80 Years of the Medicine and Tropical Hygiene Center in Gdynia (1937-2017): The Pioneer Pre-War Years 1937-1939.

The present Interdepartmental Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine in Gdynia of the Medical University of Gdansk was formally established in 1939 by the Order of June 5, 1939, of the Minister of Social Welfare, Marian Zyndram-Koscialkowski. However, the Branch of the National Institute of Hygiene in Gdynia was founded 2 years earlier, in 1937 (the first head was Dr. Med. Jerzy Jakóbkiewicz [1892-1953]), and its fruitful activity was ennobled 2 years later by increasing its rank and adding the name "Marine and Tropical Hygiene Institute". These facts are very little known, and therefore worth presenting in the jubilee years of the 80th anniversary of the institution.

[Pappataci (sandfly fever) - a little known brought in Poland viral disease]. / Goraczka pappataci (sandfly fever) ­ malo znana w Polsce choroba wirusowa przywlekana do kraju.

Pappataci (sandfly fever) is a viral (RNA Phlebovirus) vector-borne zoonosis transmitted to men by small Phlebotomus mosquitous. This disease fulfill the international criteria of "emerging disease". Despite of that, pappataci fever is a little known disease brought into Poland. Distribution of disease includes: Mediterranean region, Central Asia and Indian Peninsula. On the basis of pertinent literature and own personal experience, the authors described etiopathogenesis, epidemiology and clinical picture of sandfly fever.

Prevalence of Coxiella burnetii Infection in Humans Occupationally Exposed to Animals in Poland.

Coxiella burnetii is the etiological agent of Q fever, and outbreaks of Q fever have been reported in different parts of Europe both in animals and humans. Human infections are mostly associated with infections in ruminants, e.g., sheep, goats, and cows. Various professional groups are occupationally exposed to infection with C. burnetii. The aim of this study was investigate the prevalence of C. burnetii in farm workers. Serum samples were collected from 151 persons from six different regions of Poland. The serum samples were tested using three serological methods--complement fixation test (CFT), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and indirect fluorescent antibody (IFA). A total of 71 samples of blood were also tested by real-time PCR. The results showed that antibodies against C. burnetii were present in the tested sera. Average percentages of seropositive samples in IFA, ELISA, and CFT were 31.12%, 39.07%, and 15.23%, respectively. Positive results were noted in each testing center. Of the three test types, IFA results were considered the most sensitive. Real-time PCR confirmed the presence of DNA specific for C. burnetii in 10 patients. The farming workforce constitutes an occupational risk group with an increased risk for C. burnetii infection, presumably because of their contact with infected livestock.

Q fever--selected issues.

Q fever is an infectious disease of humans and animals caused by Gram-negative coccobacillus Coxiella burnetii, belonging to the Legionellales order, Coxiellaceae family. The presented study compares selected features of the bacteria genome, including chromosome and plasmids QpH1, QpRS, QpDG and QpDV. The pathomechanism of infection--starting from internalization of the bacteria to its release from infected cell are thoroughly described. The drugs of choice for the treatment of acute Q fever are tetracyclines, macrolides and quinolones. Some other antimicrobials are also active against C. burnetii, namely, telitromycines and tigecyclines (glicylcycline). Q-VAX vaccine induces strong and long-term immunity in humans. Coxevac vaccine for goat and sheep can reduce the number of infections and abortions, as well as decrease the environmental transmission of the pathogen. Using the microarrays technique, about 50 proteins has been identified which could be used in the future for the production of vaccine against Q fever. The routine method of C. burnetii culture is proliferation within cell lines; however, an artificial culture medium has recently been developed. The growth of bacteria in a reduced oxygen (2.5%) atmosphere was obtained after just 6 days. In serology, using the IF method as positive titers, the IgM antibody level >1:64 and IgG antibody level >1:256 (against II phase antigens) has been considered. In molecular diagnostics of C. burnetii infection, the most frequently used method is PCR and its modifications; namely, nested PCR and real time PCR which detect target sequences, such as htpAB and IS1111, chromosome genes (com1), genes specific for different types of plasmids and transposase genes. Although Q fever was diagnosed in Poland in 1956, the data about the occurrence of the disease are incomplete. Comprehensive studies on the current status of Q fever in Poland, with special focus on pathogen reservoirs and vectors, the sources of infection and molecular characteristics of bacteria should be conducted.

