Piotr B Heczko - Academia.edu (original) (raw)

Papers by Piotr B Heczko

Drug Design, Development and Therapy, 2018

Purpose: Some lactobacilli, which possess superoxide dismutase-like activity and catalase activit... more Purpose: Some lactobacilli, which possess superoxide dismutase-like activity and catalase activity naturally, have strong antioxidative properties. The aim of this study was to identify such strains and check which of them play a crucial role in alleviating intestinal inflammation. Methods: We selected two Lactobacillus strains for use in animal studies: L. plantarum 30B (which has the highest catalase activity) and L. acidophilus 900 (which has the highest dismutaselike activity). Forty mice (C57B1/6J) were divided into four experimental groups with ten mice in each group. Group I (control group) was not supplemented with Lactobacillus, group II (catalase group) was orally supplemented with L. plantarum 30B, group III (dismutase-like group) was supplemented with L. acidophilus 900, and group IV (mixed group) was supplemented with both Lactobacillus strains. For 23 days, the temperature and body mass of each mouse were recorded and fecal samples for microbiological examination were collected. On day 23, the animals were sacrificed, and their intestines were removed for microbiological and histopathological studies. Results: Compared to the control group, the highest drop in the body temperature was observed in groups II (P,0.05) and IV (P,0.05). Similarly, groups II (P,0.05) and IV (P,0.05) had the highest drop in body mass. Moreover, histopathological evaluation of colon fragments showed intracryptic abscesses in these groups. Group III mice showed most limited degree of inflammation. Conclusion: Lactobacillus strains with dismutase-like activity are more effective in alleviating intestinal inflammation than strains producing catalase, suggesting that superoxide anion radical decomposition is crucial in this process.

Central-European journal of immunology / Polish Society for Immunology and eleven other Central-European immunological societies, 2016

Enteric bacteria are involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. In experimental colitis,... more Enteric bacteria are involved in the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis. In experimental colitis, a breakdown of the intestinal epithelial barrier results in inflow of various gut bacteria, induction of acute inflammation and finally, progression to chronic colitis. In the present study we compared pro-inflammatory properties of two bacterial strains isolated from human microbiome, Escherichia coli 3A1 and Lactobacillus plantarum KL30B. The study was performed using two experimental models of acute inflammation: peritonitis in mice and trinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (TNBS)-induced colitis in rats. Both bacterial strains induced massive neutrophil infiltration upon injection into sterile peritoneal cavity. However, peritoneal exudate cells stimulated in vitro with E. coli 3A1, produced far more nitric oxide, than those stimulated with L. plantarum KL30B. Interestingly, distinct effect on the development of TNBS-induced colitis was observed after oral administration of the tested bacter...

Przegla̧d epidemiologiczny, 2015

Nosocomial infections and the problem of their surveillance concern all patients, including patie... more Nosocomial infections and the problem of their surveillance concern all patients, including patients treated in medical wards. The objective of the study was to ewaluate selected infection control practices in Polish medical wards in comparison with wards of European hospitals. The study was conducted by means of a standardized questionnaire fullfiled by a total of 506 wards, including 10 Polish, in 24 European countries, as a part of the PROHIBIT project. The median number of beds in Polish wards (PW) was 35 vs. 30 in European ones (EW), while the proportion of beds in single rooms in Poland were almost ten times lower than in Europe. The number of nurses employed in PW was similar to EW. In all PW alcohol-based handrub solutions were available in more than 76% points of care and it was better situation than in EW. Similar situation in PW and EW was observed in case of existence of written procedure of UTI and CDI prevention. Differences between PW and EW were observed in the manne...

Przegla̧d epidemiologiczny, 2014

The paper presents results of a survey on organization of surveillance programs in Polish hospita... more The paper presents results of a survey on organization of surveillance programs in Polish hospitals. Survey was performed by means of the standardized questionnaire in the year 2012. MATERIALAND METHOD: Completed questionnaires were obtained from 9 hospitals of different size and type: 3 small, 2 medium and 4 large, most of them public (6 hospitals). Questions concerning general organization of the infection control in hospitals were answered by infection control teams. Infection control team works in every hospital and the head of the team in 8 hospitals is a physician. In most hospitals number of epidemiological nurses per 100 beds range from 0.4 to 0.8. In every hospital surveillance comprises all the most important from epidemiological point of view forms of infections: surgical site infections, bloodstream infections, pneumonia, urinary tract infections, Clostridium difficile and MDRO surveillance - in all wards. Infection cases in 5 hospitals are documented by epidemiological ...

