Biomedical subjects

Sambor Grygorczuk

Publications and source records attributed to Sambor Grygorczuk.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2004

[Activity of lysosomal exoglycosidases in serum of patients with chronic borrelia arthritis].

To estimate activities of lisosomal exoglycosidases in serum of patients with chronic borrelia arthritis. Study group consisted of 18 patients aged 18-72 years (x=46) hospitalized in Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections of Medical Academy in Białystok with diagnosis of chronic arthritis in course of borreliosis. Control consisted of 20 healthy volunteers (health services employees) aged 25-65 years (x=45), with no detectable anti-Borrelia burgdorferi antibodies in serum. In all borreliosis patients serum activity of: N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (HEX), beta-galactosidase and alpha-mannosidase was measured before and after 4 weeks of doxycycline treatment. Results were analyzed with Statistica 6.0 software. P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. HEX activity was significantly increased in serum of Lyme arthritis patients before treatment compared to controls. It decreased after 4-week treatment, remaining insignificantly higher than in controls. b-galactosidase and a-mannosidase activities in serum of Lyme arthritis patients were insignificantly higher than in controls and fell after treatment to the levels observed in control group. N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (HEX) is sensitive enzymatic marker of Lyme arthritis. It may be used to monitor course of the disease and its efficiency of treatment.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Meningococcal meningitis--familial outbreak].

Severe infections caused by Neisseria meningitidis, clinically appearing as meningitis or sepsis, are constantly noted in developed countries, including Poland. Because of rapid clinical course and mortality rate they continue to pose a serious clinical problem. Most cases are sporadic ones, caused by the contact with a healthy carrier of N. meningitidis. Familial and group outbreaks are rare, being responsible for about 1% of cases. However, in family members of patients with meningococcal infection the risk of developing the disease during the following week is about one hundred times higher than in the general population and they should receive an antibiotic prophylaxis. We describe a familial outbreak of meningococcal meningitis with typical clinical features, which appeared in two members of a family during the same day, with a case of acute pharyngitis most likely of the same etiology in the third person, a child. In that instance, practically simultaneous appearance of consecutive cases gave no time for prophylaxis. However, suspicion of meningococcal disease in the first patient contributed to the prompt hospitalization and diagnostics and proper treatment in the two following cases.

Adult↗

PubMed2004

[Ehrlichiosis--a disease rarely recognized in Poland].

Ehrlichioses constitute a group of acute zoonoses caused by the infection with the microorganisms belonging to the genera Ehrlichia, Anaplasma and Neorickettsia (Rickettsiaceae). Presence of human granulocytic ehrlichiosis (HGE) caused by infection with Anaplasma phagocytophila (A. phagocytophila) and transmitted by Ixodes ricinus tick has been confirmed in Poland. All the cases described so far were noted in the area of endemic prevalence of Lyme borreliosis (north-east of Poland). Lack of characteristic symptoms makes the diagnosis of HGE difficult. It should be suspected in patients exposed to tick bites during the preceding few weeks, in whom acute, febrile illness accompanied by leucopenia and thrombocytopenia develops. The course of infection may be serious, or even life-threatening, in patients more than 40 years old; consequences of co-infection with A. phagocytophila and other tick-borne pathogens remain not well known. There is probably no risk of the development of chronic HGE. As specific diagnostic methods are not widely accessible in Poland, empirical therapy with doxycycline may be of benefit in suspected HGE cases.

Diagnosis, Differential↗

PubMed2004

[The polymerase chain reaction evaluation of Borrelia burgdorferi DNA presence in peripheral blood of patients with Lyme disease].

UNLABELLED: The purpose of this work was to evaluate Borrelia burgdorferi presence in peripheral blood of patients with Lyme disease using PCR method. The study was conducted on 96 patients divided into 4 groups depending on clinical form of the disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: There were 9 patients with erythema migrans, 11 with neuroborreliosis, 36 with Lyme arthritis, 18 with disseminated form of borreliosis and 22 patients whose initial suspicion of Lyme disease was excluded. The diagnosis was based on clinical examination and results of serologic test performed using ELISA method showing serum presence of antibodies anti-borrelia IgM and IgG. RESULTS: The results of PCR examination were analysed depending on clinical form of the disease and result of serologic test. The highest rate of positive results in PCR examination was stated in group of patients showing serum presence of IgM anti-borrelia antibodies (34.48%) and in patients with diagnosed Lyme arthritis (38.88%). The lowest rate of positive PCR results (16.66%) was stated in group of patients with negative serologic test. CONCLUSIONS: The probability of Borrelia burgdorferi DNA blood presence was highest (76.0%) in patients with positive serologic test IgM anti-borrelia antibodies and diagnosed Lyme arthritis.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2003

[Viral hemorrhagic fevers as a biological weapon].

