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The assessment of the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in various professional groups is very important. Hence, the purpose of the following study was to analyze the seroprevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among employees performing both medical and nonmedical professions before the launch of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. The study was conducted among employers of 1 of the institutions: The Provincial Specialist Hospital of Władysław Biegański in Łódź, Poland, Radio Łódź and the Border Guards of Łódź Airport. Blood samples were collected in December 2020-February 2021. Patients were screened for the presence of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. Simultaneously respondents were asked to complete a self-designed questionnaire including demographic data, detailed profession, history of SARS-CoV-2 infection and willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Seroprevalence was significantly higher in the group of rural residents (p < 0.012), participants who declared previous COVID-19 infection (p < 0.001) and healthcare workers (HCWs) (p = 0.002), especially nurses (35.5%, p = 0.003) and medics worked in areas dedicated to COVID-19 than in other specialties (38.7% vs. 26.8%, respectively, p = 0.017). There was no association between the presence of antibodies and the gender (p = 0.118), age (p = 0.559) or BMI (p = 0.998). Healthcare workers, in particular nurses, are at high risk of contracting COVID-19 in the workplace. Occupational infections can occur during occur not only during contact with the patient, but also with members of the medical team who do not show typical symptoms of the disease. Shortages in medical staff may also increase the number of infections among HCWs. Medical and hospital staff providing health services during the COVID-19 epidemic in Poland, may seek compensation in the event of consequences related to SARS-CoV-2 infection. The effectiveness of education and self-discipline in complying to safety rules among HCWs should also be constantly monitored. Int J Occup Med Environ Health. 2023;36(5):643-55.

Background European bison, Bison bonasus , is a strictly protected species of large mammal, with 25% of the world’s population living in Poland. The most numerous populations of European bison live in the Białowieża Primeval Forest, northeastern Poland, and in the Bieszczady Mountains, southeastern Poland. The purpose of this study was to investigate the occurrence of Anaplasma spp. in B. bonasus from Poland. Methods Tissue samples were collected from 45 European bisons between 2021 and 2024 in the Białowieża and Bieszczady areas. Two genetic markers, 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) and msp4 , were used for the detection, genotyping, and phylogenetic analysis of bacteria from the genus Anaplasma . Results The prevalence of Anaplasma spp. was 40% (18/45) in the examined samples. Anaplasma phagocytophilum was detected in 10 samples, and eight samples were found to be positive for the presence of Anaplasma marginale DNA. Conclusions This study is the first report of A. marginale occurrence in Poland and the first report of A. marginale occurrence in B. bonasus in Europe. Infection by the pathogenic A. marginale in strictly protected species such as the European bison may have an impact on the health, ecology, and conservation of this endangered species. Graphical abstract

Despite direct viral effect, the pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) includes an overproduction of cytokines including interleukin 6 (IL-6). Therefore, tocilizumab (TOC), a monoclonal antibody against IL-6 receptors, was considered as a possible therapeutic option. Patients were selected from the SARSTer database, containing 2332 individuals with COVID-19. Current study included 825 adult patients with moderate to severe course. Analysis was performed in 170 patients treated with TOC and 655 with an alternative medication. The end-points of treatment effectiveness were death rate, need for mechanical ventilation, and clinical improvement. Patients treated with TOC were balanced compared to non-TOC regarding gender, age, BMI, and prevalence of coexisting conditions. Significant effect of TOC on death was demonstrated in patients with baseline IL-6 > 100 pg/mL (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.21, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.08–0.57). The best effectiveness of TOC was achieved in patients with a combination of baseline IL-6 > 100 pg/mL and either SpO2 ≤ 90% (HR: 0.07) or requiring oxygen supplementation (HR: 0.18). Tocilizumab administration in COVID-19 reduces mortality and speeds up clinical improvement in patients with a baseline concentration of IL-6 > 100 pg/mL, particularly if they need oxygen supplementation owing to the lower value of SpO2 ≤ 90%.

