Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie最新文献

{"title":"Diphtheria - assessment of immune status in newly enlisted professional soldiers in the Czech Republic.","authors":"L Siráková, R Chlíbek, I Hanovcová, P Polcarová, M Malíková, J Smetana","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6760/20260624/143939","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.61568/emi/11-6760/20260624/143939","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Diphtheria is a serious bacterial infectious disease whose occurrence has been reported again in Europe in recent years. The aim of this study was to assess the level of antibody immunity against diphtheria among newly enlisted professional soldiers in the Czech Armed Forces. Between 2017 and 2023, IgG antibody levels against diphtheria toxin were measured in 1,116 individuals using the ELISA method. Only 1.6% of individuals demonstrated long-term protection, and sufficient seroprotection was observed in 25.3% of those tested. A total of 73.1% of adults had uncertain or insufficient antibody levels. A decline in antibody levels was evident with increasing age. The results point to a significant waning of post-vaccination immunity in the adult population and support the need for regular diphtheria booster doses, particularly among high-risk occupational groups.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"75 3","pages":"131-135"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149171996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Parvovirus B19: how to interpret semi-quantitative viraemia values during high circulation of the virus in the population.","authors":"L Nepovímová, P Prášil, R Kukla","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6659/20260202/142616","DOIUrl":"10.61568/emi/11-6659/20260202/142616","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>To establish the correct diagnosis of the disease. To interpret the results of semi-quantitative viraemia testing. To evaluate the clinical and laboratory course of the disease.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>At the Department of Infectious Diseases of the University Hospital of Hradec Králové and the Faculty of Medicine of Charles University, patients (n = 18) with parvovirus B19 infection were retrospectively studied for the period from March 1 to June 30, 2024. Their clinical condition, viraemia levels, and routine laboratory haematological and biochemical data were monitored.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Viraemia levels ranged from 105 to 1011 copies/ml. Levels below 107 copies/ml were detected in patients with symptoms persisting for more than a week or considered as complications of the infection. In addition to exanthema and fever, the clinical course was characterised by pharyngitis, headache, vomiting in young children, arthralgia in adults, and, surprisingly, abdominal pain, meningism, hepatopathy with conjugated hyperbilirubinemia, and anaemic syndrome. Most adult patients had leukopenia, some with concomitant thrombocytopenia, but always with spontaneous resolution within eight days without complications. Such changes in blood counts were not observed in paediatric patients.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>To diagnose parvovirus B19 infection, it is important to know the possible clinical courses and typical laboratory findings, to have access to rapid PCR testing with quantitative viraemia values, and to be able to interpret these data. We consider viraemia levels of 10⁷ copies/ml and above within a week of the onset of symptoms to confirm the diagnosis. Lower values need to be interpreted with caution. Based on the duration of symptoms and clinical course, we can consider an immunopathological reaction caused by parvovirus B19 or an incidental finding of viraemia in another diagnosis, especially when there is a high circulation of the virus in the population.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"1 1","pages":"15-23"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147730705","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiology and spatial analysis of hepatitis B and C in the Czech Republic.","authors":"M Kalinová, Z Manďáková, P Netrdová","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6659/20260202/142615","DOIUrl":"10.61568/emi/11-6659/20260202/142615","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this article is to describe the epidemiological trends and spatial patterns of viral hepatitis B and C in the Czech Republic at the district level in 2000-2023. In the study period, a total of 9,471 cases of hepatitis B and 21,611 cases of hepatitis C were reported to the Epidat/ISIN system. Based on global and local spatial analyses, statistically significant positive spatial autocorrelation was demonstrated, and spatial clusters of cases were identified. Spatial clusters of high values are most pronounced for both diseases in the districts of the Ústí nad Labem Region, mainly in areas with socially excluded localities and the occurrence of risky behaviour among the population. The article presents spatial autocorrelation methods as an essential part of epidemiological research and discusses spatial patterns of hepatitis B and C incidence in the Czech Republic.