Jacek Czepiel

Publications of Jacek Czepiel

• [Interleukin 8 and interferon gamma in ocular toxoplasmosis].

  Authors: Jacek Czepiel, Grazyna Biesiada, Iwona Sobczyk-Krupiarz, Grazyna Miklasszewska, Danuta Fedak, Bogdan Solnica, Tomasz Mach, Aleksander Garlicki

  Klinika oczna. 01/2011; 113(4-6):149-52.

  Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic infections in the world, it is caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The infection is typically asymptomatic or the symptoms are very mild. Approximately 10%Toxoplasmosis is one of the most common parasitic infections in the world, it is caused by Toxoplasma gondii. The infection is typically asymptomatic or the symptoms are very mild. Approximately 10% patients have limphadenopathy, involvement of the others organs, like eyes, nervous system, liver, heart, are observed more rarely. The aim of our study was to assess the level of selected cytokines in blood among patients with ocular toxoplasmosis. We have enrolled in the study 30 patients, 19-42 years old, treated for ocular toxoplasmosis, and 20 healthy volunteers, 20-48 years old, to the control group. Tests for blood morphology, C-reactive protein, the level of IL-8 and IFN-gamma were performed in all patients. The blood parameters in toxoplasmosis group were performed before antiparasitic treatment was given. The level of IFN-gamma in blood was lower among patients with ocular toxoplasmosis comparing with control group (1.52 vs. 4.18 pg/ml; p = 0.002). The level of IL-8 in blood was lower among patients with ocular toxoplasmosis comparing with control group (22.96 vs. 94.3 pg/ml; p = 0,007). There were no correlations between analyzed cytokines and blood morphology or CRP. The low level of IFN-gamma and IL-8 in blood is important factor leading to reactivation of the ocular toxoplasmosis.

• The effect of TCDD dioxin on the rat liver in biochemical and histological assessment.

  Authors: Jacek Czepiel, Grazyna Biesiada, Mariusz Gajda, Wojciech Szczepański, Kinga Szypuła, Zbigniew Dabrowski, Tomasz Mach

  Folia biologica. 01/2010; 58(1-2):85-90.

  Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each. Two groups received different intraperitoneal doses of TCDD (0.75 and 8 microg) in DMSO solution and the third group (control)Eighteen male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups of 6 animals each. Two groups received different intraperitoneal doses of TCDD (0.75 and 8 microg) in DMSO solution and the third group (control) received only DMSO on days 0, 7 and 14. On day 21 the animals were sacrificed, and then blood tests, pathological examination and CYP1A1 activity measurement were performed. In rats that received a high dose of dioxin (8 microg) hepatic lobules revealed parenchymal degeneration and vacuolization of hepatocytes was observed, and also an increased CYP reaction was found in central parts of lobules, around the central vein. The reaction in control and low dose groups was weak. The resorufin level was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the group receiving a low dose of dioxin as compared to the control group. The study confirmed that TCDD damages the rat liver in a dose-dependent manner. Administration of high TCDD doses causing major liver damage also damaged CYP1A1 (based on higher resorufin levels in epiluminescence). TCDD activates CYP1A1, which was confirmed by increased immunohistochemical reactivity of central areas ofhepatic lobules.

• [Neurological complications among patients with zoster hospitalized in Department of Infectious Diseases in Cracow in 2001-2006].

  Authors: Grazyna Biesiada, Jacek Czepiel, Iwona Sobczyk-Krupiarz, Tomasz Mach, Aleksander Garlicki

  Przegla̧d lekarski. 01/2010; 67(3):149-50.

  Herpes zoster is an infectious disease caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV). After replication at the place of entry, VZV spreads via the blood into the skin and mucosa, causing the varicella. FromHerpes zoster is an infectious disease caused by varicella zoster virus (VZV). After replication at the place of entry, VZV spreads via the blood into the skin and mucosa, causing the varicella. From these regions VZV migrates into the sensory ganglia where it establishes a latent infection. The aim of our study was to analyze the localization of the skin changes and correlations of neurological complications among patient with zoster. We have reviewed medical documentation of the 67 patients with herpes zoster, hospitalized in our Department during the years 2001-2006. We have studied localization of the herpes zoster changes and frequency of neurological complications among these patients. Neuralgia was less intensive and last shorter time, when antiviral treatment had been started earlier. Neuralgia, meningitis, encephalitis and complications of the eye zoster were present more often among patients over 65 years old.

• [The analysis of epidemiology, clinical symptoms, serological tests in the course of borreliosis].

  Authors: Grazyna Biesiada, Jacek Czepiel, Maciej Leśniak, Aleksander Garlicki, Tomasz Mach

  Przegla̧d lekarski. 01/2010; 67(3):181-3.

