Biomedical subjects

Paweł Stefanoff

Publications and source records attributed to Paweł Stefanoff.

11 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2006

[Epidemiology of tick-borne diseases in Poland].

The paper summarizes state of art knowledge on tick-borne diseases epidemiology in Poland. The most prevalent diseases are Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). Although there is growing number of data published on anaplasmosis and babesiosis prevalence in ticks and humans, there is no national data on these diseases and their epidemiological features remain unclear. All tick-borne agents have a common vector tick--the sheep tick Ixodes ricinus. LB and TBE are mandatory reportable diseases. In 2005 case definitions were implemented in Poland to allow a better comparability of data within the country and with other European countries. LB is widespread in Poland. Studies of prevalence of infected ticks indicate that from 6 to 15% of I. ricinus ticks in different sites are infected with the spirochete. Data from seroepidemiologic studies and from routine surveillance (started in 1996) confirm that the disease is widespread in Poland, and its incidence is increasing. It has increased from 2.31 per 100,000 in 1999 to 11.55 in 2005. One reason of this increase is the improvement in diagnosis of the disease. There is a need to promote personal protection during outdoor activities and knowledge on LB symptoms, especially among populations at risk--forestry workers, farmers. TBE incidence is limited to two main foci--one in the Northeast of Poland bordering Baltic states endemic region, and the second on the South of Poland, neighbouring the Czech and Slovak republics. Seroepidemiologic data, supported by surveillance data, indicate that there are areas of particularly high TBEV activity. The mostly affected occupational groups are: unemployed, retired, students, and farmers. This is a reason to promote personal protection and prophylactic vaccination of both inhabitants of endemic regions and tourists visiting endemic regions.

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

[Meningitis and encephalitis in Poland in 2003].

In Poland, 829 cases of bacterial meningitis and encephalitis, 563 cases of viral encephalitis, 973 of viral meningitis and 300 cases of meningitis and encephalitis of other or unknown etiology were reported in 2003. Incidence of the bacterial central nervous system infections has been declining over the past decade and the level of viral infections other then tick-borne encephalitis, following the outbreak in the mid-nineties, remained stable. Etiological factor was determined in 352 (42%) cases of bacterial meningitis/encephalitis. Among them Neisseria meningitidis was found in 76 cases, Haemophilus influenzae in 68 cases and Streptococcus pneumoniae in 91 cases. As in the past type B was the predominant type of N. meningitidis cultured from the patients, but type C appears to be on the rise accounting for 36% of the strains serotyped in 2003. Tick borne encephalitis increased markedly in 2003, with the highest ever noted number of cases (339). Most of the cases were reported from endemic areas of north-eastern part of the country.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Foodborne infections and intoxications in Poland in 2003].

A total of 20 221 bacterial foodborne infections and intoxications were registered in 2003 (incidence 52.9/100 000 population). These illnesses were less incident in 2003, compared both to 2002 figure (26 734 cases; incidence 69.9) and the median 1998-2001 (26 902 cases; incidence 69.6). Unlike bacterial infections, the incidence of viral foodborne infections increased in the recent years (2003--21.10 vs. 2002--17.30 and median 1998-2001 6.85). The parasitic foodborne infections did not change much during the recent years. A total of 78 cases of mushroom poisonings were reported (incidence 0.2) in 2003, compared to 66 cases in 2002 (incidence 0.17) and a median of 223 cases in 1998-2001 (incidence 0.6). The incidence of foodborne infections and intoxications was higher in the age group 0-4 years, compared to other age groups and in urban areas, compared to rural areas. A total of 230 foodborne and waterborne outbreaks involving 3816 cases were reported in 2003 (in Poland only outbreaks involving 4 persons or more were reported). The most prevalent etiological factors in outbreaks were Salmonella strains (63.6% of cases),Staphylococcus aureus (10.0% of cases) and Klebsiella strains (1.4% of cases). The most prevalent Salmonella strain were S. Enteritidis (89.3%) and S. Hadar (5.0%). The main vehicle of foodborne and waterborne outbreaks were meals prepared from various (> 2) raw materials of animal sources (29.2% of cases), egg meals (27.6%) and meats (7.2%). Of the places of food contamination, the most prevalent were own apartments (26.1% of outbreaks), food producing farms (10.6%), and restaurants (4.9%). One death was attributed to an outbreak of unknown etiology.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2005

[Validity and reliability of Polish adaptation of Yale Global Tic Severity Scale (YGTSS) in a study of Warsaw schoolchildren aged 12-15].

The aim of the study was to assess the reliability and validity of the Polish adaptation of the YGTSS scale in a study screening a population of 1579 schoolchildren for tic disorders. The scale was administered to 60 children with diagnosis of a tic disorder (15 had transient tic disorder; 37 had chronic tic disorder, and 8 had Tourette disorder). Reliability was computed using Cronbach's alpha coefficient and by evaluation of its internal consistency. Theoretical validity of the scale was evaluated using factor analysis. The computed Cronbach's alpha coefficient for the YGTSS scale was 0.73. All items (except phonic tic complexity) highly correlated with their respective subscale scores. Factor analysis of YGTSS revealed two principal components that recombined the items into categories identical to motor and vocal tic subscales. The overall impairment item loading corresponded to motor tic subscale. The YGTSS scale used in a population sample of 12-15 year old schoolchildren has acceptable validity and reliability. Additional study testing psychometric parameters of the scale could be beneficial, involving subjects with Tourette syndrome with wider age range and interrater agreement

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Poliomyelitis eradication in Poland--assessment of the program implementation].