Viral haemorrhagic fevers are zoonoses caused by a group of phylogenetically diverse RNA-viruses, capable of causing serious haemorrhagic complications in humans. The West-African Ebola and Marburg viruses pose the most significant threat because of their easy spreading through direct contact with the ill person and high death rate reaching 90%. They are considered among the most dangerous agents possibly used in bioterrorist attack and have been studied as a part of the Soviet biological weapons programme. The first symptoms of the Ebola haemorrhagic fever appear 4 to 16 days after the infection and are rather unspecific (fever, flu-like and gastrointestinal symptoms, cough, sore throat, conjunctivitis). Within a few days the disease leads to weight loss, haemorrhagic complications and circulatory insufficiency. The infection may be transmitted through direct contact with the patient, his/her body fluids and cadavers; droplet transmission is much less likely. There is no specific prophylaxis nor treatment; still, isolation of patients and use of personal protection means by persons providing care to patients seem efficient in stopping the infection. The knowledge of the biology and epidemiology of Filoviridae is still limited, which makes the results of bioterrorist attack using these pathogens hard to predict.

Bioterrorism↗

PubMed2003

[Evaluation of the prophylactic anti-rabies vaccination program for adults carried out by the Center for Rabies Prevention in Białystok, 1992-2001].

BACKGROUND: Rabies is a potential danger to the human health. Therefore, people who had contact with suspected or rabid animals should be vaccinated. The objective of the study was to evaluate the prophylactic anti-rabies vaccination program in Białystok. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 2005 persons exposed to rabies after contact with suspected or rabid animals were examined at the Center for Rabies Prevention in Białystok. Of this number, 719 (35.86%) persons were eligible for vaccination. RESULTS: Rabies was confirmed in 45% of suspected animals. The largest number of persons subjected to vaccination has been bitten or slobbered by dogs (42.28%), cattle (19.05%), red foxes (18.64%), cats (6.95%), rats (3.62%), bats (1.52%) and squirrels (0.56%). Hands (60%0 and shanks (12%) were the most frequently injured parts of the human body. The vaccinated group of patients included 63% of males and 37% of females; 62.47% of rural and 36.63% of urban inhabitants. Vaccines were administered 0, 3, 7, 14, 28 days after exposure. Neither serious side effects, nor local inflammations were reported. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Although prevention of rabies among wild animals continues, the number of persons vaccinated after rabies exposure still remains at the same level in the city and the region of Białystok. 2. The highest percentage of vaccinated persons had been bitten or slobbered by rabid or suspected domestic animals. 3. It is believed that the continuation of the vaccination program among wild animals will diminish the range of prophylactic vaccination among humans.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Tick-borne encephalitis in north-eastern Poland in 1997-2001: a retrospective study.

The aim of this study was to characterize the epidemiology and clinical features of tick-borne encephalitis in north-eastern Poland. Clinical and epidemiological data were analysed of patients hospitalized with the diagnosis in the Department of the Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections of the Medical University in Bialystok in 1997-2001. Tick-borne encephalitis was diagnosed in 152 patients: 51 (34%) presented with meningitis, 89 (59%) with meningoencephalitis and 12 (8%) with meningoencephalomyelitis. Headache (84%) and fever (81%) were the most common symptoms. Meningeal signs were present in 137 patients (90%). Most common neurological abnormalities were: Oppenheim and Babinski signs (74 patients, 49%), ataxia (37, 24%), impaired consciousness (37, 24%) and pareses (16, 10%). Of patients examined, 146 (96%) had raised pleiocytosis, frequently accompanied by high cerebrospinal fluid protein concentration (90%), raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (65%), peripheral blood leucocytosis (26%) and increased aminotransferase activity (16%). There was only 1 forest worker among the patients. Tick-borne encephalitis remains common in north-eastern Poland but, possibly because of effective vaccination, it has virtually disappeared among forest employees. The diagnosis appears difficult in some cases, as meningeal signs may not be present and laboratory findings may not be suggestive of a viral infection.

Adolescent↗

PubMed2002

[Effect of antibiotic therapy on levels of proinflammatory cytokines: interleukin IL-1, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor TNF-alpha in serum of patients with Lyme borreliosis].

