Biomedical subjects

M Bartos

Publications and source records attributed to M Bartos.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

Various stages in the life cycle of syrphid flies (Eristalis tenax; Diptera: Syrphidae) as potential mechanical vectors of pathogens causing mycobacterial infections in pig herds.

We defined the role of the syrphid fly Eristalis tenax in the survival and transmission of mycobacteria in pigs. The conditionally pathogenic mycobacterial (CPM) species Mycobacterium chelonae was isolated from 10 % of liquid dung samples, and both M. chelonae and another CPM species M. fortuitum were isolated from 7 (78 %) of the examined E. tenax larvae collected from the same location. Mycobacteriosis of the lymph nodes of pigs from 3 infected farms was caused by M. avium subsp. avium, M. avium subsp. hominissuis, and M. fortuitum. M. avium subsp. avium and M. avium subsp. hominissuis of identical genotype and serotypes and M. fortuitum were isolated from 7 (1.9 %) larvae, 2 (7.4 %) puparia, and one (1.6 %) imago. The count of colony forming units isolated from larval skin covering (pouch) was higher (p < or = 0.01) than that isolated from the internal organs of larvae. These results showed the potential for E. tenax larvae to spread mycobacteria throughout pig herds and the surrounding environment.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

Outbreak of tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium caprae in a zoological garden.

In the autumn of 2004, tuberculosis caused by Mycobacterium caprae occurred in a zoo in Slovenia. A dromedary camel (Camelus dromedarius) was killed after a history of progressive emaciation. Necropsy findings indicated disseminated tuberculosis, which was confirmed by cultivation of M. caprae. Consequently, a tuberculin skin test was performed in all epidemiologically linked animals and another dromedary camel and six bison (Bison bison) were positive and killed. Mycobacterium caprae was isolated from two bison while M. scrofulaceum and Mycobacterium spp. were found in two other bison, respectively. The second dromedary camel was found to be negative for mycobacteria under both microscopic and culture tests. The isolates were investigated with commercial identification kits, IS6110 PCR, IS6110 restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis, spoligotyping and mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units typing. Genotyping results revealed that the dromedary camel and the two bison were infected by the same M. caprae.

Animals↗

PubMed2006

[Cardiovascular diseases and gene polymorphisms].

Cardiovascular diseases rank among the most important mortality causes in the Czech population. Although the unhealthy living style plays a key role in their development and progression, impacts of the hereditary predisposition can not be denied. This article characterizes the gene polymorphisms and results of mutations in general. An overview of the most important findings presented in papers published in the Czech Republic and worldwide follows. Issues of concrete gene polymorphism associations with such pathological conditions as acute or chronic heart failure, essential hypertension or heart rhythm disorders are discussed. Attention is paid to genes that participate on beta-adrenergic signalling, to genes for angiotensin, to ACE-gene and to angiotensin II receptor gene. A table summarizing the most important data is attached to the article.

Angiotensinogen↗

PubMed2005

Further analysis of VNTR and MIRU in the genome of Mycobacterium avium complex, and application to molecular epidemiology of isolates from South America.

All members of Mycobacterium avium complex are serious pathogens for humans and animals. The aim of this study was to look for and analyze VNTR-MIRU loci in the genome of M. avium complex and their preliminary application to test these isolates. In the present study, we identified 22 novel VNTR-MIRU by using Tandem Repeat software: five with a structure similar to MIRU and 17 without MIRU structure; these latter were designated as VNTR. Most VNTR were located within predicted coding regions. Most MIRU were intercistronic with their extremities overlapping the termination and initiation codons of their flanking genes. Some of these VNTR-MIRU exhibited polymorphism among M. avium complex isolates due to insertion or deletion of whole repeats and/or of nucleotide sequence degeneration. We determined the variability of six VNTR-MIRU loci in 21 M. avium subsp. hominissuis and 26 M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis. The analysis identified 15 different alleles with the combination of six VNTR-MIRU in the 21 M. avium subsp. hominissuis with 16 different IS1245 RFLP and four different profiles with PCR-restriction analysis of hsp65 (PRA). However, neither the six VNTR-MIRU loci nor the PRA were able to distinguish M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates with five different IS900 RFLP profiles. In conclusion, some of the VNTR-MIRU loci identified were useful to differentiate M. avium subsp. hominissuis but not M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates here included. However, we observed polymorphism in VNTR-MIRU loci between M. avium subsp. hominissuis and M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis genomes, which could be important in the understanding of the obvious differences in the pathogenic effects of these mycobacteria.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Paratuberculosis and avian tuberculosis infections in one red deer farm studied by IS900 and IS901 RFLP analysis.

