STUDY AIM: To introduce a novel molecular PCR method for the typing of Streptococcus pneumonia in the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) for Streptococcal Infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae are referred to the NRL from different regions of the Czech Republic. Generally, the identification and typing are based on strain morphology, optochin susceptibility, bile solubility, latex agglutination, and the Quellung reaction. Since 2012, a novel multiplex polymerase chain reaction (mPCR) assay has been introduced. The novel assay was tested on 210 S. pneumoniae isolates and 8 isolates of the related species S. pseudopneumoniae, S. sanguinis, and S. oralis. RESULTS: The NRL for Streptococcal Infections has included a novel mPCR assay in the algorithm of S. pneumoniae identification and typing. The mPCR assay was able to identify and type any pneumococcal strain from the study collection, with the isolates of the related species remaining negative. The mPCR assay showed 100% sensitivity and specificity in this study. The pCR appeared to be an excellent tool for S. pneumoniae typing. CONCLUSION: Until recently, S. pneumoniae serotypes and serogroups were differentiated using a serological approach (Quellung reaction), but the NRL for Streptococcal Infections has switched to a novel mPCR assay. This molecular tool improves S. pneumoniae typing, making it more accurate.
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- multiplexová polymerázová řetězová reakce MeSH
- Streptococcus pneumoniae klasifikace genetika MeSH
- streptokokové infekce mikrobiologie MeSH
- techniky typizace bakterií metody MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
STUDY AIM: To determine antibiotic resistance and incidence of multidrug resistance among Nontyphoidal salmonellae serovars isolated from humans. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Consecutive Salmonella isolates from patients, recovered in 48 microbiology laboratories in May 2012, were analyzed in the respective reference laboratories at the National Institute of Public Health. Strains were re-identified and differentiated into serovars. Their minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) to 11 antibiotics were determined by the microdilution method. RESULTS: Of 25 serovars identified among 637 strains of Salmonella enterica, the most frequent were Enteritidis (87.0 %), Typhimurium (4.9 %), and monophasic Typhimurium 4,[5],12:i:- (2.0 %) and Mbandaka (0.6 %); other serovars were rare. Altogether 558 strains (87.6 %) were susceptible to all antibiotics tested and the remaining 79 strains were resistant to one or more antibiotics. The prevalence rates of resistance to individual antibiotics among 637 study strains were as follows: ampicillin 8.5%, tetracycline 5.7%, sulfamethoxazole 5.2%, cipro-floxacin 3.8%, and chloramphenicol 2.5%. Resistance to gentamicin, trimethoprim, and third and fourth generation cephalosporins was rare ( 0.5%) and none of the study strains showed resistance to meropenem. Three producers of extended spectrum beta-lactamase were multidrug resistant and two of them recovered from twins exhibited a different pattern of resistance. Resistant strains were most often assigned to the following serovars: Enteritidis (49.4%), Typhimurium (26.6%), and monophasic Typhimurium (15.2%). While only 7% (39 of 554 strains) of Enteritidis strains were resistant, the serovars Typhimurium and its monophasic variant 4,[5],12:i:- showed high rates of resistance, i.e. 66.7 and 92.3%, respectively. Furthermore, resistance was revealed in all strains of the serovars Virchow (n = 3), Kentucky (n = 1), and Newport (n = 1), in two of three strains of the serovar Infantis, and in one of two strains of the serovar Stanley. All five blood isolates were assigned to the serovar Enteritidis and one of them showed resistance to ciprofloxacin. Of 79 resistant strains, 26.6% showed resistance to ampicillin only and 24.1% to ciprofloxacin only, with multidrug resistance, i.e. resistance to three or more antibiotics, confirmed in 43.0% of strains. CONCLUSION: Despite a relatively low prevalence of resistance to the antibiotics tested among 637 study strains, the following alarming findings were made: Detection of Salmonella enterica strains resistant to ciprofloxacin as the drug of choice or to higher generation cephalosporins and multidrug resistance revealed in two thirds of the strains of the serovar Typhimurium and in all but one strains of its monophasic variant 4,[5],12:i:-.
