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Many serious and fatal infections with urogenital mycoplasmas in immunocompromised patients have been reported. M. genitalium is recognized as a cause of male urethritis and other common genitourinary diseases. The aim of the study was to estimate prevalence of urogenital mycoplasmas which can cause complications in men with common genitourinary diseases. Study included 85 men with genitourinary tract carcinoma (n = 35), urolithiasis (n = 36), and BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) (n = 14). The control group consisted of 50 healthy men. FVU (first void urine) samples were examined by PCR for the presence of urogenital mycoplasmas DNA. Occurrence of urogenital mycoplasmas was significantly more common in study group compared with control 24/85 (28.2%) and 7/50 (14%), respectively (p = 0.05). In men with urolithiasis, positive results for mycoplasmas DNA were significantly more frequent than in control: 33.3% vs. 14% (p < 0.05). In patients with urolithiasis DNA of U. urealyticum was most often found, while in the genitourinary carcinoma and BPH groups, U. parvum was more frequent. Incidence of M. fermentans was also significantly higher in the urolithiasis group vs. control (p = 0.03). A higher percentage of positive results for urogenital mycoplasma DNA in study group has been found. Further studies are required to confirm the role of urogenital mycoplasmas in the development of infectious complications among patients with urolithiasis, genitourinary carcinoma, and BPH.

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The prevalence of urogenital mycoplasmas in men with NGU in Upper Silesia (Poland) was studied. Mycoplasmas were detected in 36.7% men (Ureaplasma parvum and Mycoplasma genitalium were found in 30% and 16.7% respectively). Urealyticum urealyticum was not detected. We suggest including M. genitalium in the diagnostic scheme for nongonococcal urethritis (NGU).

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OBJECTIVES: Workers of X-ray departments are occupationally exposed to long-term low levels of ionizing radiation (LLIR), which may affect their humoral immunity. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of LLIR on the number and proportion of B cells (CD19+), B1 cells (CD5+CD19+) and memory B cells (CD27+CD19+) in peripheral blood of such workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study group of 47 X-ray departments workers and the control group consisting of 38 persons, the number and percentage of CD19+, CD5+CD19+, CD27+CD19+ cells as well as CD5+CD19+/CD19+ and CD27+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratios were assessed using flow cytometry. Additionally, the study group was divided into 2 groups by the length of employment below and over 15 years and analysis adjusted for age and smoking habit was performed. RESULTS: The total number of CD19+ cells showed significant increase in the group of workers in comparison with the persons from the control group, whereas the percentage of CD5+CD19+ cells as well as CD27+CD19+/CD19+ and CD5+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratios were lower. Percentage, number of CD5+CD19+ cells and CD5+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratio were significantly lower in the workers with length of employment longer than 15 years in comparison with those employed below 15 years. Moreover, we found positive associations between the number of CD19+ cells and employment as well as smoking habit, whereas the number of CD5+CD19+ cells was positively associated with cigarette smoking alone. Percentage of CD5+CD19+ cells as well as CD5+CD19+/CD19+ and CD27+CD19+/CD19+ cell ratios were negatively correlated with employment. CONCLUSIONS: The study suggests association between the suppressive influence of low level ionizing radiation on circulating in peripheral blood, especially of B1 cells as well as of memory B cells, in workers of X-ray units, which is adverse in relation to microbiological threat.

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It has been postulated that ionizing radiation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are annihilated by an intracellular enzymatic system composed mainly of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Workers of X-ray departments are occupationally exposed to long-term low levels of ionizing radiation, which may affect their antioxidant status. Erythrocyte activities of SOD, CAT and GPx were measured in 45 workers of X-ray departments and 30 persons who constituted the control group. Subgroups with respect to sex and cigarette smoking were selected. Colorimetric method was used for determination erythrocyte activities of SOD, CAT and GPx. A significant decrease of GPx, SOD and CAT activity in workers as compared to controls was observed. Lower activity of SOD and GPx in female and GPx in male subgroup was found. SOD was significantly more elevated in smoking workers than in the non-smoking staff. Moreover non-smoking employees showed lower SOD and GPx activity in comparison to the non-smoking control. GPx decrease was found in smoking workers in comparison to the smoking control. Additionally, smoking workers showed lower activity of GPx and CAT compared to non-smoking control.

