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Biomedical subjects

P B Heczko

Publications and source records attributed to P B Heczko.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2006

Treatment of acute infectious diarrhoea in infants and children with a mixture of three Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains--a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Multiple studies document that probiotics are effective in treating infectious diarrhoea in children. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG is the most extensively studied but effectiveness of other strains has been poorly examined. AIM: To determine whether L. rhamnosus strains (573L/1; 573L/2; 573L/3) (Lakcid L, Biomed, Lublin, Poland) would be effective in shortening infectious diarrhoea. METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 87 children (age range: 2 months to 6 years) with infectious diarrhoea were administered Lakcid L at a dose 1.2 x 10(10) CFU or placebo, twice daily, for 5 days. Primary outcome measure was the duration of diarrhoea. Secondary measures were duration of parenteral rehydration, adverse events, and gastrointestinal tract colonization by administered strains. RESULTS: In an intention to treat analysis of 87 children, the mean duration of diarrhoea in the treated group: 84 +/- 56 h; placebo: 96 +/- 72 h (P = 0.36). In rotavirus infection: 76 +/- 35 h vs. 115 +/- 67 h (P = 0.03), respectively. Duration of parenteral rehydration: 15 +/- 14 h vs. 38 +/- 33 h (P = 0.006). Gut colonization by administered strains was 80% and 41% at five and 14 days, respectively. No adverse events were noted. CONCLUSIONS: Administration of L. rhamnosus strains shortens the duration of rotaviral diarrhoea in children but not of diarrhoea of any aetiology. Intervention shortens the time of intravenous rehydration.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed2001

Handwashing practices in Polish hospitals: results of a survey conducted by Polish Society of Hospital Infection.

Handwashing is the most important and least expensive measure for preventing transmission of hospital-acquired infections. Nevertheless, healthcare workers do not seem to understand the risks associated with non-compliance. Thus, compliance is usually poor and rarely exceeds 40%. The Polish Society of Hospital Infection has made a short study of handwashing practices in Polish hospitals as observed by members of infection control teams. The study was based on questionnaires given to infection control workers attending the annual congress of the society. The workers were asked to complete the forms during the congress according to their perceived estimations. Altogether 78 complete questionnaires were analysed. The responding staff members were from hospitals of all sizes, reference levels and regions. Nearly all (95.6%) hospitals had a written protocol for handwashing procedures but according to the estimates of their infection control teams, the compliance rates varied from 20 to 80% although in most institutions was between 40% and 60%. In the vast majority of the hospitals, alcoholic rub preparations were used (70.3%), but in some both handwashing with chlorhexidine in detergents and alcohol-based antiseptics were used in different situations. According to the respondents, the mean time of hand disinfection varied from 1 to 3 min. The handwashing procedures were mostly performed in examination, operating and patients' rooms. Thus, it seems that as in other countries, Polish healthcare workers fail to understand the importance of handwashing.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local↗
PubMed2001

[Antagonistic activity of Lactobacillus bacteria strains against anaerobic gastrointestinal tract pathogens (Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter coli, Campylobacter jejuni, Clostridium difficile)].

Antagonistic activity of Lactobacillus strains has been known for some time. This property is connected with production of many active substances by lactobacilli e.g., organic acids and bacteriocin-like substances which interfere with other indigenous microorganisms inhabiting the same ecological niche, including also anaerobic gastrointestinal tract pathogens. Growing interest of clinical medicine in finding new approaches to treatment and prevention of common inflammatory infections of the digestive tract resulted in studies on a possible usage of lactic acid bacteria. Last years, several in vitro and in vivo experiments on antagonism of different Lactobacillus strains against Helicobacter pylori and Clostridium difficile were performed. These observations had been done on already established, well known probiotic Lactobacillus strains. We tested antibacterial activities of Lactobacillus strains isolated from human digestive tract. As indicator bacteria, four species known as anaerobic bacterial etiologic agents of gastroenteric infections: Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter jejuni, C. coli and Clostridium difficile were used. Some of them were obtained from international collections, others were clinical isolates from specimens taken from patients with different defined gastrointestinal infections. We used a slab method of testing inhibitory activity described in details previously. Following conclusions were drawn from our study: All tested human Lactobacillus strains were able to inhibit the growth of all strains of anaerobic human gastrointestinal pathogens used in this study. Inhibitory activities of tested Lactobacillus strains against Helicobacter pylori, Campylobacter spp., and Clostridium difficile as measured by comparing mean diameters of the inhibition zones were similar. Differences in susceptibility of individual indicator strains of Campylobacter spp. and Clostridium difficile to inhibitory activity of Lactobacillus strains were small. A similar mechanism of inhibition of anaerobic bacteria by lactobacilli is postulated.

