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Sanitary indicators standardly used in water quality monitoring refer to fecal microorganisms or cyanobacterial toxins, but at present they do not include fungi, despite the fact that many fungi can pose potential health hazards. The aim of study was a quantitative and qualitative assessment of yeast in waters of urban artificial recreational reservoirs in relation to microbiological and sanitary cleanliness indicators and to demonstrate that yeast could be an indicator of anthropogenic pollution. In total, 18 species of yeast were isolated, including 13 classified as clinically relevant. Tested reservoirs exceeded the standards of sanitary indicators acceptable for bathing water. Since isolated yeasts are associated with living organisms, their presence in the water of urban recreational reservoirs may be a public health concern. Therefore, a mycological analysis should be incorporated into standard water quality assessment procedures. The results obtained are very promising, but further research is still needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, there has been a rapid increase in the incidence of Candida infections. The different species of the genus Candida vary in their virulence abilities and susceptibility to antifungal agents, depending on several external factors. The result of such modifications may be cross-resistance, which is understood as an acquired resistance to a certain antimicrobial agent after exposure to another drug. The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of cross-resistance between fluconazole, voriconazole, itraconazole, and methotrexate in Candida albicans and Meyerozyma guilliermondii (syn. Candida guilliermondii). Fieen strains of M. guilliermondii and eight strains of C. albicans, including the standard strains, were tested. For all strains, the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) for fluconazole, voriconazole, and itraconazole were determined before and after stimulation with methotrexate. The median MICs in M. guilliermondii before and after stimulation were 9.333 and 64 mg/L (p =0.005) for fluconazole; 0.917 and 1.667 mg/L (p =0.001) for itraconazole, respectively. No significant change in MIC was observed for voriconazole. For C. albicans strains, the median MICs before and after stimulation were 0.917 and 64 mg/L (p =0.012) for fluconazole; 0.344 and 1.135 mg/L (p =0.018) for voriconazole, respectively. There was no significant change in MIC values for itraconazole. Thus, this study demonstrates the presence of cross-resistance between voriconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, and methotrexate for the selected strains. Methotrexate exposure induces different responses when certain drugs are used for various species. Therefore, if a patient was previously exposed to methotrexate, there may be a higher risk of treatment failure with fluconazole than with other azoles such as voriconazole for fungemia caused by M. guilliermondii or itraconazole for C. albicans infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses the knowledge of medical students on the health effects of the use of psychoactive substances, in the context of their future role in prevention and treatment of addictions. The study was conducted using a questionnaire containing questions about classification, symptoms and effects of psychoactive substances, and the existing prevention programs. The study involved 430 students of medicine and allied faculties. Only 20.8% of medicine students and 12.5% of students of other faculties could correctly classify different psychoactive substances. Correct symptoms of drug misuse were mentioned by 20.4% of medicine students and 19.2% of students of other faculties. The overall knowledge of medical students was no greater than the knowledge of students of other allied faculties. Medical students showed insufficient knowledge about psychoactive substances and their effects on the human body, thus indicating the need to introduce into their study programme a more teaching in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microfungi occurring in surface water may represent an important health risk. Recreational water reservoirs are a potential reservoir of pathogenic fungi. The aim of the study was to assess the diversity of mycobiota in selected artificial bathing reservoirs with regard to its biosafety for the human population. The studies were conducted during the summer of 2016 in three research seasons (June (I), July and August (II), and September (III)), taking into account the various periods of recreational activities. Filamentous fungi were isolated from water samples collected at five different ponds utilized for recreation. From 162 water samples, 149 fungal taxa of filamentous fungi were identified: 140 were classified to species level and only nine to genus level. Aspergillus