The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic response to intra-hepatic and intra-portal allotransplant with pancreatic beta cells in double transgenic mice (dTg) with autoimmune diabetes. The results showed...The purpose of this study was to evaluate the therapeutic response to intra-hepatic and intra-portal allotransplant with pancreatic beta cells in double transgenic mice (dTg) with autoimmune diabetes. The results showed an improvement in metabolic and somatic parameters and an increase in survival rate. Histopathology analysis revealed the presence of transplanted islets and the absence of the inflammatory infiltrate 5 days after the procedure and an increase in insulinemia. In the absence of immunosuppressive drugs, rejection of the transplanted islet seems to appear after 10 weeks, being marked by an increase in blood glucose level. A re-transplantation was performed in one mouse of each group and the glycemia levels recorded after the second transplant were less successful.
Until 2008 poliomyelitis was controlled in Romania by predominantly using Oral Poliovirus Vaccine Sabin (OPV); the alternative vaccination schedule (IPV formalin Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine/OPV) will be implemented st...Until 2008 poliomyelitis was controlled in Romania by predominantly using Oral Poliovirus Vaccine Sabin (OPV); the alternative vaccination schedule (IPV formalin Inactivated Poliovirus Vaccine/OPV) will be implemented starting September 2008. The vaccination coverage with 4 doses of TOPV (trivalent oral polio vaccine) in the first 14 months of life has been > 90% since 1980. In Romania, the risk of the Vaccine-Associated Paralytic Poliomyelitis cases (VAPP) decreased from less than 2 VAPP cases/year in the 1995-2006 interval to 0 VAPP cases in 2007. The serological study was performed in 2006-2007 only in cases with pair serum samples from 28 acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) cases (age = 3 months - 14 years) and from 45 facial paralysis (FP) cases (age -6 months - 4 years 9 months). A high level of vaccinal coverage was shown for all poliovirus serotypes: >95% in AFP serum samples investigated; and for FP serum samples investigated the levels of antibodies against poliovirus (PV) serotypes were 98% for PV type 1; 87% for PV type 2: and 89% for PV type 3. If the European region is polio free since 2002, the risk of wild PV importation from endemic region remains present. The laboratory capacity for the fast detection and molecular investigations of the emergence of the new epidemic strains and a high level of population immunity must be maintained. A national seroprevalence study concerning all three PV serotypes must be performed.
The urinary tract is among the most common sites of bacterial infection and E. coli is by far the most common infecting agent in children and adults of both sexes. In an attempt to evaluate the intrinsic virulence of E....The urinary tract is among the most common sites of bacterial infection and E. coli is by far the most common infecting agent in children and adults of both sexes. In an attempt to evaluate the intrinsic virulence of E. coli uroisolates from children, 54 strains were assessed by using PCR for the presence of five representative genetic determinants coding for adherence systems (pap, sfa/foc, afa), and toxins (hly and cnf). The prevalence of pap, sfa/foc and afa genes was 55%, 54%, and 44%, respectively. Hemolysin-encoding gene hly was detected in 55% strains, while cnf was exhibited by 35% of the screened E. coli isolates. Among the 39 PCR positive strains isolated from children's urine cultures the co-occurrence of the various targeted virulence genes was detected in 30 strains, the virulence profiles identified suggesting the presence of their localization on chromosomal regions known as pathogencity-associated islands. The rapid and reliable detection of the intrinsic virulence potential by this molecular approach could be very useful when evaluating the importance of microorganism pathogenicity versus host's susceptibility for developing an overt symptomatology of infection.
The human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was first isolated in 2001 in the Netherlands (Van der Hoogen and collaborators) from a nasopharyngeal aspirate sampled from an infant. Based on the morphological, biochemical and genetic...The human metapneumovirus (hMPV) was first isolated in 2001 in the Netherlands (Van der Hoogen and collaborators) from a nasopharyngeal aspirate sampled from an infant. Based on the morphological, biochemical and genetic characteristics, the hMPV was initially classified in the genus Metapneumovirus with the avian metapneumovirus (APV), the agent causing the respiratory infections of the upper tract in turkeys and other birds. Subsequently, together with the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), it was classified in the Pneumovirus genus which is a part of the Pneumovirinae subfamily, the Paramyxoviridae family. The aim of the present study was to optimize hMPV molecular detection and to detect the virus in samples form children with respiratory infections in Romania. Two types of RTPCR commercial kits were evaluated for the detection of hMPV. Tests were performed on 28 pharyngeal exudates from children aged from 9 months to 6 years, which were negative for influenza viruses and for Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). Among the tested samples 7 (25%) have been positive for hMPV by RT-PCR. These results document for the first time that hMPV is circulating in Romania and causes respiratory infections, especially in newborns and children under 6 years old.
