<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The human body is believed to be occupied by around 4 × 1013 microorganism cells, which is 10 times the number of cells of the human body. Multidisciplinary studies conducted worldwide by microbiologists and physicians suggest that the microorganisms which colonize the human body can more actively influence the state of health than previously thought. The most important role in the regulation of the homeostasis is played by ontocenoses of the intestine. Imbalanced taxonomic composition and number of intestinal microbiota may contribute to the development of numerous infectious (HIV), metabolic (diabetes, obesity) and immunological (allergy, asthma, rheumatoid arthritis) diseases, as well as conditions associated with various organs (kidneys, liver, heart, inflammatory bowel disease, Crohn’s disease), cancer (colon) and the nervous system (autism, sleeping problems, stress, chronic fatigue syndrome, schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease). The composition of the intestinal microbiota can be modified by applying a specific type of diet.1. Introduction. 2. Microbiota in the disorders of the immune system. 3. Microbiota in metabolic diseases. 4. Microbiota in cardiovascular diseases. 5. Microbiota in the disorders of the gastrointestinal tract. 6. Microbiota in renal diseases. 7. Microbiota in central nervous system disorders. 8. Regulation of microbiota through functional foods. 9. Conclusions</abstract>

ROLE OF MICROBIOTA IN MAINTAINING THE HOMEOSTASIS IN THE HUMAN BODY

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The Hfq protein is one of the most important regulatory factors acting at the RNA level. This protein was first discovered as a host factor necessary for Qβ bacteriophage development. Following the discovery, the Hfq role in bacteriophage development was not investigated in depth. In subsequent years, however, many studies revealed various riboregulatory functions of this protein, mainly focused on facilitating sRNA and mRNA pairing, regulating both the degradation and stability of many transcripts. The Hfq protein has the ability to bind to nucleic acids – it binds more efficiently to RNA, but can also attach to DNA. It has been also proved that Hfq is involved in the nucleoid organization. These observations open room for discussion on the potential role of Hfq in the regulation of DNA replication. Since Hfq protein affects many cellular processes, the deletion of the gene encoding this protein has a pleiotropic effect on the cell.1. Introduction. 2. The history of the Hfq protein discovery and its evolutionary context. 3. Structure of the Hfq protein and its molecular function. 4. Characteristics of cells devoid of the Hfq protein. 5. Hfq interactions with the DNA. 6. Summary</abstract>

The Hfq protein – a novel view on the well-known riboregulator

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Two <italic>Coronaviruses</italic>, HCoV-229E and HCoV-OC43, causing generally mild respiratory tract infections in humans, were described in the XX c. Pandemic <italic>Coronaviruses</italic> were first discovered as late as in the XXI c.: SARS-HCoV in 2002 – causing severe respiratory tract infections (SARS) in China; MERS-HCoV in 2012 – circulating mostly on the Arabian Peninsula. The SARS epidemic ended in 2004 resulting in morbidity of > 8000 and > 770 deaths, while the MERS epidemic is still ongoing (> 2000 ill, > 700 deaths) although its intensity decreased. Both viruses are zoonotic and require at least two “host jumps” for the transmission of the infection to humans: for HCoV-SARS – from bat to palm civet and then to human; for HCoV-MERS – from bats to camels and subsequently to humans. Primary mode of transmission is droplet in close contact (&lt; 1 m), but both viruses remain active in aerosol (up to 24 h), so infection can be also spread by air (ventilation). The ability for human-to-human transmission is higher for HCoV-SARS than for HCoV-MERS (8 generations vs. 4, respectively). Moreover, there are differences in genome structure and pathogenic mechanisms: different receptor, cell entry mechanism, different way of host response modulation (e.g. inhibition of IFNβ cascade), etc. Probably, these differences influence the overall manifestation of the disease in humans. Infection caused by HCoV-MERS might manifest itself as ARDS, a mild-mannered and asymptomatic disease. HCoV-SARS infections seem to be associated with severe disease only. In this paper, a comparison of the structure of these viruses, the mechanisms underlying their ability to cross the interspecies barrier and to multiply in the human body, including modulation of IFNβ cascade, as well as routes of infection transmission and symptoms caused, were presented.1. Background. 2. Comparison of structure. 3. Transmission of infections. 3.1. Origin of the viruses. 3.2. Interspecies transmission. 4. Infections in humans. 5. Growth of the viruses in the human body. 5.1. Inhibition of interferon cascade. 6. Infections due to MERS- HCoV and SARS-HCoV. 7. Hospital outbreaks. 8. Summary</abstract>

