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The aim of our study was to determine species and genotypes of Cryptosporidium in patients suffering from immunosuppressive illnesses, but also in immunocompetent patients suffering from diarrhoea. A total of 80 samples of faeces were collected from both immunosuppressed and immunocompetent patients. The immunosuppressed patients (65 samples) - 35 adult patients (group A) and 30 children (group B) were hospitalized at the Clinic of Oncohemathology. Samples from immunocompetent humans (15 samples, group C) were taken from patients with clinical signs of acute diarrhoea. With the use of molecular methods targeting the 60 kDa glycoprotein (GP60) gene region, we have identified multiple genotypes of Cryptosporidium. parvum and Cryptosporidium. hominis in immunocompromised, but also in immunocompetent individuals (C. hominis IbA10G2, IeA12G3T3; C. parvum IIaA10G1R1, IIaA11G2R1, IIaA12G2R1, IIaA13G1R1, IIaA14G1R1, IIaA14G2R1, IIaA17G1R1 and IIaA18G1R1). This is the first report of the occurrence of genotypes IIaA10G1R1, IIa12G2R1 and IIaA18G1R1 in human hosts.

The hepatitis B virus (HBV), belonging to the Hepadnaviridae family, is responsible for a global health concern still in the 21st century. The virus is divided into 10 genotypes, which differ in geographical distribution and in their effect on disease progression and transmission, susceptibility to mutations, and response to treatment. There are many methods for diagnostics of HBV and differentiating its genotypes. Various commercial kits based on real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR) and hybridization available, as well as whole genome sequencing or the sequencing of only individual parts of the genomes. We compared a commercial kit AmpliSens HBV-genotype-FRT, based on RT PCR, with an adapted method of amplification of the surface genomic region combined with Sanger sequencing. In the examined samples we identified the A, B, C, D, and E genotypes. By PCR with Sanger sequencing, the genotypes were determined in all 103 samples, while by using the commercial kit we successfully genotyped only 95 samples, including combined genotypes, which we could not detect by sequencing.

Introduction and objective. Research focused on the monitoring of selected heavy metals in ewes' blood. Concentrations of selected toxic elements, lead, cadmium and zinc, in ewes living near an environmentally-loaded area, concerned 15 ewes (aged 3-4 years) in good physical condition, during the spring of 2014 and 2015 in the eastern part of Slovakia. The aim of the research was to determine the concentration of selected heavy metals and state the correlations of selected heavy metals in ewes' blood. Materials and method. Within the period of 2 years, 15 ewe were evaluated. Ewes' blood samples were collected twice during the spring season from a farm located in area Spiš, eastern Slovakia, and then analysed for heavy metal contents. In the area under investigation, contamination with heavy metals was assumed as a result of intensive agricultural development and former mining activities. The level of selected heavy metals in the experimental group of animal blood was determined using an optical spectrophotometry. Results. Statistical analyses were carried out using the Statistica programme. The significant differences between means were calculated by the statistical method of the non-parametric Mann-Whitney´s U test. The statistical test experimental group of ewes in 2014 and 2015 confirmed the presence of selected heavy metals in ewes. The measured values of Cd (P=0.0003), Pb (P=0.0200) and Zn (P=0.0018) showed significant differences when comparing the years 2014 and 2015. Conclusion. The obtained and analysed blood samples confirmed the presence of selected heavy metals in ewes from area of Spiš in eastern Slovakia, which belongs the sub-region or is among the localities environmentally burdened. The conclusions are centred on the population's interest and concern for the environment, as well as on the preoccupation with factors that affect the satisfaction of basic needs, the local agricultural development and former mining activities.

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