New EPCAM founder deletion in Polish population.

It is well known that founder mutations associated with cancer risk have useful implications for molecular diagnostics. We report the presence of a founder mutation in EPCAM involved in the etiology of Lynch syndrome (LS). The mutation extends nearly 8.7 kb (c.858 + 2478_*4507del) and is shared by 8 Polish families. Family members suffered almost exclusively from colorectal cancer; however, pancreatic and gastric cancers were also apparent. Next to mutations c. 2041G>A in MLH1 gene and c.942+3A>T in MSH2, the deletion mutation encompassing EPCAM is one of the most common causative changes responsible for LS in Poland.

Kinetics of humoral response in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia immunized with influenza vaccine in 1993 in Poland.

A total of 49 children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia were immunized with a purified subvirion trivalent influenza vaccine (Wyeth-USA) and monitored for hemagglutination inhibition (HI) and neuraminidase inhibition (NI) antibodies before vaccination, and then three weeks and six months after vaccination. Results for HI antibodies were evaluated as geometric mean titre (GMT), mean fold antibody increase (MFI), protection and response rates and those for NI antibodies as geometric mean titre (GMT) and mean fold antibody increase (MFI). Six months after vaccination GMT for hemagglutinin 1 (H1) was much higher than previous values. GMT for hemagglutinin 3 (H3) and hemagglutinin B (HB) was lower than three weeks after vaccination, but much higher than the original values. In the control group GMT for H1 was on a low level all the time and for H3 and HB it was lower when compared with the original values. The proportion of vaccines to antibodies > or = 40 ranged between 45% and 88%. Six months after vaccination GMT for neuraminidase 1 (N1) increased when compared with the second sampling; for neuraminidase 2 (N2) and neuraminidase B (NB) it was slightly lower. In the control group GMT for all antigens was on a low level all the time. The results point to a significant seroconversion for both components after vaccination when compared with the control group.

[Vaccination against influenza in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia]. / Szczepienia przeciw grypie dzieci chorych na ostra bialaczke limfoblastyczna.

In November and December 1993, 49 children, ages 4 to 20, suffering from acute lymphoblastic leukemia, were vaccinated against influenza in the Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Medical Academy in Warsaw. These patients were vaccinated either in the course of maintenance treatment or after treatment. Each dose of Wyeth USA subunit trivalent influenza vaccine contained 15 micrograms of hemagglutinin of strains recommended for that season. The level of antibody production was determined in pre- and post vaccination sera in the group of children with leukemia and the control group. It was determined that in the investigated group, the GMT increased more than four times for hemagglutinins H1N1 and H3N2. A somewhat lower increase was observed in case of hemagglutinin HB. The proportion of subjects protected after vaccination was 35% for hemagglutinin H1N1, 76% for H3N2 and 100% for HB. The response rate was 33% for hemagglutinin H1N1, 47% for H3N2 and 45% for HB. In the control group the proportion of subjects protected and the response rate were very low. The results show the significant immunological efficacy of the vaccine used in the vaccination against influenza in high risk groups.

[Influenza vaccination of children with hemophilia]. / Szczepienia przeciw grypie dzieci chorych na hemofilie.

51 haemophilic children aged from 7 to 16 years was vaccinated against influenza in Paediatric Department of Haematology and Oncology in November and December of 1993. Each dose of subunit vaccine manufactured by Wyeth-USA, contained 15 micrograms of each haemagglutinin strains as recommended for the season. The antibody level was studied before and after influenza vaccination in vaccinated and control group as well. 5-time rise of geometric mean antibody titre was found for H1N1 and H3N2 antigens after vaccination of the children group. Slightly lower, 2.7-time rise of GMT was showed for HB haemagglutinin of influenza virus. There was no significant rise of GMT for any among three studied virus haemagglutinin.

[Evaluation of seroconversion after vaccination against influenza during the epidemic season 1991-1992 in Poland]. / Ocena odpowiedzi serologicznej po szczepieniach przeciw grypie w sezonie epidemicznych 1991-1992 w Polsce.

Vaccination was performed by influenza virus vaccine trivalent type A and B. We vaccinated about 75,000 persons in Poland in different groups of age. HI and NI tests were used for testing antibody level for A/Taiwan/1/86 (H1N1), A/Beijing/353/89 (H3N2) and B/Panama/45/90. The rise of antibody level was statistically significant.

[Etiology of influenza in Poland during the epidemiologic season 1991-1992]. / Etiologia grypy w Polsce w sezonie epidemicznym 1991-1992.

Between October and April 1992 about 260,000 influenza cases were registered in Poland. This figure was much lower than in the previous season (2,000,000 cases). Most of the cases were registered in February 1992. The total mortality was 0.11 per 100,000 persons. Nine strains were isolated: eight strains A (H3N2) and one strain B. Analysis proved: eight strains A (H3N2) were related to strain A/England/261/91, A/England/427/88 and A/Beijing/352/89. One strain B was similar to strain B/Panama/45/90.

[Incidence of circulating antibodies against hemagglutinin and neuraminidase of influenza viruses in the epidemic season 1991/92 in Poland]. / Wystepowanie przeciwcial dla hemaglutynin i neuraminidaz wirusów grypy w sezonie epidemicznym 1991/92 w Polsce.

The levels of antibodies were tested in 9 groups from 6 months up to over 65 years for HA and NA of influenza A (H1N1), A (H3N2) and B in epidemic season 1991/92 in Poland. HI and NI tests were performed with viruses A/Taiwan/1/86, A/Beijing/353/89 and B/Panama/45/90, these were recommended by WHO for this season. The highest GMT were found for hemagglutinin H3 and HB, much lower for H1. For H3 much higher GMT were found in groups 3-8 and over 65 years. The GMT for HB were almost the same in all age groups, but the highest in 3-8 years. In case of neuraminidases the highest GMT were found for NB in group 51-64, other groups were much different. GMT for N2 were different but in 41-50 and over 65 years they were highest. For N1 the highest GMT was found over 65 years.

[Serologic surveillance of influenza during the epidemic season 1990/91 in Poland]. / Przeglad serologiczny w kierunku grypy w sezonie epidemicznym 1990/1991 w Polsce.

The level of antibodies was tested in 9 age groups since 6 years up to over 75 years of age for H and N of influenza A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and B in epidemic season 1990/91. The highest GMT were found in all age groups for H3-A/Shanghai/16/88, much lower for H1-A/Taiwan/1/86. The titers were almost the same in all age groups excluding 6-8 years where GMT was much higher. The lowest titers were found for hemagglutinin of B/Yamagata/16/88 and different in different age groups. The highest GMT of neuraminidase were found for N2 in group 41-50 years old, in other groups were different. GMT for N1 were differentiated, but in 51-64 years old group was 3.5 times higher in comparing to the lowest value. For B neuraminidase the titer of antibodies was the highest in 31-40 years old group, and the lowest for 41-50 old people.