Biomedical subjects

Miroslav Splino

Publications and source records attributed to Miroslav Splino.

6 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Botulism and bioterrorism: how serious is this problem?

Botulism is a potentially lethal disease caused by one of seven homologous neurotoxic proteins usually produced by the bacterium, Clostridium botulinum. This neuromuscular disorder occurs through an exquisite series of molecular events, ultimately ending with the arrest of acetylcholine release and hence, flaccid paralysis. There are three types of botulism: food, wound, and infant botulism. Most strains of the bacterium produce a potent, respiratory muscle-paralyzing neurotoxin, botulinum toxin (BTX). It can lead to death unless appropriate therapy is promptly initiated. Due to the severity and potency of BTX, its importance as a biological weapon is of major concern to public health officials. Nevertheless, BTX is also medicament.

Bioterrorism↗

PubMed2005

[Experience with the PCR method in chlamydia detection.].

PURPOSE OF THE STUDY: The study was intended to summarize and evaluate the results in patients with a suspected infection by the genus Chlamydia, investigated with an in-house method of nested PCR (polymerase chain reaction). The study worked with data from patients living in eastern Bohemia, who were examined in the years 2001-2003 at the Dept. of Molecular Biology, a research laboratory shared by the Institute of Clinical Microbiology and the Institute of Clinical Biochemistry and Diagnostics. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 291 explorations were done in 2001, in 2002 already 562 and in 2003 their figure reached 760. The total number of samples received for investigation during that period was 1 613. 1 587 were actually investigated, 26 were unsuitable and could not be used. More than 70 % of all investigations were done with three types of material: urine (41.8 % of all the investigated samples), BAL (15.3 % of all the investigated samples) and whole blood (14.9 % of all the investigated samples). The investigations were carried out with the in-house nested PCR method, which uses primers from the MOMP(ompA) area of the genus Chlamydia spp. RESULTS: Total positivity was 5.67 %, in 1.26 % of the samples the resulted was considered uncertain and 93.07 % of the investigated samples were negative. In men PCR positivity was 6.11 %, in women 5.35 %. The major proportion of positive samples was from the age groups 70-79 years (11.67 %), 10-19 years (6.51 %) and 40-49 years (6.45 %). Overall positivity in smears from the urogenital system was 6.48 %, from urine 3.92 %, from BAL 10.70 % and from whole blood 5.51 %. KEYWORDS: nested PCR, Chlamydia spp., detection.

Chlamydia Infections↗

PubMed2003

Q fever outbreak during the Czech Army deployment in Bosnia.

An epidemic of Q fever was identified among soldiers from the Czech Republic serving in the U.N. Stabilization Force in Bosnia and Herzogovina in 1997. There were 26 serologically confirmed infections, or 4.6% of those exposed. There were 14 cases of febrile illness and 12 subclinical infections. Prodromal symptoms of malaise, headache, backache, and fatigue were followed by fever > or = 39 degrees C with an intermittent course. Physical findings were unremarkable except in five cases with radiographically confirmed pneumonia. Cases were treated with doxycycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or ceftriaxone and supportive care. Q fever occurred at four U.N. Stabilization Force bases with the highest incidence at Dolna Ljubija (attack rate 9.4% vs. 2.3% at other locations (risk ratio = 4.0; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.7-5.9; p < 0.05). A sheep farm with active lambing was located 100 m from the base. Helicopter operations at a nearby landing zone may have generated infectious environmental aerosols and may have been a cause of the Q fever outbreak.

Bosnia and Herzegovina↗

PubMed2002

Anthrax toxin characterization.

The anthrax toxin comprises three proteins. When they work together, they can kill humans, especially after spores of the bacteria have been inhaled. One anthrax protein, called protective antigen (PA), chaperones the two other toxins into human or animal cells and shields them from the body's immune system. The second, lethal factor (LF), destroys the white blood cells that hosts send in defence. The third toxin molecule, edema factor (EF), hijacks the signaling system in the body. This disrupts the energy balance of cells and leads to them accumulating fluid and complete destroy of cells.

Animals↗

PubMed2002

Prophylaxis against anthrax.

The paper presents fundamental knowledge concerning Bacillus anthracis and its potential terrorist misuse. The basic clinical forms are resumed with emphasis on inhalation infection from inspiration of B. anthracis spores. The AVA vaccine licensed in the United States, primary vaccination, protective efficacy of the vaccine, and adverse events are characterised. Stress is laid on pre-exposure and post-exposure prophylaxis of anthrax.

Animals↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Anthrax vaccines.

Anthrax, an uncommon disease in humans, is caused by a large bacterium, Bacillus anthracis. The risk of inhalation infection is the main indication for anthrax vaccination. Pre-exposure vaccination is provided by an acellular vaccine (anthrax vaccine adsorbed or AVA), which contains anthrax toxin elements and results in protective immunity after 3 to 6 doses. Anthrax vaccine precipitated (AVP) is administered at primovaccination in 3 doses with a booster dose after 6 months. To evoke and maintain protective immunity, it is necessary to administer a booster dose once at 12 months. In Russia, live spore vaccine (STI) has been used in a two-dose schedule. Current anthrax vaccines show considerable local and general reactogenicity (erythema, induration, soreness, fever). Serious adverse reactions occur in about 1% of vaccinations. New second-generation vaccines in current research programs include recombinant live vaccines and recombinant sub-unit vaccines.

Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems↗