Lack of correlation between pollen aperture number and environmental factors in pansies (Viola L., sect. Melanium Ging.) - pollen heteromorphism re-examined.

The development of different pollen morphs by one specimen - pollen heteromorphism - occurs in ca. one-third species of the genus Viola. Melanium section species (pansies) stand out in producing the widest range of apertures among Viola species. Aperture number decreases with elevation increase, and faster germination of five-aperturate pollen as compared with three-aperturate has previously been postulated. We re-examined pollen heteromorphism in the context of its viability, and made correlations with elevation (>1500 m a.s.l. versus <1500 m a.s.l.), soil type (metalliferous versus non-metalliferous; MET versus NMET) and chromosome number based on selected study criteria of ca. 20% karyologically and morphologically strongly differentiated but genetically closely related pansies. A total of 79% of analysed species were heteromorphic, forming three- to six-colp or ate pollen per individual flower. Mean aperture number and pollen viability were not affected by soil type (MET versus NMET). Mean aperture number was also not influenced by elevation or species chromosome number. Positive correlations were established between aperture number and pollen viability, negative between pollen viability and elevation (increasing altitude of 100 m decreased pollen viability by 0.4%) and lack of correlation between chromosome number and pollen viability. The varied frequencies of different pollen morphs among species are not under the general pressure of ecological conditions, as previously postulated for the species of Melanium section. Rather, this trait in pansies, similar to other floral characters (e.g. long, curved nectar spur, 'landing platform', posterior petals with nectar guides), is adaptive but dependent on the breeding system (inbreeding versus outbreeding) of the individual species.

[Mumps in Poland in 1999]. / Nagminne zapalenie przyusznic--swinka w 1999 roku.

In 1999, 90,214 cases of mumps were reported. Incidence of 233.4 per 100,000 was two and a half times lower than in the previous year. More then five percent (5.8%) of cases were admitted to hospitals (5,188). The percentage of hospitalised children ranged from 2.6% in slaskie voivodeship to 9.9% in pomorskie voivodeship. Children in the 5 to 9 age group were mostly affected (incidence ranged from 1,581 to 2,295 per 100,000). Patients in this age group constituted 55% of total number of mumps cases. MMR vaccine is still not included into the national programme of immunization; instead monovalent measles vaccine is recommended and MMR vaccine is used on voluntary basis.

[Meningitis and encephalitis in Poland in 1999]. / Zapalenia opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych i zapalenia mózgu w 1999 roku.

2,020 cases of meningitis and 494 of encephalitis were reported in Poland in 1999. Among meningitis 1,024 cases were classified as viral and 996 as bacterial. Etiological factor was determined in 264 (26.5%) cases of bacterial meningitis. Among them Neisseria meningitidis was found in 119 cases, Haemophilus influenzae in 63 cases and Streptococcus pneumoniae in 90 cases. Among types of diagnosed N. meningitidis, as in previous years, type B was strongly predominating. Out of 494 cases of encephalitis 101 cases of tick borne encephalitis were reported in Poland in 1999, most of them from endemic areas of north-eastern part of the country.

[Mumps in 1998]. / Nagminne zapalenie przyusznic--swinka w 1998 roku.

In 1998 217,452 cases of mumps were reported and attack rate of 562/100,000 was two and a half times higher than in the previous year. More then four percentage (4.7) of cases were admitted to hospitals (10,147) and the percentage of hospitalised children ranged from 0.3% in Chelm voivodeship to 11.2% in Gdansk voivodeship. Mostly affected were children in the age group 5 to 9 years old in which attack rates ranged from 3,503 to 5,815 per 100,000. Patients in this age group constituted 58% of total number of mumps. MMR vaccine is still not included into the national programme of immunization; instead monovalent measles vaccine is recommended. MMR vaccine is used on voluntary basis.

[Meningitis and encephalitis in 1998]. / Zapalenia opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych i zapalenia mózgu w 1998 roku.

In 1998--3,024 cases of meningitis and 581 cases of encephalitis were reported. It was 1,436 cases less then in 1997. A significant decrease of enteroviral meningitidis was observed and strains of ECHO30 was not dominant, it was Cox B5. Among bacterial factors the most common was N. meningitidis. 131 sporadic cases of meningitis caused by this bacteria were reported with serotype B dominating (96%). There were 103 cases of bacterial meningitis caused by S. pneumoniae and 101 cases caused by H. influenzae b among those with confirmed diagnosis. There were 208 cases of tick-borne encephalitis, diagnosed mainly in endemic areas of Bialystok and Suwalki voivodeships.

[Mumps in 1997]. / Nagminne zapalenie przyusznic--swinka w 1997 roku.

