An increase in the number of mumps cases in the Czech Republic, 2005-2006.

The Czech Republic has had a two-dose measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccination programme since 1987. The last outbreak of mumps was reported in 2002, but an increase in the number of mumps cases was observed in 2005, starting in October that year. We analysed routinely collected surveillance data from 1 January 2005 to 30 June 2006 to show the magnitude of the increase and describe the most affected groups in order to better target prevention and control strategies. In the 18-month period examined, 5,998 cases of mumps were notified, with a peak incidence in May 2006. No deaths were recorded, but 21% of cases were hospitalised. Incidence was lowest in the Plzen region (1.9/100,000) and highest in Zlin (118.6/100,000). There were more male (61.8%) than female cases. The age of the cases ranged from 0 to 80 years. The highest incidence rate was observed in the age group of 15 to 19 years, in which 87% of cases had received two doses of mumps vaccine. The average age of unvaccinated cases was 22.9 years, while for cases vaccinated with two doses it was 14.5 years. Although vaccine effectiveness could not be calculated from the data available, possible reasons for highly-vaccinated cases occurring are discussed.

Role of apoptosis and proliferation in differentiation of human retina, regio olfactoria and regio respiratoria.

Apoptosis and proliferation are very important processes during central nervous system development. In our study we concentrated on human fetus retina, regio respiratoria and olfactoria. The aims of our work were to evaluate a proliferative activity proved by PCNA and KI-67 gene expressions, to measure an expression of anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2, and finally to compare levels of apoptosis and proliferation in the areas investigated. Altogether we studied 29 fetuses between the 5th to 13th week of gestation (WG). Parallel sections were elaborated by using standard methods of immunohistochemistry for the detection of proteins PCNA, Bcl-2 and Ki-67. Apoptotic cells were detected by two methods: TUNEL (for the detection of DNA fragmentation) and Apostain (for evidence of ssDNA). The results of semiquantitative evaluation show that expressions of proteins PCNA and KI-67 begins after the 6th WG, from the 8th to 13th WG they are very high in all investigated areas. Occurrence of apoptotic cells in regio respiratoria is sporadic between the 5th to 9th WG, while later it is widely spread. Apoptosis in regio olfactoria appears after the 9th WG and it is also very extensive. In the retina we found a higher frequency of apoptotic cells only in the 11th to 13th WG. The results of both methods for detection of apoptosis were concordant. Anti-apoptotic gene bcl-2 was detectable in all examined areas, but it followed no orderly pattern. We conclude, that the expression of apoptosis increases with the age from the 7th to 13th WG, and that both apoptosis and proliferation participate in the morphogenesis of fetuses between the 5th to 13th WG.