Biomedical subjects

Mirosław P Czarkowski

Publications and source records attributed to Mirosław P Czarkowski.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Coverage of vaccination against hepatitis B in Poland in 2004].

Vaccinations against hepatitis B were performed according to Programme of Vaccination since 1989. 31,1% of population was vaccinated at the and of 2004. In voivodships vaccination was performed between 38,2% and 27,6% Children and adolescents up to 19 years old were vaccinated in 77,6% and persons older than 20 in 15,6%. In the next 2-4 years all children, adolescents and young adults up to 23 should be vaccinated against hepatitis B in Poland in 95% or even more.

Age Distribution↗

PubMed2005

[Infectious diseases in Poland in 2003].

The most frequent infectious disease as in the previous years was influenza. 1,216,285 cases were reported (3,184.4/100,000). Number of foodborne infections and intoxications remains high--20,221 cases (52.9/100,000). 81.6% of them were caused by Salmonella. In 15.5% of them etiologic factor was not found. In this number Campylobacter infections, rarely tested in Poland may be hidden. Especially alarming is number of cases of diarrhea among children 0-2. Seasonality of childhood diarrhea indicates domination of viral infections, most probably rotaviral among them. There was noted decrease of incidence of newly diagnosed cases of viral hepatitis B (4.7/100,000) which dropped to the level of the incidence of viral hepatitis C (5.9/100,000). Hepatitis A remains at the low level (0.39/100,000). Level of newly diagnosed cases of AIDS (116 cases, 0.36/100,000) remains relatively stable for last few years. The major problem is decreasing reporting of possible risk factors. Infectious diseases caused 0.75% of deaths. Mortality from infectious diseases was 7.2/100,000 and was significantly higher among men (9.5) then among women (5.0). In urban settings mortality from infectious diseases was higher (7.3/100,000) then in the country (6.9). As in previous years, the highest number of deaths was caused by tuberculosis and its late sequels (34.4%). Attention should be given to the increased number of deaths due to sepsis (32.3%, without neonatal sepsis).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Measles in Poland in 2003].

In Poland 48 measles cases were registered in 2003 (0.13 per 100,000 population)--of which 65% were cases imported from Chechnya and Afghanistan. Measles outbreaks occurred in 3 centers for immigrants. In total, 31 cases were reported, of which 96.8% were unvaccinated, and 93.5% were under 15 years of age. Of 17 local cases, 5 (29.4%) cases occurred in unvaccinated persons, 3 (17.6%) in persons vaccinated with one dose and 7 (41.2%) in those vaccinated with two doses of measles vaccine (administered at the age of 13-15 months and 7 years). Among 12 vaccinated cases only one 2-year old child was recently vaccinated. The remaining cases were in the 3-7 and 10-24 age ranges. The most affected were infants (incidence 0.57 per 100,000), 1-year old (0.28) and 2-year old children (incidence 0.27). Cases among adolescents and adults over 15 years of age increased from 23.5% in 2002 to 47.1% in 2003. The increasing age of locally-acquired cases, together with constantly high immunization coverage indicates high effectiveness of vaccinations in Poland. Out of all reported cases 13 (38%) were hospitalized. There were no deaths due to measles in Poland in 2003. Poland participates in the WHO Measles Elimination Strategy. Presently, the most important is the maintenance of a sensitive and timely surveillance of measles and measles-compatible cases, with serologic confirmation of one rash-like illness per 100 000 population. The performance of the surveillance system is insufficient with only 55 measles-compatible cases reported in 2003 (15% of expected reports). Serologic confirmation of cases was also insufficient, with 22 cases (40.0%) confirmed by IgM ELISA test. These results indicate the need to maintain the high immunisation coverage and improve measles surveillance system.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Rubella in Poland in 2003].

In Poland, 10,588 cases of rubella were registered in 2003 (incidence 27.7 per 100,000 population). No cases of congenital rubella syndrome were reported. A 74% decrease in incidence was noted, compared to 2002. Across voivodeships, the incidence ranged from 113.1 per 100,000 in warmińsko-mazurskie to 6.2 per 100,000 in lódzkie. As in 2002 rubella incidence among residents of urban areas was lower, compared to residents of rural areas (26.4 and 29.8, respectively). The incidence in men (32.3) was 38% higher than in women (23.4) and this difference appears to systematically increase with routine vaccination of 13-year old girls. The highest incidence was observed in children aged 7 (242.0 per 100,000) and 8 years (209.3). Approximately 0.5% of cases required hospital admission. No rubella deaths were registered.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Influenza in Poland in 2003].