Purpose: The pathogenesis of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is complicated, and in addition to antiviral therapy and combating coagulopathy, treatment should also include inhibition of the proinflammatory cytokines overproduction. The purpose of this study is to compare the effectiveness of tocilizumab (TCZ) and dexamethasone (DEX) administered alone or in combination in patients with severe COVID-19. Patients and Methods: Patients were selected from the SARSTer database, containing 3330 individuals with COVID-19 treated between 1 March 2020 and 10 March 2021. The current study included adult patients with baseline oxygen saturation ([SpO.sub.2]) [less than or equal to]90%, requiring regular or non-invasive high-flow oxygen supplementation. Results: Among included 460 patients, 59 were treated with TCZ, 125 with TCZ and DEX, 169 with DEX, and 107 did not receive TCZ nor DEX. The groups were balanced regarding demographics, coexisting diseases, baseline [SpO.sub.2], and comedications with remdesivir or low-molecular-weight heparin. The death rate of 6.8% was significantly lower in patients receiving TCZ alone than each arm (19.6%-23.1%), particularly in patients with interleukin-6 concentration exceeding 100pg/mL (5% vs 22.9%-51.7%, respectively). Analysis of clinical improvement demonstrated doubled, significantly higher rate after 21 and 28 days in patients treated with TCZ alone (60% and 75%, respectively) compared to DEX (27.6% and 37.9%, respectively). The need for mechanical ventilation was similar in all arms. Conclusion: In patients with severe course of COVID-19, particularly those developing cytokine storm, administration of TCZ provides a significantly better effect than DEX regarding survival, clinical improvement, and hospital discharge rate. The combination of TCZ and DEX does not improve therapy effectiveness in patients with severe COVID-19 compared to the administration of TCZ alone. Keywords: SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, tocilizumab, dexamethasone, cytokine storm

Background: Patients with kidney failure are at an increased risk of progression to a severe form of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) with high mortality. The current analysis was aimed to assess the impact of renal failure on the severity of COVID-19 and identify the risk factors of the fatal outcome in this population. Methods: The analysis included patients from the SARSTer database, a national real-world study evaluating treatment for COVID-19 in 30 Polish centers. Data were completed retrospectively and submitted online. Results: A total of 2322 patients were included in the analysis. Kidney failure was diagnosed in 455 individuals (19.65%), of whom 373 presented moderate stage and 82 patients, including 14 dialysis individuals, presented severe renal failure. Patients with kidney failure were significantly older and demonstrated a more severe course of COVID-19. The age, baseline SpO2, the ordinal scale of 4 and 5, neutrophil and platelet count, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and C-reactive protein concentration as well as malignancy and arterial hypertension were the independent predictors of 28-day mortality in logistic regression analysis. Conclusions: Underlying kidney disease in patients with COVID-19 is among the leading factors associated with a higher risk of severe clinical presentation and increased mortality rate.

Nuclease and helicase activities play pivotal roles in various aspects of RNA processing and degradation. These two activities are often present in multi-subunit complexes from nucleic acid metabolism. In the mitochondrial exoribonuclease complex (mtEXO) both enzymatic activities are tightly coupled making it an excellent minimal system to study helicase–exoribonuclease coordination. mtEXO is composed of Dss1 3′-to-5′ exoribonuclease and Suv3 helicase. It is the master regulator of mitochondrial gene expression in yeast. Here, we present the structure of mtEXO and a description of its mechanism of action. The crystal structure of Dss1 reveals domains that are responsible for interactions with Suv3. Importantly, these interactions are compatible with the conformational changes of Suv3 domains during the helicase cycle. We demonstrate that mtEXO is an intimate complex which forms an RNA-binding channel spanning its entire structure, with Suv3 helicase feeding the 3′ end of the RNA toward the active site of Dss1. The mitochondrial RNA degradosome (mtEXO) plays an essential role in the regulation of mitochondrial gene expression and is composed of the 3′-to-5′ exoribonuclease Dss1 and the helicase Suv3. Here the authors present the RNA bound mtEXO crystal structure and give insights into its mechanism.