Folia medica Cracoviensia
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Ebola is one of the most virulent zoonotic RNA viruses causing in humans haemorrhagic fever with fatality ratio reaching 90%. During the outbreak of 2014 the number of deaths exceeded 8.000. ⋯ Thus, haemorrhagic fever outbreak is an international epidemiological problem, also due to the lack of approved prevention and therapeutic strategies. The editorial review article briefly summarizes current knowledge on Ebola virus disease epidemiology, etiology, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, diagnosis as well as possible prevention and treatment.
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Folia medica Cracoviensia · Jan 2014
Clinical manifestation of pediatric granulomatosis with polyangiitis - the experience of two regions in Poland.
The purpose of this study was to describe clinical manifestations, laboratory findings and outcome of granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA) in pediatric patients living in two regions (Southern and Central) of Poland. ⋯ The majority of our patients were females. Clinical features of pediatric GPA were similar to those described in adults. None of our patients developed subglottic stenosis and in only 2 children saddle-nose deformity was observed. Although GPA was treated according to contemporary standards care, disease progression was observed in more than a half of children.
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Folia medica Cracoviensia · Jan 2014
Variations of the anterior communicating artery complex and occurrence of anterior communicating artery aneurysm: A2 segment consideration.
The anterior communicating artery (ACoA) is the most frequent site of intracranial aneurysm location. Despite many studies the frequency of aneurysm occurrence with anatomical anomalies is still poorly described. Moreover the significance of the A2 segment of anterior cerebral artery anomalies has been neglected. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and types of variations of the anterior cerebral circulation in patients with ACoA aneurysms and to analyze their relation to aneurysm occurrence in the Polish population. ⋯ Occurrence of an ACoA aneurysm is associated with hypoplasia or aplasia of the A1 segment of the anterior cerebral artery. A2 segment anomalies may potentially be associated with aneurysm formation.
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Folia medica Cracoviensia · Jan 2014
ReviewEbola haemorrhagic fever virus: pathogenesis, immune responses, potential prevention.
Ebola zoonotic RNA filovirus represents human most virulent and lethal pathogens, which induces acute hemorrhagic fever and death within few days in a range of 60-90% of symptomatic individuals. Last outbreak in 2014 in West Africa caused panic that Ebola epidemic can be spread to other continents. Number of deaths in late December reached almost 8,000 individuals out of more than 20,000 symptomatic patients. ⋯ Tested prevention strategies to induce antiviral immunity include: i. recombinant virus formulations (vaccines); ii. cocktail of monoclonal antibodies (serotherapy); iii. alternative RNA-interference-based antiviral methods. Maintaining the highest standards of aseptic and antiseptic precautions is equally important. Present brief review summarizes a current knowledge concerning pathogenesis of Ebola hemorrhagic disease and the virus interaction with the immune system and discusses recent advances in prevention of Ebola infection by vaccination and serotherapy.
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Folia medica Cracoviensia · Jan 2014
ReviewEbola virus disease control in Poland - are we ready for fight?
Despite very low risk assessment, Polish authorities should be prepared for imported EVD cases and be ready to protect public against the spread of Ebolavirus (EBOV). There is the consistent system of infectious diseases surveillance and control in entire country, regulated by law. In Poland the Public Sanitary Inspection has jurisdiction over infectious diseases surveillance. ⋯ There is one reference laboratory in Poland in National Institute of Public Health, which performed tests for EBOV detection. The hospitals and outpatient care services and sanitary inspection were evaluated on possession the appropriate PPE for medical staff, in case of direct contact with EVD patient would be needed. Regardless, very law risk for Poland to be affected by EVD outbreak our country is sufficiently prepared for fighting with EBOV infection.