The aim of this study is to evaluate opportunistic pathogenic bacteria of the genus Pseudomonas in anthropogenically impacted bathing waters, primarily focusing on bathing ponds. The findings include the detection of these bacteria, their susceptibility to selected antibiotics, and the determination of the Exotoxin A (exoA) gene using PCR method. P. aeruginosa was present in most samples, albeit in low concentrations (1-14 CFU/100 mL). The presence of P. otitidis, which is associated with ear infection, in this type of bathing water, was not rare (up to 90 CFU/100 mL). This species would not be detected by the standard methods, including tests on acetamid medium, used for P. aeruginosa in water. The isolated strains of P. otitidis lack the exoA gene and exhibited higher resistance to meropenem compared to P. aeruginosa.
- MeSH
- ADP Ribose Transferases genetics MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents * pharmacology MeSH
- Drug Resistance, Bacterial MeSH
- Bacterial Proteins genetics MeSH
- Bacterial Toxins genetics MeSH
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa Exotoxin A MeSH
- Exotoxins genetics MeSH
- Virulence Factors genetics MeSH
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests * MeSH
- Water Microbiology * MeSH
- Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
- Pseudomonas * genetics isolation & purification classification drug effects MeSH
- Ponds * microbiology MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
Escherichia coli is a significant pathogen in extraintestinal infections, and ESBL-producing E. coli poses a major clinical challenge due to its antibiotic resistance. This study comprehensively analyzed E. coli isolates from urine and blood samples of patients with urinary tract and bloodstream infections at three major tertiary hospitals in South Korea. The goal was to provide insights into the distribution, antibiotic resistance, and virulence factors of these strains. Our analysis identified CTX-M and TEM as the dominant ESBL types, found in 71.7% and 61.7% of isolates, respectively, with 46.7% showing co-occurrence. Multilocus sequence typing (MLST) revealed the predominance of high-risk clones such as ST131, ST69, ST73, and ST95, with rare sequence types like ST410 and ST405 also identified. The high prevalence of virulence factors, including iutA (80.8%) and kpsMII (74.2%), further highlights the complexity of these strains. In addition, 38.3% of clinical isolates contained a combination of siderophore, adhesin, protectin, and toxin-related genes. There was no significant difference between urinary tract and bloodstream infections or regional differentiation in Korea. This study highlights the importance of controlling ESBL-producing E. coli infections, especially given the increasing incidence among patients with underlying medical conditions and older adults who are more susceptible to urinary tract infections. These findings serve as valuable indicators for pathogen analysis, especially those harboring antibiotic resistance and toxin genes. The insights gained are expected to contribute significantly to the development of infectious disease prevention and control strategies.
- MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents pharmacology MeSH
- Bacteremia * microbiology epidemiology MeSH
- beta-Lactamases * genetics metabolism MeSH
- Adult MeSH
- Escherichia coli * genetics isolation & purification pathogenicity enzymology drug effects classification MeSH
- Virulence Factors genetics MeSH
- Urinary Tract Infections * microbiology epidemiology MeSH
- Escherichia coli Infections * microbiology epidemiology MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Multilocus Sequence Typing MeSH
- Prevalence MeSH
- Escherichia coli Proteins genetics metabolism MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Virulence MeSH
- Check Tag
- Adult MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged, 80 and over MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Republic of Korea MeSH
Léčba akutní a chronické bolesti je nezbytnou součástí každodenní lékařské praxe. V případech refrakterní bolesti, která nereaguje adekvátně na zavedené léčebné metody, se hledají nové možnosti, které nabízejí perspektivu úspěšné léčby. Botulotoxin je další možnou variantou konzervativní léčby některých refrakterních bolestivých stavů, která se v posledních letech dostala do popředí zájmu. Botulotoxin zabraňuje presynaptickému uvolňování acetylcholinu na nervosvalové ploténce. Tato ireverzibilní inhibice vede k přerušení nervosvalového přenosu, a tím k oslabení svalů, které nastává po několika dnech a obvykle trvá 3–6 měsíců. V oblasti terapie bolesti bylo prokázáno, že botulotoxin blokuje nejen nervosvalový přenos, ale také bolest podporující sekreci neuropeptidů, jako je substance P, glutamát a peptid související s kalcitoninovým genem (CGRP).