  Lyme disease is an animal-borne disease, caused by spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). The infection is transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes ricinus species. Humans are infected through aLyme disease is an animal-borne disease, caused by spirochetes of the Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). The infection is transmitted by ticks of the Ixodes ricinus species. Humans are infected through a tick bite to the skin. The aim of the study was evaluation of epidemiology, symptoms and serologic factors in Lyme disease. We have enrolled 39 patients from Malopołska region in the study treated for Lyme borreliosis. History of tick biting, clinical signs and symptoms and serological tests were evaluated. The most common symptoms were headaches and pain of the large joints. Patients with untreated erithema migrans (EM) more often developed symptoms from nervous system (83%) than joints (54%). We found abnormalities which confirmed inflammation in CSF in 24.3% of patients. Patients with positive IgG antibodies against Bb in CSF and confirmed their intrathecal synthesis had never had EM in the past. There is low percentage of the patients who were treated due to EM. Patients with untreated EM more often developed symptoms from nervous system than joints. The most common symptoms among our patients were headaches and pain of large joints.

• Levels of sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 in patients with lyme disease.

  Authors: Grazyna Biesiada, Jacek Czepiel, Iwona Sobczyk-Krupiarz, Dominika Salamon, Aleksander Garlicki, Tomasz Mach

  Polskie archiwum medycyny wewnȩtrznej. 05/2009; 119(4):200-4.

  INTRODUCTION: Lyme disease is a multi-organ animal-borne disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). OBJECTIVES: As the pathogenesis of Lyme borreliosis is not fully understood, theINTRODUCTION: Lyme disease is a multi-organ animal-borne disease caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi (Bb). OBJECTIVES: As the pathogenesis of Lyme borreliosis is not fully understood, the study has been designed to examine levels of soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in serum and the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with Lyme borreliosis and their associations with clinical signs and symptoms and anti-Borrelia burgdorferi (anti-Bb) antibody titers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Sixty-four patients were enrolled in the study, including 39 patients treated for Lyme borreliosis and 25 without the disease (control group). In both groups sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels were determined in serum and the CSF. RESULTS: Mean serum sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 levels were higher in patients with Lyme borreliosis than in the control group. Serum sICAM-1 levels were significantly lower among patients with results positive for immunoglobulin M seroreactivity with Bb than among those with negative antibody responses. In patients with Bb-specific serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies, significantly higher serum sICAM-1 levels were found. Higher sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1 levels in the CSF were observed in patients positive for anti-Bb IgG antibody titers in the CSF. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with Lyme borreliosis, endothelial cell activation results in elevated levels of sICAM-1 and sVCAM-1 in serum and the CSF.

• Viral hepatitis C.

  Authors: Jacek Czepiel, Grazyna Biesiada, Tomasz Mach

  01/2009; 118(12):734-40.

  Hepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. According to World Health Organization data, 3% of the world population (approximately 170 million people) is infected with HCV; inHepatitis C is caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. According to World Health Organization data, 3% of the world population (approximately 170 million people) is infected with HCV; in Poland there are over 700,000. Over 70% of those infected manifest no symptoms in the acute phase of the disease, and in about 70-80% the acute phase progresses into a chronic form. Patients with symptoms in the acute phase of HCV infection most commonly present with unspecific signs and symptoms that may develop in other viral liver infections, e.g. malaise, fatigue, abdominal pain, mild hepato- and splenomegaly and arthralgia. These symptoms usually persist for 2 to 12 weeks. In the chronic phase a subset of patients complain of malaise, nausea, abdominal pain and itching. With time, chronic hepatitis C may develop into liver cirrhosis. The basic diagnostic methods in HCV infection involve determination of anti-HCV antibodies using the ELISA immunoassay and examination of HCV-RNA with the RT-PCR method. The current treatment of HCV infection involves administration of pegylated interferon a and ribavirin over a period of 48 weeks in HCV-1 genotype infection, and 24 weeks for HCV-2 and 3 genotypes. Effectiveness of therapy depends on the HCV genotype. HCV elimination can be achieved in 78% of patients with HCV-2 and 3 genotypes, and in 55% of patients with HCV-1 genotype.

• [Neopterin in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in Lyme disease].

  Authors: Grazyna Biesiada, Jacek Czepiel, Aleksander Garlicki, Tomasz Mach

  Przegla̧d lekarski. 01/2009; 66(9):508-10.

