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Biomedical subjects

W Nahorski

Publications and source records attributed to W Nahorski.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2002

Usefulness of PCR for diagnosis of imported malaria in Poland.

The aim of the present study was to use the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to detect and identify Plasmodium spp. in diagnostic specimens, especially in those from patients diagnosed by microscopy as having possible mixed infections, and in those demonstrating low parasitemia or those that were parasite-negative. For most of the specimens, the PCR results were in accordance with microscopic findings, and in 16.2% of the cases with low parasitemia PCR enhanced the results by identifying the parasite species. This method detected one additional case of Plasmodium falciparum malaria among the patients with fever of unknown origin. The sensitivity of PCR for detecting Plasmodium DNA was found to correspond to 1.35-0.38 and 0.12 for Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax parasites per microliter of blood, respectively. Follow-up examinations demonstrated that most of the patients became negative for Plasmodium DNA from 1 to 4 days after the disappearance of parasitemia, as determined by examination of blood films. In conclusion, PCR performed by the reference laboratory significantly enhanced the microscopic diagnosis of malaria and proved very helpful in cases of low parasitemia and in cases of mixed infection.

Animals↗
PubMed2000

Liver injury in the course of malaria.

121 malaria cases treated in the Ward of Tropical Diseases of the Clinic of the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia in the years 1993-1999 were analysed. About 37% of the patients showed symptoms of parenchymal liver injury manifested by increased bilirubin concentration, elevated transaminase, alkaline phosphatase and GGTP levels. Histopathological examination of the liver revealed the activation of cells of mononuclear phagocyte system, Kupffer's cells in particular, with the presence of granules of browny-black ,,malarial" pigment and iron deposits. In one fatal tropical malaria case, symptoms of disseminated intravascular coagulation were found along with a few lymphocytic infiltrations in portal spaces, and focal necrosis of hepatocytes. In some patients with the so-called ,,untypical" secondary liver lesions present in the histopathological examination, the toxic effect of antimalarial drugs should be taken into account. A liver biopsy is justified in patients manifesting multiple courses of malaria. It is indispensable in cases of suspected polyetiological changes in the liver and in cases of recompensation payment claims.

Adult↗
PubMed2000

Diagnosing and treatment of skin filariases based on own observations.

7 cases of Mansonella perstans filariasis and 9 of Loa loa invasion were diagnosed and treated in the clinic of the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia in the years 1993-1999. The study group comprised 7 women aged 15-45 and 19 men aged 32-49. The most frequently occurring symptoms and signs of the disease, results of laboratory tests, diagnostic methods, ways of treatment and their efficacy were discussed. The diagnosis was made on the basis of the presence of filaria larvae in peripheral blood and, in part, on positive serological reactions. The most frequently reported and observed in our patients were Calabar swellings, allergic lesions of the skin and general symptoms. In the laboratory tests the most characteristic were elevated white blood cells counts with marked eosinophilia and a rise in immunoglobulin E during the active phase of the disease. In doubtful cases, Mazzotti's test was applied. In spite of the treatment with DEC lasting for 3-4 weeks and a combined therapy with levamisole and albendazole, relapses occurred in 5 cases in the period from 2 months to 2 years after the completion of the therapy. In 3 patients treated with ivermectin the period of observation was still too short (2 and 5 months) to draw conclusions as to the efficacy of such treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1996

Malaria as an Occupational Disease in Polish Citizens.

Background: Since 1963, malaria has been exclusively recognized in Poland as an imported disease, which has become increasingly frequent in recent years. When associated with performing duties in malaria-endemic areas, malaria is acknowledged as an occupational disease. Methods: Ninety five cases of malaria recognized as an occupational disease in Polish citizens in the years 1984-1993 were studied retrospectively in terms of working conditions, epidemiologic and clinical features, and permanent disability sequelae. Results: Among patients examined, young and professionally active persons who called at tropical ports or who worked in rural areas or in the regions of military conflict were predominant. Most infections were contracted in Africa during the first few months of the stay. The observed morbidity and recrudescence rates were mainly attributable to Plasmodium falciparum. Disregard of prevention and chemoprophylaxis of malaria were key risk factors. In 33% of the patients, severe symptoms and complications occurred and these required long-term therapy. In seven cases, disturbances of the central nervous system, hepatic, renal, or cardiac system occurred 6 months after termination of treatment, and these occurrences resulted in permanent disability and an inability to work. Conclusions: The disability and inability to work and its legal consequences, such as indemnity, demonstrate that malaria may present a serious socioeconomic problem, even in the country where it is an imported disease.

