All posts by Postępy Mikrobiologii

Współzakażenie HGV/GBV-C i HIV: epidemiologia, patogeneza i konsekwencje kliniczne zakażenia

HGV/GBV-C and HIV coinfection: epidemiology, pathogenesis and clinical consequences of infection
N. B. Kubisa, M. Radkowski

1. Epidemiologia zakażeń HGV/GBV-C i HIV. 2. Współzakażenie HGV/GBV-C i HIV jako wynik wspólnych dróg zakażeń. 3. Analiza porównawcza budowy wirusów. 4. Kliniczne aspekty zakażenia. 5. Patogeneza współzakażenia HGV/GBV-C i HIV. 5.1.Tropizm. 5.2. Rola E2 i NS5A HGV/GBV-C w przebiegu zakażenia HIV. 5.3. Wpływ HGV/GBV-C na poziom ekspresji receptorów CCR5 i CXCR4 oraz wydzielanie cytokin. 6. Wpływ leczenia interferonem na zakażenie HGV/GBV-C. 7. HAART u pacjentów współzakażonych HGV/GBV-C i HIV. 8. Podsumowanie

Abstract: Recent studies showed that HGV/GBV-C infection may exert a beneficial effect on the course of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection in coinfected patients. It was found that CD4+ cell number is higher and progression to AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is slower in coinfected patients as compared to HIV infected subjects. HGV/GBV-C infection is not associated with hepatitis, but can be responsible for development of some lymphoproliferative disease. HGV/GBV-C and HIV share common features, in particular: they are tropic for cells of the immune system, their genetic material consist of RNA and both circulate as quasispecies. HGV/GBV-C and HIV are transmitted through infected blood, sexually and vertically. The proposed mechanisms of HGV/GBV-C influence on HIV infection are based on the same tropism to immune cells and direct competition on the cellular level. It was observed that HGV/GBV-C can affect cytokine level, reduce expression of CCR5 and CXCR4, E2 and NS5A HGV/GBV-C proteins have inhibitory effect on HIV replication. Currently, there is no specific treatment directed against HGV/GBV-C infection, however, it is possible to analyze results of antiviral treatment in case of patients coinfected with HGV/GBV-C, HCV or HIV. HAART (high-activity antiretroviral therapy) and interferon α therapy are commonly used in these patients, but the effect of antiviral therapy on HGV/GBV-C remains unclear.

1. Epidemiology of HGV/GBV-C and HIV infection. 2. HGV/GBV-C and HIV coinfection as a result of common routes of transmission. 3. Comparative analysis of the structure of viruses. 4. Clinical aspects of infection. 5. Pathogenesis of HGV/GBV-C and HIV coinfection. 5.1. Tropism. 5.2. Role of E2 and NS5A HGV/GBV-C in the course of HIV infection. 5.3. Influence of HGV/GBV-C on CCR5 and CXCR4 expression and cytokines level. 6. Influence of interferon therapy on HGV/GBV-C infection. 7. HAART in patients with HGV/GBV-C and HIV coinfection. 8. Summary

Nanotechnologia w mikrobiologii – wybrane aspekty

Nanotechnology in microbiology – selected aspects
P. Nawrotek, A. Augustyniak

1. Wstęp. 2. Charakterystyka nanomateriałów. 3. Zastosowanie nanomateriałów w mikrobiologii. 4. Nanomateriały pochodzenia mikrobiologicznego. 5. Oddziaływanie nanomateriałów na mikroorganizmy środowiskowe. 6. Podsumowanie

Abstract: Microbiology plays an important role in nanotechnology, especially that the natural environment (particularly soil) is considered to be the main reservoir of modern molecular nanomaterials, which may influence its inhabitants – microorganisms. Variety of shapes, sizes and properties predestine nanomaterials for tools in the development of many life aspects and associated disciplines, including medicine, agriculture and biotechnology. At the same time, the present knowledge regarding consequences of the interaction between, e.g., environmental microorganisms and nanomaterials (such as silica nanospheres, carbon nanotubes, or graphene oxide flakes modified with titanium dioxide, copper or silver) seems to be insufficient. It is problematic to predict distant outcome and significance of the exposition to such nanostructures. Therefore, it is fundamental to describe the interactions between nanomaterials and living organisms, including bacteria and fungi, which constitute the first barrier between the nanotechnological products and the natural environment. Undertaking the steps for health and environment protection is particularly required when nanomaterials are used for agrotechnical purposes, e.g., exploitation of nanomaterials-containing fertilisers. On the other hand, there are new possibilities of the nanomaterials production with the use of appropriate bacteria. Furthermore, it appears that microorganisms may be stimulated by the nanomaterials to overcome certain problems in the industrial processes.