Treatment of acute and chronic pain is an essential part of everyday medical practice. In cases of refractory pain that does not respond adequately to established therapeutic methods, new options are being sought that offer the prospect of successful treatment as an additive form of therapy. Botulinum toxin is another possible option for the conservative treatment of some refractory pain conditions that has come to the fore in recent years. Botulinum toxin prevents presynaptic release of acetylcholine at the motor end plate. This irreversible inhibition leads to an interruption of neuromuscular transmission, resulting in muscle weakness that occurs after a few days and usually lasts 3–6 months. Within a few weeks after botulinum toxin treatment, there is collateral axon ingrowth at the terminal motor plate and eventually restitution of the neuromuscular synapse and an increase in strength of the treated muscle. In the context of peripheral sensitization, botulinum toxin has been shown to block not only neuromuscular transmission but also the secretion of neuropeptides such as substance P, glutamate, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP).
- MeSH
- Adrenergic beta-3 Receptor Agonists pharmacology classification therapeutic use MeSH
- Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic pharmacology classification therapeutic use MeSH
- Botulinum Toxins pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Cholinergic Antagonists pharmacology classification therapeutic use MeSH
- Estrogen Replacement Therapy methods MeSH
- Urinary Bladder, Overactive * diagnosis drug therapy MeSH
- Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Urinary Incontinence, Urge * diagnosis drug therapy MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
BackgroundOn 29 January 2024, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control distributed an alert about a metronidazole-resistant Clostridioides difficile outbreak of PCR ribotype (RT) 955 in England.AimWe aimed to investigate the presence of RT955 in Czech, Slovak and Polish C. difficile isolates and evaluate different culture media for detecting its metronidazole resistance.MethodsIsolates with binary toxin genes identified as 'unknown' by the WEBRIBO PCR ribotyping database up to 2023 were re-analysed after adding the RT955 profile to the database. The RT955 isolates were characterised by whole genome sequencing and tested for susceptibility to 15 antimicrobials.ResultsWe did not find RT955 in Czech (n = 6,661, 2012-2023) and Slovak (n = 776, 2015-2023) isolates, but identified 13 RT955 cases (n = 303, 2021-2023) in three hospitals in Poland. By whole genome multilocus sequence typing, 10 isolates clustered into one clonal complex including a sequence of United Kingdom strain ERR12670107, and shared similar antimicrobial resistance genes/mutations. All 13 isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin/moxifloxacin, erythromycin/clindamycin and ceftazidime. All isolates had a mutation in the nimB gene promoter and in NimB (Tyr130Ser and Leu155Ile). The metronidazole resistance was detected in all isolates using brain-heart-infusion agar supplemented with haemin and Chocolate agar. Results were discrepant with the European Committee on Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing-recommended Fastidious anaerobe agar and Brucella blood agar.ConclusionThe identification of clonally related haem-dependent metronidazole-resistant C. difficile RT955 in multiple hospitals indicates a need for prospective surveillance to estimate its prevalence in Europe.
- MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents * pharmacology MeSH
- Drug Resistance, Bacterial * genetics MeSH
- Clostridioides difficile * genetics drug effects isolation & purification classification MeSH
- Disease Outbreaks MeSH
- Clostridium Infections * epidemiology microbiology drug therapy MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Metronidazole * pharmacology MeSH
- Microbial Sensitivity Tests MeSH
- Multilocus Sequence Typing MeSH
- Polymerase Chain Reaction MeSH
- Ribotyping * MeSH
- Whole Genome Sequencing MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Czech Republic MeSH
- Poland MeSH
- Slovakia MeSH
Alergia na jed blanokrídleho hmyzu je častou príčinou anafylaxie a môže viesť k vzniku závažných až fatálnych reakcií. Diagnostika ochorenia a stanovenie príčinného alergénu sú založené na anamnéze, kožných testoch a vyšetrení prítomnosti sIgE. V sporných prípadoch sú odporúčané bunkové testy. Liečba alergie na jed blanokrídleho hmyzu zahŕňa krátkodobé intervencie zamerané na liečbu akútnych reakcií a dlhodobé liečebné stratégie s cieľom minimalizovať riziko nasledujúcich reakcií. Jedinou liečbou účinnou v prevencii systémových reakcií vyvolaných hmyzím bodnutím je alergénová imunoterapia (VIT). VIT prebieha v dvoch fázach, iniciálnej a udržiavacej. Pre navyšovanie dávok alergénu v iniciálnej fáze liečby je k dispozícii viacero protokolov, udržiavacia dávka jedu tak môže byť dosiahnutá v priebehu jedného dňa (ultra-rush režim), za dva až päť dní (rush režim), alebo v priebehu týždňov až mesiacov (cluster a konvenčný režim).