- MeSH
- antibakteriální látky farmakologie MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mikrobiální testy citlivosti MeSH
- mnohočetná bakteriální léková rezistence * MeSH
- Salmonella enterica účinky léků MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
- Názvy látek
- antibakteriální látky MeSH
BACKGROUND: The aim of this work was to investigate subjective well-being, morbidity and healthcare needs of persons with hazardous, harmful and problematic alcohol consumption. METHODS: Data from a questionnaire-based survey performed on a representative sample of 2221 persons (of these, 51.4% were men) aged 18 to 39 (average age 29.9, s.d. 5.8) were used for the analysis. The level of risk related to alcohol consumption was assessed through the screening questionnaire (the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test [AUDIT], and categorization into 4 groups with critical scores of 8, 16 and 20 was applied to the analysis. The questionnaire focussed on the respondents' drinking habits and health and their demographic, social, and psychological background and circumstances. RESULTS: The respondents' subjective assessment of their physical and mental health varied significantly across the different score categories in AUDIT. Over one-quarter of the respondents falling in the category of harmful or problem drinkers rated their physical and/or mental health as poor or very poor. Compared to no-problem alcohol users, problem drinkers sought special help for emotional problems more frequently (3.1% vs. 21.3%; p < 0.01); visited their doctors more frequently during the past year (3.1 vs. 4.8; p < 0.05); had more episodes of illness (1.4 vs. 6.8; p < 0.01), more days of sick leave (10.4 vs. 27.6; p < 0.01); and were hospitalized more frequently (6.9% vs. 18.7%; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The results support/confirm the link between hazardous, harmful and problematic alcohol consumption on the one hand and the drinkers' perception of their health status and use of medical/healthcare services on the other hand. A modification of inappropriate consumption patterns through a short intervention by a general practitioner can lead to health improvement and reduction of the drinkers' healthcare costs.
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- poruchy vyvolané alkoholem diagnóza terapie MeSH
- postoj ke zdraví * MeSH
- průzkumy a dotazníky MeSH
- rizikové faktory MeSH
- zdravotnické služby statistika a číselné údaje MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- mladý dospělý MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
UNLABELLED: The study objectives were to characterize in detail human isolates of Salmonella in selected localities of the Czech Republic and to consider the actual epidemiological situation in the country based on the comparison with the reported cases of salmonellosis (source EPIDAT). METHODS: The source of the national epidemiological data was EPIDAT (communicable disease notification system). Laboratory data was obtained by analysis of Salmonella isolates from five clinical laboratories in Bohemia and Moravia. The isolates were collected at regular intervals from January to August and their numbers were indicative of the local epidemiological situation. The Salmonella strains were serotyped and those of serotypes Enteritidis and Typhimurium were phage typed. RESULTS: Epidemiological data analysis confirmed that the predominant causative serotype in the study period was Enteritidis, implicated in 5 329 (89.8%) of 5 934 reported cases of salmonellosis, followed by Typhimurium (302 cases, i.e. 5.1%). Laboratory data analysis revealed a lower incidence of the serotype Enteritidis (found in 231, i.e. in 84.6%, of 273 tested strains) and the same incidence of the serotype S. Typhimurium (14 strains, i.e. 5.1%). The most common phage types among strains of serotype Enteritidis were PT8, PT4, PT13a and PT6 while phage type DT104 was most often detected among strains of serotype Typhimurium. Moreover, the study revealed differences between the numbers of reported (EPIDAT) and laboratory diagnosed cases of salmonellosis. Within the study period, 111 (40%) cases of salmonellosis remained unreported in the study localities. CONCLUSION: The study has shown that the characteristics of Salmonella isolates (serotyping, phage typing and antimicrobial resistance data) relevant to the epidemiological data collection are either inaccurate or unavailable. Therefore, a national system needs to be created for the collection of Salmonella clinical isolates that should be further typed to obtain data for the monitoring at both the national and international levels.
