Anna Lass

The first detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in environmental fruits and vegetables samples

Toxoplasma gondii infections are prevalent in humans and animals all over the world. The aim of the study was to estimate the occurrence of T. gondii oocysts in fruits and vegetables and determine the genotype of the parasites. A total number of 216 fruits and vegetables samples were taken from shops and home gardens located in the area of northern Poland. Oocysts were recovered with the flocculation method. Then, real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the B1 gene was used for specific T. gondii detection and quantification. Toxoplasma DNA was found in 21 samples. Genotyping at the SAG2 locus showed SAG2 type I and SAG2 type II. This is the first investigation describing T. gondii DNA identification in a large number of fruits and vegetables samples with rapid molecular detection methods. The results showed that fruits and vegetables contaminated with T. gondii may play a role in the prevalence of toxoplasmosis in Poland.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in environmental soil samples using molecular methods.

Infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii are prevalent in humans and animals throughout the world. So far, there is no sufficient information concerning T. gondii oocysts prevalence in the environment, especially in soil. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate occurrence of T. gondii oocysts in soil and determine the genotype of detected parasites. A total of 101 soil samples were taken from different sites (sand-pits, “farming ground”, areas around rubbish dumps) located in the Tri-City (Poland). Oocysts were recovered using the flotation method. Then, PCR reactions targeting the B1 gene were performed for specific T. gondii detection. The positive samples were further confirmed by PCR amplification of a repetitive element (REP) sequence [GenBank accession number AF146527]. Toxoplasma DNA was found in 18 samples. Among them, seven samples were successfully genotyped at the SAG2 locus. They were classified as SAG2 type I (5 samples) and SAG2 type II (2 samples). This is one of the first investigations describing T. gondii oocyst detection in environmental soil samples with rapid molecular detection methods and genotyping. The results of our findings showed that soil contaminated with T. gondii oocysts may play a role in the epidemiology of human toxoplasmosis in Poland.

First finding of Echinococcus multilocularis DNA in soil: Preliminary survey in Varmia-Masuria Province, northeast Poland

The aim of this study was to estimate the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis DNA in the soil in rural areas of Varmia-Masuria Province, Poland, which is the region with the highest recorded number of human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) cases in this country. In total, 62 soil samples were analyzed. Samples were collected in forests near the lairs of foxes, as well as from arable fields, kitchen gardens and farmyards. The parasite DNA was detected in 11.3% of the samples. This study is the first environmental survey of the presence of E. multilocularis DNA in soil. The results demonstrate that the soil can be a direct source of human infections. These results should motivate the appropriate institutions to introduce informative and educational campaigns about the risk of infection, as well as developing methods for protecting the population, especially those living in at-risk areas.

The first genotype determination of Acanthamoeba potential threat to human health, isolated from natural water reservoirs in Poland

Different species of amoebae belonging to the genus Acanthamoeba are widely distributed in many parts of the world and known as free-living organisms. Some strains of the protozoans may exist as parasites and cause risk to human health as causative agents of serious human diseases. Currently, in Poland, there is no sufficient information about the distribution of Acanthamoeba strains and their genotypes in the environment. Therefore, 20 environmental surface water samples were collected from different sites located at five water reservoirs in Gdynia, Sopot, and Gdańsk (northern Poland). The material was cultured to obtain Acanthamoeba isolates that were then specifically analyzed with both PCR and real-time PCR assays. Of the 20 samples examined, Acanthamoeba DNA was found in 13 samples tested with the use of real-time PCR; in 10 of them, DNA of the amoeba was also detected using PCR technique. The comparison with sequences available in the GenBank confirmed that the PCR products are fragments of Acanthamoeba 18S rRNA gene and that isolates represent T4 genotype, known as the most common strains related to AK cases. This is the first investigation in Poland describing Acanthamoeba detection in environmental water samples with molecular techniques and genotyping. The results indicate that surface water in Poland may be a source of acanthamoebic strains potentially pathogenic for humans.

Fresh fruits, vegetables and mushrooms as transmission vehicles for Echinococcus multilocularis in highly endemic areas of Poland: reply to concerns

Echinococcus multilocularis is a tapeworm that may cause alveolar echinococcosis (AE), one of the most dangerous parasitic zoonoses. As in the case of other foodborne diseases, unwashed fruits and vegetables, contaminated with dispersed forms of E. multilocularis, may serve as an important transmission route for this parasite. In this article, we reply to the incorrect interpretation of results of our study concerning the detection of E. multilocularis DNA in fresh fruit, vegetable and mushroom samples collected from the highly endemic areas of the Warmia-Masuria Province, Poland, to dispel any doubts. The accusations formulated by the commentators concerning our paper are unfounded; moreover, these commentators demand information which was beyond the purview of our study. Making generalisations and drawing far-reaching conclusions from our work is also unjustified. The majority of positive samples were found in only a few hyperendemic communities; this information corresponds with the highest number of both infected foxes and AE cases in humans recorded in this area. Our findings indicate that E. multilocularis is present in the environment and may create a potential risk for the inhabitants. These people should simply be informed to wash fruits and vegetables before eating. No additional far-reaching conclusions should be drawn from our data. We believe these commentators needlessly misinterpreted our results and disseminated misleading information. Nevertheless, we would like to encourage any readers simply to contact us if any aspects of our study are unclear.