Hymenoptera venom allergy (HVA) is a common cause of anaphylaxis and may be fatal. Diagnosis of the HVA and the identification of the appropriate venom for immunotherapy are based on detailed patient’s medical history, skin tests and detection of sIgE. In unclear cases, the cellular tests are recommended. The management of hymenoptera venom allergy includes short-term interventions to treat acute reactions and long-term strategies to minimize the risk of consecutive reactions. The only treatment to prevent further systemic sting reactions is venom immunotherapy (VIT). There are 2 phases of VIT: the initial build-up phase and the maintenance phase. There are numerous protocols for dose increase during the initial phase of VIT, e. g. the maintenance dose may be reached within one day (ultra-rush), after two to five days (rush) or within weeks or months (cluster, conventional).
- MeSH
- Anaphylaxis diagnosis therapy MeSH
- Hypersensitivity, Immediate diagnosis immunology therapy MeSH
- Desensitization, Immunologic methods adverse effects MeSH
- Hymenoptera MeSH
- Immunologic Tests MeSH
- Arthropod Venoms immunology adverse effects MeSH
- Insect Bites and Stings immunology prevention & control therapy MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Venom Hypersensitivity * diagnosis prevention & control therapy MeSH
- Cross Reactions MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
BACKGROUND: Bordetella pertussis isolates which do not express some of acellular pertussis vaccine (aPv) antigens, e.g. pertactin (PRN), have been increasingly reported in countries using aPvs. In Finland, primary pertussis vaccination with whole-cell vaccine was replaced by aPv containing pertussis toxin (PT) and filamentous hemagglutinin (FHA) in 2005 and then by aPv containing PT, FHA, and PRN in 2009. We aimed to study alterations in the expression of FHA, PRN, and PT, three antigens included in aPvs and adenylate cyclase toxin (ACT) not included in current aPvs, among Finnish isolates collected during 1991-2020. METHODS: Of 904 isolates collected by the Finnish Reference Laboratory for Pertussis during 1991-2020, 302 were randomly included. An adapted, monoclonal antibody based, antigen expression ELISA, including the culture of B. pertussis in Stainer-Scholte medium, was performed to quantify the expression of ACT, FHA, PRN, and PT of each isolate. ACT activity was also measured for 16 isolates. Arbitrary units were used for comparing levels of each antigen expression of isolates grouped in every five years. FINDINGS: Following the implementation of aPv in 2005, B. pertussis isolates exhibited a 1.75-fold increase for FHA (p < 0.001) and a 1.5-fold increase for ACT (p < 0.0041) expression until 2020. No FHA or ACT deficient isolates were detected. As the number of PRN deficient isolates has significantly increased with the time, the amount of PRN produced by the positive isolates has also started to decrease, especially after the use of aPv containing PRN. During this period, fluctuations in PT expression were observed. INTERPRETATION: The study demonstrated that in response to aPv-induced selection pressure, different types of selection of B. pertussis has occurred. For FHA and ACT, a steady increase in their production is observed, whereas the frequency of PRN deficient isolates is increased with time.
- MeSH
- Vaccines, Acellular immunology MeSH
- Adenylate Cyclase Toxin immunology MeSH
- Antigens, Bacterial * immunology MeSH
- Adhesins, Bacterial MeSH
- Bordetella pertussis * immunology isolation & purification MeSH
- Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay MeSH
- Virulence Factors, Bordetella immunology MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Whooping Cough * prevention & control immunology microbiology MeSH
- Pertussis Vaccine * immunology administration & dosage MeSH
- Pertussis Toxin immunology MeSH
- Bacterial Outer Membrane Proteins immunology MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Geographicals
- Finland MeSH
Diftérie představuje důležité, znovu se objevující infekční onemocnění. Patří mu zvýšená pozornost ze stran lékařské komunity, a to nejen v primární péči, ale napříč všemi obory. Nejrozšířenějším původcem je bakterie Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Existují dvě formy onemocnění: kožní a respirační. Lékem první volby jsou penicilinová antibiotika. Kromě úvodního stručného popisu mikroorganismu se následující text zaměří na tři kazuistiky pacientů, u nichž bylo v kultivačním vyšetření identifikováo Corynebacterium diphtheriae jako etiologické agens. První případ je respirační, další dva kožní formy. Je popsán průběh onemocnění, nezbytnost izolace na infekčním oddělení a realizovaný terapeutický postup. Dále je uveden lokální epidemiologický přehled incidence a závěrečné zhodnocení uvedených případů a nemoci samotné.
