[Biological factors influencing infectious diseases transmitted by invasive species of mosquitoes]. / Éiologické factory ovlivnující vybrané infekcní nemoci prenásené invazivními druhy komáru.

Studies focused on arbovirus diseases transmitted by invasive species of mosquitoes have become increasingly significant in recent years, due to the fact that these vectors have successfully migrated to Europe and become established in the region. Mosquitoes, represented by more than 3 200 species, occur naturally worldwide, except in Antarctica. They feed on the blood of warm-blooded animals and by this route, they are capable of transmitting dangerous diseases. Some species can travel a distance of 10 km per night and can fly continuously for up to 4 hours at a speed of 1-2 km/h. Most species are active at night, in the evening or morning. It usually takes a mosquito female about 50 seconds to penetrate the skin of mammals and the subsequent blood meal usually takes about 2.5 minutes. Mosquitoes live for several weeks or months, depending on the environmental conditions. The VectorNet project is a European network of information exchange and sharing of data relating to the geographical distribution of arthropod vectors and transmission of infectious agents between human populations and animals. It aims at the development of strategic plans and vaccination policies which are the main tasks of this time, as well as the development and application of new disinfectants to control vector populations.

Metabolic Syndrome and Selective Inflammatory Markers in Psoriatic Patients.

The presented article studies the role of selected inflammatory and anti-inflammatory serum markers of psoriatic patients in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome (MS) and psoriasis. The study is based on the comparison between the group of psoriatic patients (74) and the control group (65). We found significantly higher BMI (p < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05) in the psoriatic patients. The values of waist circumference and BMI were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the male patients compared to the men in the control group. The analysis revealed significantly higher CRP (p < 0.001), Lp-PLA2 (p < 0.001), leptin (p < 0.01), and resistin (p < 0.01) levels in the psoriatic patients. Significantly higher levels of CRP (p < 0.01), Lp-PLA2 (p < 0.001), leptin (p < 0.01), and resistin (p < 0.05) were found in the patients with MS compared to the controls with MS. The level of adiponectin was significantly lower (p < 0.01) in the patients with MS. Finally, we found significantly higher level of Lp-PLA2 (p < 0.001) in the group of patients without MS compared to the controls without MS. In conclusion, observed inflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers (CRP, adiponectin, leptin, resistin, and Lp-PLA2) are involved in both pathogenesis of MS and pathogenesis of psoriasis. The level of Lp-PLA2 indicates the presence of subclinical atherosclerosis (cardiovascular risk) in psoriatic patients.

[Selected skin involvement of necrobiosis lipoidica type and skin and mucous membrane fungal infections in diabetes mellitus]. / Vybrané kozní zmeny typu necrosis lipoidica a kozní a sliznicní mykotické afekce u diabetes mellitus.

Article reviews some skin and mucosal lesions associated with diabetes mellitus with focus on skin fungal infections and necrobiosis lipoidica.Key words: diabetes mellitus - necrobiosis lipoidica - skin and mucous membrane fungal infections in diabetes mellitus - skin involvement.

A repeated syphilis infection imported from Thailand in an HIV positive couple of men-who-have-sex-with-men in Czech Republic.

Coinfection by HIV and syphilis has become a growing problem due to the re-appearance of unsafe sexual practices in the era of potent anti-retroviral drugs. We describe a repeated import of syphilis by a couple of men-who-have-sex-with-men from Thailand to Czech Republic likely due to non-adherence of the patients to physician recommendations. Such cases can become foci for dissemination of once locally rare infections and present a danger for the community.

[Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum -- the causative agent of neurosyphilis]. / Treponema pallidum, subspecies pallidum - puvodce neurosyfilis.

Neurosyphilis is defined as infection of central nervous system by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. Neurosyphilis can develop at any stage after initial infec-tion and is reflected in laboratory results. The pathogenesis of neurosyphilis is similar to that of classical form of syphilis. Individuals with persistent abnormalities in the cerebrospinal fluid are at risk of the development of clinical manifestations. Proper understanding of particular forms of neurosyphilis for differential diagnosis is important to determine potential risk of the development of progressive disease in neurology.