  Lyme disease is a multiorgan disease, caused by spirochetes of Borrelia species. Clinical picture is diverse, borreliosis can affect skin, nervous system, musculoskeletal system and heart. NeopterinLyme disease is a multiorgan disease, caused by spirochetes of Borrelia species. Clinical picture is diverse, borreliosis can affect skin, nervous system, musculoskeletal system and heart. Neopterin is a marker of cytotoxic lymphocytes T activities, it is produced by monocytes/macrophages stimulated with IFNgamma. The aim of our study was to evaluate the level of neopterin in serum and cerebrospinal fluid in borreliosis and correlate it with the symptoms, markers of inflammation in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and serological tests against Borrelia burgdorferi. We have enrolled in the study 39 patients treated for Lyme borreliosis. The level of neopterin in serum was assessed in all patients, among patient with suspicion of neuroborreliosis (n = 33) we assessed the level of neopterin, protein, glucose and chlorium in CSF. The level of neopterin in CSF was lower among patients who were treated due to presence of erithema migrans in their past regarding patients who had never had erithema migrans (p = 0.008). The level of neopterin in CSF was higher (6.6 nmol/l) in patients with the presence of inflammation in CSF versus patients with no changes in CSF (3.8 mmol/l; p = 0.019). There was no correlation between neopterin in serum or CSF and Westernblot test. Patients with neuroborreliosis who had lymphocytic meningitis had higher level of neopterin in CSF. We suggest the role of neopterin in pathogenesis on neuroborreliosis. Neopterin as a marker of cytotoxic lymphocytes T activities can be useful in borreliosis diagnosis but more studies regarding this problem should be done.

• [Analysis of Borrelia burgdorferi genostrains among patients with Lyme disease].

  Authors: Grazyna Biesiada, Jacek Czepiel, Dominika Salamon, Aleksander Garlicki, Anna Dziubek, Barbara Maziarz, Tomasz Mach

  Przegla̧d lekarski. 01/2009; 66(9):511-2.

  Lyme borreliosis is a zoonose which can be transmitted to the humans during Ixodes tick bite to the skin. The disease is caused by bacteria--spirochetes of the Borrelia species, classified asLyme borreliosis is a zoonose which can be transmitted to the humans during Ixodes tick bite to the skin. The disease is caused by bacteria--spirochetes of the Borrelia species, classified as Borrelia burgdorferi strain. In Poland Lyme borreliosis is caused by Borrelia garinii, Borrelia afzelii and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. The presence of Borrelia spielmani was recently reported. The study included 249 patients diagnozed in University Hospital in Krakow due to suspicion of Lyme borreliosis in 2005-2008. Results of serologic tests against borreliosis were analized using Elisa tests (Mikrogen), positive tests were confirmed using Western blot tests (Biomedica). It was found the high percentage of the antibodies in class IgM, which are important in acute phase of borreliosis, typical for Borrelia garinii, whereas in class IgG it was found the prevalence of protein typical for Borrelia afzellii and Borrelia burgdorferi sensu stricto. It was found the high prevalence of the presence VIsE reacting with IgG antibodies. It was noted the presence of Borrelia spielmani genostrain in Poland.

• [The case of Salmonella paratyphi A infection in Poland]

  Authors: Iwona Sobczyk-Krupiarz, Aleksander Garlicki, Grazyna Biesiada, Jacek Czepiel, Paweł Skwara, Dominika Salamon, Tomasz Mach

  Przegla̧d lekarski. 02/2008; 65(2):107-8.

  Paratyphoid fever is an acute infection caused by Salmonella paratyphi A, B or C. The disease is transmitted from person to person by fecal-oral way. Typical for typhoid fever are splenomegaly,Paratyphoid fever is an acute infection caused by Salmonella paratyphi A, B or C. The disease is transmitted from person to person by fecal-oral way. Typical for typhoid fever are splenomegaly, bradycardia, fever, constipation or mild diarrhoea oftten associated with abdominal tenderness. We present the case of patient who was infected by Salmonella paratyphi C while his travelling in Asia.

• [Toxoplasmosis--epidemiology, clinical manifestation and infection in pregnant women]

  Authors: Grazyna Biesiada, Anna Kalinowska-Nowak, Jacek Czepiel, Tomasz Mach

  Przegla̧d lekarski. 02/2006; 63(2):97-9.

  Toxoplasma gondii infection is one of the most popular human zoonosis. Presented is the epidemiology and clinical symptoms of toxoplasmosis with particular attention to infection during pregnancy.Toxoplasma gondii infection is one of the most popular human zoonosis. Presented is the epidemiology and clinical symptoms of toxoplasmosis with particular attention to infection during pregnancy. The paper presents the life cycle of Toxoplasma gondii, routes of transmission and clinical manifectations. The scheme of diagnostic and terapeutic procedures in case of infection during pregnancy is discussed. Congenital infection, serologic diagnostics and clinical symptoms have been described. Treatment of congenital toxoplasmosis is also presented.

• Rheological properties of erythrocytes in patients suffering from erysipelas. Examination with LORCA device.

