WINNING ABSTRACT: Continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) is a well known and safe method of treatment patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The effects of CPAP administration on the upper respiratory tract are... more
WINNING ABSTRACT: Continuous positive airways pressure (CPAP) is a well known and safe method of treatment patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS). The effects of CPAP administration on the upper respiratory tract are known. However its effects on the lower respiratory tract still needs to be determined. Studies on bronchial hyperreactivity in patients treated by CPAP are contradictory. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of a 3-week CPAP treatment in patients with OSAS and to evaluate associations between changes in bronchial reactivity and clinical features of OSAS and lung function tests (LFT). Patients with newly diagnosed OSAS and lack of infection or chronic illness of the respiratory tract or other conditions which could influence bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) were included. Investigations were performed in 101 patients. There were 88 males and 13 females, mean age 51.5¡11.2 years and BMI 32.6¡5.4 kg?m-2. Qualified patients were randomly divided ...
WINNING ABSTRACT: Monitoring the efficacy of anti-TB therapy is crucial for the better control of the spread of MTB infection, but it is often difficult especially for patients without microbiological confirmation of the disease. IGRAs... more
WINNING ABSTRACT: Monitoring the efficacy of anti-TB therapy is crucial for the better control of the spread of MTB infection, but it is often difficult especially for patients without microbiological confirmation of the disease. IGRAs are novel indirect blood tests for M. tuberculosis infection and a promising marker of mycobacterial burden and disease activity. To describe our experience with the use of the QuantiFERON-TB Gold In tube assay for monitoring of anti-TB therapy in patients with active disease 30 patients with active TB, all HIV-negative and BCG-vaccinated at birth, were studied before and after three and eight months of anti-TB therapy. The whole blood QFT G In tube assay was used to measure the MTB-specific IFN-gamma responses. Before therapy 28/30 patients had positive results in QFT G In tube (QFT) and two – indeterminate. Three months after initiation of treatment all subjects tested were found positive. On month eight a significant decrease of MTB-specific respon...