As the attempt to eradicate paratuberculosis in one red deer (Cervus elaphus) farm failed, all 167 red deer of different age groups were slaughtered and examined by culture for mycobacteria, and the farm was closed down. Spleen and hepatic lymph nodes, mediastinal lymph node, ileocecal lymph node, and ileum were collected from each animal and examined (a total of 835 organs). Neither tuberculosis lesions nor pathognomic signs of paratuberculosis were detected. Among all microscopically negative for mycobacteria organs, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis alone was isolated from 165 organs, M. a. avium alone from 41 organs, and both pathogens from four organs. M. a. paratuberculosis alone was detected in 71 red deer, M. a. avium alone in 13 red deer and both pathogens in 18 red deer. Using standardised RFLP methods, three IS900 RFLP types B-C1, B-C16, and B-C32 were identified among 40 M. a. paratuberculosis isolates and four IS901 RFLP types N-B1, N-B3, N-B4, and P-B3 among 17 M. a. avium isolates.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Potential risk of Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis spread by syrphid flies in infected cattle farms.

The syrphid Eristalis tenax Linnaeus (Diptera: Syrphidae) may be found in and around dung storage pits at cattle farms at various developmental stages of their life cycle. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Mycobacterium avium ssp. paratuberculosis in 1044 E. tenax samples at various developmental stages, as well as fresh and stored dung originating from nine cattle farms. Mycobacterium fortuitum was isolated from one (1.5%) larva from the vicinity of three paratuberculosis-free herds of cattle. Mycobacterium a. paratuberculosis was isolated from 111 (21.4%) of E. tenax larvae collected from two of seven farms known to be infected with the causal agent of paratuberculosis. Mycobacteria were not isolated from any of the 340 pupae, 41 adults of 78 samples of exoskeletal exuviae. Mycobacterium a. paratuberculosis isolates from E. tenax larvae were of the IS900 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) type B-C1, identical to that detected in faecal samples from cattle herds infected with paratuberculosis. Larvae artificially infected with mycobacteria of IS900 RFLP type B-C9 did not contain statistically more CFU of identical IS900 RFLP type B-C9 in the intestinal tract and internal organs than on the body surface. These results show that M. a. paratuberculosis can survive in the intestinal tract and internal organs of E. tenax.

Agriculture↗

PubMed2005

Characterization of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex isolates from Greek patients with sarcoidosis by Spoligotyping.

Spoligotyping was undertaken with 38 Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates from Greek sarcoidosis patients and 31 isolates from patients with tuberculosis. Fifty percent of the isolates from sarcoidosis patients and 16.13% of the isolates from patients with tuberculosis were represented by a unique pattern, whereas the remaining isolates belonged to seven shared types. Interestingly, half of the isolates from sarcoidosis patients did not resemble the spoligotypes of the isolates from patients with tuberculosis, most of which pertained to shared spoligotypes.

Bacterial Typing Techniques↗

PubMed2005

IS900 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis isolates from goats and cattle in Norway.

In Norway, paratuberculosis has been frequently diagnosed in goats, while cattle have been almost free of the infection. This difference in prevalence between goats and cattle has led to speculations about the existence of a Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (M. a. paratuberculosis) isolate that is non-pathogenic for cattle. There is little information available on genotypic variation of M. a. paratuberculosis isolated from animals in Norway. In the present study, genotypic information on 51 isolates from goats and four isolates from cattle in Norway was obtained by use of IS900 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. All isolates from cattle and 84% of the isolates from goats had the same RFLP pattern (B-C1). Five RFLP patterns not previously detected were found. No genotypic variation that could explain a difference in host origin was found between the isolates from cattle and the majority of the Norwegian goat isolates. This lack of difference indicates that the most common M. a. paratuberculosis isolates in Norway may infect both cattle and goats.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Distribution of Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis in organs of naturally infected bull-calves and breeding bulls.

