Evaluation of the effectiveness of vaccination against diphtheria among medical staff of the chair and the Jagiellonian University Hospital of Infectious Diseases in Cracow, Poland. Some epidemiological observations

In Poland, twenty-five cases of diphtheria, mostly among adults (including five foreigners) in the region adjacent to the eastern border were registered in the years 1992-1996. In 1993-1994, because of the threat of diphtheria infection, 41 healthy members of the medical staff of the University Hospital of Infectious Diseases in Kraków, mainly women aged 25-57 years were immunized with Td and d vaccines with a 6-month interval between courses. Prior to vaccination, 17(41%) individuals showed a lack of diphtheria antibodies as determined with a passive haemagglutination test. 14 of them were aged 30-49 years. Six months after the 2nd dose of vaccine, all seronegative persons had developed a protective level of antibodies. Moreover, all vaccinated subjects showed a statistically significant increase of the antibody titre between the first and last serological examinations.

[Bioavailability of griseofulvin in the form of liposomes]

Liposomes containing griseofulvin have been prepared by shaking method. Lecithin and cholesterol were used to compose phospholipid bilayer of liposomes. The suspension of liposomes in 0.9% sodium chloride and the suspension of griseofulvin in 0.25% iostonic methylcellulose solution were used in the comparative study in vivo. Both suspensions were administered intragastricly to rats. Parameters of bioavailability have been found on the basis of the changes in griseofulvin plasma concentrations versus time. Intragastric administration of griseofulvin in liposomes suspension demonstrates ca. 40% higher Cmax and AUC when compared to these of griseofulvin suspension which indicates a better bioavailability.

Effect of N,N'-bis(methylisatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone)-2-methylpiperazine on vaccinia virus replication in vitro and in vivo. Brief report

The inhibitory effect of N,N'-bis(methylisatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone)-2-methylpiperazine (compound TSKI-VI) and methisazone (Marboran) on the growth of vaccinia virus (IHD strain) was studied in vitro and in vivo. The therapeutic indices of both compounds determined in vivo were similar, but TSKI-VI was found more efficient in vitro.

Computer evaluation of antiviral activities of some thiosemicarbazones in experiments in vivo

A new mathematical method based on 3-, 4- or 6-point parallel-line assays was applied for working out a computer programme used to evaluate the activity of some new isatin-beta-thiosemicarbazone derivatives against vaccinia virus, studied in vivo.