almost exclusively found among eaeA-positive strains recovered from humans, food and cattle. On the other hand, iha marker was detected either in LEE-positive (29 isolates) or LEE-negative (12 strains) STEC. Only two eaeA-negative strains had the saa putative adhesive gene. These results show that STEC strains may be able to express several putative adhesins. However, further studies are needed to evaluate the role of the genes identified in the present study in the pathogenesis of human infections.

Adhesins, Bacterial↗

Parvovirus B19 infection during pregnancy and development of hydrops fetalis despite the evidence for pre-existing anti-B19 antibody: how reliable are serological results?

BACKGROUND: Primary infection with human parvovirus B19 during pregnancy can lead to fetal hydrops, abortion, or stillbirth. However, reinfection in the presence of pre-existing anti-B19 antibody is generally assumed to have no significant effect on the developing fetus. OBJECTIVES: To describe a case of fetal loss at 28 weeks' gestation associated with parvovirus B19 infection which took place in a 26-year-old woman despite the evidence for pre-existing anti-B19 IgG antibodies. STUDY DESIGN: A nested-PCR assay for parvovirus B19 DNA was performed on maternal and fetal samples. Blood samples were tested by various enzyme immunoassays (EIA) for the presence of both anti-B19 IgM and IgG antibodies. RESULTS: B19 DNA together with anti-B19 IgG antibody were detected in maternal blood at the time of intrauterine fetal demise. Amniotic fluid, chorionic villi and various fetal tissues also tested positive for viral DNA. In retrospect, presence of anti-B19 IgG antibody, but no viral DNA, was repeatedly demonstrated in maternal blood before infection took place. However, the serological results differed with the test system used. CONCLUSIONS: Provided that the positive serological results are reliable, the presence of anti-B19 IgG in blood samples collected as early as four years before pregnancy neither protected the mother from reinfection not the fetus from transplacental infection with B19 virus. However, discrepant (negative) serological results were also obtained depending on the test system used. Therefore, and in the light of the possible severe consequences of B19-infection during pregnancy, the means for assessment of the significance of anti-B19 titers have to be urgently established by development of both qualitative and quantitative anti-B19 IgM and IgG standards.

Journal Article↗

[Usefulness of hysteroscopy in the diagnosis and treatment of intrauterine adhesions].

During hysteroscopy intrauterine adhesions were found in 96 patients in a group of women with disturbances of fertility and menstruation. The diagnosis and treatment were carried out with a Wolf hysteroscope using CO2 as the expanding gas. The purpose of the study was evaluation of the effectiveness of treatment of these adhesions by means of hysteroscopy. Normal menstrual bleeding after this treatment was achieved in 75% of the treated patients, and 51% of the patients conceived. Hysteroscopy was useful in the diagnosis, treatment and posttreatment control in cases of Asherman adhesions.

Adult↗

[Usefulness of hysteroscopy in diagnosing sterility].

Sterility is a severe social problem. Using hysteroscopy, which is possible thanks to development of medical technology, seems to be an important improvement in diagnostics and therapy of sterility. The aim of this study is evaluation of the usefulness of hysteroscopy in diagnostics of sterility. There was a group of 106 women with diagnosed primary sterility and 82 women with secondary sterility. Wolf and Storz hysteroscopes were used during examinations, whereas the uterine cavity was dilated by CO2 using Wolf Metrometer 2121. During this examination a normal uterine cavity was found in most cases (32.9%). The next findings were: endometrial polyps (27.6%), intrauterine adhesions (23.4%), sub-serous myomas (14.3%), and congenital uterine abnormalities (1.5%). Comparing outcomes of hysteroscopy in both groups of sterile women, the high rate of intrauterine adhesions in the secondary sterility (43.9%) was detected. Performing hysteroscopy in patients with sterility increases considerably the range of informations about reproductive organs. Also the possibility of eye-controlled biopsy, deliberation of intrauterine adhesions or removing of endometrial polyps during endoscopic procedure increases the value of hysteroscopy.

Adult↗

Investigations on tensile strength of intestinal anastomosis in pharmacologically induced blood clotting disturbances.

The authors present the results of investigations on tensile strength of intestinal anastomosis in pharmacologically induced blood clotting disturbances in the postoperative period (1-16 days). Experiments were carried out on 50 male rabbits in two groups- a treated group and another for control only. Animals in the experimental group were treated with Sincumar 24 hours before and in the postoperative period. The dosis of Sincumar was calculated to reduce the prothrombin index below 40 percent. The tensile strength of intestinal anastomosis was tested the 2nd, 3rd, 5th and 15th day after operation and in the same time histological examinations of anastomosis specimen were performed. In conclusion the authors found that the reduction of the prothrombin index below 40 percent does not influence the process of healing of anastomosis of the small intestine, prevents the formation of adhesions and inflammatory peritoneal reaction following operation.

Animals↗

Experimental investigations on the possibility of transplantation of venous grafts stored at low temperatures.

At the Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Institute of Haematology in Warsaw 13 dogs received homografts of venous patches stored at low temperatures to fill defects in the wall of the lower caval vein. Venous patches were prepared from segments of femoral veins and were placed in 1.41 M DSMO and stored at the temperature of liquid nitrogen. The authors describe the methods of obtaining venous patches, the technique of freezing and defreezing of grafts, and details of operations. Full healing in of grafts took about 15 days. The results of histological examinations of grafts obtained during planned autopsies between 12 and 29 days after application of the graft are discussed.

Animals↗