Paratuberculosis, caused by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis, has particular importance in cattle due to the resulting chronic diarrhoea, weight loss, decreased production, infertility and eventual death. While faecal oral route of infection is generally recognised, reports about semen-derived infection are rare. The objective of this work was to assess whether M.a. paratuberculosis may disseminate from the gastrointestinal tract to reproductive organs, and compare this event between naturally infected bull-calves and breeding bulls. Ten bull-calves, aged 6-28 weeks and four breeding bulls were tested by serology, faecal and tissue culture, IS900 PCR and RFLP. In seven bull-calves M.a. paratuberculosis was isolated predominantly from mesenteric lymph nodes (75%); isolates from mucosa of the intestine constituted 25%. In three breeding bulls, M.a. paratuberculosis was isolated both from intestinal mucosa and mesenteric lymph nodes. Head and mediastinal lymph nodes, liver, spleen and semen of bull no. 1 (Holstein-Friesian); testes and epididymis of bull no. 2 (Piemonte); testes, epididymides and seminal vesicle of bull No. 3 (Hereford); and seminal vesicle of bull No. 4 (Simmental) tested positive by culture. Hot-start PCR revealed M.a. paratuberculosis in semen, seminal vesicle and intestinal tissue where culture isolation was difficult. Isolates from bull-calves and breeding bulls were of RFLP types B-C9 and B-C1, respectively. Bull-calves born in infected herd can be sources of infection when later used for natural mating or artificial insemination. Sub-clinically infected bulls release M.a. paratuberculosis into semen, consequently infecting the uterine environment of cows.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Impact of sawdust and wood shavings in bedding on pig tuberculous lesions in lymph nodes, and IS1245 RFLP analysis of Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis of serotypes 6 and 8 isolated from pigs and environment.

Among 25,027 slaughter pigs raised in two farms, tuberculous lesions were detected in the lymph nodes of 898 (3.6%) of them. Tuberculous lesions were most commonly found in the mesenteric (601; 2.4%) and head (451; 1.8%) lymph nodes. Mycobacteria were isolated from 49 of 120 randomly selected mesenteric, head and bronchial lymph nodes with diagnosed tuberculosis originating from both farms. Forty six Mycobacterium avium subsp. hominissuis, one M. chelonae and two M. fortuitum isolates were found in the lymph nodes of pigs. No statistically significant difference was detected between farms A and B for isolation rates of mycobacteria from the lymph nodes of pigs and their species composition. To investigate the source of the pigs' infections, culture examinations of 117 samples from the external environment were performed. Mycobacteria were isolated from 25 samples from the external environment (21.4%). Mycobacterial isolates were also detected in eleven (91.7%) and two (16.7%) of 12 used sawdust and 12 of non-used (fresh) sawdust samples, respectively. None of 12 wood shavings was culture-positive. Twelve of 13 sawdust isolates were classified as M. a. hominissuis of serotypes 6 and 8 and genotype IS901- and IS1245+; the remaining isolate was classified as species M. fortuitum. Other conditionally pathogenic mycobacteria were only isolated from 12 of the remaining 81 samples from the external environment (excluding bedding). A total of eight isolates (two pig and six sawdust samples originating from farms A and B) were examined by IS1245 restriction fragment length polymorphism (IS1245 RFLP) analysis. These isolates produced five distinct IS1245 RFLP types with more than 20 bands. Based on identical IS1245 RFLP types of one pig isolate and two isolates of used sawdust from farm A, we have concluded that contaminated sawdust was the source of mycobacterial infection for pigs in our study.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Beetles as possible vectors of infections caused by Mycobacterium avium species.

Mycobacteria were not isolated from any of 229 beetle imagoes of 29 species originating from 14 distinct localities in the Czech and Slovak Republics: 186 imagoes (34 samples) and 43 imagoes (12 samples) from the wild and herds with paratuberculosis infected ruminants, respectively. From 75 environmental samples taken from barns with infected ruminants, Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis was isolated from five scrapings of the floors in barns and a feed processing room. From bran and peat taken from pig farms, M. a. hominissuis was diagnosed in 13% of 72 samples and in 69% of 70 samples, respectively. M. a. avium was isolated from 2 (2.9%) and atypical mycobacteria from 12 (17.1%) peat samples. In the respective experiments, larvae of Tenebrio molitor Linnaeus and Zophobas atratus Fabricius were infected in vitro with isolates of M. a. paratuberculosis of IS900 RFLP type B-C1 and M. a. avium of IS901 RFLP type F-C3. T. molitor larvae were also infected with M. a. hominissuis by naturally contaminated bran and peat. M. a. paratuberculosis and M. a. avium were diagnosed in larvae of both species on days 1 to 3 post infection (p.i.). M. a. hominissuis was isolated from T. molitor larvae fed by bran on days 4 to 9 p.i. and from imagoes on day 35 p.i. and from larvae fed by peat on days 4 to 14 p.i. RFLP types of all the isolates identified before infection and after isolation from larvae were identical. Thus, beetles could mechanically transmit mycobacteria, this hazard should be considered for both the implementation of control measures and feeding captive animals with larvae.

