Biomedical subjects

P Kuzemenska

Publications and source records attributed to P Kuzemenska.

3 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed1984

Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated in CSR from cerebrospinal fluid: preepidemic shift in serogroup and serotype distribution?

Antigenic properties of N. meningitidis strains isolated from CSF in CSR were surveyed. Capsular antigens (serogroups) were tested from 1970, noncapsular antigens (serotypes) from 1975. Results up to the end of 1982 are presented. In 1980 shifts were encountered in the distribution of both capsular and noncapsular antigens. Serogroups. Group B predominated throughout the surveillance period, but from 1980 this predominance was significantly lower. Group C was the second most frequent throughout the observed period, but its frequency rose significantly from 1980 and stayed high. Group A was the third in frequency all the time, its relative prevalence increased (but not significantly) from 1980. Serotypes. Serotype 2 predominated during the whole period, but its predominance rose significantly from 1980. Serotype 4 was second in frequency, but from 1980 its frequency also increased significantly. Serotypes other than 2 or 4 decreased significantly in frequency and variability from 1980, also nontypable strains decreased significantly from 1980. Changes in the distribution of the capsular and noncapsular antigens on N. meningitidis strains from CSR are characteristic of epidemic situation. The present finding is all the more serious because it comes in a context of rising meningococcal morbidity and a shift in the morbidity into older age groups.

Antigens, Bacterial↗

PubMed1984

Meningococcal meningitis in CSR: a preepidemic situation?

Meningococcal meningitis has become a problem in many European countries, with epidemics occurring during the past 10-15 years. There have also been outbreaks in some non-European countries. The latest meningococcal meningitis epidemic recorded in the CSR (Czech Socialist Republic) occurred in 1953, with the morbidity reaching 14.8 per 100 000 population. After the mid 1950's there was a gradual decline in morbidity, the lowest value (0.3 per 100 000 population) being reached in 1974. Since 1975 there has been a continual rise in morbidity, the value notified for 1982 was 1.2 per 100 000 population. An analysis of the epidemiological situation in meningococcal meningitis in CSR for the past 30 years was performed. Different indicators of the onset of epidemics were evaluated. Shift in the age distribution of patients was found to be the most valuable sign of changing epidemiological situtation. An attempt was made to prognosticate mathematically its further development. The analysis of the epidemiological data suggests that CSR is in a preepidemic situation. This finding is all the more important because a change has been found in the serogroup and serotype patterns of Neisseria meningitidis strains isolated from cerebrospinal fluid.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Post-streptococcal reactive arthritis: diagnostic problems].

The authors present clinical, microbiological and scintigraphic findings in eight children with poststreptococcal reactive arthritis, hospitalized in the Zadar General Hospital from 1990 to 1992. In all patients an antecedent throat infection was noticed, 7-10 days before the first symptoms and signs of arthritis developed. Antistreptolysin O microtitration and/or throat culture revealed streptococcal infection in all patients. Scintigraphic examination with Te-99m yielded four positive (50%) results. In the follow-up one of the positive scans was later suggestive of tumorous process. The authors conclude that accurate diagnosis of poststreptococcal reactive arthritis depends on microbiological identification of streptococcal infection and longitudinal clinical follow-up in which scintigraphy may be of differential diagnostic benefit.

Adolescent↗