fumigatus was the dominant species. The highest species richness (S) was noted in June, with 93 fungal taxa (Menhinick's index from 2.65 to 4.49). Additionally, in season I, the highest diversity of fungal species was revealed (Simpson's diversity index from 0.83 to 0.99). The average number of CFU/1 mL sample ranged between 0.4 and 4.6 depending on the time of sampling and ponds. Of all the isolated species, 128 were clinically relevant (11 from RG-2 and 117 from RG-1), highlighting the need to introduce seasonal mycological monitoring of such reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Since cardiovascular diseases remain the main cause of premature mortality in men and women in Poland, it is reasonable to look for factors that protect against these conditions. Psychological resiliency is one of such properties that support adaptation in difficult situations and conducive to adaptation to the disease. The aim of the present study was to analyze the relationship between resiliency and flexibility in coping of cardiac patients and to determine whether resiliency is a predictor of flexibility in coping with stress in this group. PARTICIPANTS AND PROCEDURE In the study the Assessment of Resiliency Scale (SPP-25) and the scale of Flexibility in Coping with Stress (KERS-14) were used. The participants of the study were 120 cardiac patients (72 men and 48 women) at the age 29-75. RESULTS The results show that there is a statistically significant relationship between resiliency and flexibility in coping. Each of the resiliency dimensions, as well as the result of the overall resiliency, correlates positively with each of the dimensions of flexibility in coping. The analysis showed that resiliency is an important predictor of a dependent variable -- flexible in coping. CONCLUSIONS There is a positive relationship between resiliency and flexibility in coping with stress in cardiac patients. People with a higher intensity of resiliency in comparison to people with lower intensity of resiliency are characterized by greater flexibility in coping with stress. The dimensions of resiliency, in particular 'Persistence and determination in action' and 'Openness to new experiences and sense of humor', together with the duration of the disease, play a predictive role for flexibility in coping with stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction and objective. Fungi belonging to various physiological and morphological groups present in the environment are potential human pathogens. Some of them are considered as emerging pathogens. Therefore, their presence in children’s playgrounds should be regarded as health risk factor. Materials and method. Sixty-eight samples of sand collected from 17 sandpits of different localities in Łódź, Poland, in autumn 2010 and 2011, and in spring 2011 and 2012 were evaluated. The fungi were isolated with classical mycological methods and identified on the basis of morphological and biochemical features. Results. The prevalence of fungi in spring was 94.1% of sandpits in both layers of sand (depth 0–3 cm and 10–15 cm) and in one kindergarten sandpit, but only in a deeper layer. In autumn, fungi occurred in both layers in all sandpits (100%). The fungal concentration (CFU/g of sand) varied considerably (range 0 – uncountable) in both layers. A total of 352 isolates belonging to 80 species were found. There were 69 yeasts and yeast-like fungi isolates from 12 species (9 species in each season), and 283 filamentous fungi from 68 species: 35 species in spring and 55 in autumn, with 4 keratinolytic species. There were important causes of allergies, among them Cladosporium herbarum and Alternaria alternata, as well as of opportunistic mycoses: Cryptococcus neoformans, Aspergillus fumigatus and new and ‘emerging’ fungal pathogens e.g., Trichosporon, Rhodotorula, Fusarium and Scedosporium species. Conclusions. Potentially pathogenic fungi are present in the sand taken from sandpits in Łódź. This fact poses a significant threat to child health and therefore proper maintenance and periodic checking of sandpits are of great importance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fungal infections are commonly reported among outdoor bathers. Recreational water reservoirs are an important element of the mycosis epidemiological chain in the biosphere because they can be a source of fungi from municipal wastes, of asymptomatic carriers or bathers carrying mycoses. Yeast-like fungi and moulds were isolated from samples of four surface water baths and five swimming pools in 2011-2012. Membrane filters and standard laboratory-based protocols were used to identify the isolated fungi. In total, 51 saprotrophic and potentially pathogenic species classified in the biosafety level-2 group were found. In one of the eutrophic lakes, a positive correlation was observed between the frequency of trading and the presence of coliform