Animals↗

PubMed2004

Study of Mycobacterium avium complex strains isolated from cattle in the Czech Republic between 1996 and 2000.

This study surveys 2,593,348 cattle slaughtered between 1996 and 2000, and further investigates 571 (0.02%) animals found to have tuberculous lesions. Culture of 346 randomly selected tissue samples from animals younger (n = 215) and older (n = 131) than 2 years, isolated mycobacteria from 91 animals (26.3%). These included 74 Mycobacterium avium subsp. avium isolates of IS901+ and IS1245+ genotype and serotype 2, 13M. avium subsp. hominissuis isolates of IS901- and IS1245+ genotype and serotypes 8 (n = 7) and 4 (n = 6), two M. chelonae, one M. avium subsp. paratuberculosis (RFLP type B-C1), and one M. terrae. Culture of mesenteric lymph node samples obtained 66 isolates of M. avium complex (MAC) and four isolates of other mycobacterial species. M. bovis was significantly absent from all samples. Mycobacteria were more frequently (P = 0.01) isolated from tissues of animals under 2 years (34.4%) than animals over 2 years (13.0%). IS901 and IS1245 RFLP methods were used to type 17 randomly selected MAC isolates, virulent after intramuscular inoculation of pullets, from 17 different cattle herds. These revealed 11 distinct IS901 RFLP types and three IS1245 RFLP profiles. Polyclonal infection of individual animals was detected by IS901/IS1245 typing in 2 of the 17 selected isolates.

Age Factors↗

PubMed2004

Identification of Pasteurella multocida Serogroup F isolates in rabbits.

A total of 24 Pasteurella multocida rabbit isolates obtained from 24 rabbit flocks in the Czech Republic during the period of between 2001 and 2004 were analysed by capsular PCR typing. Apart from isolates identified as serogroups A (n = 14, 58.4%) and D (n = 2, 8.3%), eight isolates (33.3%) were identified as members of serogroup F. This serogroup had been predominantly associated with poultry infections so far. The rabbit serogroup F isolates were characterized in detail by ribotyping with restriction to endonuclease MspI revealing two distinct ribotypes. Seven serogroup F isolates were assigned to ribotype 1 and one isolate was assigned to ribotype 2.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

Earthworms (Oligochaeta, Lumbricidae) and mycobacteria.

The objective of the study was to define the role of earthworms in the survival of mycobacteria in animal populations. In 13 sampling sites mycobacteria were detected in 53 (5.5%) samples of faeces and parenchymatous tissues from animals, in 25 (7.3%) environmental and in nine (8.2%) earthworm samples. In cattle and goat farms affected by Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis (M. paratuberculosis) of IS900 restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) type B-C1 was isolated from 37 (4.6%) faecal samples, three (1.4%) environmental and one (3.1%) earthworm sample. Investigations of aviaries affected by avian tuberculosis detected M. avium of genotype IS901+ and IS1245+ in six (7.9%) bird's faecal and in four (4.4%) environmental samples. M. avium (genotype IS901- and IS1245+) was detected in four (4.4%) and M. abscessus in one (1.1%) environmental sample. M. avium of genotype IS901- and IS1245+ and M. gastri were isolated from three (6.4%) earthworm samples. In pig farm with mycobacteriosis M. avium of genotype IS901- and IS1245+ was detected in five (20.0%) faecal samples from pigs and in four (12.9%) environmental samples. M. scrofulaceum was isolated in one (4.6%) sample of Lumbricus rubellus. In laboratory experiments identical RFLP types of M. paratuberculosis were isolated from bodies and faeces of earthworms 1-2 days after the last contact with the faeces contaminated with the same RFLP type of M. paratuberculosis. The results suggest that earthworms may become vectors of mycobacteria.

