ABSTRACT
The newly identified strain of the Coronaviridae family called severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) recently became the most significant health threat for adults and children. Some main predictors of severe clinical course in patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection are age and concomitant health conditions. Therefore, the proper evaluation of SARS-CoV-2-specific immunity is urgently required to understand and predict the spectrum of possible clinical phenotypes and recommend vaccination options and regimens in children. Furthermore, it is critical to characterize the nature of SARS-CoV-2-specific immune responses in children following asymptomatic infection and COVID-19 and other related conditions such as multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C), para-infectious and late postinfectious consequences. Recent studies involving children revealed a variety of cytokines, T cells and antibody responses in the pathogenesis of the disease. Moreover, different clinical scenarios in children were observed-asymptomatic seroprevalence, acute SARS-CoV-2 infection, and rarely severe COVID-19 with typical cytokine storm, MIS-C, long COVID-19, etc. Therefore, to gain a better clinical view, adequate diagnostic criteria and treatment algorithms, it is essential to create a realistic picture of the immunological puzzle of SARS-CoV-2 infection in different age groups. Finally, it was demonstrated that children may exert a potent and prolonged adaptive anti-SARS-CoV-2 immune response, with significant cross-reactions against other human Corona Viruses, that might contribute to disease sparing effect in this age range. However, the immunopathology of the virus has to be elucidated first.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Due to the widespread use of bottled water, it is important from a hygienic point of view to ensure that these products have good quality and meet the requirements set out in regulations. METHODS AND RESULTS: In the period 2000-2013, a large-scale study (2,500 samples) was carried out on the quality of Bulgarian bottled water as per the microbiological parameters laid down in the European and Bulgarian legislation. Standard microbiological methods were applied. There is strong evidence that the most frequently isolated contaminant in these products was Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This agent was found in 274 samples out of a total of 2,500 analysed bottled waters. Because of the absolute prohibition of the presence of this microorganism in the finished product, the manufacturers should not allow their products with compromised quality to reach the market. They are obliged to check the quality of each batch by conducting an internal monitoring of production. When any inconsistencies are established in microbiological parameters, the producers must detect the critical point and apply more effective decontamination measures of the bottling lines. Given the importance of this fact for the health of consumers, the study also included determination of the antimicrobial resistance of P. aeruginosa strains isolated from Bulgarian bottled water. Ten strains of P. aeruginosa, isolated from bottled water and other water habitats in the environment, were tested for the effect of 13 antimicrobial agents by applying the Kirby-Bauer's method. CONCLUSIONS: The investigation found that Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from bottled water are sensitive to Ceftazidime, Amikacin, Ciprofloxacin, and Cefepime and one of them is resistant to Meropenem and Piperacillin. Another important conclusion is that there is no specific behaviour of P. aeruginosa strains originating from different sources to the test antimicrobials. The authors consider that drinking tap water is perhaps a more appropriate way for newborns, infants, elderly, and people with compromised immunity to satisfy thirst than using bottled water.