Campylobacter coli↗
PubMed2000

[Hospital acquired pneumonia--analysis of frequency and etiology in Polish hospitals in 1998].

Hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP) is one of the most frequently occurring hospital infections in the world. This study describes the incidence of HAP in Poland, as well as the specific risk factors leading to this type of infection in Polish hospitals; including those of patient age, length of hospitalization, and use of mechanical ventilation. The epidemiology of HAP as well as treatment resistance of various causal organisms was studied. Data for this study was acquired from the Registry of Hospital-acquired Infectious Diseases for the year 1998. Out of 329,608 hospital-acquired infections in all patients except newborns, 920 were found to be HAP. This study showed that of every 1000 hospital admissions three patients developed HAP (0.3%). Death occurred in 260 of 920 HAP cases or 30%; and HAP found to be the direct cause of death in 66 of the 260 cases (25%). The greatest incidence of HAP was found to occur in patients older than 75 years, was directly related to the length of hospital stay, and was higher in patients on mechanical ventilation longer than 10 days. The most frequently isolated causal agents were the Gram-negative rods (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter sp., Klebsiella sp., Enterobacter sp.), and Staphylococcus aureus. Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae were found in only 2% and 4% of cases, respectively, and thus were the least likely causes of HAP in this population. It was found that the percentage of methicillin-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus was very high (55% to 60%); vancomycin-resistant enterococci were only found in patients who did not undergo surgery. The isolated strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed marked resistance to chinolones (58-76%) and to imipen (approximately 20%). In the Enterobacteriaceae family, Klebsiella sp. was found to be resistant to third-generation cephalosporins (56-73%) and Enterobacter sp. resistant in 55% to 81% of the isolates.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2000

[Dominant etiological factors of urinary tract infections in various hospital departments and their resistance to chemotherapeutic agents].

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was the determination of the incidence of urinary tract infection (UTI) in patients hospitalized in specific wards, and the analysis of the factors influencing the incidence of infection. METHODS: 329,608 hospital infection registration cards taken from the Polish national program for registration of hospital infections were analysed. This programme is based on a unified registration card system and on the definitions of particular types of hospital-acquired infections provided by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control, Atlanta, Georgia, USA). Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistica programme. RESULTS: 1,422 cases of hospital-acquired UTI, making up 21% of total hospital-acquired infections, were found. Six hundred sixty-six microbes were isolated from this total number of cases. The dominant pathogens were: Escherichia coli (31%), followed by Pseudomonas aeruginosa (13%), and Enterococcus sp. (12%). Hospital-acquired UTI occurred most often in maternity wards, gynaecology departments and intensive care units. Microbiological confirmation was obtained for only 45% of the clinically diagnosed cases of UTI. A disquieting increase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to chinolones was observed as well as extremely high resistance to aminoglycosides in Enterococcus sp. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are the second most common form of hospital-acquired infection. Causal agents of hospital-acquired UTIs differed, depending upon the specific ward to which the patient is admitted. The most frequently isolated pathogens were Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterococcus sp. Microbiological confirmation of the clinically diagnosed cases of urinary tract infection is absolutely necessary, as well as a better cooperation between practicing physicians and microbiologists in the detection of hospital-acquired infection and interpretation of results.

Bacteria↗
PubMed1998

Characterization of pathogenetic determinants of Candida albicans strains.

The study was an attempt to correlate phenotypic pathogenetic determinants of clinical Candida albicans strains with their genotype as determined by PCR fingerprinting. A total of 25 C. albicans strains was tested. Adherence capacity, hydrophobicity and proteinase production were compared with the genotypes of the particular Candida strains. The fungal strains represented eleven genotypes. No correspondence relationship was found between genotype and the markers of pathogenicity.

Candida albicans↗
PubMed1994

Combined treatment with antibiotic, heparin and streptokinase--a new approach to the therapy of bacterial osteomyelitis.

Combined treatment by continuous intravenous infusion of a selected antibiotic and heparin and/or streptokinase was elaborated as a method of causal, systemic treatment of bacterial osteomyelitis. The aim of the combined treatment was to overcome infection and disturbances in the coagulation and fibrinolysis system which lead to impairment of the bone blood supply and its subsequent necrosis as the main factor in the aetiopathology of osteomyelitis. Between 1969 and 1991, combined treatment was introduced in 63 patients with acute onset disease or with chronic osteomyelitis. Osteomyelitis was located in the mandible in 38 patients and in the long bones in 14 patients. Prior to combined treatment, moderate bone surgery was performed in 21 patients, while 31 patients were excluded from surgery. Combined treatment with an antibiotic and heparin (A+H) was performed in 43 patients, and the other 6 patients had infusion of an antibiotic, streptokinase and heparin (A+S+H). The authors' method of combined treatment offers a new approach and an alternative to routinely-ordered antibiotic therapy and radical surgery, which allow frequent recurrences of the disease, a long-lasting course and severe complications.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1994

[Moraxella catarrhalis as an important etiologic factor in infection of the lower bronchial tree].

