Search

The dynamically changing social-economic environment in which universities operate required from them in the recent years taking measures aimed at introducing significant changes in the area of conducted marketing activity. However, a typical composition of marketing instruments requires a different approach due to the specific character of the branch and the targeted client.

Studies on the presence of Blastocystis subtypes in water samples are far less numerous compared with stool samples. The main aim of this study was to examine the occurrence of Blastocystis subtypes in 36 natural water bodies in north-western Poland in the period from winter 2009 to autumn 2010. Single PCR with the use of Blast 505-532/Blast 998-1017 set of primers was used to detect Blastocystis DNA in the obtained water samples. Sequencing of the obtained amplicons revealed the presence of ST1 and ST3 subtypes in five of the 36 (13.9%) examined water bodies within 1 year period. Further examinations with the use of new samples are needed in order to check if Blastocystis occurs in the examined water bodies at the present time, however, the risk of infection should be taken into consideration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Scientific Papers of Silesian University of Technology. Organization & Management / Zeszyty Naukowe Politechniki Slaskiej. Seria Organizacji i Zarzadzanie is the property of Silesian Technical University, Organisation & Management Faculty and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

ABSTRACT Acanthamoeba genus is divided into 20 genotypes (T1-T20) on the basis of the gene encoding 18S rRNA sequence. Using of at least 2 kbp gene fragments is strongly recommended to identify new genotypes and 5% difference is commonly used as a criterion of new genotypes, however, this value is questionable. In this paper, Polish Acanthamoeba strains described earlier on the basis of ~850 bp Ami fragment of 18S rRNA gene as T4, T11 and a new T16 genotype, have been analyzed using near-complete sequence of the gene. This analysis was needed because the Ami fragment does not reveal full variability within 18S rRNA gene. Phylogenetic analysis based on Ami fragment is biased by artifacts in the construction of the tree, so the fragment should not be used for identification of new putative Acanthamoeba genotypes. The analysis confirmed that the Polish sequences represent T4 and T11 genotypes and that the strains described earlier as T16 genotype are in fact a new subgroup of the T20 genotype and that this genotype should be divided into two subgroups: T20a (two strains described by [ J. Eukaryot. Microbiol. 62 (2015) 69]) and T20b (11 Polish strains described in this study). The T20b subgroup was isolated from both clinical samples and water bodies used by people as bathing places and there is a risk of infection for humans during contact with water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Free living amoebae (FLA) are amphizoic protozoa that are widely found in various environmental sources. They are known to cause serious human infections, including a fatal encephalitis, a blinding keratitis, and pneumonia. The main aim of the study was detection and molecular identification of Acanthamoeba spp., Naegleria fowleri, Balamuthia mandrillaris, Sappinia pedata, and Vermoamoeba vermiformis (formerly Hartmannella vermiformis) in artificial water bodies in North-Western Poland. We examined 86 water samples collected during 2-year period from 43 water bodies, including outdoor and indoor swimming pools, firefighting reservoirs, fountains, as well as water network. The samples were fi ltrated using Filta-Max® membrane filters (IDEXX Laboratories, USA) and, in order to select potentially pathogenic, thermophilic strains and to limit the number of PCR examined samples, the thermal tolerance test was carried out. Obtained filtrates were transferred to non-nutrient agar plates with E. coli. The agar plates were incubated at 37°C and then proliferated amoebae were passaged at 42°C. DNA was extracted from the thermophilic trophozoites and then polymerase chain reactions and sequence analysis were performed for molecular identification of FLA. From the 86 collected water samples 57 strains of FLA were able to proliferate at 37°C and 7 of them showed ability to proliferate at 42°C. For molecular identification of Acanthamoeba spp. and V. vermiformis, regions of 18S rDNA were amplified. In order to detect B. mandrillaris DNA, we used mitochondrial 16S rDNA as a marker, and for detection of N. fowleri and S. pedata - ITS regions. Based on molecular analysis, isolates were classified to the genus Acanthamoeba (T4 and T11 genotypes, s well as the new genotypes detected earlier in clinical samples and named T16) and V. vermiformis species. Detected strains were highly similar or identical to pathogenic strains detected earlier in patients. Our results show a wide distribution of potential pathogenic FLA, as Acanthamoeba T4, T11, T16 genotypes, and V. vermiformis species in various artificial