Isolation and characterization of an atypical Mycoplasma gallisepticum strain showing a new mgc2 variant

Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) is an important pathogen of the poultry industry able to cause chronic respiratory disease in chickens and infectious sinusitis in turkeys. Despite the application of biosecurity measures and the availability of vaccines for chickens, monitoring systems routinely applied for MG detection are still essential for infection control. Pathogen isolation is time-consuming and not suitable for rapid detection, albeit it is a compulsory step for genetic typing and antimicrobial susceptibility evaluation of single strains. The mgc2 gene is a species-specific molecular target adopted by most of the PCR protocols available for MG diagnosis, which are also included in the WOAH Terrestrial Manual. We describe the case of an atypical MG strain, isolated in 2019 from Italian turkeys, characterized by an mgc2 sequence not detectable by common endpoint PCR primers. Considering the potential risk of false negative results during diagnostic screenings with the endpoint protocol, the authors propose an alternative mgc2 PCR endpoint protocol, named MG600, which should be considered as a further diagnostic tool.

Intra-aneurysm sac pressure measurement using a thin pressure wire during endovascular aneurysm repair

BACKGROUND

An endoleak is a typical complication of endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). It is characterized by persistent blood flow between a stent graft and the aneurysm sac. Usually, it can be visualized during primary EVAR, but in many cases, this remains impossible. Therefore, other methods of endoleak assessment are urgently needed. The measurement of aneurysm sac pressure (ASP) seems to be a promising direction of research in this area.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of a new method for invasive pressure measurement inside the abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) during EVAR. We also assessed a correlation between pressure values and early angiographic occurrence of an endoleak after the procedure.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

A total of 20 patients with AAA were included in this experimental prospective study. During EVAR, systolic, diastolic and mean pressure values were recorded both for ASP and aortic pressure (AP) before procedure, after stent graft opening and after final stent graft ballooning.

RESULTS

The measurements were successfully obtained in all participants without any complications. There were no significant differences between all ASP and AP before procedure. After the procedure, blood pressure significantly decreased in the aneurysm sac but not in the aorta. Systolic ASP was significantly lower than systolic AP both after stent graft opening (80.4 ±20.9 mm Hg compared to 110.7 ±21.6 mm Hg, p < 0.01) and after its balloon post-dilatation (65.6 ±26.1 mm Hg compared to 107.4 ±22.1 mm Hg, p < 0.001). Diastolic ASP decreased significantly in comparison to diastolic AP only after stent graft ballooning (48.0 ±14.6 mm Hg compared to 56.4 ±13.6 mm Hg, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Our study confirmed that the novel method for the measurement of ASP during EVAR, using a thin pressure wire, is feasible and safe.

Genetic analysis of human and swine influenza A viruses isolated in Northern Italy during 2010-2015

Influenza A virus (IAV) infection in swine plays an important role in the ecology of influenza viruses. The emergence of new IAVs comes through different mechanisms, with the genetic reassortment of genes between influenza viruses, also originating from different species, being common. We performed a genetic analysis on 179 IAV isolates from humans (n. 75) and pigs (n. 104) collected in Northern Italy between 2010 and 2015, to monitor the genetic exchange between human and swine IAVs. No cases of human infection with swine strains were noticed, but direct infections of swine with H1N1pdm09 strains were detected. Moreover, we pointed out a continuous circulation of H1N1pdm09 strains in swine populations evidenced by the introduction of internal genes of this subtype. These events contribute to generating new viral variants-possibly endowed with pandemic potential-and emphasize the importance of continuous surveillance at both animal and human level.

[Use of Gianturco-Wallace and tornado coils in perforators embolisation in chronic venous ulcers treatment]

AIM OF THE STUDY

Embolisation is a endovascular technique of vessels closure using embolisation material, which is applied into vessels throw catheter. As an embolisation material coils Gianturco-Wallace i Tornado (Cook) were used. Length and size of coils was determined individually during precedure.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

38 patients of Vascular Surgery Department and Radiology Department of Medical University in Wroclaw were treated by endovascular embolisation of insufficient perforators. Procedures were made on 40 limbs with post-thrombotic complex and venous ulcers (6th degree of CEAP classification). 68 endovascular procedures were made, 143 metal coils were used.

