Bratisl Med J
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Verotoxin as a factor of virulence of E. coli strains is involved in the pathogenesis of hemorrhagic colitis, hemolytic-uremic syndrome and thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. The most frequent producers of verocytotoxin are E. coli O157:H7 and O157:H-, yet further 57 E. coli serotypes producing verotoxin have been described. The occurrence rate of verocytotoxigenic strains of E. coli is increasing worldwide and should be a matter of concern also in our conditions. (Ref. 56.)
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The preincubation of PMN leukocytes in amniotic fluid obtained at the end of the gestation period resulted in decreased values of phagocytic activity (about 37%), phagocytic index (about 21.5%) and mainly of the candidacidal capacity to C. albicans (about 72%). The level of lysozyme (11.8 +/- 7.2 mg.l-1) and the level of alpha 1-antitrypsin (0.745 +/- 0.53 g.l-1) were also determined in amniotic fluid. The level of alpha 2-macroglobulin and the proteolytic activity at acidic and mildly alkaline pH could not be established by the methods applied. (Fig. 1, Ref. 23.)