water bodies located in North-Western Poland and suggest a potential threat to health of humans in this part of the country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the paper was an attempt to correlate clinical signs with the presence of DNA of Borrelia burgdorferi (sensu lato) s.I. and the antibodies against B. burgdoferi s.l. in the blood of dogs. Among the animals studied there were 62 dogs delivered to the Veterinary Clinic in Szczecin and 30 from the Municipal Animal Shelter in Szczecin with varied clinical signs of borreliosis. In. all cases the owners admitted frequent contacts of their dogs with ticks, both in the past, as well as shortly before the onset of sickness. We used two methods: PCR for detecting DNA of B. burgdorferi s.I. and ELISA test for detecting antibodies against the spirochete. Lameness, the principal symptom of canine borreliosis was the most frequent symptom of the group of 31 PCR-positive animals. The other most common symptoms in PCR-positive dogs were fever, swelling of joints and loss of body weight. DNA of B. burgdorferi s.I. was most frequently detected in the blood of dogs of the group 2–5 years old (13/54.1%). ELISA tests specific for IgG antibodies were positive in 37 of 92 sera (40.2%) taken from examined dogs. Lameness was observed in 15 of 37 IgG- seropositive dogs and in 25 of 55 seronegative animals. In 54% of dogs with the antibodies, swelling of instep- and wrist joints was observed compared to only 24.4% in seronegative dogs. An attempt to correlate the PCR results with the results of tests detecting antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.I. revealed that fewer than half (45.1%) of the dogs with presence of DNA of the spirochete, developed an immune response. Therefore the transfer of B. burgdorferi si. form, the primary lesion to the target tissues, is possible in dogs which did not develop immune response or develop an insufficient response. Among 92 borreliosis-suspected dogs 54 (over 58%) were diagnosed positively using laboratory methods. In most cases there was a correlation between clinical symptoms of borreliosis and presence of DNA B. burgdorferi, thus PCR may contribute to improving to a large extent diagnostic of canine Lyme disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acanthamoeba is a free-living protist pathogen, which is present in every place on Earth. 50 to 100 percent of the adult population has serum antibodies, specific for Acanthamoeba antigens. Acanthamoeba is an etiological agent of keratitis and encephalitis diagnosed in human. Acanthamoeba keratitis occurs in healthy persons and may lead to visual impairment and blindness, because corneal infection with this parasite fails to induce cell-mediated immune response due to the absence of resident antigen-presenting cells in the cornea. Systemic immunization with Acanthamoeba antigens induces Th1 cell-mediated immunity and serum IgG antibody, but do not prevent the development of keratitis. Immunization via mucosal surfaces stimulates IgA antibodies in tears and protects against the development of keratitis. Amoebae feed mainly on bacteria, fungi, and algae. By transferring intracellular bacteria, amoeba contributes to the spread of diseases dangerous to humans. Some microorganisms have evolved to become resistant to protist, since they are not internalized or able to survive, grow, and exit free-living protists after internalization. In many cases, the bacteria inside living amoebae survive longer, and multiply better, showing higher virulence. There is a hypothesis, which assumes that Acanthamoeba and symbiontic bacteria survive and multiply better in moist soil, rich in nitrogen compounds, particularly in the vicinity of the root systems of Alnus glutinosa, infected with nitrogen-fixing bacteria Frankia alni. Impact of soil environment created by nitrogen-fixing bacterium Frankia alni on specific relations between protists Acanthamoeba and highly pathogenic bacteria strains in Alnus glutinosa habitats in Poland continue to be established., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2020 Termedia.)

Three DNA extraction kits were used, all without preliminary procedures, then DNA extraction was preceded with freeze/thaw cycles in three versions. A lack of desired effect resulted in the application of liquid nitrogen/water bath cycles before the use of the extractions in further experiments. The effectiveness of DNA extraction was measured by PCR signal and C(T) values of real time PCR. A comparison of the efficiency of various Cryptosporidium parvum undiluted oocyst treatments prior to DNA extraction with the use of three kits has shown that the best results were obtained after extraction of DNA with the QIAamp DNA Tissue Mini Kit (T kit), preceded by triple liquid nitrogen/water bath in 100 degrees C for 2 minutes and with overnight proteinase K digestion. After extraction with the T kit, the detection limit was 50 oocysts per 200 microl when effectiveness was evaluated with PCR and 10 oocysts in the case of real time PCR.