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"1 1","pages":"3-14"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"147730747","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Kyasanur forest disease: A brief overview and relevance to public health in the Czech Republic.","authors":"M Špačková, H Orlíková, J Kynčl, K Kybicová, J Košťálová","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6760/20260624/143938","DOIUrl":"10.61568/emi/11-6760/20260624/143938","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Kyasanur forest disease is a tick-borne haemorrhagic disease endemic to southern India. The cases have recently been on the rise in India, and the area of occurrence is expanding. This is primarily due to climate change, deforestation, and increased human contact with forest ecosystems. The symptoms include fever, myalgia, haemorrhagic manifestations, and neurological complications. The case-fatality rate ranges from 3% to 10%. Kyasanur forest disease may be underdiagnosed, given its possible subclinical course. In India, an inactivated vaccine was available until 2022 but was withdrawn due to limited efficacy and short-term protection. Education and protection against ticks remain the primary means of prevention. Kyasanur forest disease has not yet been reported in the Czech Republic; however, we may encounter imported cases in the future following travel to endemic areas. The disease is becoming a significant emerging zoonosis, underscoring the need for a One Health approach and strengthened surveillance of arboviruses in Central Europe as well.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"75 3","pages":"127-130"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149167168","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Impact of the war in Ukraine on HIV-1 subtype distribution and antiretroviral resistance in Slovakia, 2022.","authors":"M Hábeková, L Jánošíková, A Kovářová, M Takáčová, R Massmann, D Valkovičová Staneková","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6760/20260624/143935","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.61568/emi/11-6760/20260624/143935","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The study analyses the prevalence of HIV-1 subtypes and antiretroviral resistance among newly registered HIV-positive individuals in Slovakia in 2022, with a particular focus on the impact of migration caused by the war in Ukraine. A total of 198 cases were confirmed or reconfirmed HIV-positive of whom 109 (55.1%) citizens were from Ukraine, 80 (40.4%) were from Slovakia, and 9 (4.5%) were from other countries. HIV subtyping and resistance testing were performed in 99 patients (50.0% of all newly registered cases). Among 99 analysed patients, HIV-1 subtype B was detected in 51 (51.5%) and non-B subtypes in 48 (48.5%), with subtype A6 being the most frequent non-B variant (38.4%). Non-B variants were more common in Ukrainians (28/31; 90.3%) than in Slovaks (17/66; 25.8%). The Ukrainian subgroup was not fully representative, as most cases were reconfirmations of previously diagnosed and treated patients. Minor resistance-associated mutations were observed in 9 (9.1%) of patients, while one additional previously treated Ukrainian patient harboured the major resistance mutation M184I. The findings demonstrate changes in the molecular profile of newly registered HIV cases in Slovakia in 2022, mainly associated with migration from Ukraine. Genetic diversity of circulating HIV-1 strains has increased mainly by introduction of subtype A6 and other non-B variants. This fact emphasises the need for continuous molecular surveillance and tailored therapeutic approaches for HIV infection in Central Europe.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"75 3","pages":"107-112"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2026-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"149166829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Blastocystis in the human gastrointestinal tract - commensal or \"silent\" pathogen?","authors":"S Kühnelová, L Rožnovský, J Doležílková, R Maďar","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6492/20250428/140419","DOIUrl":"10.61568/emi/11-6492/20250428/140419","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Blastocystis is a unicellular anaerobic microorganism inhabiting the human and animal gastrointestinal tract (GIT). It is the most abundant representative of eukaryotes reported in human feces and found in approx. a billion people worldwide. Despite the common occurrence, its direct pathogenicity and status among other, more significant, GIT parasites remain unclear. Blastocystis colonization is associated with various non-specific clusters of symptoms, such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, flatulence, or nausea and is often diagnosed in patients with irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, or urticaria. Controversy persists mainly because of the detection of Blastocystis even in asymptomatic patients and the unclear mechanism of its potential pathogenicity. Also, for the reasons mentioned above, no treatment guidelines are available.