Diphtheria is an important, re-emerging infection that requires increased attention from the medical community, not only in primary care but across all medical fields. The causative agent is the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae. Two forms of the disease are distinguished: skin and respiratory. The first-line treatment consists of penicillin antibiotics. In addition to a brief initial description of the microorganism, the following text focuses on three case studies of patients in whom Corynebacterium diphtheriae was identified as the etiological agent through culture examination. The first case involves the respiratory form, while the other two concern the skin form. The course of the disease, the necessity of isolation in an infectious disease ward, and the therapeutic approach taken are described. Furthermore, a local epidemiological overview of incidence is provided, along with a final evaluation of the presented cases and the disease itself.
- MeSH
- Anti-Bacterial Agents therapeutic use MeSH
- Corynebacterium diphtheriae pathogenicity MeSH
- Diphtheria Toxin adverse effects MeSH
- Diphtheria * epidemiology drug therapy pathology prevention & control MeSH
- Clindamycin therapeutic use MeSH
- Skin Manifestations MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Young Adult MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Case Reports MeSH
Už niekoľko desaťročí podiel seniorov v populácii vyspelých krajín rastie, a to aj pre predlžovanie života. To má byť spojené s napĺňaním jedného zo základných princípov geriatrie – s „pridávaním života rokom“, t. j. so zlepšovaním kvality života. Tá je medzi ľuďmi i v odbornej komunite hodnotená rôzne, multidimenzionálne. U nemalej časti starších ľudí pozorujeme stúpajúcu tendenciu akejsi „estetickej komponenty“ vnímania kvality vlastného života – aj seniori stále častejšie dbajú na svoj estetický vzhľad. V tzv. západnom svete je tento trend dokumentovaný dlhšie, v ostatných rokoch ho pozorujeme už aj na Slovensku. Moderná medicína ponúka viacero prístupov, ako naplniť očakávania seniorov, ktorí chcú zlepšiť vlastný pocit zo svojho vzhľadu. Z medicínskeho hľadiska budeme u seniorov aj v tomto prípade preferovať neinvazívne alebo miniinvazívne metódy. Predkladaná práca sa zaoberá možnosťami a obmedzeniami niektorých bežne dostupných minimálne invazívnych „antiageingových“ procedúr u starších ľudí.
For several decades, there has been an increase in the proportion of seniors in developed countries, one of the reasons of which is the prolongation of life expectancy. In accordance with one of the basic principles of geriatrics, it should be one’s aim to „add life to years“, meaning improving the quality of life of the elderly. Quality of life is evaluated differently among people and in the scientific community – it is multi-dimensional. Among a considerable number of elderly people, we observe a rising tendency of an „aesthetic component“ in the perception of the quality of their life – even seniors pay more attention to their aesthetic appearance. In the so-called Western world this trend has been observed for a long time, and in recent years so have we in Slovakia. Modern medicine offers several approaches to meet the expectations of seniors who want to improve perception of their appearance. From a medical point of view, we will prefer noninvasive or mini invasive methods for seniors. The presented work deals with the possibilities and limitations of some commonly available minimally invasive „anti-ageing“ procedures for seniors.
- MeSH
- Botulinum Toxins, Type A pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Dermal Fillers MeSH
- Esthetics * MeSH
- Geriatrics * methods MeSH
- Cosmetic Techniques classification MeSH
- Quality of Life MeSH
- Hyaluronic Acid pharmacology therapeutic use MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Mesotherapy methods MeSH
- Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures methods MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Skin Aging drug effects MeSH
- Check Tag
- Humans MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Publication type
- Review MeSH