[Reform of epidemiology undergraduate education programme for Polish medical students--the changes threatening essentials of education in medical reasoning]. / Reforma nauczania epidemiologii studentów medycyny w Polsce--zmiana zagrazajaca nauczaniu podstaw rozumowania lekarskiego.

A concise account has been given of the changes included in the contents, shape and volume of the teaching program of epidemiology included in the current abridged set of proposals of the graduate teaching of the subject. The present slashed set of teaching items gives no real possibility of covering even the shortest agenda or either methodological or natural history oriented parts of epidemiological essentials. Given that epidemiological methodology is increasingly the part and parcel of the modern medical thinking in general, the shape of the reform is the dangerous step back against prevailing scientific currents threatening the very status of the national scientific institutions. The article is expected to find approval among university teachers of epidemiology facing the hard times of being obliged to teach or otherwise difficult and demanding subject.

[Management in Chikungunya virus infection--a new threat for Europe]. / Postepowanie w przypadku podejrzenia zakazenia wirusem Chikungunya--nowego zagrozenia dla Europy.

The authors present etiology, epidemiology and clinical aspects of one of the tropical diseases--Chikungunya fever (CHIK), which has spread across Europe as emerging infectious disease, transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes. The aim of this study is to present the real threat of CHIK to Europe and especially to Poland. The article also describes actions taken by sanitary authorities in the European Union countries. It focused on the initiatives taken by the State Sanitary Inspection in order to prevent of CHIK and its vector. The article is based on the experience gained by a team from the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate. In conclusion the article describes information related to the occurrence of Chikungunya fever in Europe. Finally, it underlines the necessity of preventive measures too.

The first established focus of hantavirus infection in Poland, 2007.

The first hantavirus infection outbreak in Poland (with different seroetiology) was identified between August-December 2007. Thirteen cases were reported in southeast Poland: 12 cases in the Carpathians bordering with northeast Slovakia, mainly in the forested areas of the Bieszczady mountains, and one case approximately 100-120 kilometres north from the others, in the adjacent Sub-Carpathian region. Four additional cases of past infection were identified retrospectively, based on the presence of the hantavirus specific IgG antibodies. Thus, the total number of infections identified in this area amounts to 17. Most probably, this number does not constitute the real hantavirus participation in the infections in this area. Considerable evidence for the probable participation of Dobrava virus (10 cases out of 17) and Puumala virus (3 cases out of 17) in the hantavirus diseases has been revealed. There were no fatal infections. However, out of 13 symptomatic cases, major HFRS clinical manifestations were observed in 10 cases and a typical nephropathia epidemica in the next 3 cases. Haemorrhagic diathesis was observed in 9 patients. Five patients underwent haemodialysis treatment due to acute renal failure. One, a female patient, haemodialysed in 10th week of gravidity, managed to maintain pregnancy and remains under interdisciplinary care.

[Leptospirosis laboratory of WSSE in Wroclaw (1947-2005). Comment on its activity]. / Pracownia leptospir WSSE we Wroclawiu (1947-2005). Uwagi na tle jej dzialalnosci.

The article summarises the 1947-2005 activity of the Leptospire Laboratory of Voivodeship Sanitary-Epidemiological Station in Wroclaw (1947-2005) which is the oldest and, presently, the only health care diagnostic laboratory offering leptospirosis testing in Poland. Based on own experience the authors analysed laboratory diagnosis of leptospirosis in Poland, identifying existing problems.

[Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)--Hantavirus infection disease appearing in Poland]. / Goraczka krwotoczna z zespolem nerkowym - zakaienie Hantawirusem wystepujace w Polsce.

Authors take up the problem of occurrence of the haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome in Poland and present the measures undertaken by Chief Sanitary Inspectorate, which brought to detection of the first, serologically confirmed case of HFRS in May 2005. They strongly emphasize the existence of the disease on Polish territory despite the poor epidemiological recognition, an possibility of its testing.

[A case of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)]. / Przypadek goraczki krwotocznej z zespolem nerkowym (HFRS).

In our article we describe clinical and epidemiological analysis of the first case of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)--with serological confirmation--in Poland.

[Did West Nile Fever (WNF) appear in Poland? Position of the Expect Committee appointed by the Chief Sanitary Inspector]. / Czy goraczka Zachodniego Nilu (WNF) dotarla do Polski? Stanowisko Zespolu Ekspertów Powolanych przez Glównego Inspektora Sanitarnego.

Position of the Expect Committee appointed by the Chief Sanitary Inspector regarding the possibility of occurrence of West Nile Fever in Poland.