In 1997 83,558 cases of mumps were reported and attack rate of 216.3/100,000 was two times higher than in the previous year. Four percent of cases were admitted to hospitals (3,327) and the percentage of hospitalised children ranged from 0.3% in Chelm voivodeship to 12.9% in Konin voivodeship. Mostly affected were children in the age group 5 to 9 years old in which attack rates ranged from 1,602 to 2,293 per 100,000. Patients in this age group constituted 59% of total number of mumps. MMR vaccine is still not included into the national programme of immunization; instead monovalent measles vaccine is used. MMR vaccine is used on voluntary basis.

[Meningitis and encephalitis in 1997]. / Zapalenia opon mózgowo-rdzeniowych i zapalenia mózgu w 1997 roku.

In 1997, 4,409 cases of meningitis and 632 cases of encephalitis were reported in Poland. Meningitis incidence rate was 11.4 per 100,000, and was 3-times lower than in 1996. The etiology of meningitis cases was as follows: 2,713 (61.5%) were due to viral agents (ECHO 30 dominated), 1,351 (30.7%) were caused by bacterial agents: 144 meningococcal (3.3%) and 1,207 other bacterial. The bacterial etiology was following: 33.2% were due to Streptococcus pneumoniae, 27.6% were cased by Haemophilus influenzae type b, and 11.6% by Staphylococci. Encephalitis incidence rate was 1.6 per 100,000. There were 201 cases of tick-borne encephalitis, found mainly in endemic areas of Bialystok and Suwalki voivodeships.

[The outbreak of an epidemic of tick-borne encephalitis in Kielec province induced by milk ingestion]. / Ognisko epidemii mlecznej kleszczowego zapalenia mózgu w województwie kieleckim.

Outbreak of tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) was reported between May 14 and June 20 1995 in Busko Zdrój in Kielce Province. Drinking fresh (unboiled) goat's milk from private breeding was probable reason of the outbreak. 63 person drank goat's milk from the same source; 15 were hospitalized with neurological symptoms, 33 persons had an influenza-like symptoms and were treated in out-patient department (27) or healed spontaneously (6), and 15 persons were healthy. TBE virus antibodies were found in CSF of all 15 persons with neuroinfection syndromes. IgM and IgG against TBE virus were present in sera of 15 hospitalized patients and 20 patients with influenza like-syndromes. Antibodies to TBE virus were detected in serum of one of 19 goats from the breeding farm confirming the source of TBE virus infection.

Epidemiology of tick-borne encephalitis in Poland.

Tick-borne encephalitis are connected with existence of natural foci in environment, where virus circulation between natural host (rodents, wood mammals) and virus vectors does occur independently from humans. In Poland the first confirmed cases of tick-borne encephalitis occurred in following voivodships: bialostockie, olsztynskie, opolskie in 1948-1952. Between 1970 and 1993-816 cases of tick-borne encephalitis have been reported and annual morbidity has been from 0.01 to 0.6/100,000. In 1993 a sharp 30 fold-increase of reported cases occurred in comparison with previous year. In this year 249 cases were reported were reported and 94% of them and serological confirmation. Most of them were notified in following voivodships: bialostockie, opolskie, ostroleckie. In 1994-181 cases were reported mainly from endemic areas in the north-eastern territories of Poland.

[Ticks as a reservoir of Borrelia burgdorferi and Coxiella burnetii on Polish terrain]. / Kleszcze jako rezerwuar Borrelia burgdorferi i Coxiella burnetii na terenie Polski.

The aim of performed studies was to recognize the distribution of Coxiella burnetii and Borrelia burgdorferi infected ticks in Poland. The 1580 ticks infesting animals and humans were collected in different parts of the country. They belonged to Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus and Argas reflexus species. Presence of B burgdorferi and C. burnetii DNA in ticks has been sought with polymerase chain reaction test (PCR). B. burgdorferi bacteria have been detected in 12 I. ricinus ticks (0.77%). Infected ticks were collected in Koszalin, Krosno and Suwalki voivodships. C. burnetii bacteria were found in 3 ticks from Kielce and Tarnobrzeg voivodships (0.19%). Obtained results indicate existence of natural reservoirs and vectors of C burnetii and B. burgdorferi in Poland. Since Q fever have not been recognized in central Poland until recently in can suggest diffusion of the C. burnetii reservoir to new regions. Presence of infected ticks in distant regions reflects wide distribution of these microorganisms all over the country.

[Epidemiologic situation of Lyme borreliosis in Europe]. / Sytuacja epidemiologiczna boreliozy z Lyme w Europie.

The aim of paper was to present epidemiological data related to Lyme borreliosis (LB), including reservoirs and transmission of Borrelia burgdorferi (B.b.). Incidence of the disease in Europe was evaluated through review of literature data. Morbidity exceeding 100 cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year observed in central Europe, indicate the highest prevalence of LB in this part of continent. Prevalence of antibodies against B.b. among blood donors in particular european countries varied from 0 to 18.8%, whereas in high risk groups (mostly forestry workers) it was 5.7-71%. Diagnostical criterions for surveillance purpose in Europe, which should be established in future, make possible to complete epidemiological data related to LB.