As knowledge has accumulated on the blood-transmitted pathogenic agents, the contact with biological fluids (blood, plasma, saliva, etc.) from apparently healthy individuals has started to be regarded as a real professio...As knowledge has accumulated on the blood-transmitted pathogenic agents, the contact with biological fluids (blood, plasma, saliva, etc.) from apparently healthy individuals has started to be regarded as a real professional risk for dentists. Theoretically, exposure to a contaminated biological specimen may have as a consequence transmission of infection from patient to dentist, from dentist to patient and from patient to patient via inadequately decontaminated and sterilized dental equipment. The present study is concerned with the analysis of the specific conditions that favor the occurrence of the epidemic process, the estimation of the risk degree of transmission of infections caused by hepatitis B, C viruses as well as of HIV infection in Romania. The data for the study were collected using two processes. First a self reporting survey and secondly an experimental procedure were performed. The testing of dentists' knowledge of blood transmissible diseases and infection control in their offices were performed using a questionnaire with 129 questions. The professional incidents/accidents representing a potential risk were counted using a questionnaire (with 37 questions). Serological markers were tested with ELISA kits. The monitoring of sterilization was accomplished with a questionnaire and biological tests. Many conclusions result from the study. There is an extremely reduced probability and infection transmission from the dentist to the patient. The transmission of infection from the patient to the dentist represents a low risk (for all that, the risk should not be minimized). The rigorous control and observation of infection prevention measures in dental offices is necessary to stop the infection transmission from patient to patient. The dentists' postgraduate training in infection control measures should be completed with knowledge regarding the blood transmissible infections epidemiology. Learning more about the epidemiological process enables the dentists to avoid wrong attitudes and behaviors.
Guanylate kinase is a member of the nucleoside monophosphate (NMP) kinase family, a family of enzymes that despite having a low primary structure identity share a similar fold, which consists of three structurally distin...Guanylate kinase is a member of the nucleoside monophosphate (NMP) kinase family, a family of enzymes that despite having a low primary structure identity share a similar fold, which consists of three structurally distinct regions termed the CORE, LID, and NMP-binding regions. Guanylate kinase (GMPK) is an essential enzyme for the biosynthesis of GTP and dGTP by catalyzing the phosphoryl transfer from ATP to (d)GMP resulting in ADP and (d)GDP. Despite the similar fold of the monomer there is an important difference between GMPKs from prokaryotes and eukaryotes: eukaryotes GMPK are monomers while prokaryotes GMPK are dimmers, tetramers or hexamers. For this reason bacterial GMPKs are possible targets for new antibacterial drugs. Finding new targets for antibacterial therapies is a prior subject in today's medical research. The purpose of this work was to characterize guanylate kinases from both gram positive and gram negative pathogenic bacteria. We started with GMPK from Enterococcus faecalis as gram positive microorganism and Pseudomonas aeruginosa as gram negative representative.
Aluminum compounds have been used as adjuvants in practical vaccination for more than 60 years to induce an early, an efficient and a long lasting protective immunity. Nowadays they are the most widely used adjuvants in...Aluminum compounds have been used as adjuvants in practical vaccination for more than 60 years to induce an early, an efficient and a long lasting protective immunity. Nowadays they are the most widely used adjuvants in both veterinary and human vaccines. Unfortunately these adjuvants do not only cause undesirable side effects, but often induce T-helper type 2 (Th2)-biased responses. In this study we investigated the ability of the bacterial product CANTASTIM (CS) to augment the immune responses to a model antigen, tetanus toxoid (TT). Immunization of mice with TT+CS elicited higher anti-TT IgG antibody levels as compared to mice that received TT alone. Moreover, treatment with TT+CS resulted in a lower IgG1/IgG2a ratio and a stronger in vitro IFN-gamma synthesis by splenocytes and T cells cocultured with macrophages. These data suggest that CS can be used to enhance the magnitude of the immune response and to skew it towards the Th1 type.
