[Comparative study of carbon nanotubes and polymer composites with silver as sorbents of the influenza A and B viruses].

The comparative examination of the interaction of the influenza A and B viruses and fragments of DNA with the carbon nanotubes--composites of polyaniline (PANI) nanotubes and granules containing Ag and without Ag was performed. The increased absorption of the allantois viruses and DNA was demonstrated in composites with Ag. The influence of temperature in the range of 4-36 degrees C was not found to be essential. The intensive absorption took place within the first 15 min of the contact with the sorbents. In total, the properties of the composites of PANI nanotubes + Ag 30% are the most promising for the influenza viruses and DNA absorption in water solutions.

γδ T lymphocytes are recruited into the inflamed uterus of bitches suffering from pyometra.

Very little is known about the occurrence of immune system cells in the canine uterus. The aim of this study was to generate information about lymphocyte subsets that are present in the healthy canine uterus and that are recruited under inflammatory conditions caused by pyometra. Using immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry, a significant influx of γδ T lymphocytes was found in pyometra samples mainly due to recruitment of γδ(+)/CD8(-) T lymphocytes. The relative expression of genes encoding selected cytokines/chemokines was evaluated in samples from healthy and pyometra-affected uteri. Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (including IL-1ß, TNF-α, IL-8, IL-17 and IFN-γ) and chemokines (including CXCL10, CCL4 and CCL5) was upregulated in pyometra samples confirming the presence of inflammation. In contrast, the expression of the homeostatic chemokine CCL25 and of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 was downregulated and unchanged, respectively.

Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium and Enteritidis infection of pigs and cytokine signalling in palatine tonsils.

Pigs are considered as one of the major sources of zoonotic strains of Salmonella enterica for humans. Out of many S. enterica serovars, S. Typhimurium dominates in pigs, however, in several countries in Central Europe, S. Enteritidis is also quite frequent in pig herds. In this study we therefore compared the colonisation of pigs with S. Typhimurium and S. Enteritidis. We found that 3 weeks after infection S. Enteritidis 147 colonised the intestinal tract in higher quantities but was shed in faeces in lower quantities than S. Typhimurium 17C10. In a second experiment we found out that S. Enteritidis 147 and its SPI-1 and SPI-4 mutants increased proinflammatory cytokine (IL-1ß and IL-8) signalling in the ileum 5 days post infection. On the other hand, independent of SPI-1 or SPI-4, S. Enteritidis 147 suppressed expression of IL-18, MCP1, TLR2, CD86, IL-7, IL-10 and IL-15 in the palatine tonsils. The suppression of cytokine signalling may facilitate the initial colonisation of the palatine tonsils by Salmonella. Moreover, immune suppression may also influence pig resistance to opportunistic pathogens and Salmonella infection in pigs thus may become an issue not only in terms of pork contamination but also in terms of affecting the immunological status of pig herds.

Early postnatal development of the immune system in piglets: the redistribution of T lymphocyte subsets.

In this study, we have characterised postnatal changes in T lymphocyte subsets, especially gammadelta T lymphocytes, in blood, spleen and lymph nodes. Detection was carried out using two-colour flow cytometry and three-colour immunohistochemistry. During ontogeny, there was a significant increase in the total percentage of gammadelta T cells in the spleen and blood. In the lymph nodes, there were no age-dependent changes in the total percentage of gammadelta T cells, but the percentage of the gammadeltaTCR+CD8+ subpopulation significantly increased. The tissue distribution of gammadeltaTCR+CD8+ and gammadeltaTCR+CD8- cells in the lymph nodes is random and not collocated with a particular area of the organ. Furthermore, postnatal development was characterised by an increasing frequency of CD8+CD3+CD4-gammadeltaTCR-, which was compensated by a decreasing proportion of CD4+ lymphocytes. Double positive CD4+CD8+ lymphocytes were rare during the first month of life and a significant age-dependent increase of these cells was found in all the compartments monitored.