Following two years of low influenza incidence in Poland, the activity of this disease markedly increased in 2003. In total 1,216,285 cases of influenza like illness were registered (incidence 3,184.4 per 100,000). Regionally the incidence ranged from 1,195.7 in Zachodniopomorskie to 5,719.7 per 100,000 in Mazowieckie. Children and adolescents under 15 years of age accounted for 41.7% of all cases (507,102 cases, age specific incidence 7,579.0 per 100,000). In this age group the incidence varied regionally from 2,718.1 in Podlaskie to 14,087.6 per 100,000 in Mazowieckie. 3,128 patients (0.26% of all cases) required hospital admission. There were 141 deaths due to influenza (mortality 0.12%) in 2003, in 78.7% these were persons over 70 years of age. Nineteen strains of influenza virus were isolated in 2003 in Poland, including 15 strains of subtype A(H3), 3 strains of subtype A(H1) and one strain of type B. Besides, in other 10 cases influenza A infection was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence test. All isolated influenza strains were antigenically similar to the vaccine strains recommended for the epidemic season 2002/03 and 2003/04.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Scarlet fever in Poland in 2003].

Following the last epidemic in 1995 the scarlet fever incidence in Poland has been gradually decreasing. The downward trend continued in 2003, with overall incidence rate of 10.1 per 100,000. The incidence registered during 2001-2003 dropped below the lowest level noted ever sine the introduction of mandatory reporting in 1918. Regionally the incidence ranged from 3.4 per 100,000 in lódzkie voivodeship to 21.8 in opolskie voivodeship. As observed previously incidence in the urban areas (11.8) was significantly higher then in the rural areas (7.5) and the incidence in men (11.1) exceeded the incidence in women (9.2). The majority of cases occurred in children and adolescents younger then 15 years (mode--6 years; incidence 132.3). Approximately 3% of cases were hospitalized. There were no deaths due to scarlet fever reported in 2003.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Botulism in Poland in 2003].

A total number of 78 foodborne botulism cases were registered in Poland in 2003, (incidence rate 0.20 per 100 000 population), in rural areas--46 cases (incidence 0.31) and in urban areas--32 cases (incidence 0.14). There were noted 48 sporadic cases, 8 outbreaks of two persons and 1 outbreak of three, four and five people. Meat dishes were the main vehicle of botulinum toxin, especially home made bottling jars prepared from pork meat (24.4% of cases). Two deaths from foodborne botulism were registered.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Hepatitis C in Poland in 2003].

HCV surveillance in Poland is based on registration of newly detected both acute and chronic cases. The data from 1999 - 2003 demonstrate a slight upward trend with an increase in incidence of 0.1 per 100,000 annually. In 2003 there were 2,255 registered cases (incidence 5.9 per 100,000), including 5.2% mixed HCV/HBV infections. The incidence in the urban areas (7.6 per 100,000) was two times higher then the incidence in rural areas (3.1) and the incidence in men (7.0) was 42% higher then in women (4.9). In men the highest incidence was noted in the age group 20 to 24 years (10.8 per 100,000) and in women in the age group 60 - 64 years (9.4). Geographically, the incidence varied from 0.8 per 100,000 in Podlaskie to 16.6 per 100,000 in Swietokrzyskie voyvodship. In total 80.8% of the cases were hospitalised. In several voyvodships the percentage of hospitalised cases was higher, reaching even 100%. This suggests low surveillance sensitivity to less severe cases in these areas. There were 116 deaths from hepatitis C in Poland in 2003. Deaths attributed to HCV infection accounted for 4.2% of all infectious disease deaths in 2003.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Changes in endemicity of hepatitis A in Poland].

Hepatitis cases have been reported and notified in Poland as infectious disease since 1951. Numbers of cases of hepatitis type A were estimated for the years 1970-1996, and since 1997 separate reporting and notification of this disease was introduced. Up to 1977 high endemicity, in the years 1978-1996 middle endemicity, and since 1997 low endemicity of hepatitis A have been observed. Vaccinations against hepatitis A have been recommended by programme of immunization since 1996. Annually between 13 and 23 thousand persons were vaccinated (less than 1 promile), except the period just after the flood in 1997, when 166 thousand of persons were vaccinated (0.4%).

Cross Infection↗

PubMed2004

[Infectious diseases in Poland in 2002].