yeasts, while in the second, a correlation was found between the number of species of fungi and the presence of faecal streptococci. In swimming pool waters, the key factors that determined higher numbers of fungi were increased temperature, followed by low concentrations of chlorine ions. Together with the bacteriological and physicochemical analysis, constant mycological monitoring of recreational water (lake pools and swimming pools) should be a standard inspection element to reduce sanitary and epidemiologic risks to people using these water reservoirs for recreational purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of keratinophilic and keratinolytic fungi in the soil of recreational areas in Lodz, with a particular emphasis on species potentially pathogenic for humans. The material consisted of 104 soil samples collected from the surface layer and 10-15 cm below the surface at 26 recreational areas in Lodz. Soil samples were inoculated on Sabouraud, Czapek-Dox, and PDA media. In order to isolate the common dermatophytes from the collected soil, hair bait tests were prepared. From the collected soil samples, 83 species of fungi belonging to 53 genera were isolated. The most numerous were those of the genera Penicillium, Fusarium, and Cladosporium. Dermatophytes were isolated from 79 out of 104 of soil samples from 24 examined sites. They were classified into eight species from five genera. The most numerous was the genus Trichophyton. The presence of dermatophytes and mould fungi with keratinolytic properties in the soil of recreational areas may pose a significant risk to human health, especially for children and young teenagers. The results obtained in this study and an analysis of the literature suggests the need for monitoring the soil of places of active leisure for potentially pathogenic fungi species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Rapid increase of resistance of antropopathogenic fungi to routinely used antimycotic drugs forces researchers to search for new alternative methods of antifungal therapies. Among compounds investigated there are glucosinolates (GLS), whose antimycotic activity was proved against plant pathogens. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to determine the value of minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) of GLS degradation products on yeast and yeast-like fungi isolated from human ontocenoses. Material and methods: Fungi were obtained from the collection of Department of Mycology, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn and isolated from the human respiratory system and digestive tract. GLS degradation products were originated from seeds of broccoli, small radish, mustard and cabbage and were prepared at the Department of Food Chemistry and Biodynamics of the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn using HPLC method. The MIC value was conducted with the disk-diffusion method. Results: Experiments showed that the strongest antifungal activity was demonstrated for GLS degradation products from broccoli (MIC reached 1.62±0.11 μmol/g), the lowest for GLS degradation products from small radish (MIC reached 5.87±4.08 μmol/g). Conclusions: The analysis of the inhibiting effect of GLS degradation products on the growth of fungi showed their possible usefulness for antimycotic therapy and prophylaxis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: An increasing number of reports have been issued in the recent years on considerably increased frequency of yeast-like fungi and yeast in organ ontocenoses of man. This applies in particular the respiratory and digestive systems. Aim of the study: The aim of this study was the taxonomical analysis of yeast and yeast-like fungi from the respiratory system and gastrointestinal tract of human with particular emphasis on the number of taxa and attention to the dominant species and rare species in the different sections of studied ontocenosis. Material and methods: The experimental material were yeast-like fungi and yeasts isolated from the respiratory and the digestive system of human. The fungi were cultured and identified following standard principles of mycological diagnostics. Results: The fungi isolated from the respiratory system were classified to 37 species and from the gastrointestinal tract – to 23 species. The predominating species turned out to be the Candida albicans, constituting 19.49% in the respiratory system and 27.87% in the digestive system. Conclusions: Five species have been isolated for the first time in Poland. The abundance of the species detected and the presence of perfect stages in the material examined imply a successive increase in the expansiveness of fungi towards human tissues. Results obtained confirms that the respiratory systems affords the fungi better conditions for the survival and growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Routine mycological diagnostic