Respiratory tract infections in the military environment

Abstract Military personnel fighting in contemporary battlefields as well as those participating in combat training are at risk of contracting respiratory infections. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated that soldiers deployed to the harsh environment have higher rates of newly reported respiratory symptoms than non-deployers. Acute respiratory diseases are the principle reason for outpatient treatment and hospitalization among military personnel, with an incidence exceeding that of the adult civilian population by up to three-fold. Adenoviruses, influenza A and B viruses, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Streptococcus pyogenes, coronaviruses and rhinoviruses have been identified as the main causes of acute respiratory infections among the military population. Although infective pathogens have been extensively studied, a significant proportion of illnesses (over 40%) have been due to unknown causative agents. Other health hazards, which can lead to respiratory illnesses among troops, are extreme air temperatures, desert dust, emissions from burn pits, industrial pollutants, and airborne contaminants originating from degraded soil. Limited diagnostic capabilities, especially inside the area of operations, make it difficult to accurately estimate the exact number of respiratory diseases in the military environment. The aim of the study was to discuss the occurrence of respiratory tract infections in army personnel, existing risk factors and preventive measures.

Respiratory Infections in Travelers Returning from the Tropics

Respiratory tract infections (RTIs), beside diarrheas, skin lesions, and fevers of unknown origin, are one of the most common health problems acquired by travelers going to tropical and subtropical countries. Visitors to African, Asian, or South American destinations, typically characterized by harsh environmental conditions and poor sanitation standards, are at risk of exposure to a large number of pathogens causing infectious diseases. The infections are transmitted from contaminated food and water, through the air, direct contact, or by insects. The main modes of RTIs transmission include droplet infection and direct contact. The clinical spectrum of RTIs in travelers is broad, from upper respiratory tract infections, pharyngitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, to influenza-like illness. The spectrum of microbial agents causing respiratory infections include numerous viruses and bacteria, rarely fungi, and parasites. Most travelers complain of mild infections, only a small minority seek medical assistance and report to health care facilities. Because of the risk of importing pathogens into Europe or North America and transferring them onto the local population, it is important to present the scale of the problem in relation to rapid development of tourism industry and an increasing number of intercontinental journeys. The aim of the study was to discuss the occurrence of travel-related respiratory infections among representatives of temperate climate traveling to and returning from the tropics.

Studies on Immunogenicity and Antigenicity of Baculovirus-Expressed Binding Region of Plasmodium falciparum EBA-140 Merozoite Ligand.

The erythrocyte binding ligand 140 (EBA-140) is a member of the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigens (EBA) family, which are considered as prospective candidates for malaria vaccine development. EBA proteins were identified as important targets for naturally acquired inhibitory antibodies. Natural antibody response against EBA-140 ligand was found in individuals living in malaria-endemic areas. The EBA-140 ligand is a paralogue of the well-characterized P. falciparum EBA-175 protein. They both share homology of domain structure, including the binding region (Region II), which consists of two homologous F1 and F2 domains and is responsible for ligand–erythrocyte receptor interaction during merozoite invasion. It was shown that the erythrocyte receptor for EBA-140 ligand is glycophorin C-a minor human erythrocyte sialoglycoprotein. In studies on the immunogenicity of P. falciparum EBA ligands, the recombinant proteins are of great importance. In this report, we have demonstrated that the recombinant baculovirus-obtained EBA-140 Region II is immunogenic and antigenic. It can raise specific antibodies in rabbits, and it is recognized by natural antibodies present in sera of patients with malaria, and thus, it may be considered for inclusion in multicomponent blood-stage vaccines.

Selected epidemiological aspects of fresh whole blood application in the Polish Field Hospital in Afghanistan

Minimisation of blood transmitted diseases is a basic element of all blood transfusion strategies. Civilian health service standards used in peacetime may be difficult to implement in a battlefield. The risk of blood-borne diseases depends on the applied donor qualification procedures and the epidemiological situation in the areas of military operations. The authors discuss various epidemiological aspects considered when selecting potential donors of fresh whole blood for a Walking Blood Bank at the Polish Field Hospital in Afghanistan.

Prevalence of intestinal parasites in Afghan community on the example of patients treated in Ghazni Provincial Hospital

BACKGROUND This study concerns parasitological investigations estimating the prevalence of intestinal parasites in the Afghan community based on the example of patients, both children and adults, treated in the Ghazni Provincial Hospital, in the eastern part of the country. MATERIALS AND METHODS In total, 201 admitted patients with internal health problems were examined in the Afghan hospital in March 2012, including 164 children (1-17 years old) and 37 adults aged 18-80. Stool samples were tested in the Department of Epidemiology and Tropical Medicine at the Military Institute of Medicine in Gdynia, Poland using 3 parasitological methods: direct smear, decantation, flotation (light microscopy). RESULTS Intestinal parasitic infections caused mainly by Ascaris lumbricoides, Giardia intestinalis and Hymenolepis nana were confirmed in 81/164 (49.4%) children examined. Among adults, 9/37 (24.3%) patients were infected with intestinal parasites including Ascaris lumbricoides and Giardia intestinalis. CONCLUSIONS The Afghan community, living in poor sanitary conditions with limited access to health services, is one of the most infected populations in the world. The parasitological investigation focused on intestinal parasites performed by the Polish health service among the eastern Afghan inhabitants is still one of the few screening studies in this country.