Moraxella catarrhalis in responsible for a considerable number of bronchopulmonary infections in adults, as well as otitis media and sinusitis in children. Many strains of Moraxella catarrhalis produce beta-lactamase and are resistant to many beta-lactam antibiotics. When Moraxella catarrhalis in considered to be a causative organism, the choice for an empiric antimicrobial therapy should be beta-lactamase-resistant antibiotics.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Role of Staphylococcus saprophyticus in human infection.

Biological properties of Staphylococcus saprophyticus strains isolated from urinary tract infection and respiratory tract secretions were investigated. The majority of S. saprophyticus strains exhibit moderate surface hydrophobic properties, as measured by Hydrophobic Interaction Chromatography. There was no significant difference between two groups of isolates in respect to electrostatic charge. It was found that the ability to form a diffuse type of growth is characteristic for most of S. saprophyticus strains despite of source of isolation. Five carbohydrates on the surface of 25% of S. saprophyticus strains were shown by means of specific lectin agglutination. Some of the tested strains were capable to bind labelled fibrinogen.

Agglutination↗
PubMed1990

[Anaerobic bacteria detected in inflammatory conditions of the respiratory tract].

In this study a participation of anaerobic bacteria in respiratory tract diseases is presented. Bronchial washings collected by ++fibrobronchoscope constituted material for the study. Immediately after collection the material was plated onto two media for aerobic bacteria (hemomedium) and anaerobic bacteria (anaeromedium). Then, the samples were centrifuged and a sediment was plated on solid media suitable for aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. Bacterial anaerobic isolates were identified by using API 20E and their sensitivity to antibiotics was tested. From the material described above the most frequently isolated anaerobic bacteria were such as: Streptococcus intermedius, Bacteroides melaninogenicus, Veilonella sp. Among aerobic bacteria the most frequently isolated were Gram-negative rods, Streptococcus faecalis, Branhamella catarrhalis. It is worth to underline that in about 25% of cases anaerobic bacteria were the only isolates.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗
PubMed1989

Antibodies against toxic shock syndrome toxin no. 1 (TSST-1) in Poland.

A total of 174 sera from healthy Polish individuals of different age groups were tested for TSST-1 antibody by the micro-ELISA method. Over 90% of sera contained the antibody with titres equal to above 1:10(2), even in children and adolescents. The data suggest that the majority of the Polish population acquires TSST-1-antibody during early childhood, whereas a small portion of the population seems to remain anti-TSST-1-negative.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1989

[Piglets as a model for studying the activity of staphylococcal shock syndrome toxin (TSST-1)].

In this study the influence of toxic shock syndrome toxin produced by Staphylococcus aureus on the organism of piglets of Minnesota race is presented. Animals were tested in two groups: conventional and gnotobiotic and they were given the toxin intradermally in two doses 10 and 100 micrograms/kg of body weight. It was shown that piglets are sensitive to the toxin which induced rise of body temperature, various clinical symptoms and in functional changes of several organs as shown by analytical studies. Gnotobiotic animals showed lower susceptibility to the toxin as compared to conventional piglets what suggest a participation of endotoxin in pathologic process.

Animals↗
PubMed1989

[Preliminary studies of the effect of steroid hormones on skin bacteria in vitro].

It results from studies on skin hormones that some of steroid hormones reach high concentrations on skin surface mainly during a course of acne vulgaris. Our studies indicate that the activity of hormones on skin bacteria can be multiform. Nineteen hormones of analytical grade of purity were tested. They were derived from different firms of synthesized in the Department of Endocrinology of the Pharmacology Institute of Polish Academy of Sciences in Cracow. Bacterial strains tested in this study were isolated from normal skin flora. The majority of the compounds tested in this study showed different reactivity toward Staphylococcus aureus as well as Staphylococcus epidermidis and anaerobic diphtheroids+ and sometimes aerobic ones.

Androstanes↗
PubMed1988

A new chromogenic assay for direct detection of staphylocoagulase.

Tube test for detection of staphylococcal coagulase, despite of many disadvantages, is commonly used in clinical microbiology for identification of Staphylococcus aureus. In this paper a new chromogenic method for detection of the coagulase directly in staphylococcal cultures is described and evaluated on the basis of a comparison with the standard tube assay. The chromogenic assay appeared to be as sensitive as the tube test but results of the former one can be read in a few hours without any apparatus.

Chromogenic Compounds↗