for culturing of fungi isolated from the skin changes recommends Sabouraud agar with antibiotics and a selective Sabouraud agar with antibiotics and cycloheximide. Although the introduction of a selective medium with Actidion facilitates isolation of dermatophytes, but also inhibits the growth of other fungi present on the skin - an ecological niche, a especially rich in micro-fungi including molds, which include the genus Fusarium. Aim: The aim of this study was to analyze several cases of hyalohyphomycosis caused by Fusarium solani and F. oxysporum, and note that occasional quotations of fungi of the genus Fusarium can be the result of shortcomings in the standard diagnostics. Material and methods: The research material was represented by swabs and fragments of necrotic tissue from inflammatory focus of surgical wound of the lower leg (1 case), and from toe nail shaft, from which Candida albicans was previously isolated (3 cases). For mycological analysis were used: direct preparations stained with Gram method of biological materials and macrocultures, in isotonic 0.9% NaCl; macrocultures on Sabouraud agar with chloramphenicol and gentamicin, Sabouraud agar with chloramphenicol and Actidion, Czapek-Dox agar and PDA (Potato-Dextrose Agar); microculture on Nickerson agar with the addition of broth with serum in a 1:1 ratio. The course of diagnostic, the method of culturing of fungi and the criteria required for taxonomic evaluation were consistent with the generally accepted recommendations for mycological laboratories. Adequately to the aim of the work, particular attention was focused on the criteria considered in identification of the species of the genus Fusarium. Results: The use of PDA agar has allowed the isolation of two species of Fusarium: F. solani (Mart.) Sacc. from the surgical wound and nail shaft and F. oxysporum Schlecht. from the nail shaft. On media recommended in the routine mycological diagnostic the growth of these species was not characteristic. Conclusions: An occasional isolations of fungi of the genus Fusarium from skin lesions may be caused by Actidion added to the standard Sabouraud media as an inhibitor of mold growth. Medium PDA - optimal for capturing phytopathogens potentially pathogenic for humans - should be introduced into routine diagnostics of fungi isolated from skin lesions and surgical wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the greatest environmental health problems to arise in recent years is air pollution. Inorganic and organic particles are important components of air aerosol. The potential of air microbiota as an indicator of air quality is gaining increasing research interest. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between the level of fungal contamination and the levels of bacteria and smog particles in outdoor air in recreational areas during the heating season. A quantitative and qualitative mycological evaluation and quantitative bacteriological evaluation of air quality in 10 selected parks were performed. The numbers of microorganisms in the air were correlated with smog levels. The mean prevalence of fungi was 18.96 ± 15.43–23.30 ± 26.70 CFU/m3 of air and the mean bacterial count was 74.06 ± 130.89–268.04 ± 126.10 CFU/m3. Among the isolated fungi, clinically significant species were identified: four species belonged to Risk Group 2, and 17 to Risk Group 1. The predominant genera were Aspergillus, Penicillium and Alternaria. The total number of bacteria demonstrated a positive correlation with the size of the park, air temperature and ozone level during sampling, and a negative correlation with humidity, pressure and smog parameters (CO, NO, NO2 and NOx). The qualitative and quantitative composition of bioaerosols can be used as a bioindicator for environmental monitoring. There is a need for more efficient monitoring of airborne pollutants and microorganisms to learn about the structure of the air biota, the mechanisms regulating their occurrence, and to identify potential threats to human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

background Flexibility in coping relies on applying a coping strategy that is appropriate to the circumstances. Individuals who are flexible in coping exhibit sensitivity to subtle signals sent by the environment. Therefore, they are able to adjust their behaviour accordingly and function in a more adaptive manner. participants and procedure The study included N = 1535 participants. The following methods were used: the Flexibility in Coping with Stress Questionnaire (FCSQ-14) and the Cognitive Flexibility Inventory (CFI). results The Flexibility in Coping with Stress Questionnaire measures flexibility as a feature of the process of coping with which an individual applies coping strategies. The Flexibility in Coping with Stress Questionnaire is an accurate and reliable method of measuring coping flexibility and three of its subscales: the Repertoire of coping strategies, the Changeability of their use, and Reflexivity. conclusions The Flexibility in Coping with Stress Questionnaire examines three subscales of flexibility, namely, Repertoire of coping strategies, Changeability, and Reflexivity. This measurement is accurate and reliable. The questionnaire is applied to the study of persons exposed to severe or chronic stress at work, when we want to assess the individual's ability to change their functioning in a stressful situation. It can be used to examine healthy and somatically ill people, in the area of research and clinical diagnosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most important infectious diseases which pose a risk to human health and life are associated with parasites transmitted by a variety of arthropod vectors, or from animal to man. Some of these (malaria, toxoplasmosis, leishmaniosis, dirofilariosis, alveococcosis, cystic echinococcosis) still represent a serious public health problem in many regions in the world. This review describes the epidemiological and clinical aspects of important parasitoses and fungal infections from a medical point of view. It should be emphasized that the development of invasive disease depends on both host (susceptibility/resistance) and parasite factors (pathogenicity/virulence); an immunocompromised state can favour opportunistic parasitic infections: toxoplasmosis, cryptosporidiosis, giardiosis, cyclosporidiosis, blastocystosis and strongyloidosis. This article highlights the role of free-living amoebae in the pathogenesis and transmission of human diseases, the high pathogenicity of Echinococcus multilocularis, and the growing importance of ticks as a reservoir and vector for numerous dangerous pathogens (e.g., Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti). It also discusses the diagnostic problems of toxoplasmosis including cross-reactions in serological tests and reviews the search for new drugs and vaccines against toxoplasmosis. Attention is increasingly paid to the role played by the human microbiome in maintaining homeostasis and in the development of fungal infections. This review also presents the most common human superficial fungal infections and the role of Candida albicans infection in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome.

Introduction and Objective: The contamination, seasonal and vertical distributions of Toxocara eggs in children's recreation areas were estimated with respect to their accessibility to domestic and stray animals., Materials and Methods: During autumn 2011 and spring 2012, a total 88 composite samples of soil/sand (300g each) were taken twice, from 2 depths, from 11 sandpits and 11 play areas situated in the city of Łódź, Poland. From the collected material, 528 samples (20g) were tested using the flotation method. Half the sample sites were secured from access to dogs and cats, while the other half were not., Results: The difference in the numbers of positive samples from sandpits and playing areas was significant (c 2 = 13.72, p = 0.0002). The highest rate of contamination was observed in poorly-secured play areas (15.8% of positive samples and 1.2 eggs/100 g of soil/sand). The average density of Toxocara eggs in secured play areas was 6 times less than that found in unsecured areas, while secured sandpits were 3 times less contaminated than those unsecured. The contamination rate was similar in autumn 2011 and spring 2012 (6.4% and 6.8%, respectively). An inverse relationship between the sand/soil depth and number of recovered Toxocara eggs was observed. Additionally, other intestinal helminth eggs (Ancylostomidae, Ascaris spp., and Trichuris spp.) and oocysts of Isospora spp. were also detected from soil samples collected from playing fields., Conclusions: The number of Toxocara eggs recovered decreased following fence construction around the examined children's play areas, but it did not sufficiently prevent the contamination by eggs. These data indicate the necessity for educational programmes which should be implemented for the protection of the local child population from zoonotic infection.

Early detection and correct diagnosis of fungal infection is important for further therapy and prophylaxis. Currently, there are a number of proposals related to rapid diagnostic tests. To those we can include chromogenic media, such as CHROMagar Candida (GRASO). This medium has been developed to differentiate four species of genus Candida. Its use in laboratory has opened up possibilities for growing not only the genus Candida, but also other fungi. The study suggests that medium CHROMagar Candida can provide an excellent pre-test, or be used as complementary to biochemical tests. Establishing a full template of colours would enable more efficient and fuller use of the medium properties, especially in the discrimination of the teleomorphic form from anamorphic.