Differences in the expression of human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E6 oncogene mRNA in SiHa cell line inoculated with CMV, HSV or ureaplasmas.

One of the factors associated with an increased risk of HPV-related malignant transformation may be bacterial and/or viral infections. The aim of our study was to examine whether the presence of infectious agents commonly detected in the genitourinary tract such as herpesviruses (HSV, CMV), and ureaplasmas (Ureaplasma urealyticum, Ureaplasma parvum) may lead to alterations in the expression of the HPV-16 E6 oncogene. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis was used to assess the level of HPV-16 E6 mRNA expression in SiHa cells. The presence of HSV-1 or HSV-2 in SiHa cells caused a 1.5-fold increase in HPV-16 E6 mRNA expression as compared with non-inoculated SiHa cells. Ureaplasma urealyticum presence but not Ureaplasma parvum stimulated the expression of HPV-16 E6 resulting in a nearly five-fold (4.8) up-regulated E6 mRNA level in SiHa cells. Our study is the first to suggest that infection of Ureaplasma urealyticum in an urogenital tract could increase the risk of cervical cancer by overexpression of the HPV E6 oncogene.

[Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections in patients treated with allogenic hematopoietic cells transplantation (allo-HCT)]. / Zakazenia wirusem Epsteina-Barr (EBV) u pacjentów leczonych allogenicznym przeszczepieniem komórek hemopoetycznych (allo-HCT).

OBJECTIVE: Assessment of frequency and clinical course of EBV infection in patients that underwent non-manipulated allo-HCT from matched-related donors. METHODS: Active EBV infection was confirmed based on the presence of anti-EA antibodies (ELISA) and/or viral DNA (nPCR) isolated from peripheral leukocytes. For positive DNA-isolations semi-quantitative analysis were done. Patients were examined repeatedly, the time of monitoring was approximately 6 +/- 5 months. RESULTS: Active EBV infection was confirmed in 27 among 56 examined allo-HCT recipients. Primary infection was detected in 5 patients, in the remaining patients it was probably the result of virus reactivation. In most cases EBV-load was approximately 200 copies per 1 million of leukocytes, 1 patient with lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) had 2 million copies. EBV infection was asymptomatic in most cases (17), in 7 cases aminotransferase levels were insignificantly increased, in 2--diarrhea was observed and in 4 patients GvHD was intensified. CONCLUSIONS: In recipients without risk of PTLD, permanent monitoring of the EBV-load has no clinical justification.

[Chlamydia pneumoniae in patients with atherosclerotic ischemia of the lower limbs]. / Chlamydia pneumoniae u chorych z miazdzycowym niedokrwieniem konczyn dolnych.

In the group of patients (n = 19), with advanced atheromatous ischemia of the legs the presence and titres of rum IgG, IgA, and IgM antibodies for Chlamydia pneumoniae (Cp) were measured. Those were compared with controls (n = 12). Additionally in the patients undergoing surgery (revascularisation or amputation), specimens of atheromatous arteries were examined for the presence of Cp. In the general population among the people at the age over 60 years the presence of antibodies was common (IgG 100%, IgA 92%). In the patients with the atheromatous ischemia of the legs the antibodies to Cp were found only in: IgG 79%, IgA 79% of them. In 21% of patients (n = 4) we were able to confirm the presence of Cp in an artery wall. However we found that three of them had undetectable titres of serum IgG, IgA, IgM. In case of an individual patient seropositivity to Cp seems not to be a good marker of active chlamydial infection.