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- Salmonella chemie izolace a purifikace MeSH
- salmonelóza epidemiologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika epidemiologie MeSH
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To assess the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease and coverage of the causative serotypes by pneumococcal vaccines in the Czech Republic. METHODS: The incidence and fatality rates of reported cases of pneumococcal meningitis (EPIDAT) in 1997-2006 are analyzed. In addition, the data of the National Reference Laboratory for Streptococci and Enterococci from 2000-2006 are presented. The incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease was calculated for the catchment population of the collaborating laboratories. Pneumococcal typing was performed in the National Reference Laboratory. The percentages of pneumococcal serotypes isolated from invasive disease in 2000-2006 and included in the pneumococcal vaccines were calculated. RESULTS: The incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease ranged from 2.30 to 4.28/100000 population. The age-specific incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in 2000-2006 was the highest in the lowest age groups 0-11 months (15.75/100000) and 1-4 years (8.22/100000), followed by the age group of 65 years and older (7.3/100000). The total fatality rate of pneumococcal meningitis in 1997-2006 was 13.7%. The highest age-specific fatality rate was recorded in 65-year olds and over (24%). In the age group 0-11 months, the coverage of pneumococcal serotypes is 66% by the 7-valent conjugate vaccine, 76% by the 10-valent conjugate vaccine and 82% by thel3-valent conjugate vaccine. In the age group 1-4 years, the respective rates are 65.1%, 76.4% and 85.8%. The coverage of serotypes by conjugate vaccines is higher in the youngest age groups (0-11 months and 1-4 years) compared to adults (40-64 years and 65 years and older). CONCLUSION: Based on laboratory data, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease in the Czech Republic in 2000-2006 is comparable with the rates reported in other European countries. The highest incidence rates were observed in the youngest age groups. The distribution of serotypes causing invasive pneumococcal disease differs between children and adults. The coverage of serotypes by conjugate pneumococcal vaccines is higher in children (66-65%) compared to adults (34-65%). It is desirable to launch a nationwide programme of surveillance of invasive pneumococcal disease. Furthermore, it is recommended that a conjugate pneumococcal vaccine should be included in the children's immunization schedule.
- MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- pneumokoková meningitida epidemiologie mikrobiologie MeSH
- předškolní dítě MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- sérotypizace MeSH
- Streptococcus pneumoniae klasifikace MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- předškolní dítě MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika epidemiologie MeSH
STUDY OBJECTIVES: To analyze the incidence of pertussis in the Czech Republic, influencing factors and, in particular, the effect of vaccination on pertussis morbidity, clinical seriousness of the disease and circulation of Bordetella pertussis in the population. To study the causes of defective diagnosis and reporting and to propose remedial measures. METHODS: Data on pertussis morbidity were obtained from the archives of the National Institute of Public Health and the public health information systems ISPO and EPIDAT. Mortality data were taken from the above sources and literature. The case definition was used as specified in the Methodical Guidance for Pertussis Surveillance and the EC Directive. Laboratory diagnosis was based on culture and serology. An at least fourfold increase in the serum antibody titer found within an experiment was considered as a positive result. RESULTS: Pertussis together with diphteria and measles used to be among the most dangerous infections in childhood. The oldest mortality data date back to 1890 when 62 deaths per 100,000 population were reported. In 1951, the death rate still reached 3.6/100,000. The pertussis morbidity peaked in 1955 with 540 cases per 100,000 population. Vaccination against pertussis since the early 1950's led to a rapid reduction of morbidity in children. Nevertheless, higher pertussis morbidity rates were observed at 2-4-year intervals (in the so- called epidemic years). The lowest morbidity rates were reported during the 1980's. However, a stable upward trend has been observed over the following years. In 2006, a neonate died from pertussis. The age specific morbidity rates in 1980 through 2000 were highest in children under one year of age. This fact together with the regularly increased morbidity rates observed at 2-3-year intervals indicate that Bordetella pertussis still circulates in the population. While in the 1980's, the cases of pertussis were reported almost exclusively in children under one year of age, in the 1990's, they became more common also among children 1-4 years of age and started to be prevalent in children 10-14 years of age since 2001. CONCLUSION: A high immunisation coverage (97%) with five doses of high quality whole-cell vaccine of Czech origin introduced into practice in 1958 played a crucial role in the reduction of pertussis morbidity from more than 500/100,000 in the mid-1950's to less than 0.5/100,000 in the 1980's. Nevertheless, this strategy did not lead to elimination of the causative agent in the population. It is evident that the current immunization scheme with the use of the available vaccines cannot solve the epidemiological situation. Since the efficacy of the currently available acellular pertussis vaccines is, at the best, the same as that of the whole-cell vaccines, any improvement of the current status cannot be expected. Only effective active surveillance, the use of new more immunogenic pertussis vaccines and revaccination of older age groups can result in desirable outcomes.
- MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- incidence MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- pertuse epidemiologie prevence a kontrola MeSH
- pertusová vakcína MeSH
- předškolní dítě MeSH
- prevalence MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- vakcinace MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- kojenec MeSH
- lidé středního věku MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- předškolní dítě MeSH
- senioři MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika epidemiologie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- pertusová vakcína MeSH
Statistical methods are nowadays one of the main tools for the evidence based medicine. This paper mentions some of the basic ideas necessary for the reader to understand usage of statistical methods.