Journal Article↗
PubMed1996

[Endocarditis lenta--a problematic disease].

4 endocarditis lenta cases with negative blood cultures are reported: 3 patients with risk heart lesions and 1 subject with no predisposing cardiac condition. The mean age of the patients was 53.7 years. Based on the cases reported the following items are discussed: evolution of the clinical syndrome, diagnostic difficulties, problem of negative blood cultures, therapeutic procedure.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

[Anemia and thrombocytopenia in malaria. I. Mechanisms].

Pathomechanism of thrombocytopenia and anaemia which frequently occur in patients with malaria is of a complex origin. Anaemia occurs due to sequestrating, destruction and hemolysis of damaged, parasite infected erythrocytes, as well as of the impaired and ineffective erythropoiesis in the marrow. Thrombocytopenia in these patients may also result from both increased destruction of blood platelets and decreased thrombocytopoiesis. Similar natures of the processes cause that anaemia and thrombocytopenia frequently co-exist in patients with malaria.

Anemia↗
PubMed1994

[Anemia and thrombocytopenia in malaria. II. Mean erythrocyte and thrombocyte count in 45 patients with malaria observed in the Clinic of the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia].

In the years 1987-92, 45 patients with malaria were hospitalized in our clinic. All the patients were before staying in tropical countries. 30 patients were infected with PI. falciparum while the rest - with other species of this parasite. From among numerous different symptoms of malaria, in the majority of the patients profound anaemia and thrombocytopenia occurred. The simultaneously observed drop in the erythrocyte and blood platelet levels confirms that the destruction pathways of them in patients with malaria may be similar, as are the reasons for ineffective erythro- and thrombocytopoiesis. Anaemia and thrombocytopenia gradually subsided in the course of the therapy, as the parasitemia decreased and the state of the patients improved.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

[Disturbances of hemostasis in malaria].

Clinically significant bleeding is relatively uncommon in malaria and occurs in approximately 5% of patients. Severe haemostatic abnormalities are of complex origin and are manifested in thrombocytopenia, decreased activity of coagulation factors and symptoms of vascular diathesis. In 10% of patients with cerebral malaria disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) has been demonstrated. DIC is relatively common in patients from western countries with "imported malaria". In our article the aspect of haemostatic disorders in malaria has been discussed.

Blood Coagulation Disorders↗
PubMed1988

Selected epidemiological and clinical aspects of malaria in the material of the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia.

Despite numerous endeavours to eradicate malaria remains a problem to be solved. This is reflected in high morbidity and mortality rates in endemic zones of this disease, and in the continually growing parasites resistance to the drugs applied within chemoprophylaxis and the treatment employed. In the compass of 1976-1987 a group of 20 thousand people, back from the tropics, was examined. In that number 415 having suffered from malaria while stay in the endemic zone of the disease, in 64 patients malaria was diagnosed in the course of the examinations. They were all subjected to the therapy in the IMTM. In several cases serious complications occurred. In the conclusions the authors point at the insufficient and inaccurate use of chemoprophylaxis the necessity of adopting individual procedure towards each patient and of considering the possibility of Plasmodium sp. infection in the people with the fever of the aetiology unknown, referring their stay in malarial regions.

Aminoquinolines↗
PubMed1978

[Effect of sulfur on the respiratory tract of cargo-handling workers].

42 workers reloading sulphur and 25 cargo handling workers unexposed to dusts were examined. More intense changes in the respiratory tract were found in the examined, workers as compared with the control group. That was chronic inflamation, of the upper respiratory tract giving proportionally small handicap to lung ventilation efficiency.

Bronchitis↗