Animals↗

PubMed2003

PCR-RFLP detection and species identification of fungal pathogens in patients with febrile neutropenia.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the usefulness of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays in the diagnosis of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients. METHODS: A rapid and sensitive PCR-based assay for the detection and identification of fungal pathogens was designed and applicability of this method was investigated in a group of children with cancer and febrile neutropenia (FN). RESULTS: The ITS2 sequences and adjacent regions of 40 fungal pathogens were analyzed and primers for detection of all analyzed fungal species were designed. Amplification product length polymorphism (APLP) and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) generated genus- or species-specific patterns. The sensitivity of the method was approximately three cells of Candida albicans per 1 mL of blood. The results were available within 8 h after sample collection. The method was tested on 53 blood samples and one lung biopsy sample from 24 children with cancer and febrile neutropenia (FN). The PCR assay detected fungal DNA in 25 clinical samples from ten patients. Blood cultures were positive in only five samples, while another two blood-culture negative patients had positive cultures from throat swabs. The remaining 14 patients were both culture- and PCR-negative. Culture-isolated strains matched completely those obtained by PCR-APLP-RFLP identification. The identity of fungal species was confirmed by direct sequencing of amplified products. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that PCR-APLP-RFLP assays can be useful in the diagnosis of fungal infections in immunocompromised patients.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

The influence of a single acetic acid and lactic acid injection on rat normal thyroid tissue.

Until now, the use of acetic and lactic acid for the treatment of thyroid nodular lesions, as well as histopathologic changes in the thyroid tissue after their intrathyroidal injections has not been described. The aim of this study is to evaluate macro- and microscopic changes in rat normal thyroid tissue induced by single intrathyroidal injection of acetic acid (AA) and lactic acid (LA) in different concentrations, as well as the influence of intrathyroidal acid injection on function of the recurrent laryngeal nerves. Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups of 50 (Group A and B). Rats of each group were divided into the subgroups of five. In each subgroup of Group A and B, AA and LA water solutions of different concentrations (0%, 2.5%, 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 80%), respectively, were injected into the right thyroid lobe. From Group A and B, 7 and 8 rats died, respectively (after injections of 50-80% AA and LA solutions). After 4 weeks post AA or LA injection the thyroid along with the surrounding tissues was excised and assessed macro- and microscopically in all rats that survived. Before the injection and just before the second operation, the vocal cord function was evaluated. Our results show that both, acetic and lactic acid of different concentrations damage rat normal thyroid tissue after a single intrathyroidal injection. The minimal concentrations of acetic and lactic acid that cause lethal changes in rat normal thyroid tissue are 20% and 10%, respectively. Acetic and lactic acid in the concentrations of 40% and 50%, respectively, and higher can cause injury of the tissues adjacent to the thyroid.

Acetic Acid↗

PubMed2002

Carcinogenic effect of combined administration of 2,4-diaminoanisole sulfate, 4,4'-thiodianiline and N,N'-diethylthiourea in male Wistar rats.

Male Wistar rats were divided into two groups. Rats of group 1 were fed basal powdered diet containing 610 ppm 2,4- diaminoanisole sulfate (DAAS), 46 ppm 4,4'-thiodianiline (TDA) and 200 ppm N,N'-diethylthiourea (DETU) for 52 weeks (DTD treatment). Rats of group 2 were maintained on basal diet throughout the experiment as controls. At 52 weeks all surviving rats were sacrificed and subjected to an autopsy. Thyroid, lungs, stomach, liver, spleen, kidneys, testes and all gross lesions suspected of being a tumor were removed. After DTD treatment, the incidence of thyroid hyperplasia and papillary thyroid carcinoma was 59% (10/17) and 65% (11/17), respectively. Hepatocellular adenoma was induced in 2 of 17 rats (12%). Papillary thyroid carcinoma metastasis was found in the lung of 1 rat. No neoplastic tumors were found in kidney, spleen, stomach and testis tissue.

Adenoma, Liver Cell↗

PubMed2001

The global impact of HIV/AIDS.

The scale of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/AIDS epidemic has exceeded all expectations since its identification 20 years ago. Globally, an estimated 36 million people are currently living with HIV, and some 20 million people have already died, with the worst of the epidemic centred on sub-Saharan Africa. But just as the spread of HIV has been greater than predicted, so too has been its impact on social capital, population structure and economic growth. Responding to AIDS on a scale commensurate with the epidemic is a global imperative, and the tools for an effective response are known. Nothing less than a sustained social mobilization is necessary to combat one of the most serious crises facing human development.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