We estimated serum concentrations of cytokines: IL-1, IL-6, TNF-alpha in patients with diagnosed Lyme disease treated for 14 days with antibiotics. The detection of proinflammatory cytokines was performed by ELISA tests. The examination was carried out before and after the treatment. The comparison with control group stated statistically significant higher concentration of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-alpha before and after the treatment. Comparing the concentrations of cytokines after treatment with control group showed normalization only in a few cases. In the majority of cases serum cytokines concentrations remained significantly higher. That is why we conclude that 14-day-therapy with antibiotic in patients with Lyme disease may not be sufficient.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2002

[Yersinia pestis as a dangerous biological weapon].

Plague is an infectious disease caused by the Yersinia pestis microorganism, which is transmitted to the human host from a natural reservoir (different rodent species) by a flea bite. Plague is still encountered in humans in the areas of its enzootic prevalence in local rodent populations. Infection by flea bite results in a bubonic or septicemic plague, possibly complicated by secondary pneumonia. The person with pneumonic symptoms may be a source of a droplet-borne inhalatory infection for other people who consequently develop primary pneumonic plague. Despite a clinical form, plague is a severe infection characterized by a short incubation period, rapid onset and quick progress with mortality exceeding 50% if not treated properly. The pneumonic plague is associated with a particularly rapid progress and the mortality rate of almost 100% if not treated properly. As Yersinia pestis can be easily obtained and cultured and is highly pathogenic for humans, it poses a serious threat of being used for bioterrorism purposes. Artificially created aerosol containing plague bacilli can cause numerous and almost simultaneous cases of primary pulmonic plague in an exposed population. Persons exposed would most likely develop severe pneumonia with rapidly progressing respiratory and circulatory failure. The use of the Yersinia pestis strains resistant to antibiotics typically applied cannot be excluded.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Serum concentration of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta in patients with chronic hepatitis C treated with interferon alpha--a preliminary report.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the concentration of TNF-alpha and IL-1 beta in 14 chronic hepatitis C patients during interferon treatment in a correlation with biochemical indicators of hepatic cell damage, AspAT and ALAT activity. The study included the sera obtained every month (10-12 measurements) during 48-week therapy. IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha concentrations were determined by ELISA method. Statistic analysis were performed with AnStat program. The wide range of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha concentration values may prove a differentiated response to immunomodulating treatment with INF-alpha. Concentrations of TNF-alpha, IL-1 beta, show decreasing tendency during therapy. A positive correlation between proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha), ALAT and AspAT indicates the role of these cytokines and their relation to a necrotic-inflammatory process demonstrated by aminotransferases concentration.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Echinococcosis in North-Easter Poland--epidemiological and clinical aspects].

The incidence was assessed of antibodies against E. granulosus and chosen biochemical parameters among the inhabitants of north-eastern Poland. Among 532 studied subjects, 110 were seropositive. Group I (n = 73) was pharmacologically treated. Group II was surgically treated. Control group consisted of 15 healthy persons. 20.6% seropositive inhabitants of north-east Poland indicate that echinococcosis is not rare. Mainly it was echinococcosis of the liver, only in 2.7% it was connected with other organs. Echinococcosis was diagnosed among women aged 47-70, living in town, in majority owners of a dog. The course of echinococcos in majority cases was without clinical signs. In the diagnosis USG and serological test were helpful. Laboratory findings were not characteristic of echinococcosis. If it is possible surgical treatment is recommended for removal of parasite, verification of preoperative tests. In majority of chirurgically removed cyst, antibodies against E. granulosus were found after 3.5 years on the average, what evidenced strong immunogenicity of the parasite.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[Ehrlichia chaffeensis antibodies prevalence among patients bitten by ticks].

Human ehrlichiosis is a tick-borne antropozoonosis which was described in 1987 but in Poland up to now has not been diagnosed. The purpose of our work was to present 11 cases where antibodies against Ehrlichia chaffeensis were detected in serum. In 2000 we examined 68 sera of patients who were referred to our department with suspected Borreliosis or Tick-Borne Encephalitis (TBE). The detection of antibodies against E. chaffeensis was performed by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Five (45.4%) patients of 11 were diagnosed as Lyme borreliosis confirmed by serum presence of antibodies against B. burgdorferi. Three patients (27.2%) showed serum presence of antibodies against TBE. In one case presence of antibodies against three tick-borne agents was stated. None of our patients presented leucopenia characteristic of ehrlichiosis. trombocytopenia or increased aminotransferase level.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

[The course of the tick-born encephalitis (TBE) in patients hospitalized at the Department of Infectious Diseases in Bialystok in the year 2001].