  Authors: Grazyna Biesiada, Joanna Krzemień, Jacek Czepiel, Aneta Teległów, Zbigniew Dabrowski, Krzysztof Spodaryk, Tomasz Mach

  Clinical hemorheology and microcirculation. 02/2006; 34(3):383-90.

  The rheological properties of erythrocytes: elongation and the aggregation, as well as basic peripheral blood parameters: RBC number, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC reticulocytes, fibrinogen level, ESR,The rheological properties of erythrocytes: elongation and the aggregation, as well as basic peripheral blood parameters: RBC number, hematocrit, MCV, MCH, MCHC reticulocytes, fibrinogen level, ESR, and glucose level were studied in a group of erysipelas patients. The concentration of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) in erythrocytes was also measured, as an indicator of oxidative stress exerted. The study involved 18 erysipelas patients and 18 healthy subjects. The rheological properties and the aggregation of erythrocytes were studied with the use of a LORCA instrument (Laser-assisted Optical Rotational Cell Analyser). Differences were found in elongation index (EI) between the blood control (C) and patients (P), with an increase of this value only at 0.58 Pa shear stress and at 1.13 Pa shear stress. Upstroke were used as the indexes of RBC deformability, and the following aggregation parameters: intensity of light scattering in the prior disaggregation (Isc dis) - C - 43.0 au (arbitrary units), P - 44.8 au, time when cells are round and not aggregated (Isc top) - C - 51.6 au, P - 49.3 au, the amplitude of aggregation, the difference between Isc max and Isc min (AMP) - C - 39.9 au, P - 28.7 au, aggregation index (AI) - C - 64.6%, P - 70.0%, time for reach one half of the maximum aggregation (t(1/2)) - C - 2.0 s, P - 1.5 s, threshold shear stress, the lowest force that breaks the aggregation formed (Y(thr)) in P exceed 170% control group were measured. A decrease in the elasticity of erythrocytes in erysipelas patients was associated with the simultaneous increase of MDA - C - 0.08 nM/mgHb, P - 0.11 nM/mgHb content in the membranes of red blood cells. Basic peripheral blood parameters studied in patients with erysipelas did not differ significantly from the control group except for WBC, fibrinogen (C - 3.8 g/l, P - 7.8 g/l), and ESR (C - 6.1 mm/h, P - 45.4 mm/h) which were significantly higher.

• [Outbreak of Lyme borreliosis with joint manifestation--case report]

  Authors: Grazyna Biesiada, Jacek Czepiel, Paweĺ Skwara, Iwona Sobczyk-Krupiarz, Tomasz Mach

  Przegla̧d lekarski. 02/2006; 63(4):231-3.

  Lyme borreliosis is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted into the human body by ticks. The clinical symptoms are associated with skin, joints, heart and nervous system.Lyme borreliosis is caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which is transmitted into the human body by ticks. The clinical symptoms are associated with skin, joints, heart and nervous system. Four groups of antibiotics are used in Lyme borreliosis treatment: penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines and macrolides. We present the case of Lyme borreliosis with outbreak joint manifestation.

• [Pertussis in adult patients]

  Authors: Jacek Czepiel, Grazyna Biesiada, Tomasz Mach

  Polski merkuriusz lekarski : organ Polskiego Towarzystwa Lekarskiego. 12/2005; 19(113):727-9.

  Pertussis is highly contagious respiratory tract disease, which is caused by gram-negative bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It can be difficult to diagnose in adult patients, because of the fact, thatPertussis is highly contagious respiratory tract disease, which is caused by gram-negative bacteria Bordetella pertussis. It can be difficult to diagnose in adult patients, because of the fact, that whooping cough which is the most characteristic symptom of pertussis, is uncommon. Each adult patient with prolonged and nonspecific cough should be considered in a case of pertussis. Erythromycin is an antibiotic of choice in pertussis treatment.

• [Whooping cough in a previously vaccinated patient--case report]

  Authors: Grazyna Biesiada, Jacek Czepiel, Paweł Skwara, Iwona Sobczyk-Krupiarz, Tomasz Mach

  Przegla̧d lekarski. 02/2005; 62(2):133-4.

  Pertussis is an acute contagious human disease caused by gram-negative Coccobacilli Bordetella pertussis. Numerous factors and toxins produced by Bordetella pertussis play important role inPertussis is an acute contagious human disease caused by gram-negative Coccobacilli Bordetella pertussis. Numerous factors and toxins produced by Bordetella pertussis play important role in pathogenicity of the disease. Typical illness has three clinical stages: catarrhal, paroxysmal and convalescent. In therapy erythromycin is the antibiotic of choice. We present a case of pertussis in a seventeen year old, previously vaccinated patient.