Journal of physiology and pharmacology : an official journal of the Polish Physiological Society, 2006

Probiotics discussed in this paper are evaluated using the WHO/FAO definition from 2001. The auth... more Probiotics discussed in this paper are evaluated using the WHO/FAO definition from 2001. The authors present a brief description of the normal microbiota of the gastrointestinal tract, discuss probiotics in the aspects of gut immunity and then move to selection of bacterial strains as probiotics. The main issue raised is the critical evaluation of probiotics in randomized clinical trials for conditions such as: infectious diarrhoea; antibiotic associated diarrhoea; inflammatory bowel disease; pouchitis and diverticulitis; H. pylori infection; irritable bowel syndrome. Safety of probiotics is mentioned with respect to susceptible individuals and bacterial translocation. As a conclusion the authors again recall the strain specific actions of probiotics in different clinical situations and that so far probiotics play a role in rotaviral and post antibiotic diarrhoea and pouchitis. An important issue still to be solved in order to confidently recommend probiotics as efficacious therapy ...

International Journal of Infection Control, 2008

The data were collected and reported by 25 hospitals participating in Nosocomial Infections Activ... more The data were collected and reported by 25 hospitals participating in Nosocomial Infections Active Surveillance System of the Polish Society of Hospital Infection. Data from about 5140 cholecystectomies were collected from January 2002 through December 2003. Among these cases there were 3056 cholecystectomies with laparoscope use. The total number of SSI following cholecystectomy was 125; 92 without laparoscope use and 33 with laparoscope use. The incidence rate for SSI following cholecystectomy without and with laparoscope use was: 4.41% vs 1.08% respectively. Distribution of infection sites for cholecystectomy performed without and with laparoscope included: superficial incisional 68.5% vs 60.6%; deep incisional 23.9% vs 21.2%; organ/space 7.6% vs 18.2%. SSI risk index ranged from 0.15% for category-1 to 27.5% for risk index category. Dominant microbes identified: cholecystectomy without laparoscope use: Escherichia.coli 23.9%, Enterococcus sp. 18.5%; with laparoscope use: Enterococcus sp. 20.4%, Klebsiella sp. 15.9%. The risk of SSI following cholecystectomy performed without a laparoscope was higher than cholecystectomy performed with a laparoscope .

World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2009

AIM: To assess the mucosa-associated bacterial microflora and mucus layer in adolescents with inf... more AIM: To assess the mucosa-associated bacterial microflora and mucus layer in adolescents with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Sixty-one adolescents (mean age 15 years, SD ± 4.13) were included in the study. Intestinal biopsies from inflamed and non-inflamed mucosa of IBD patients and from controls with functional abdominal pain were cultured under aerobic and anaerobic conditions. The number of microbes belonging to the same group was calculated per weight of collected tissue. The mucus thickness in frozen samples was measured under a fluorescent microscope. RESULTS: The ratios of different bacterial groups in inflamed and non-inflamed mucosa of IBD patients and controls were specific for particular diseases. Streptococcus spp. were predominant in the inflamed mucosa of Crohn's disease (CD) patients (80% of all bacteria), and Lactobacillus spp. were predominant in ulcerative colitis patients (90%). The differences were statistically significant (P = 0.01-0.001). Lower number of bifidobacteria was observed in the whole IBD group. A relation was also found between clinical and endoscopic severity and decreased numbers of Lactobacillus and, to a lesser extent, of Streptococcus in biopsies from CD patients. The mucus layer in the inflamed sites was significantly thinner as compared to controls (P = 0.0033) and to non-inflamed areas in IBD patients (P = 0.031). CONCLUSION: The significantly thinner mucosa of IBD patients showed a predominance of some aerobes specific for particular diseases, their numbers decreased in relation to higher clinical and endoscopic activity of the disease.

Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, 2012

Objectives: Three clinical Acinetobacter baumannii isolates (A-C) were isolated from three separa... more Objectives: Three clinical Acinetobacter baumannii isolates (A-C) were isolated from three separate patients during an outbreak in a hospital in Krakow, Poland. Isolate A was recovered first and was susceptible to carbapenems, whereas isolates B and C were resistant. The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in carbapenem susceptibility in these outbreak-related isolates. Methods: Clonal relatedness was determined using rep-PCR-based DiversiLab. The bla OXA-51-like genes and their upstream regions were sequenced. Expression of the genes encoding OXA-51-like and the three major porins CarO, OprD-like and 33-36 kDa Omp were investigated by semiquantitative RT-PCR. Comparison of outer membrane protein (OMP) profiles was performed using SDS-PAGE. ISAba1-bla OXA-82 was cloned into the shuttle vector pWH1266 and transferred into A. baumannii ATCC 17978. Results: The isolates were identical by rep-PCR and clustered with international clonal lineage 2. Sequencing of bla OXA-51-like revealed a conversion of OXA-66 (isolate A) into OXA-82 (isolates B and C). bla OXA-82 was also associated with ISAba1. Expression analysis revealed overexpression of bla OXA-82. There was no difference in OMP expression between the isolates. ISAba1-bla OXA-82 conferred carbapenem resistance in ATCC 17978. Conclusions: Carbapenem resistance in outbreak-related isolates was mediated by conversion of OXA-66 into OXA-82 and its subsequent overexpression. This further highlights the genome plasticity of A. baumannii, leading to carbapenem resistance.

International Journal of Infectious Diseases, 2013

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population world... more Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the elderly population worldwide. 1,2 The classification of pneumonia is becoming increasingly complex as the patient population becomes more diverse. 3 Patients exposed to a nonhospital risk have been categorized as having community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). However, even the outpatient population is nowadays subjected to many procedures and therapies, such as hemodialysis, wound care, infusion therapy, and therapy causing immunosuppression. Pneumonia in such a population is now referred to as health care-associated pneumonia (HCAP) and is frequently caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria. 3 Patients residing in non-hospital health care facilities, such as nursing homes, form a specific subpopulation themselves. Pneumonia in this group of patients has been classified as nursing home-acquired pneumonia (NHAP). Although NHAP is currently treated with the same protocols as CAP, it differs from CAP with respect to pathogens and the prognosis, and more closely resembles hospitalacquired pneumonia (HAP). 2,3 NHAP is probably the largest health problem in long-term care facilities (LTCFs). It is the second most common infection in LTCFs and the leading cause of mortality and hospitalization. 4,5 NHAP frequently requires hospitalization and worsens the prognosis. 4,5 A number of factors may increase the risk of pneumonia among LTCF residents. Individual factors include malnutrition, long-term

International Journal of Experimental Pathology, 2007

Intestinal bacteria have a conditioning effect on intestinal homeostasis, delivering a regulatory... more Intestinal bacteria have a conditioning effect on intestinal homeostasis, delivering a regulatory signal to the epithelium, the mucosal immune system and to the neuromuscular activity of the gut (Shanahan 2004). However, abundant experimental and clinical data suggest that some intestinal bacteria or their components are essential factors in the pathogenesis INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL PATHOLOGY

Infectious Diseases in Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2005

Lactobacilli, the predominant vaginal microorganisms in healthy premenopausal women, control othe... more Lactobacilli, the predominant vaginal microorganisms in healthy premenopausal women, control other members of the vaginal microflora and thus protect against bacterial vaginosis and urinary tract infections. It has been claimed that some lactobacilli are also protective againstCandidavaginitis. Little is known, however, about the mechanisms by which these lactobacilli can control vaginal populations ofCandidaand prevent vaginitis. To address this question, vaginalLactobacillusstrains with known antagonistic properties against bacteria were tested for their cell surface properties, adhesion to vaginal cell linesin vitroand antagonistic activities againstCandida. A small proportion of the lactobacilli tested adhered strongly to cultured vaginal epithelial cells and inhibited growth ofCandida albicansbut not ofC. pseudotropicalis. This anticandidal activity was in someLactobacillusstrains related to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production, but catalase treatment did not suppress this activ...