The study aimed to investigate the quality of acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance in Poland prior to certification of polio-free status of the European Region in 2002. All cases reported to the National Institute of Hygiene in 1998-2002 were included in the study. To assess the surveillance quality we used the WHO indicators and timelines analysis of the undertaken actions. In total 320 AFP cases in children under 15 years were reported (annual incidence per 100,000 from 0.57 in 2000 to 1.05 in 2001 and 1.06 in 2002). Incidence was significantly higher in boys (RR = 1.42, p = 0.002) and in the age group 0-4 years (RR = 1.77, p < 0.0001). Mean incidence in voyvodeships ranged from 0.42 in Zachodnio-pomorskie to 1.45 in Swietokrzyskie. Percentage of cases with timely stool collection increased from 39% in 1998 to 82% in 2002 and the percentage of cases reported within 2 days from hospitalization--from 14% in 1998 to 48% in 2002. The median number of days from hospitalization to reporting decreased from 4 in 1998-2000 to 3 in 2001-2002 (p < 0.0001) and the median number of days from onset to first stool sample collection--from 7 in 1999-2000 to 5 in 2000-2002 (p < 0.0001). In the investigated 1350 stool samples from AFP cases and their contacts 76 strains of poliovirus were isolated--all Sabin-like. In conclusion the surveillance indicators improved during the study period. The quality of surveillance however is uneven on the sub-national level. Consequently, imported polio cases might be detected with delay. Continuation of enhanced AFP surveillance in Poland is warranted.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2004

[Smallpox--historical or real threat].

Presently, there is no real possibility of natural re-emergence of smallpox virus, which was eradicated globally more then 25 years ago. During the last decade the possibility of use of smallpox virus as a biological weapon by a criminal organisation was emphasised. The re-emergence of smallpox virus would lead to unprecedented disaster. Theoretical models indicated that only extremely strict and enforced interventions could stop the spread of epidemic, but the assumptions of these models were unrealistic. Presently, there are limited stocks of the first generation smallpox vaccine left in the world. This vaccine, as well as the second-generation vaccine are associated with multiple adverse events, including fatalities and may not be accepted by society. Much safer vaccines are now being developed. Strategic plan of prophylactic vaccinations requires defining the groups to be immunised in the first place and whether immunisation should start before or after a first smallpox case would occur.

Bioterrorism↗

PubMed2002

[Mumps in Poland in 2000].

A total of 17,548 mumps cases were reported in Poland in 2000. A 5-fold decrease in incidence of the disease (from 233.4 to 45.4 per 100,000 population) was noted, when compared with 1999. Approximately 4.8% of mumps cases were hospitalized (849 cases). The majority of the reported cases were children aged 5-9 (51.4% of all cases). In all voivodships the incidence was lower than in previous years. The probable cause of the decline of mumps cases was a marked amelioration of MMR vaccination coverage among 3-year old children. The MMR vaccine is not included into the national program of immunization, the vaccination is recommended for 2-year and 7-year old children.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

[Meningitis and encephalitis in Poland in 2000].

A total of 2,033 cases of meningitis and 570 of encephalitis were reported in Poland in 2000. Among cases of meningitis 1,051 (51.7%) were classified as viral and 982 (48.3%) as bacterial. Etiological factors were determined in 36.7% (360/982) cases of bacterial meningitis. Neisseria meningitidis, Haemophilus influenzae, and Streptococcus pneumoniae were found in 10.3% (101/982), 8.7% (85/982), and 7.5% (74/982) cases, respectively. As in previous years, N. meningitidis typed B was strongly predominating. Out of 570 cases of encephalitis, 170 (29.8%) were tick borne, of which most were reported from endemic areas of north-eastern part of the country.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Epidemiological methods used in studies in the prevalence of Tourette syndrome].

Tourette syndrome (TS) prevalence was studied since the early 80-ies. Its clinical course is characterised by co-occurrence of motor and vocal tics. Results of previous epidemiological studies were surprisingly divergent: the prevalence varied from 0.5 to 115 cases per 10,000 population. The disease previously recognised as extremely rare and severe is now considered as quite common, with often moderate course. Selected methods used in studies of TS prevalence and analysis of their possible impact on study results are presented. The studies were divided into 3 groups: studies of the hospitalised population, large-scale screenings and studies involving school population, basing on characteristic and size of population, methods of selection of subjects, diagnostic and screening methods used. Studies of the hospitalised population involved patients with most severe symptoms, in different age groups, different methods of final diagnosis confirmation were used. TS prevalence varied from 0.5 up to 15 cases per 10,000 population. Procedures used in large-scale screening studies made possible the elimination of potential selection bias. Large populations were studied using transparent and repetitive confirmation of diagnoses. Their validity was additionally checked in parallel validity studies. TS prevalence was in the range 4.3 to 10 cases per 10,000 population. The highest TS prevalence was obtained in studies involving schoolchildren. Data were gathered from multiple sources: from parents, teachers and children, as well as from classroom observation. Diagnoses were made by experienced clinicians. TS prevalence obtained in school population studies was between 36.2 up to 115 per 10,000 population.

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity↗