Pandemic <italic>Human Coronavirus</italic>– characterization and comparison of selected properties of HCoV-SARS and HCoV-MERS

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The HPV virus, belonging to papillomaviruses, causes genital, lung, head and neck cancers. It is currently estimated that there are 190 types of HPV. Over 700 million people worldwide are infected with the virus. In the United States, 14 million new infections occur every year. The most common HPV types responsible for carcinogenesis of head and neck areas are types 16 and 18. The virus infects human epithelial cells, for example during a sexual intercourse. Transmission from mother to child during birth is also possible. There is evidence linking HPV with laryngeal cancer, leukoplakia, tonsil cancer or Bowen’s disease. HPV vaccines are available to help prevent infection by certain types of the virus, e.g. 9-valent HPV vaccine called Gardasil-9.1. Introduction. 2. Structure of HPV. 3. Taxonomy. 4. Infection. 5. Pathogenicity. 6. Treatment. 7. Vaccines. 8. Summary</abstract>

Papillomaviruses: HPV as the etiological factor of head and neck cancers

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Relapsing fevers are considered, on the one hand, emerging or re-emerging diseases, and on the other hand, they still belong to neglected diseases which attract little attention of researchers and the public in developed countries. Genus <italic>Borrelia</italic> is divided into two large groups. The first of these is <italic>Borreli aburgdorferi</italic> sensulato– the etiologic agent of Lyme disease, first isolated from the <italic>Ixodesdammini</italic>tick. The second large group of <italic>Borrelia</italic> spirochetes contains more than 20 species associated with relapsing fever, which are mainly transmitted by soft ticks, with the exception of <italic>B. recurrentis</italic> transmitted by lice. Comparision of the DNA of different species within this genus showed that the similarity between them is often small, e.g. the DNA homology between <italic>B. miyamotoi</italic> and <italic>B. burgdorferi</italic> s.s. or <italic>B. garinii</italic> is 13%, and <italic>B. afzelii</italic> only 8%, whereas the <italic>B. miyamotoi</italic> DNA has a profile similar to the representatives of the tick-borne relapsing fevers, such as <italic>B. hermsii</italic> (44%), <italic>B. turicatae</italic> (41%), <italic>B. Parkeri</italic> (51%). Symptoms of relapsing fevers transmitted by lice and by ticks are very similar. The following symptoms are characteristic for both types of relapsing fevers: high fever with sudden onset, chills, severe headache, muscle and joint pain, drowsiness, photophobia and cough.1. Introduction. 2. Systematics – classification. 3. Clinical symptoms. 4. Summary</abstract>

Relapsing fevers

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Fluoroquinolones(FQ) are broad-spectrum antimicrobial agents widely used to treat a range of infections in clinical medicine. However, the surveillance studies demonstrate that fluoroquinolone resistance rates increased in <italic>Enterobacteriaceae</italic> in the past years. FQ inhibit bacterial DNA synthesis by interfering with the action of two bacterial enzymes - DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV. There are two categories of quinolone resistance mechanisms: chromosomally encoded and acquired. Mutations in chromosomal genes encoding gyrase and topoisomerase IV are the most common mechanisms responsible for high-level fluoroquinolone resistance. Mutations can occur also in regulatory genes which control the expression of native efflux pumps located in bacterial membrane. Furthermore, three mechanisms of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance (PMQR) have been discovered so far, including Qnr proteins, the aminoglycoside acetylotransferase variant - AAC(6’)-Ib-cr, and plasmid-mediated efflux pumps - QepA and OqxAB. Although the PMQR mechanisms alone cause only low-level resistance to fluoroquinolone, they can complement other mechanisms of chromosomal resistance and facilitate the selection of higher-level resistance. Moreover, plasmids with PMQR mechanisms often encode additional resistance traits (ESBLs, pAmpC, KPC) contributing to multidrug resistance (MDR). This review is focused on a range of molecular mechanisms which underlie quinolone resistance.1. Introduction. 2. Mechanisms of fluoroquinolone action. 3. Chromosomally-encoded fluoroquinolone resistance. 3.1. Mutations changing the functions of target enzymes. 3.2. Reduction of drug concentration in the cytoplasm - efflux pump. 4. Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance. 4.1. Qnr proteins. 4.2. AAC(6’)-Ib-cr enzyme. 4.3. Plasmid-mediated efflux pump: QepA i OqxAB. 4.4. The impact of PMQR on fluoroquinolone susceptibility level. 5. Summary</abstract>

Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance – PMQR MECHANIZMY OPORNOŚCI NA FLUOROCHINOLONY

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">In the early twentieth century, <italic>Francisella tularensis</italic> was identified as a pathogenic agent of tularaemia, one of the most dangerous zoonoses. Based on its biochemical properties, infective dose and geographical location<italic></italic>, four subspecies have been distinguished within the species <italic>F. tularensis</italic>: the highly infectious <italic>F. tularensis</italic> subsp. <italic>tularensis</italic> (type A) occurring mainly in the United States of America, <italic>F. tularensis</italic> subsp. <italic>holarctica</italic> (type B) mainly in Europe, <italic>F. tularensis</italic> subsp. <italic>mediasiatica</italic> isolated mostly in Asia and <italic>F. tularensis</italic> subsp. <italic>novicida</italic>, non-pathogenic to humans. Due to its ability to infect and variable forms of the disease, the etiological agent of tularaemia is classified by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA) as a biological warfare agent with a high danger potential (group A). The majority of data describing incidence of tularaemia in Poland is based on serological tests. However, real-time PCR method and MST analysis of <italic>F. tularensis</italic> highly variable intergenic regions may be also applicable to detection, differentiation and determination of genetic variation among <italic>F. tularensis</italic> strains. In addition, the above methods could be successfully used in molecular characterization of tularaemia strains from humans and animals isolated in screening research, and during epizootic and epidemic outbreaks.1. Historical overview. 2. Characteristics and taxonomy of <italic>F. tularensis</italic>. 3. Morphology. 4. Culture media and conditions. 5. Biochemical properties. 6. Survivability and persistence of <italic>F. tularensis</italic>. 7. <italic>F. tularensis</italic> as a biological weapon agent. 8. Tularaemia vaccines. 9. Pathogenicity of <italic>F. tularensis</italic>. 10. Tularaemia treatment. 11. Laboratory diagnostics of <italic>F. tularensis</italic>. 12. Summary</abstract>

<italic>FRANCISELLA TULARENSIS</italic>– REVIEW

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><italic>Nocardia</italic> spp. bacteria are Gram-positive aerobes occurring worldwide. They cause nocardiosis, of which the most common forms are pulmonary nocardiosis and cutaneous nocardiosis. The pulmonary form progresses as a result of aspiration of pathogens into the respiratory tract, whereas the cutaneous nocardiosis, can spread to other organs (often to CNS) and includes Madura foot, both mycetoma and systemic. Infections usually affect people with immunodeficiency, for example infected with HIV or after immunosupression therapy. <italic>Nocardia asteroides</italic> is responsible for the majority of infections in humans. Diagnostic methods include cell culture and PCR. The symptoms vary depending on the form of the illness. Cough and hemoptysis are characteristic for pulmonary nocardiosis, while abscesses are typical for the cutaneous form. When the illness spreads, the symptoms vary depending on the organ. The treatment of choice is sulfonamide.1. Introduction. 2. History. 3. Characteristics of <italic>Nocardia</italic> spp. 4. Systematics. 5. Pathogenicity. 6. Diagnostics. 7. Treatment. 8. Summary</abstract>

<italic>Nocardia</italic> spp. – characteristics, pathogenicity, treatment

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Advancements of Microbiology