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Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune connective tissue disease, where vascular lesions are one of the typical symptoms. The pathological process often involves skin vessels, renal glomeruli, the cardiovascular system, brain, lung alveoli, and gastrointestinal tract vessels. This review presents possible adverse mechanisms underlying the cause and effect relationship of various factors causing vascular lesions in SLE patients. The generally accepted hypothesis links vascular damage in SLE with the deposition of immune complexes in the vascular endothelium. The anti-endothelial cell antibodies (AECA), antiphospholipid antibodies and anti-double stranded DNA antibodies present in SLE, that directly or indirectly affect endothelial cells, causing inflammatory damage to the vessel wall, and their role, have been discussed. It has been stressed that although the suggested role of AECA in vasculitis pathogenesis has not been fully established, evidence, however, has demonstrated that AECA is a factor causing endothelial damage in SLE patients. On the other hand, issues concerning cellular adhesion molecules which enable leukocyte adhesion and rolling along the endothelial cell surface, and their extravascular migration, focus on the role they may be playing in SLE patients with vasculitis. A potential role of soluble forms of adhesion molecules, pentraxin 3, medications, infections in the pathogenesis of this disease has also been shown. Special attention has been given to the role of type 3 hepatitis virus in vascular damage in SLE.

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Ionizing radiation affects the expression of adhesive and co-stimulatory molecules in lymphocytes. The physiological function of cellular isoform of prion protein (PrPc) is little known. Evidences indicate a link between lymphocytes activation and PrPc expression on their surface; however, no direct effect of radiation on PrPc level in these cells was investigated. The objective of this study was to determinate the effect of low doses of ionizing radiation on the expression of PrPc on the surface peripheral blood lymphocytes in the women operating X-ray equipment. In 36 female workers and 30 persons of the control group the PrPc expression on CD3 (T lymphocytes), CD4 (T helper), CD8 (T cytotoxic) and CD19 (B lymphocytes), as well as the percentage of lymphocytes with PrPc on their surface, were tested. Subgroups with respect to age and length of employment were selected. A significant increase was observed in PrPc expression on CD3 and CD4 with lowered PrPc level on CD8 and percentage of CD8 cells with PrPc in workers compared to control. The PrPc level did not show significant changes in subgroups in relation to age (below and over 40 years old) both in the investigated and control groups, whereas a lower percentage of PrPc expressing CD19 cells showed in employed women below 40 years of age. A significant decrease was found in PrPc expression on the surface of CD3, CD4 and CD8 cells in the subgroup employed for over 10 years than in the subgroup with less than 10 years of employment.

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Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) are often responsible for cases of chronic ostitis and osteomyelitis, especially in patients with orthopedic prosthesis/implants. The aim of this study was to characterize CoNS isolated from ambulatory patients with chronic ostitis/osteomyelitis and to compare them by PFGE (pulsed-field gel electrophoresis). Out of 263 bacterial strains isolated from wounds/sinuses of patients with chronic ostitis/osteomylitis, 41 were identified as CoNS. Twenty methicillin-resistant strains were selected for this study. Our results confirm the superior performance of cefoxitin disk test to detect methicillin resistance in heterogenous population of CoNS. High level of antibiotic resistance was observed among the studied strains: majority of CoNS were resistant to tetracycline and erythromycin and also to clindamycin and ciprofloxacin. Importantly, in 15 out of 20 studied CoNS different phenotypes of macrolides, lincosamides and streptogramin--MLS resistance was suggested. Eight strains demonstrated resistance to both erythromycin and clindamycin, suggesting constitutive MLS(B) phenotype. Seven remaining strains presented resistance to erythromycin and susceptibility to clindamycin with negative D-test results, suggesting the presence of macrolides and streptogramines type A efflux pump. All studied strains were sensitive to vancomycin (MIC 0.75-2.0 microg/ml), teicoplanin (MIC 0.125-8.0 microg/ml), and quinupristin/dalfopristin (MIC 0.19-1.0 microg/ml). No clonal relatedness was observed in PFGE patterns.