Current Microbiology, 2013

The study aimed at optimization of DNA isolation from blood of representatives of four microbial ... more The study aimed at optimization of DNA isolation from blood of representatives of four microbial groups causing sepsis, i.e., Gram negative: Escherichia coli, Gram positive: Staphylococcus aureus, yeast: Candida albicans, and filamentous fungus: Aspergillus fumigatus. Additionally, the five commercial kits for microbial DNA isolation from the blood were tested. The developed procedure of DNA isolation consisted of three consecutive steps, i.e., mechanical disruption, chemical lysis, and thermal lysis. Afterward, DNA was isolated from the previously prepared samples (erythrocyte lysis) with the use of five commercial kits for DNA isolation. They were compared paying heed to detection limit, concentration, DNA purity, and heme concentration in samples. The isolation of DNA without preliminary erythrocyte lysis resulted in far higher heme concentration than when lysis was applied. In the variant with erythrocyte lysis, two of the commercial kits were most effective in purifying the DNA extract from heme. Designed procedure allowed obtaining microbial DNA from all four groups of pathogens under study in the amount sufficient to conduct the rtPCR reaction, which aimed at detecting them in the blood.

BMC Gastroenterology, 2013

Background This study investigated a possible role of Escherichia coli in propagation and perpetu... more Background This study investigated a possible role of Escherichia coli in propagation and perpetuation of the chronic inflammation in ulcerative colitis (UC). The lesions of UC are located superficially on the rectal and/or colonic mucosa. It is suggested that the commensal bacteria of the digestive tract may play a role in the pathogenesis of UC. Several studies have demonstrated proliferation of E. coli in the gut of UC patients. An increase in the number of E. coli in the inflamed tissue is most probably related to the abundance of iron ions produced by the bacteria. Methods Colon mucosal biopsies were collected from 30 patients with acute-phase UC, both from tissues with inflammatory changes (n = 30) and unchanged tissue with no inflammatory changes (n = 30) from the same patient. Biopsies were also taken from 16 patients with irritable bowel syndrome diarrhea who comprised the control group. Quantitative and qualitative analysis of the biopsy specimens was performed using cultu...

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, 2013

Lactoferrin is considered as a part of the innate immune system that plays a crucial role in prev... more Lactoferrin is considered as a part of the innate immune system that plays a crucial role in preventing bacterial growth, mostly via an iron sequestration mechanism. Recent data show that bovine lactoferrin prevents late-onset sepsis in preterm very low birth weight neonates by serving as an iron chelator for some bacterial strains; thus, it is very important to control the iron saturation level during diet supplementation. An accurate estimation of lactoferrin iron saturation is essential not only because of its clinical applications but also for a wide range of biochemical experiments. A comprehensive method for the quantification of iron saturation in lactoferrin preparations was developed to obtain a calibration curve enabling the determination of iron saturation levels relying exclusively on the defined ratio of absorbances at 280 and 466 nm (A 280/466). To achieve this goal, selected techniques such as spectrophotometry, ELISA, and ICP-MS were combined. The ability to obtain samples of lactoferrin with determination of its iron content in a simple and fast way has been proven to be very useful. Furthermore, a similar approach could easily be implemented to facilitate the determination of iron saturation level for other metalloproteins in which metal binding results in the appearance of a distinct band in the visible part of the spectrum.

Nutrients, 2020

The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of human health. Numerous factors, inc... more The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of human health. Numerous factors, including the mode of delivery, impact early gut colonization in newborns. Recent research focuses on the use of probiotics in the prevention of gut dysbiosis in newborns delivered by cesarean section (CS). The objective of this study was to determine whether a probiotic supplement given to newborns delivered by CS during their stay in the maternity ward alters the pattern of early gut colonization by lactic acid bacteria versus potential pathogens. A prospective, randomized trial was conducted. In total, 150 newborns, born at 38–40 weeks gestational age and delivered by CS, were included in the study. They were randomized into the intervention group, supplemented orally with a probiotic containing Bifidobacterium breve PB04 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus KL53A, and the control group. Stool samples were obtained on days 5 and 6 of life and after one month of life and were analyzed for the pres...