RESULTS

Using endovascular method 85% of ulcers were comletely cured.

CONCLUSIONS

Endovascular embolisation is safe and effective method of veonous ulcers curing. Itmay be used at outpatients clinic.

[Use of polymeric clips in laparoscopic appendectomy]

The aim of this study was to evaluate efficiency and safety of using non-absorbable polymeric clips in securing the stump of appendix during laparoscopic appendectomy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We have analyzed patients of Surgical Clinic of 4th Military Clinical Hospital in Wrocław, who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy from 2006 to 2010. Patients were divided into 3 groups regarding to the way of securing stump of appendix: in group one non-absorbable polymeric clips Hem-o-lok were used, in group two endostaplers Endostapler Flexi and in group three endoloop ligatures or traditional ligatures. Evaluated data included operative time, intra- and postoperative complications, hospital stay and costs of used materials.

RESULTS

There were performed 90 laparoscopic appendectomies between 2006 and 2010 in Surgical Clinic of 4th Military Clinical Hospital in Wrocław. Non-absorbable polymeric clips Hem-o-lok were used in 30 patients, endostaplers in 27 and endoloop ligatures in 33 cases. There were no intra- and perioperative complications such as bowel injury, appendix stump leak or early bowel obstruction. Two cases of postoperative pericaecal (perityphlic) abscess (1 in group one, 1 on group two) were observed, in both cases antibiotic therapy was successive, patients didn't require surgery. Wound infection was observed in 3 cases (2 in group one, 1 in group three). Mean operative time was 70,5 min. in group one (from 40 to 115 min.), in group two 58,5 min. (from 25 to 110 min.), and in group three 76,3 min. (from 40 to 120 min.). Mean hospital stay was 2,6 days in group one (from 2 to 4 days), in group two 2,9 days (from 2 to 7 days.), and in group three 2,88 days (from 2 to 8 days).

CONCLUSIONS

Using of non-absorbable polymeric clips Hem-o-lok is an efficient and safe way of securing the stump of appendix during laparoscopic appendectomy, comparing to other methods (endostapler and Endoloop ligature). Advantages of polymeric clips are facility of application (most of surgeons have experience in clips application during performed for many years laparoscopic cholecystectomies) and low cost (comparing to endostaplers).

[Use of synthetic mesh in abdominal wall hernias repair]

Abdominal hernias repair beside cholecystectomy and appendectomy is the most commonly performed surgical procedure. The crucial problem in surgery treatment of abdominal hernias is its recurrence, especially high in procedures performed without use of synthetic graft. Advances in understanding the etiopathogenesis of abdominal hernias and the introduction of the new surgical techniques have considerably improved the results of its repair. The widely used synthetic mesh is made of durable material and its structure enables easy and safety intraperitoneal implantation also in laparoscopic surgery. Unfortunately the high cost of this procedure limits its use. There is still need for 'ideal' mesh material and high hope for increasing biological graft application in the future.

The objective assessment of visual contrast sensitivity by pattern reversal visual evoked potentials in diabetes

Recent studies have described abnormalities of visual evoked potentials and pattern electroretinography in diabetics without retinopathy. The visual contrast sensitivity, determined by psychophysical tests, has proved to be abnormal in diabetic patients with and without clinical retinopathy. In this study we evaluated contrast sensitivity function using both electrophysiologic and psychophysical methods. The objective assessment of functional visual contrast sensitivity was superior to psychophysical evaluation in the detection of contrast sensitivity alterations. No relationships were found between contrast sensitivity dysfunction and abnormalities of pattern electroretinography or fluorescein angiography. Our data suggest that functional visual deficits might precede background retinopathy and that the involvement of foveal function is early and very frequent in diabetic patients, even if they have normal visual acuity.