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 2","pages":"118-125"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762338","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tracking the dynamics of antibody production against the SARS-CoV-2 virus after two doses of the mRNA vaccine BNT162b2.","authors":"M Malý, A Fialová, H Zákoucká, V Němeček, H Orlíková, J Kynčl, R Limberková","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6445/20250128/139686","DOIUrl":"10.61568/emi/11-6445/20250128/139686","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Objective: &lt;/strong&gt;An observational study was conducted from 2021 to 2022 to track the dynamics of the production of IgG antibody against the SARS-CoV-2 S protein in individuals vaccinated with two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech mRNA vaccine BNT162b2 (Comirnaty). The study included a group of volunteers without any previous signs of SARS-CoV-2 infection as well as a group with a history of natural COVID-19 infection. The primary objective was to monitor antibody levels up to 12 months after the second dose and determine the proportion of vaccinated individuals who underwent seroconversion. The study also evaluated cases of vaccine failure within 13 months post-vaccination.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methods: &lt;/strong&gt;Before the vaccination began, participants had laboratory tests for IgG antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 S protein, and their medical history related to COVID-19 was taken. Based on negative test results, a cohort of immunologically naïve individuals was formed and subsequently vaccinated with two doses of BNT162b2 (Comirnaty). Venous blood samples were collected at six time points: before the first dose, 2-3 weeks after the first dose, one month after the second dose, 3-4 months after the second dose, 6 months after the second dose, and 12 months after the second dose. A supplementary cohort included volunteers with positive antibody findings or confirmed COVID-19 infection. In some of these individuals, the dynamics of post-vaccination antibody response was also monitored. Participants filled out monthly questionnaires about respiratory infection symptoms to detect vaccine failure.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;The study included 166 participants who did not have SARS-CoV-2 S protein antibodies prior to vaccination. The median age was 52 years, with a higher proportion of women (71.1%). After the first and second doses of the vaccine, antibody levels showed a significant increase, followed by a gradual decline over 12 months. Seroconversion occurred in all participants except for one immunosuppressed individual. The vaccine failure rate against COVID-19 within 12 months was 13.3%. The second cohort included 60 participants with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this group, post-vaccination antibody levels increased significantly, more than in individuals without prior infection. The second dose did not result in further statistically significant increase in antibody levels for this cohort.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Conclusions: &lt;/strong&gt;The study confirmed that the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine induces a strong antibody response, with the majority of participants experiencing seroconversion after the first dose. Older individuals exhibited a lower antibody response, highlighting the importance of booster doses. In individuals with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection, antibody levels were significantly higher after the first vaccine dose than in naïve individuals. These findings add to understanding antibody response dynamics and suggest the need for further resea","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 1","pages":"44-52"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144217591","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Vaccination in pregnancy - a study in maternity hospitals of the Pilsen Region, Czech Republic.","authors":"P Pazdiora, H Jelínková, M Kozerovský, P Hubáček","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6568/20250808/141315","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.61568/emi/11-6568/20250808/141315","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>Vaccination in pregnancy is an important preventive measure against a number of infections. Since the vaccination coverage data for pregnant women in the Czech Republic are scarce, a study was carried out in the Pilsen Region.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>In the 6-week Postpartum Care Centres of the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Clinic of the Pilsen University Hospital and the Gynaecology and Obstetrics Departments of the Klatovy and Domažlice Hospitals, between 1 October and 31 December 2024, postpartum mothers were asked to fill out printed questionnaires to collect basic data on an anonymous basis (age group, education level, region of residence, information about the possibility of vaccination against influenza, COVID-19, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections, and pertussis, its completion during pregnancy, and specialty of the informing health professional). Questionnaire data were entered into the Epi-Info database to be analysed. The χ2 test was used for statistical testing at a significance level of 5%.