The aim of the study was to evaluate several mediators of inflammation in patients with aortic sclerosis in relation to severity of cardiovascular disease. Serum level of cytokines, soluble intracellular adhesion molecul...The aim of the study was to evaluate several mediators of inflammation in patients with aortic sclerosis in relation to severity of cardiovascular disease. Serum level of cytokines, soluble intracellular adhesion molecule 1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 and 9 and their tissue inhibitor TIMP-1, were measured by ELISA and MMPs activity by zymography in 51 aortic sclerosis patients. The increase in MMPs expression positively correlated with their gelatinase activity; also there was a positive correlation between MMP-9 and TIMP-1 serum levels. Moreover, IL-6 concentration positively correlated with both serum level and activity of MMP-9. The level of IL-6 and IL-1Ra were higher in patients with a great burden of atherosclerosis. Noteworthy, statistically significant higher levels of IL-6 were noticed for patients with coronary artery disease. There was a significant increase in IL-6 serum level as well as a significant decrease in IL-1Ra for patients with a history of myocardial infarction. A trend toward higher concentration of inflammatory mediators was noticed in relation to the increase in severity of the aortic valve disease. Our results support the hypothesis of an "inflammatory pattern" associated with AS pathology and suggest the persistence of a chronic inflammation in patients who experienced acute coronary events.
Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in linking innate and adaptive immunity. Migration to the lymph nodes and maturation of DCs are crucial steps in the initiation of specific immune responses. The bacterial produc...Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in linking innate and adaptive immunity. Migration to the lymph nodes and maturation of DCs are crucial steps in the initiation of specific immune responses. The bacterial product CANTASTIM (CS) is a purified extract of Pseudomonas aeruginosa that induces non-specific protection against bacterial infection, enhances macrophage effector functions and modulates cytokines production. In this study, we used a mouse skin explant culture model and human monocyte-derived DCs to study the effect of CS on the migration and maturation of DCs, respectively. We noticed a significant increase in the number of DCs which migrated from the skin explants when CS was added to the culture medium. Also, CS was able to induce the expression of maturation-associated marker CD83 on human monocyte-derived DCs. DC-based tumor vaccines represent a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy and the migration rate and maturation state of DCs are important parameters for their clinical effectiveness. CS may be an attractive candidate to be tested for the production of DC-based vaccine.
We report the effects of reactive oxygen species generated by ultraviolet-A radiation on some biochemical parameters specific for oxidative stress, in rat testis homogenates. Results show an increase in lipid peroxidatio...We report the effects of reactive oxygen species generated by ultraviolet-A radiation on some biochemical parameters specific for oxidative stress, in rat testis homogenates. Results show an increase in lipid peroxidation products under ultraviolet-A exposure, and suggest that the involved mechanism is typical for a radical-mediated chain reaction. The amount of SH groups also increases during irradiation, probably as a consequence of conformational changes in proteins. Electrophoresis results revealed protein pattern changes mainly in the low molecular weight domain. The catalytic activities of alkaline phosphatase and gamma-glutamil transpeptidase are modified under the oxidative conditions generated by reactive oxygen species. The changes of the enzymatic activities are UVA exposure time-dependent, suggesting that conformational modifications are responsible for enzymatic activities enhancement.
The immunoglobulin G (IgG) avidity test has proved to be a highly useful test in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, especially in combination with conventional serological assays. Acute infections at the ti...The immunoglobulin G (IgG) avidity test has proved to be a highly useful test in the diagnosis of toxoplasmosis during pregnancy, especially in combination with conventional serological assays. Acute infections at the time of gestation predispose the offspring to the risk of congenital toxoplasmosis. The IgG avidity test was developed to differentiate between recent and more distant infection; this method is valuable in the situation in which a single serum sample is obtained in the first trimester of pregnancy. This paper describes the utility of IgG avidity test during pregnancy, and its role in ruling out, by a high avidity, a recently acquired infection. Testing for specific IgG avidity has been reported to be useful for confirmatory testing in patients who have positive IgG and IgM antibodies.