Journal of Hospital Infection, 2009

Univariate and multivariate risk factor analyses were performed to identify which practices had t... more Univariate and multivariate risk factor analyses were performed to identify which practices had the greatest impact on CVC-BSI rates. A total of 526 ICUs from 10 countries sent data on organisational characteristics and practices, demonstrating wide variation in care. CVC-BSI rates were also provided for 288 ICUs from five countries. This made it possible to include 1383 444 patient days, 969 897 CVC days and 1935 CVC-BSI cases in the analysis. Adjusted logistic regression analysis showed that the categorical variables of country [odds ratio (OR) varying per country from OR: 2.3; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.5e10.2; to OR: 12.8; 95% CI: 4.4e37.5; in reference to the country with the lowest CVC-BSI rates] and type of hospital 'university' (OR: 2.08; 95% CI: 1.02e4.25) were independent risk factors for high CVC-BSI rates. Substantial variation existed in CVC-BSI prevention activities, surveillance methods and estimated CVC-BSI rates among the European countries. Differences in cultural, social and legal perspectives as well as differences between healthcare systems are crucial in explaining these differences.

Journal of Clinical Medicine, 2019

The term neonatal sepsis is used to describe a generalized bloodstream infection of bacterial, vi... more The term neonatal sepsis is used to describe a generalized bloodstream infection of bacterial, viral, or fungal origin which is associated with hemodynamic changes and other clinical symptoms and signs, however, there is no unified definition. There are no basic criteria regarding differentiation of early-onset sepsis (EOS) versus late-onset sepsis (LOS). Stratification used in studies on neonatal sepsis also rarely includes the general condition of the newborn according to unambiguous assessment at birth, which hampers the establishment of a clear, uniform epidemiological description of neonatal sepsis. We aim to review the published data about the epidemiology and microbiology of sepsis in Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries. Data was also collected on sepsis prevention programs that can be implemented in neonatal units. The outcomes of interest were incidence or incidence density of EOS and LOS, microbiology of EOS and LOS, and data on the metho...

Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 1977

A new set of typing phages was evaluated for typing 821 Staphylococcus epidermidis strains isolat... more A new set of typing phages was evaluated for typing 821 Staphylococcus epidermidis strains isolated from normal human skin and from acne lesions. This method was compared with two different systems for biochemical differentiation of S. epidermidis. Distinct subgroups of cocci, which differed in phage susceptibility as well as in biochemical properties, were found. A tentative subdivision of S. epidermidis strains by use of 16 phages arranged into four groups is proposed, together with additional biochemical differentiation of non-typable strains.

Polish Journal of Microbiology, 2013

Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococci, GBS) constitutes a risk factor for infections of ... more Streptococcus agalactiae (Group B Streptococci, GBS) constitutes a risk factor for infections of the newborns born by colonized mothers. The adherence of GBS to epithelial cells has been proved to be an important factor in the colonization of mucus membranes of both human rectum and vagina. The objective of the study was to assess the adhesion of the selected GBS strains to the human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (HT-29) and human epidermoid vulvo-vaginal cells (A-431) in relation to the capsular polysaccharides and alpha-like protein genes. GBS strains from the human sources belonging to Ia, Ib, II, III and V serotypes possessing different surface alpha-like protein genes such as the alp 2, alp 3, bca, epsilon and rib in the conventional adherence assay were examined. The adherence of GBS strains to the HT-29 cell line was considerably higher than to the A-431 cell line. For GBS serotype Ia and III, a significant difference between the adhesion to the HT-29 and A-431 cell lines wa...

Antimicrobial Resistance and Infection Control, 2013

Infections of the newborns remain one of the most significant problems of the medicine. This proj... more Infections of the newborns remain one of the most significant problems of the medicine. This project aims to determine relationship between illness, resistance, virulence factors (VFs), phylogenetic groups and genotypes among E.coli isolates coming from 6 Polish Neonatal Intensive Care Units, NICUs.