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>In the three-month study period, 836 women gave birth at the above-listed clinics and 313 (37.4%) of them completed the questionnaire. Of the total number of respondents, 85 women (27.2%) were vaccinated with at least one of the four vaccines during pregnancy, varying from 21.9 to 28.3% between centres. Receiving influenza vaccine, COVID-19 vaccine and RSV vaccine, and pertussis vaccine was reported by 1.6%, 1.3%, and 25.9% of postpartum mothers, respectively. The highest vaccination coverage was found in the 30-39 year age group and in women with tertiary education. Pertussis vaccine was recommended to pregnant women most often (47.6%) in comparison with COVID-19 vaccine mentioned least often. Of the 85 vaccinated women, 76 (24.3%) had at least 1 vaccine on recommendation. Information about the possibility of vaccination was most often provided by gynaecologists and adult general practitioners. Vaccination against the listed respiratory infections was reported quite rarely by women without prior information: only nine pregnant women (2.9%) did so.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The study in maternity hospitals in the Pilsen Region confirmed low vaccination coverage in pregnancy. At the same time, information on the importance of vaccination appeared to be inadequate, especially regarding the prevention of RSV and COVID-19 infection. Gynaecologists are currently the most frequent source of information. The unfavourable situation can be improved by joint expert opinion of medical societies and by raising awareness of the general population on this issue.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 3","pages":"158-165"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145240431","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Epidemiological characteristics of human leptospirosis in Slovak Republic, 2008-2019.","authors":"J Perželová, M Kotrbancová, M Fulová, A Bražinová","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6568/20250808/141313","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.61568/emi/11-6568/20250808/141313","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim of study: </strong>The purpose of this study was observation of some epidemiological characteristics of human leptospirosis in Slovakia during 2008-2019.</p><p><strong>Materials and methods: </strong>Patients' data analysed in this work were obtained from laboratory diagnostic and trawling questionnaires. The diagnosis of acute leptospirosis was confirmed by the serological examination in the micro-agglutination test in accordance with clinical and epidemiological data. Statistical analyses were performed by software STATA version 18 (StataCorp LP, College Station, TX, USA).</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Average annual incidence rate in Slovakia in the study period was 0.185/100,000 population. Case-fatality rate was 2.48% due to three fatal cases. The infection affected more men (80.16%) than women (19.84%) mostly in the age of 20-69 years old with the peak in 50-59 years old. Almost three quarters of affected persons were people without professional exposure. The highest number of cases was recorded in the period from June to November, peaking in August (25.62%). The most cases of infections were reported from administrative regions Košice (23.14%) and Trenčín (22.31%).</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Incidence rate of human leptospirosis maintains the declining character in the study period, which has been present in recent decades in Slovakia. The numbers are most likely underreported, due to the misdiagnosing of leptospirosis cases caused by broad spectrum of clinical manifestations and low awareness of clinicians of possible diseases etiology.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 3","pages":"141-148"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"145240444","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microbial contamination of air filters of air conditioning system of urban buses.","authors":"D Obitková, C Čereiová, M Mráz, E Pavlík","doi":"10.61568/emi/11-6492/20250428/140416","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.61568/emi/11-6492/20250428/140416","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The use of HVAC in urban buses in developed countries increases the comfort and indoor air quality in the means of ground transportation. The microbial contamination was studied on outlet and inlet surfaces of 5 air filters removed from the urban buses HVAC during regular maintenance. To acquire samples from both the outlet and the inlet sides of the filters, dry swabbing technique was used. Cultivation was performed on different selective or selective-diagnostic agars, to cultivate viable bacteria. To identify the bacterial species, Gram stain and immerse microscopy was used. Selected colonies underwent the proteomic study (MALDI-TOF) as well. After identification, bacteria were quantified. The bacteria of the genus Bacillus - Bacillus cereus, Bacillus subtilis, Bacillus licheniformis, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus flexus prevailed on both inlet and outlet surfaces of the filters. The members of genera Staphylococcus, Brevibacillus, Peribacillus or Paenibacillus were also identified. The quantification of colony forming units showed low contamination of the outlet surfaces of filters 1 and 2. The contamination of inlet and outlet sides of filters 3, 4, and 5 was comparable, revealed nearly the same contamination of inlet and outlet surfaces. In the case of filters 3, 4 and 5 we recommend more frequent filter changing or more efficient filter choice.</p>","PeriodicalId":54374,"journal":{"name":"Epidemiologie Mikrobiologie Imunologie","volume":"74 2","pages":"107-112"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5,"publicationDate":"2025-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144762341","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}