Based on the current knowledge, head louse (Pediculus capitis) and body louse (Pediculus humanus) are two different species that infest specific parts of the human body and do not interbreed in vivo. In 1991-2002, 6 257 cases of pediculosis were reported in the Czech Republic while 3 138 000 pediculicide packagings, i.e. about 500 times as many as the number of cases, were marketed. Between October 2004 and February 2005, a total of 531 children aged between 6 and 15 years from 16 selected schools in the Zlín and Olomouc regions were screened by dry hair combing. Living lice were detected in 14.1% of the enrolled children and dead nits alone were observed in other 9.8% of the subjects. In vitro tests revealed that the collected head lice were highly resistant to malathion, the active ingredient of Diffusil H 92 M. The number of reported cases of pediculosis roughly doubled in 2005.
- MeSH
- dermatózy skalpu farmakoterapie epidemiologie MeSH
- dítě MeSH
- incidence MeSH
- insekticidy terapeutické užití MeSH
- léková rezistence MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- Pediculus * MeSH
- zavšivení * farmakoterapie epidemiologie MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- dítě MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mladiství MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika epidemiologie MeSH
- Názvy látek
- insekticidy MeSH
Hepatitis B virus (HBV) was genotyped based on sequencing and analysis of nucleotide sequences of HBV S gene in sera samples from 176 patients with viral hepatitis B from all over the Czech Republic. The most frequent genotype A was detected in 118 (67.1%) of the patients, followed by genotype D found in 50 (28.4%) of the patients. Genotypes B and C were identified in 6 (3.4%) and 2 (1.1%) of the patients, respectively. The incidence of genotype A statistically significantly increases with age. There is no statistically significant correlation between genotypes A and D and gender or locality (region). Genotypes B and C, found mainly in South East Asia, were first detected in the Czech Republic. Detection of these genotypes in both foreigners and Czech population is suggestive not only of import but also of transmission of these genotypes in the Czech Republic. Fylogenetic analysis documents dissimilarity levels between HBV isolates. Based on the amino sequence derived, the percentages of HBV subtype determinants d (68.6%) and y (31.4%) were established. The gene S sequencing analysis proved suitable for HBV genotyping.
- MeSH
- dospělí MeSH
- genotyp MeSH
- hepatitida B virologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- virus hepatitidy B klasifikace genetika MeSH
- Check Tag
- dospělí MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- mužské pohlaví MeSH
- ženské pohlaví MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika MeSH
The study objective was an attempt to explain uneven distribution of the incidence of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) throughout the past two decades. A sharp rise was recorded in the last decade: while 2596 TBE cases were reported in the decade 1983-1992, as many as 5892 TBE cases were reported in the decade 1993-2002, with high rates persisting also in the following years (606 TBE cases reported in 2003). Data from the database TBE EPIDAT of the National Institute of Public Health, Prague, and that of the Communicable Diseases Information System, Ostrava, were used for analysis. Meteorological data were taken from the database of the Czech Institute of Hydrometeorology, Prague. In 1971 to 2003, 13 231 laboratory confirmed TBE cases were reported in the Czech Republic. Uneven distribution of these TBE cases in time is consistent with the observations of climate variation made between 1931 and 2000. The increase in the TBE incidence in the Czech Republic in the last decade was characterized by the following features: 1) higher rates of TBE cases manifested in regular TBE natural focuses, 2) reemergence of TBE in the same localities after 20 and more year intervals and 3) emergence of TBE in localities where it was not reported before. At the same time shifts in TBE seasonal trends (i.e. to March and October-November) were observed, associated with a TBE incidence peak in autumn. Field research revealed that the major factor are the climate-related changes in ecology of the TBE vector Ixodes ricinus and resulting variation in its population density. TBE emergence in new areas is linked to the occurrence of ticks Ixodes ricinus at higher altitudes (previously found at 700 m and currently spreading to 1200 m) as well as to a coming warm climate era.
- MeSH
- incidence MeSH
- klíšťová encefalitida epidemiologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- meteorologické pojmy * MeSH
- roční období MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- anglický abstrakt MeSH
- časopisecké články MeSH
- práce podpořená grantem MeSH
- Geografické názvy
- Česká republika epidemiologie MeSH
