Biology subjects

Nowicka, J.

Publications and source records attributed to Nowicka, J..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2022

Wild red deer (Cervus elaphus) do not play a role as vectors or reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2 in north-eastern Poland.

Several studies reported a high prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 among white-tailed deer in North America. Monitoring cervids in all regions to better understand SARS-CoV-2 infection and circulation in other deer populations has been urged. To evaluate deer exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in Poland, we sampled 90 reed deer individuals shot by hunters in five hunting districts in northeastern Poland. Serum and nasopharyngeal swabs were collected, and then the Immunofluorescent Assay (IFA) to detect anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was performed as well as real-time PCR with reverse transcription for direct virus detection. No positive samples were detected. There is no evidence of spillover of SARS-CoV-2 from the human to deer population in Poland.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Serological surveillance for wild rodent infection with SARS-CoV-2 in Europe

We report serological surveillance for exposure to SARS-CoV-2 in 1,237 wild rodents and other small mammals across Europe. All samples were negative with the possible exception of one. Given the ongoing circulation of this virus in humans and potential host jumps, we suggest such surveillance be continued.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

The processing of staphylococcal biofilm images from Fluorescence and Confocal Microscopy to assess in vitro efficacy of antiseptic molecules

The staphylococcal biofilms are major causative factors of non-healing wound infections. Their treatment algorithms recommend the use of locally applied antiseptic agents to counteract the spread of infection. The efficacy of antiseptics against biofilm is assessed in vitro by a set of standard quantitative and semi-quantitative methods. The development of software for image processing allowed to obtain quantitative data also from microscopic images of biofilm dyed with propidium iodine and SYTO-9 reagents, differentiating dead cells from the live ones. In this work, the method of assessment of the impact of antiseptic agents on staphylococcal biofilm in vitro, based on biofilms processed images, was proposed and scrutinized with regard to clinically-relevant antiseptics. Taking into account the fact that in vitro results of the efficacy of antiseptic agents against staphylococcal biofilm are frequently applied to back up their use in hospitals and ambulatory units, our work should be considered an important tool providing reliable, quantitative data with this regard.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2021

Seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii among sylvatic rodents in Poland

Toxoplasma gondii is a significant pathogen affecting humans and animals. We conducted seromonitoring for T. gondii in four sylvatic rodent species in Poland. We report an overall seroprevalence of 5.5% (3.6% for Myodes glareolus and 20% for other vole species). Seroprevalence in bank voles varied significantly between host age and sex.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2020

Zoonotic viruses in three species of voles (Microtus spp.) from Poland

Rodents are known to be reservoir hosts for a plethora of zoonotic viruses and therefore play a significant role in the dissemination of these pathogens. We trapped three vole species (Microtus arvalis, M. oeconomus and M. agrestis) in N.E. Poland, all of which are widely distributed species in Europe, and, using immunofluorescence assays, we assessed serum samples for the presence of antibodies to hantaviruses, arenaviruses and cowpox viruses (CPXV). We detected antibodies against CPXV and Puumala virus (PUUV), overall seroprevalence of combined viral infections of 18.2% [10.5-29.3] and mostly attributed to CPXV. Antibodies to Tula hantavirus, typical for Microtus voles, are known to cross-react strongly with the PUUV antigen used in PUUV screening, but we detected only one PUUV/TULV cross-reaction in Microtus arvalis (1.3% [0.1-7.9]). We found antibodies against CPXV in all three Microtus spp. Seroprevalence was similar in all vole species. There were no significant differences in seroprevalence between the sexes and among host age categories. Our results contribute to the increasing understanding of CPXV abundance in voles in Europe, and confirm that CPXV circulates also in Microtus spp. voles in NE Poland.

microbiology↗