New regulations concerning infectious diseases effective in Poland since 2002 did not changed surveillance of infectious diseases. The most frequent infectious disease as in the previous years was influenza. 228.055 cases were reported (596.5/100,000). Number of foodborne infections and intoxications remains high--26.734 cases (69.0/100,000). 77% of them were caused by Salmonella. In this high number of foodborne infections in 4,492 (16.8%) etiologic factor was not found. In this number Campylobacter infections, rarely tested in Poland may be found. Especially alarming is number of cases of diarrhea among children 0-2. Age adjusted incidence of 2.464/100,000 is the highest occurrence among infectious diseases in Poland. There was noted decrease of incidence of newly diagnosed cases of viral hepatitis B (5.3/100,000) which dropped to the level of the incidence of viral hepatitis C (5.17/100,000). Hepatitis A remains at the low level (0.9/100,000). Level of newly diagnosed cases of AIDS (113 cases, 0.3/100,000) remains relatively stable for last few years. The major problem is decreasing reporting of possible risk factors. Infectious diseases caused 0.74% of deaths. Mortality from infectious diseases was 6.9/100,000 and was significantly higher among men (8.9) then among women. (5.1). In the age groups 35-64 it was 3-4 times higher. In urban settings mortality from infectious diseases was higher (7.2/100,000) then in the country (6.6). In particular districts (voivodeships) mortality indices remained in the range of 4.3 (opolskie) to 11.4 (ślaskie). As in previous years, the highest number of deaths was caused by tuberculosis and its late sequels (35.4%). Attention should be given to the increased number of deaths due to sepsis (33.6%, without neonatal sepsis).

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Measles in Poland in 2002].

In Poland 34 measles cases were registered in 2002 (0.09 per 100,000 population)--99 cases less than in the preceding year. Eleven (32%) cases occurred in unvaccinated persons, 9 (27%) in persons who had received only one dose of the vaccine and 14 (41%) in those vaccinated with two doses. The number of cases among the vaccinated population--23, including one case of vaccine associated measles--together with high vaccination coverage after 1975, indicates high effectiveness of measles vaccines used in Poland. Fifteen cases (44%) were confirmed serologically (IgM). Across the voivodeships the number of cases ranged from 0 in four voivodeships to 5 in the ślaskie voivodeship. In none of the voivodeships, however, did the incidence exceed 0.2 per 100,000. The most affected were infants (incidence 0.85 per 100,000), children in their second year of life (incidence 1.09) and children aged 5 and 6 years--incidence of 0.72 and 0.69 respectively. According to the immunization schedule these were children who should receive their first or subsequent dose of vaccine during the year 2002. Cases among children and adolescents below 15 years of age (26 cases) constituted 77% of all reported cases. Out of all reported cases 13 (38%) were hospitalized. There were no deaths due to measles in Poland in 2002.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Scarlet fever in Poland in 2002].

Following the last epidemic in 1995 the scarlet fever incidence in Poland has been gradually decreasing, on average 20% per year. The downward trend continued in 2002, the overall incidence rate being 10.6 per 100,000. It was the lowest incidence registered in Poland since the introduction of mandatory reporting of scarlet fever in 1918 (the lowest so far registered incidence rates were 15.2 in 2001 and 17.5 in 1918). Spatial distribution of cases was relatively even--incidence ranged from 5.0 per 100,000 in łódzkie voivodeship to 25.1 in opolskie voivodeship. As observed previously incidence in the urban areas (12.0) was significantly higher then in the rural areas (8.4) and the incidence in men (11.7) exceeded the incidence in women (9.6). The majority of cases occurred in children and adolescents younger then 15 years (mode--6 years). Two percent of cases were hospitalized. There were no deaths due to scarlet fever reported in 2002.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Rubella in Poland in 2002].

In Poland, 40,518 cases of rubella were registered in 2002 (incidence 106 per 100,000 population), including 2 cases of congenital rubella syndrome (incidence 0.57 per 100,000 live births). A 52% decrease in incidence was noted with respect to the epidemic year 2001. Across the voivodeships the incidence ranged from 227.7 per 100,000 in wielkopolskie to 21.4 per 100,000 in warminsko-mazurskie. As in 2001 urban areas registered slightly lower incidence than the rural areas (104.2 and 108.9 respectively). The incidence in men (120.2) was 24% higher than in women (91.9) and this difference appears to increase with routine vaccination of 13-year old girls. The highest incidence was observed in children aged 7 (1,023.2 per 100,000), 8 (930.7) and 9 years (859.6). Approximately 0.4% of cases required hospital admission. No rubella deaths were registered.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Hepatitis B in Poland in 2002].