Poliomyelitis, an acute disease of the the central nervous system can be controlled through the use of inactivated virus vaccine (IPV) or live attenuated vaccine (OPV). The goal of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative...Poliomyelitis, an acute disease of the the central nervous system can be controlled through the use of inactivated virus vaccine (IPV) or live attenuated vaccine (OPV). The goal of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative is to stop the global transmission of poliovirus. Our study is a retrospective and prospective study that was made because in 2002 was isolated from one acute flaccid paralysis AFP case and eight healthy contacts belonging to the same small socio-cultural group having a low vaccine coverage living in Babadag a town in Romania a serotype 1 vaccine-derived poliovirus (VDPV), recombinant S1/S2/S1. The 67 poliovirus strains isolated in Romania between 2001-2006 from acute flaccid paralysis cases (AFP) (n=20, age = 3 months - 10 years), facial paralysis cases (FP) (n=5, age = 3 months - 3.7 years) and healthy's AFP contacts (n=42, age = 2 months - 5.10 years) were molecular investigated to confirm the vaccine origin of these strains and for the detection of recombinant strains. The identification of these strains was achieved through reverse transcription (RT), polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphisme assays (RFLP) applied to two sequences of the viral genome, which are located in VP1-2A (2870 nt - 3648 nt) and 3D (6086nt - 6516 nt) regions. For the strains investigated in VP1-2A region, the RFLP profils after digestion with 3 restriction enzymes (Rsal, Ddel, Hinf l) were Sabin-like only with one exception, VDPV strain. In 3D region after digestion with one, two or three enzymes the genomes of most poliovirus (PV) strains were found to be similar to the original vaccine Sabin strain. In 9 AFP cases the profils detected after RFLP in 3D region were S3/S1 (n=3); S3/52 (n=2); S2/S1 (n=2), S2/S1 + S2 (n=2). In 3 FP cases the profils were S3/S2 (n=2), 53/S1 (n=1). In 11 healthy contacts the RFLP profiles in 3D region were S3/S2 (n=6); S1/S1 +S3 (n=1); S3/S1 + S2 (n=1), S3/S2 + S3 (n=1), S2 + S3/S1 (n=1), S1/S2 (n=1).
Solar-degrading bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, were isolated from Egyptian soil by Mineral Salt Medium (MSM) supplemented with Solar (motor fuel) from different oil-contaminated sites in Sohag province. The st...Solar-degrading bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, were isolated from Egyptian soil by Mineral Salt Medium (MSM) supplemented with Solar (motor fuel) from different oil-contaminated sites in Sohag province. The strain AA301 of Pseudomonas aeruginosa showed appreciable growth in MSM medium containing high concentrations of Solar ranging from 0.5 to 3% (v/v), with optimum concentration at 1.5%. Solar was used as a sole carbon source and a source of energy by the bacterium. The ability to degrade Solar was found to be associated with a single 60-kb plasmid designated pSOL15. The plasmid-cured variant, which was obtained by culturing in LB broth with kanamycin, lost the plasmid indicative the ability to degrade Solar must depend on this plasmid. The wild type isolate, Pseudomonas aeruginosa AA301 and transformant strain, have maximum growth (OD600 = approximately 2) on Solar, however the plasmid-cured variant did not have any significant growth on Solar. Moreover, resistance to a wide range of heavy metals such as Mn2+, Hg2+, Mg2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+ was also 60-kb plasmid-mediated. Therefore, the strain AA301 could be good candidate for remediation of some heavy metals and oil hydrocarbons in heavily polluted sites.
Viruses are an important cause of myocarditis, particularly the enterovirus group B coxsackievirus. Viral infection may be suspected on the basis of history and presentation and can be proved by direct or serological ide...Viruses are an important cause of myocarditis, particularly the enterovirus group B coxsackievirus. Viral infection may be suspected on the basis of history and presentation and can be proved by direct or serological identification of virus. Twenty-five patients were diagnosed with acute myocarditis and were investigated with a serologic test battery covering Coxsackie viruses group B types 1 to 5 at the National Reference Center for Enteroviruses in Cantacuzino Institute Bucharest, Romania. A possible Coxsakie B virus etiology could be documented in 11 from 25 cases with acute myocarditis and high titers against Coxsackie virus B type 2 (1 patient), type 3 (5 patients) and type 5 (in 4 patients) were detected. In one HIV positive patient (17 years old), a concomitant infection with Coxsackie virus B types 2 and 4 was detected. The earlier detection of enterovirus myocarditis could be followed by antiviral therapies with a potential therapeutic role.