AIM: To characterize epidemiological and clinical features of TBE in the Northeastern Poland. METHODS: Analysis of clinical and epidemiological data of patients hospitalized with the diagnosis of TBE in the Department of the Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections of the Medical University in Białystok in 2001. MAIN OBSERVATIONS: TBE was diagnosed in 48 patients. From that number 18 (37.5%) presented symptoms of meningitis, 24 (50.0%) meningoencephalitis, 5 (10.4%) meningoencephalomyelitis and 1 (2.1%) meningoencephaloradiculitis. RESULTS: Headache (100%) and fever (87.5%) were the most common complaints. Signs of meningitis were observed in 35 patients (72.9%). Common neurological abnormalities were Oppenheim and Babinski signs (18 patients, 37.5%), pareses (8; 16.7%), ataxia (7; 14.58%) and impaired consciousness (6; 12.5%). Cytosis in cerebrospinal fluid (csf) was observed in all patients, frequently accompanied by high csf protein concentration, raised erythrocyte sedimentation rate (61.5%), leucocytosis (31.25%) and aminotrasferase activity (12.5%). There were no professional forest workers among the patients.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Serum and cerebrospinal fluid concentration of inflammatory proteins MIP-1-alpha and MIP-1-beta and of interleukin 8 in the course of borreliosis].

Chemokines constitute a group of cytokines with a strong chemotactic action, playing an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory responses, including infectious meningitis. The results of in vitro experiments suggest synthesis of chemokines during Borrelia burgdorferi infection. The aim of this study was to investigate serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) concentrations of the following chemokines: interleukin-8 (Il-8) and macrophage inflammatory protein 1 alpha and 1 beta (MIP-1 alpha and MIP-1 beta) in patients with neuroborreliosis. The study group consisted of 20 patients admitted to Neuroinfections and Infectious Diseases Department of the Medical University in Białystok. The control group consisted of 12 healthy persons from whom blood samples were obtained, and 10 patients without meningitis, from whom CSF samples were taken for diagnostic purposes. Chemokine concentrations were measured with ELISA kits before treatment (baseline) and after 2 weeks of antibiotic therapy (post-treatment). Mean serum concentrations of chemokine were elevated in neuroborreliosis patients at baseline (Il-8--mean +/- SD = 668.25 +/- 661.51 pg/ml, MIP-1 alpha--124.90 +/- 89.37 pg/ml, MIP-1 beta--233.40 +/- 298.40 pg/ml) as compared to these in the control group (Il-8-23.72 +/- 7.68 pg/ml, MIP-1 alpha--36.81 +/- 4.74 pg/ml, MIP-1 beta--70.41 +/- 16.41 pg/ml). Post-treatment mean concentrations of Il-8 (197.70 +/- 285.56 pg/ml) and MIP-1 beta (102.70 +/- 42.56 pg/ml) remained significantly elevated, while the mean concentration of MIP-1 alpha (53.65 +/- 38.50 pg/ml) was insignificantly higher than that in the control group. The Il-8 mean concentration was the most elevated comparing to the controls and has decreased most significantly during the treatment. CSF concentrations of chemokines were significantly elevated both at baseline (Il-8--754.95 +/- 535.83 pg/ml, MIP-1 alpha--24.35 +/- 4.88 pg/ml, MIP-1 beta--27.6 +/- 8.38 pg/ml) and post-treatment (Il-8--98.20 +/- 74.74 pg/ml, MIP-1 alpha--18.60 +/- 2.87 pg/ml, MIP-1 beta--16.90 +/- 4.38 pg/ml) in comparison with the controls (Il-8--10.43 +/- 2.70 pg/ml, MIP-1 alpha--8.17 +/- 1.54 pg/ml, MIP-1 beta--7.27 +/- 1.58 pg/ml). MIP-1 alpha and MIP-1 beta CSF concentrations were significantly lower than their concentrations in serum. The Il-8 CSF concentration did not differ significantly from its serum concentration. However, in some patients Il-8 CSF concentration was much higher than that in the serum, which suggests its significant synthesis within the cns and its role in the pathogenesis of B. burgdorferi meningitis. Chemokine CSF concentrations were not correlated with cytosis and CSF protein concentration. The results indicate the induction of Il-8, MIP-1 alpha and MIP-1 beta synthesis in the course of neuroborreliosis and a decrease of their concentrations during 2 weeks of treatment, however, without reaching the normal values.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Tuberculous meningitis in 8-year observation of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections of the Medical Academy in Białystok].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Tuberculous meningitis (tbm), although comparatively rare, remains a serious clinical problem. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have analyzed medical records of patients with tbm diagnosis hospitalized in our Department in the years 1995-2002. RESULTS: During that period 11 cases of tbm were diagnosed in the Department. Family contact with a person with diagnosed tuberculosis was revealed in 2 of them, previously treated pulmonary tuberculosis in 2 and active tuberculosis outside cns was diagnosed in 4. On admission 9 of the patients were unconscious. Neurologic abnormalities were present in all 11 patients, most commonly they were pathologic reflexes and cranial nerve abnormalities. Cerebrospinal fluid (csf) showed abnormalities in all patients, however, with a high variability of its parameters (cytosis: 12-4400 cells per microliters, protein concentration 52-482 mg/dL, low glucose concentration in 2 patients). CT scan revealed cns abnormalities (most typically hypodense foci and/or ventricular enlargement) in 5 patients. Microbiologic confirmation (M. tuberculosis growth from csf) was obtained in only 1 patient, despite intensive diagnostic efforts. The mean time from admission to proper diagnosis and start of antituberculous treatment was 9.9 days. Treatment effects were favorable (healing without serious neurologic sequelae) in 7 patients, permanent sequelae were observed in 3 and one patient died while in hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm the presence of serious difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of tbm. A prompt diagnosis and quick start of empirical treatment remain the most important means of reducing the mortality and frequency of permanent sequelae associated with this form of meningitis.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Evaluation of proinflammatory cytokine (TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, IFN-gamma) concentrations in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neuroborreliosis].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Neuroborreliosis is a tick transmitted disease which becomes an increasingly frequent diagnostic and therapeutic problem in physician practice. The purpose of this work was to evaluate the concentration of proinflammatory cytokines: IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma in serum and cerebrospinal fluid of patients with neuroborreliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 20 persons with diagnosed neuroborreliosis and 10 persons as a control group were examined in this study. The examination of serum and cerebrospinal fluid was performed twice, before and after 4-week therapy with antibiotics. The concentration of cytokines was measured by the ELISA method using kits of Bender Medical System and Quantikine RD Systems. RESULTS: The concentration of measured cytokines IL-1beta, IL-6, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma in serum and cerebrospinal fluid was significantly higher before therapy. After 4-week therapy with antibiotics the concentration of cytokines in cerebrospinal fluid decreased but was still higher than in the control group except for IL-1beta. CONCLUSIONS: The detection of proinflammatory cytokine concentration in serum and cerebrospinal fluid might be helpful as another parameter monitoring the inflammation course and therapy efficacy.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Interferon gamma concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with tick-borne encephalitis].