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Sepsis is life-treating state caused by overwhelming inflammatory response to infection accompanied by disregulation of non-specific immunity mechanisms. In this review we discussed influence of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacterial virulence factors, cytokines as well as pathogen associated molecular pattern receptors (TLR-toll like receptors, peptydoglican recognition proteins, nucleotide binding oligomerization domains, triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells-1) on the development and course of sepsis.

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OBJECTIVES: Workers of x-ray departments are occupationally exposed to long-term low levels of ionizing radiation. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of occupational exposure of low-level x-ray radiation on immunoglobulin and C-reactive protein (CRP) concentrations in radiology workers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the study group of 41 x-ray department workers and the control group composed of 32 persons, immunoglobulins (IgM, IgG, IgA) and CRP concentrations were analyzed. The study group was subdivided by gender and smoking habit. RESULTS: A significant decrease in IgG level was found in the workers and the female subgroup. The same observation was made when smokers and nonsmokers of both groups were compared. Smoking workers showed lower concentrations of IgA than non-smokers. The remaining results of immunoglobulin and CRP concentrations did not show significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Occupational exposure to low levels of ionizing radiation is associated with suppressive influence on the immunoglobulin production, especially IgG. In addition, smoking decreases the production of IgA in radiology workers.

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In chemical plant workers producing pesticides chronic bronchitis and disturbed pulmonary ventilation are frequent. The aim of the examination of the staff (sewage-treatment plant, waste combustion plant, waste storage, industrial water pumping station)--16 males aged 21-53 years--was to assess: 1. Connective tissue metabolism--serum concentration of type I and III procollagen propeptides, collagen I telopeptide, hydroxyproline, alpha1-AP and alpha2-M antiproteases, interstitial collagenase (MMP-1) activity, as well as urine hydroxyproline and desmosine. 2. Free radical damage--serum malonic dialdehyde (TBARS) and ceruloplasmin concentration, erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes activity (SOD, catalase, GPx, GR), and neutrophils myeloperoxidase reaction. 3. Humoral (serum IgG, A and M, C3 complement component and the circulating immune complexes) and cellular (percentage of CD3, CD4 and CD8 lymphocytes) immunity rates. As compared to controls the following changes were found: 1. decreased MMP-1 activity and increased alpha2-M serum concentration; 2. increased erythrocyte SOD and GPx activities; 3. decreased percentage of T lymphocytes (CD3), increased serum concentration of the C3 complement component and the circulating immune complexes. The results were compared with those in workers of the departments producing liquid pesticides, dust pesticides and chlorfenvinphose, the changes of the investigated parameters were found to be less expressed.

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The objective of these studies was to determine the effect of low X-ray doses on peripheral blood lymphocytes in the workers operating X-ray equipment. In 30 workers and 18 persons who constituted the control group the absolute number of peripheral blood lymphocytes, the number of T CD4+ and T CD8+ lymphocytes, the ratio CD4+/CD8+ and the concentration of serum interleukins (IL-2, IL-4, IL-6) were tested. Subgroups with respect to sex and employment period were selected. A significant increase in IL-2 concentration in workers as compared to controls was observed and significantly decreased IL-4 level in operating X-ray equipment was revealed. The lowest levels of IL-4 were noted in the women subgroup. A high positive, statistically significant correlations between the number of lymphocytes and the concentration of IL-2 and the level of IL-4 were observed. Moreover, our studies revealed that lymphocyte number and interleukin concentrations in serum of X-ray operators do not depend on the assumed ranges of the length of employment period.

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