OBJECTIVE: This study was to search how change with age of IFN-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels of leprosy patients who had received or still undergoing treatment, their healthy close relatives and healthy people. METHOD: From a...OBJECTIVE: This study was to search how change with age of IFN-gamma (IFN-gamma) levels of leprosy patients who had received or still undergoing treatment, their healthy close relatives and healthy people. METHOD: From a total of 39 patients, 28 had received leprosy treatment and recovered with some defects [17 Lepromatous Leprosy(LL), 7 Borderline Lepromatous (BL), 3 Borderlien Tuberculoid (BT), 1 Tuberculoid form (TT)] and 11 (9 LL, 2 BL) were undergoing therapy in a hospital at that moment. Close relatives of the patients included 39 people living with treated patients in the same house and the control group consisted of 39 healthy people. Human IFN-gamma kits were used as a solid phase sandwich ELISA method. RESULTS: The IFN-gamma values of treated leprosy patients, therapy receiving patients, relatives group's and control group's were detected as 11-20 pg/mL, 11-18 pg/mL, 12-145 pg/mL and 12-65 pg/mL respectively. CONCLUSION: According to the statistical evaluation of these three groups, IFN-gamma levels of patients were detected lower than other two groups. According to the age, if IFN-gamma levels were compared, it was detected that significant relationship between relatives groups and interferon gamma levels.
Bacteremia is the principal way of dissemination of local infections to distant organs. Escherichia coli bacteremia is almost always clinically significant, suggesting an increased risk of developing sepsis syndrome. Fif...Bacteremia is the principal way of dissemination of local infections to distant organs. Escherichia coli bacteremia is almost always clinically significant, suggesting an increased risk of developing sepsis syndrome. Fifty-one E. coli bloodstream human isolates were analyzed using PCR technique for several molecular markers associated with extraintestinal virulence, and their phylogenetic group assignment, taking into account the link between the phylogenetic background and the intrinsic virulence of this species. Sixteen virulence genotypes have been identified, the majority of the blood isolates carrying the association of two genes. The genes encoding type 1 fimbria and aerobactin had the highest prevalence. As a confirmation of other studies, the strains assigned to E. coli phylogenetic group B2 exhibited the highest concentration of virulence genes, and represented almost half of the clinical blood isolates. The multifactorial virulence of E. coli strains isolated from invasive infections reflects a phylogenetic inheritance, and supports the concept of ExPEC pathotype as a subset of E. coli population involved in human infectious diseases. The surveillance of geographical variation of E. coli pathogenic clones is useful for epidemiological analysis.
Zugravu R, Licker M, Berceanu-Văduva D
… +9 more, Rădulescu M, Adămuţ M, Dragomirescu L, Branea D, Hogea E, Muntean D, Mihaela DP, Moldovan R, Loredana GP
From 1911 outpatients, who addressed a Timişoara private clinical laboratory, from January to December 2005, we collected 1,889 urine cultures, 431 being positive. Bacteria identification was generally done using morphol...From 1911 outpatients, who addressed a Timişoara private clinical laboratory, from January to December 2005, we collected 1,889 urine cultures, 431 being positive. Bacteria identification was generally done using morphological, cultural, biochemical characters and pathogenicity tests. Sensitivity testing to antimicrobial medical drugs was done by using the classical diffusion Kirby-Bauer method and the automatic analyzer Osiris, also. The main bacteria involved in the etiology of these infections were represented by Enterobacteriaceae, head of the list being Escherichia coli (81.21%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (8.35%) and Proteus mirabilis (3.02%). We also isolated Gram positive cocci (in a much smaller proportion), mainly represented by Enterococcus faecalis (1.16%), Staphylococcus aureus (0.93%), Streptococcus agalactiae, and also Gram negative non-fermentative bacilli, such as Pseudomonas aeruginosa (0.93%) or Acinetobacter baumanii (0.23%). As soon as we performed the sensitivity tests, we divided them in resistance phenotypes: Most of the Enterobacteriaceae were integrated in the wild phenotype, followed by the penicillinase producing phenotype. An E. coli strain (0.29%) and 3 Klebsiella pneumoniae strains (8.33%) were integrated in the large spectrum, multidrug resistant, beta-lactamase producing phenotype, also associated with resistance to fluoroquinolones and aminoglycosides; Non-fermentative bacilli did not present special resistance problems, the four Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were integrated in the wild phenotype (secreting induced chromosomal cephalosporinase). As for Staphylococcus aureus it was identified a strain having fluoroquinolone resistance, two strains secreting penicillinase and having a K (Nm) phenotype and a strain secreting penicillinase only. Antibiotic resistance represents a major concern for patients, physicians, healthcare managers, and policymakers. The use of antibiotics is closely linked with the development of acquired antibiotic resistance.