 The Advancements of Microbiology (formerly Postępy Mikrobiologii) is a quarterly of the Polish Society of Microbiologists. The journal was founded in 1961, initially under the patronage of the Microbiology Committee of the Polish Academy of Sciences, and in 1989 it became the organ of the PSM. The following professors have served as Editors-in-Chief of Postępy Mikrobiologii during the period: Prof. Edmund Mikulaszek 1962 – 1972, Prof. Władysław Tomasz Dobrzański 1972 – 1982, Prof. Zdzislaw Ilczuk 1983 – 1991, Prof. Jerzy Hrebenda 1991 – 2009, Prof. Jacek Bielecki 2009 – 2022. Journal implements the Society’s main goals, like promoting the development of microbiological sciences, popularizing the achievements of microbiology among members of the Society and broad circles of readers.   Advancements of Microbiology is topical journal for scientists in several microbiological fields and often the place where the first works of young researchers are published. Advancements of Microbiology include review articles from all areas of microbiology that are not printed in other journals. Please send manuscripts with attachments to the editor's e-mail address: editorial.office@am-online.org   Due to the great thematic diversity of the articles sent to the editorial office, it is not possible to print monographic volumes. Most of the papers currently published in Advancements of Microbiology are review articles in the field of bacterial physiology, microbial genetics, environmental microbiology, applied microbiology and virology; the work in the field of epidemiology, classification and identification of bacteria and applications of molecular biology techniques in microbiological research are particularly extensive.   The editors of Advancements of Microbiology strive to print works – ordered by eminent scientists – regarding currently fashionable problems of modern science. We especially encourage Authors to write articles in the field of their expertise, which guarantees the highest scientific level. The high scientific level of the journal was reflected in the progress of the JCR citation index and the presence of our journal on the Philadelphia list. It is especially important for young Authors, for whom Advancements of Microbiology often open the way to a scientific career. The current activity of Advancements of Microbiology is based mainly on publishing reviews related to the latest scientific achievements in the field of microbiology, which, at present is characterized by unusual dynamics of development and comprehensive application possibilities. The selection of current and relevant research topics and their presentation at a high scientific level in our journal is the basis for the existence of the quarterly, Advancements of Microbiology.   Open Access Policy   This journal provides immediate open access to its content under the Creative Commons CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license　on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. Under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license users are free to share the work (copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format), if the contribution is properly attributed and used for non-commercial purposes. The material published in the journal may not be altered or built upon.   ABOUT SOCIETY   The origin of microbiology in Poland goes back to the XIX century. Professor Odo Feliks Kazimierz Bujwid (1857 – 1942) – was the first Polish bacteriologist, who graduated from the University of Warsaw and gained experience in Berlin working with Robert Koch, and in Paris at the Ludwik Pasteur Institute.   The Polish Society of Microbiologists (PSM), formerly the Polish Society of Microbiologists and Epidemiologists, was established in Warsaw on October 31, 1927 at the first Congress of Polish microbiologists. Professor Zygmunt Szymanowski was elected the first President of PSM. The same year, PSM also became cofounder of Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) and since 2005 PSM is a member of European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID).   Within over 95 years of activity, 29 Congresses of PSM were organized and 16 professors were elected as Presidents of PSM. About 900 ordinary members and 19 honorary members, associated in 14 PSM branches all over Poland, belong to the Society.   The aims of PSM have been the same since its very beginnings: to promote the development of microbiological sciences and to popularize the achievements of microbiology among the Society’s members and the broad public. PSM organizes congresses, scientific meetings, courses and lectures and competitions of scientific papers. Two quarterly journals, the Polish Journal of Microbiology and the Advancements in Microbiology are issued by PSM. The Society formulates opinions on the conditions and needs of Polish microbiology and applies in these cases to the state authorities; cooperates with related associations in the country and abroad.   Archiving   Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico – a digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.   Plagiarism Policy   The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System’s users to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 

Advancements of Microbiology

Volume 57 (2018): Issue 1 (January 2018)

ROLE OF MICROBIOTA IN MAINTAINING THE HOMEOSTASIS IN THE HUMAN BODY

The Hfq protein – a novel view on the well-known riboregulator

Pandemic Human Coronavirus– characterization and comparison of selected properties of HCoV-SARS and HCoV-MERS

Papillomaviruses: HPV as the etiological factor of head and neck cancers

Relapsing fevers

Plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance – PMQR MECHANIZMY OPORNOŚCI NA FLUOROCHINOLONY

FRANCISELLA TULARENSIS– REVIEW

Nocardia spp. – characteristics, pathogenicity, treatment

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