Noticeable downward trend of hepatitis B incidence in Poland continued in 2002. In total 2,021 new cases were reported, 84 (4.2%) of which concerned people co-infected with HBV and HCV. The registered incidence, 5.3 per 100,000 population, was 15% lower then in 2001. As in previous years, the incidence in the urban areas (5.7) exceeded the incidence in the rural areas (4.6) and it was higher in men (6.6) then in women (4.0). Comparing the incidence across the regions, the rate ratio between the voivodeship with the highest and the lowest incidence (respectively 13.2 in kujawsko-pomorskie and 2.1 in podkarpackie) was 6.3. In the voivodeships with the highest incidence the age distribution differed significantly from the rest of the country suggesting the necessity of appropriate modifications in the national prevention program. Overall the most affected age groups were the elderly (incidence 8.1 in persons over 74 years of age, 7.9 in 65-74 year olds and 7.3 in 60-64 year olds) and young adults (incidence 6.5 among 20-24 year olds). Approximately 96% of cases were hospitalized. According to preliminary data there were 100 deaths due to acute of chronic hepatitis B in Poland in 2002.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Hepatitis C in Poland in 2002].

The hepatitis C surveillance in Poland covers both acute and chronic presentation of hepatitis C. Chronic cases are registered only once, at the time of the first notification. In total, 1,987 cases were reported in Poland in 2002, out of which 84 (4.2%) persons were co-infected with HBV. The overall incidence, 5.2 per 100,000, was within the range observed during the preceding three years. As previously the incidence in the cities (6.8) was significantly higher than in rural areas (2.6), and males were more affected then females (incidence 6.1 and 4.3 per 100,000 respectively). Comparing the incidence across the regions, the rate ratio between the voivodeships with the highest and the lowest incidence (respectively 14.0 in świetokrzyskie and 1.5 in podkarpackie) was 9.5. The age distribution of cases was bimodal peaking in the age groups 50-54 years (incidence 7.9) and 20-24 years (incidence 7.0). Approximately 86.5% of cases were hospitalized. According to the preliminary national life statistics data in 2002 in Poland 91 persons died from acute or chronic hepatitis C.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[Infectious diseases in Poland in 2001].

In 2001 surveillance system of infectious diseases in Poland remained unchanged. New cases of infectious diseases were recorded in 103 positions including intoxications. Tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections were registered in separate systems. Influenza was the most frequently reported infectious disease with 576,449 cases, 63.9% less then in the previous year. The next most numerous were foodborne infections, which were reported in 24,393 cases, including 19,788 cases of infections caused by Salmonella sp. An increase in incidence was observed in the following diseases: viral hepatitis type A, rubella, measles and pertussis. Also the number of recorded cases of Lyme boreliosis and tickborne encephalitis were higher then in 2000. Incidence of AIDS remained within the range recorded during the last few years. In 2001 further drop in incidence of viral hepatitis type B was observed reaching the level of 6.2 per 100,000. It was the result of implemented comprehensive program of prophylactic measures, which brought incidence of this disease from the highest in Europe down to the level close to European average. Infectious diseases contributed to 0.75% of deaths. The most frequent cause of death among infectious diseases was tuberculosis and its sequels (1,061 cases). 13 cases of death due to tuberculosis occurred in people below 30 years of age.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[Scarlet fever in Poland in 2001].

In 2001, as compared to 2000, a 29.5% decrease in the number of scarlet fever cases was noted. The incidence was 15.2 per 100,000 population and was one of the lowest since the World War I. In particular voivodeships incidence ranged from 5.7 to 28.8 per 100,000 population. In urban areas the incidence was 32.3% higher than in rural ones. Of all registered cases 91.9% were children under 15 years of age. The age distribution of scarlet fever cases in 2001 was similar to the distribution observed in the last decade. The highest incidence was noted among children aged 6 and 5,169.1 and 155.1 per 100,000 respectively. About 2.1% of all cases were hospitalised. No scarlet fever deaths were noted.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[Rubella in Poland in 2001].

In 2001 in Poland we observed a subsequent peak of rubella epidemic (the previous peak was observed in 1997). As compared to 2000, an 82.8% increase in the number of rubella cases was noted. A total of 84,419 cases were registered, including 3 cases of congenital rubella. Incidence on the country level was 218.5 per 100,000 population. In particular voivodeships it ranged from 50.1 to 655.2. For the first time since rubella became reportable, the incidence in rural areas (220.1) was higher than in urban areas (217.4) Incidence among women (193.6) was 21% lower than among men (244.8). This disproportion is gradually increasing. One of the probable reasons of this difference is the intensive immunisation of 13-year old girls, which has been in place for several years now. Among all registered rubella cases 91.7% were children under 15 years of age. The highest incidence was noted among 7-year old (2,235.8), 8-year old (1,964.7) and 6-year old (1,954.5) children. About 0.3% of rubella cases were hospitalised. No rubella deaths were noted if to exclude one death due to congenital rubella.

Adolescent↗