The presence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), of the antibodies against HBc, HCV and HAV was determined in outpatients in the period September 2005 - December 2006. The serum samples were analyzed by using Enz...The presence of the hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg), of the antibodies against HBc, HCV and HAV was determined in outpatients in the period September 2005 - December 2006. The serum samples were analyzed by using Enzyme Immunoassay microparticles (Abbott AxSYM System). At least one test was positive in 238 patients (15.4%) of the total of 1547 patients. Of the 238 positive subjects, in 130 positive subjects (54.6%) the existence of HBV infection could be ascertained based on the presence of HBsAg or of the antibodies against HBc or of their association; 83 patients (34.9%) presented antibodies against HCV and in other 12 patients the antibodies against HCV were associated with HBsAg or with antibodies against HBc, suggesting the coexistence of HCV and HBV infection. The antibodies against HCV and the associations between HCV and HBV were mostly detected in subjects with the diagnosis of cirrhosis, liver failure or chronic hepatitis. Of the 13 (5.46%) patients with antibodies against HAV, 6 patients presented the associations: in 2 cases antibodies anti-HAV with positive HBsAg, in 1 case antibodies anti-HAV and anti-HBc with positive HBsAg, in 2 cases antibodies anti-HAV and anti-HBc and in 1 case antibodies anti-HAV and anti-HCV.
The aim of the study was to determine the etiology of the viral bronchiolites in children by using direct immunofluorescence test and 3 RT-PCR Multiplex (S.Bellau-Pujol) The study was performed on 122 nasal inspirations...The aim of the study was to determine the etiology of the viral bronchiolites in children by using direct immunofluorescence test and 3 RT-PCR Multiplex (S.Bellau-Pujol) The study was performed on 122 nasal inspirations collected from 3 weeks-6 month old children hospitalizated in the pediatrics service of CH Rouen. The results were that the majority (53%) of bronchiolites in children had like etiology RSV and a lot of these infections had double viral etiology (26% RSV+ Rhinovirus; 2,7% RSV+HMPV and 1% RSV+Coronavirus 229E). An important viral factor which gives bronchiolitis in children is HMPV (11%). We also find respiratory infections with triple viral etiology: RSV+Influenza A virus + Rhinovirus.
Oprişan G, Coste H, Lupulescu E
… +14 more, Oprişoreanu AM, Szmal C, Onita I, Popovici N, Ionescu LE, Bicheru S, Enache N, Ceianu C, Czobor F, Olaru E, Alexandrescu V, Radu DL, Onu A, Popa MI
Since the events of avian influenza (AI) caused by H5N1 subtype from Hong Kong (1997), the people worldwide have been confronted with new waves of epizootic influenza. In 2005 in Romania an unprecedent H5N1 epizootic occ...Since the events of avian influenza (AI) caused by H5N1 subtype from Hong Kong (1997), the people worldwide have been confronted with new waves of epizootic influenza. In 2005 in Romania an unprecedent H5N1 epizootic occurred in domestic and wild birds. Therefore an immediate investigation by molecular approach of this highly pathogenic H5N1 strain was necessary. The virus isolation and the RNA extraction were performed in the Institute of Diagnosis and Animal Health while PCR and sequencing were carried out in Cantacuzino Institute. Herein we report the first evidence of H5N1 presence in Romanian fowls. The phylogenetic analysis of haemagglutinin and neuraminidase gene indicated a close relationship of Romanian strains to those from Siberia and China. The virological and molecular analysis of the first strains of avian virus from Romania confirmed the presence of H5N1 subtype, belonging to the genetic line Z. These results indicate that the avian virus from this genetic line is directly derived from the highly pathogenic viruses isolated in China and Russia in 2005.