1. Introduction. 2. Characterization of nanomaterials 3. Application of nanomaterials in microbiology 4. Nanomaterials of microbiological origin 5. Effect of nanomaterials on environmental microorganisms 6. Summary

Serologiczna diagnostyka boreliozy z Lyme w praktyce laboratoryjnej

Serological testing for Lyme disease in laboratory practice
I. Wojciechowska-Koszko, M. Mnichowska-Polanowska

1. Etiologia boreliozy. 2. Swoista, humoralna odpowiedź immunologiczna w przebiegu boreliozy. 3. Materiał i metody stosowane w diagnostyce boreliozy. 4. Testy serologiczne w diagnostyce boreliozy. 4.1. ELISA. 4.2. Western-blot czy Immunoblot 5. Interpretacja wyników. 5.1. Wyniki fałszywie ujemne. 5.2. Wyniki fałszywie dodatnie. 6. Podsumowanie

Abstract: Lyme disease (LD) is a tick-borne multisystem disease caused by B. burgdorferi sensu lato genospecies. The disease requires mandatory reporting and registration since 2014. The laboratory testing for LD is desirable because the diversity and non-specificity of symptoms can complicate the diagnosis. Laboratory data can support or cast doubt on a clinical suspicion of LD. A laboratory method of choice for LD diagnosis is two-tier serological testing recommended by European and Polish guidelines. The choice of target antigens for LD serodiagnostics is still a great challenge due to borrelial antigen heterogeneity in European countries. Commercial tests are still being modified to improve sensitivity and/or specificity of LD serodiagnostics by means of emerging technology advances. The use of species-specific borrelial antigens can be promising for determination of LD etiology, but does not eliminate the cross-reactivity completely. The uniform standardized interpretation criteria are still unrealistic because of different methodologies used in laboratory practice. The serodiagnostics of Lyme disease should be carried out in a laboratory by specialists who understand the limitations of commercial kits [1.13], and cooperate withclinicians regarding laboratory reporting and diagnostic doubts.

1. Etiology. 2. Specific humoral immunoresponse in the course of Lyme disease. 3. Material and methods used in Lyme disease diagnostics. 4. Serodiagnostics of Lyme disease. 4.1. ELISA. 4.2. Western-blot or Immunoblot 5. Criteria for interpretation. 5.1. False-negative results. 5.2. False-postive results. 6. Summary

Diagnostyka serologiczna i molekularna grzybic inwazyjnych

Serological and molecular diagnostic methods for invasive fungal infections
T. Dzieciątkowski, A. Sulowska, M. Przybylski

1. Wstęp. 2. Diagnostyka serologiczna zakażeń Candida spp. 3. Diagnostyka serologiczna aspergillozy 4. Diagnostyka serologiczna kryptokokozy 5. Metody molekularne stosowane w diagnostyce grzybic inwazyjnych 6. Podsumowanie

Abstract: Various species of Candida spp. and Aspergillus spp. remain the most common cause of invasive fungal infections, but other yeasts and filamentous fungi are emerging as significant pathogens. Invasive mycoses continue to be a significant cause of morbidity, especially in transplant recipients and/or in patients undergoing long-time antibiotic therapy. A reliable and early diagnostic method of fungal infections by detecting fungal DNA or invasiveness factors, such as (1→3)-β-D-glucan or antimycelial antibodies, have proven very useful in reducing associated mortality in affected patients. This article is a review of the literature on current serological and molecular methods used in invasive fungemia diagnostics.

1. Introduction. 2. Serological diagnostics of Candida spp. infections. 3. Serological methods in diagnostics of invasive aspergillosis. 4. Serological diagnostics of Cryptococcus neoformans infections. 5. Molecular methods used in the diagnosis of invasive fungaemia. 8. Summary