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this work was to evaluate interferon gamma (IFN-g) concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients with diagnosed tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) early in the course of the disease and after the treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The cerebrospinal fluid of 40 patients with TBE was examined. Patients were divided into 4 groups: group 1 consisted of 13 patients with mild clinical course, group 2 included 12 patients with prolonged TBE showing the presence of inflammatory markers after the treatment, group 3 comprised 9 patients with severe TBE presenting with disorders of consciousness and group 4 consisted of 6 patients with a simultaneous B. burgdorferi infection. The cerebrospinal fluid was examined twice--during TBE diagnosing and after the treatment. IFN-g was detected by the ELISA method. RESULTS: The concentration of IFN-g in the cerebrospinal fluid in the first examination was significantly higher in all four groups of patients in comparison with controls. After the treatment, concentration of IFN-g decreased significantly in all studied groups. The highest concentration of IFN-g at the first examination was found in group 3. The concentration of IFN-g at the second examination was similar among 4 groups of patients and in controls. CONCLUSIONS: We found the correlation between IFN-g concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid of patients at the early stage of TBE and inflammation activity. We did not find any association between IFN-g concentration and a persistent increase of the cerebrospinal fluid parameters.

Adult↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Guillain-Barré Syndrome and its association with infectious factors].

Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS) is an acute polyneuropathy often triggered by inflammatory and probably autoimmune mechanisms. Development of GBS is in 2/3 of cases preceded by acute infection, typically with gastrointestinal or respiratory symptoms. Infectious agents related to GBS include cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, Campylobacter jejuni, Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae. Molecular mimicry seems to be responsible for GBS development after infection, through the synthesis of autoantibodies against myelin gangliosides. Autoimmune reactions develop only in a small fraction of all exposed individuals, depending on still unresolved factors. Different infections lead to forms of GBS differing in spectrum of autoantibodies and in frequency with which different clinical symptoms appear. This may be of some significance for early prognosis and in future possibly for choosing therapeutic options. An increased risk of GBS may be also related to vaccination, but with presently used vaccines this increase remains below one case of GBS per one million doses.

Autoantibodies↗