[Bacterial infection as a cause of infertility in humans]. / Bakteriální infekce jako prícina neplodnosti u lidí

Microorganisms which are present in the human urogenital tract may be involved in the development of inflammatory changes negatively affecting the genitals in both men and women. Pathological conditions due to inflammatory alterations may result in complete loss of fertility. Infections of the urogenital tract are responsible for 15% of all cases of infertility in couples. Negative impact on the human reproduction is mainly caused by direct damage to the genital tract mucosa by metabolic products of microorganisms or by induction of pro-inflammatory responses of the body. Another mechanism is indirect impact of microorganisms on the genital function. Moreover, the effect of bacteria on spermatogenesis and semen quality is important in men. Infections mainly caused by Chlamydia trachomatis or Neisseria gonorrhoeae represent the greatest risk in terms of permanent consequences for human reproduction. As for other sexually transmitted disorders, such as infections caused by Gardnerella vaginalis, urogenital mycoplasmas or ureaplasmas, the link between infection and infertility has been intensively researched.

[Molecular biological and epidemiological -characteristics of the varicella-zoster virus (VZV)]. / Molekulárnebiologické a epidemiologické charakteristiky viru planých nestovic (VZV).

The genetic diversity and epidemiology of VZV results from an interplay of the geographic area, climate conditions, and population factors. Studies of the genetic diversity of VZV can have direct implications for both the epidemiological and evolutionary analyses and identification of the genetic correlates of VZV pathogenicity or resistance to antiviral drugs.

Genotyping of varicella-zoster virus (vzv) wild-type strains isolated in the Czech Republic.

OBJECTIVES: Monitoring of the varicella-zoster virus is becoming an important tool for analysis of the circulation of individual strains of VZV which differ not only at the genomic level, but show a variability in their clinical and epidemiological characteristics. Such data are not available on a large scale from the Czech population and could help understanding the epidemiological and evolutionary characteristics of the virus, as well as its potential for reinfection and increased pathogenesis in the population groups at higher risk for complications. The main aim of this study was detection and monitoring of wild-type or vaccine VZV strain isolates in the region of Eastern Bohemia and genotypic characterization of these isolates. MATERIAL: A total of 273 clinical samples were obtained from patients exhibiting symptoms of varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection manifested as chickenpox or herpes zoster (HZ) treated in the Faculty Hospital of Charles University, Medical School in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. METHODS: Characterization of individual short VZV DNA sequences was performed utilizing restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs), PCR and sequencing. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in open reading frames (ORF) 21, 22 and 50 were used to identify individual VZV strains. RESULTS: All clinical isolates (97 from varicella, 176 from herpes zoster) were VZV positive wild-type strains. Sequencing analysis showed that 89 isolates were of the European E1 genotype, 180 were of the European E2 genotype and 2 were identified as the Mosaic M1 strain. In addition, for the first time in this region two unusual genotypes were identified, both representing a combination of E1 and M2 strain specific SNPs. CONCLUSION: Our prospective VZV genotyping study which is the first to monitor the VZV epidemiological situation in the Czech Republic using such a large set of clinical specimens, has provided valuable epidemiological data and identified two unique VZV recombinants.

An unusual case of multi-recurrent herpes zoster (Hz): a case report.

AIMS: We report a case of multi-recurrent herpes zoster in a 53-year-old Caucasian woman treated repeatedly at the Faculty Hospital Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic over the years 2009 - 2011. METHODS: Specific PCR methods targeting single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in open reading frames (ORF) 38, 54 and 62 were utilized to determine vaccine or wild type varicella-zoster (VZV) strains followed by SNPs analysis using two amplicons in ORF 22 and/or ORF 21/ORF 50. Additional genotyping in ORF 1, 6, 9 and 28 was subsequently performed due to the unusual results. RESULTS: Three sets of clinical specimens from one patient (from hospital visits 2, 3 and 4) were analyzed and the presence of an unusual wild-type strain of VZV was discovered. The VZV strain isolated from the lesions bears a combination of markers characteristic both for Mosaic 2 (M2) and European 1 (E1) wild-type VZV strains. CONCLUSION: This is the first report of atypical wild-type VZV strain circulating currently in Czech Republic.