[Lipid peroxides, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in peritoneal fluid from infertile women with minimal and mild endometriosis]. / Produkty peroksydacji lipidów, czynnik martwicy nowotworów alpha (TNF-alpha) oraz interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) w plynie otrzewnowym nieplodnych kobiet z lagodna postacia endometriozy.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the concentrations of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) and lipid peroxides (the marker of free radicals activity) in peritoneal fluid (PF) of infertile women with minimal and mild endometriosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 19 women were studied, including 9 infertile women with minimal or mild endometriosis and 10 patients with tubal occlusion (the reference group). Lipid peroxides (malonyldialdehyde and 4-hydroxynonenal), TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma concentrations were measured in the PF using commercially available kits. RESULTS: Concentration of IFN-gamma was detectable in PF of 7 (77.8%) women with endometriosis and in PF from 3 (30%) patients with tubal occlusion. Neither TNF-alpha or lipid peroxides PF concentration differed significantly (p < 0.05) between the groups. In the group with endometriosis we have found a positive correlation (R = 0.77, p = 0.04) between the concentrations of TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that oxidative stress in the PF doesn't appear to play a role in endometriosis-associated infertility.

[The relation between Chlamydia pneumoniae infection and abdominal aortic aneurysm]. / Zwiazek zakazenia Chlamydia pneumoniae z patogeneza tetniaka aorty brzusznej.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of C. pneumoniae infection in abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) patients by measuring C. pneumoniae specific serum IgG, IgM and IgA levels and the activation of their immune system by measuring the concentrations of IL-10, IL-12, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha in patients' serum. Microimmunofluorescence method was applied to evaluate the level of anti-C. pneumoniae IgG, IgA and IgM. The concentrations of cytokines were evaluated using ELISA method. Serologic markers of persistent C. pneumoniae infection have been detected in 25/28 (89.3%) patients and in 6/20 (30%) healthy controls. In 40% (10/25) of patients with serologic markers of persistent C. pneumoniae infection high titers of specific IgG and IgA indicated active infection--reinfection or exacerbation of chronic infection. Mean concentrations of IL-10, IL-12, IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha indicated lack of protection against intracellular pathogens. Since all patients in this group were diagnosed as having symptomatic AAA, we suggest that active infection can exacerbate inflammation in the AAA wall and accelerate progression of the disease. In our opinion patients with active C. pneumoniae infection may be candidates to the antimicrobial treatment.

[Chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in patients with asthma]. / Przewlekle zakazenie Chlamydia pneumoniae u chorych na astme oskrzelowa.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection (especially chronic infection) in 41 asthma patients. They have been assigned to 3 groups, according to disease severity. Control group consisted of 35 age matched healthy volunteers (without cardiac and pulmonary diseases). The levels of specific IgG, IgA and IgM in patients' serum have been estimated using indirect microimmunofluorescence. According to serologic criteria, 23(56.1%) asthma patients and 4(11.4%) healthy controls have appeared to be chronically infected with Chlamydia pneumoniae (p < 0.001). Acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was present in 3(7.3%) asthma patients and in 2(5.7%) healthy controls. Taking in account asthma severity, persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has occurred more frequently in patients with moderate and severe asthma than in ones with mild asthma. Acute Chlamydia pneumoniae infection was present in 9.1% and 12.5% of patients with mild and severe asthma respectively.

[Chronic Chlamydia pneumonia infection in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease]. / Przewlekla infekcja Chlamydia pneumoniae u chorych na przewlekla obturacyjna chorobe pluc.

The aim of our study was to evaluate the frequency of Chlamydia pneumoniae infection (especially chronic infection) in COPD patients. Microimmunofluorescence method has been applied Chlamydia pneumoniae Micro-IF test (Labsystems) has been used. The levels of specific IgG, IgA and IgM have been estimated in patients' serum. According to serologic criteria, 64.1% of COPD patients and 20.5% of healthy controls appeared to be chronically infected with Chlamydia pneumoniae (p < 0.001). Taking in account COPD severity, persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection has been present in 68.2%, 57.1%, and 50% of patients with severe, moderate and mild COPD, respectively. Our study has revealed that chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection occurs more frequently in COPD patients than in healthy controls and in patients with severe COPD than in ones with mild and moderate disease. It is possible that persistent Chlamydia pneumoniae infection can initiate or amplify inflammatory reactions in the respiratory tract. The results suggest a need to diagnose chronic Chlamydia pneumoniae infection in COPD patients and, if confirmed, to take an attempt of antimicrobial therapy.

[Studies of susceptibility to antibiotics in strains of E. coli isolated from urine in the years 1986-1990]. / Badania nad wrazliwoscia na antybiotyki szczepów E. coli izolowanych z moczu w latach 1986-1990.

From 1986 to 1990 research was conducted on E. coli strains isolated from patients with clinical symptoms of urinary tract infection. The paper-disk-plate technique was applied to determine their susceptibility to ampicillin, carbenicillin, azlocillin, cefamandole, cefotaxime, ceftriaxone, ceftazidime, cefoperazone, amikacin, netilmicin, gentamycin, vibramycin, and colistin. According to the authors' results the efficacy of ampicillin against the examined strains is as low as 3.4%. Aminoglycosides were traditionally recommended in therapy of urinary tract infections. Our research proves amikacin and netilmicin to be more effective against E. coli than gentamycin. The third-generation cephalosporins are recommended as alternative to aminoglycosides, especially since they are proved to be non-nephrotoxic. According to the results of the authors' research ceftazidime, cefotaxime and particularly ceftriaxone show the highest activity against the used strains of E. coli.

[Susceptibility to nitrofurantoin, biseptol and nalidixic acid of E. coli strains isolated from urine in the years 1983-1990]. / Wrazliwosc na nitrofurantoine, Biseptol i kwas nalidiksowy szczepów E. coli izolowanych z moczu w latach 1983-1990.

The group of microorganisms causing urinary tract infections includes the Enterobacteriaceae family, particularly E. coli, being the most commonly detected etiologic factor of the above infections. Research was conducted from 1983 to 1990 on 1102 E. coli strains isolated from patients with clinical diagnosis of urinary tract infection. Susceptibility of the bacteria to nitrofurantoin, Biseptol and nalidixic acid was determined by application of the paper-disk- plate technique. The percentage of nitrofurantoin susceptible strains during the time period of research remained on the low level of 6-20%. The susceptibility of the strains isolated from 1983 to 1987 to Biseptol was also low, 0-11%, however, in later years (1988-1990) the gradual increase of susceptibility was observed, reaching the level of 35% in 1990. The most active of the used chemotherapeutics turned out to be nalidixic acid proven to be effective against 34.3-56.3% of E. coli strains.