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The incidence was assessed of antibodies against E. granulosus and chosen biochemical parameters among the inhabitants of north-eastern Poland. Among 532 studied subjects, 110 were seropositive. Group I (n = 73) was pharmacologically treated. Group II was surgically treated. Control group consisted of 15 healthy persons. 20.6% seropositive inhabitants of north-east Poland indicate that echinococcosis is not rare. Mainly it was echinococcosis of the liver, only in 2.7% it was connected with other organs. Echinococcosis was diagnosed among women aged 47-70, living in town, in majority owners of a dog. The course of echinococcos in majority cases was without clinical signs. In the diagnosis USG and serological test were helpful. Laboratory findings were not characteristic of echinococcosis. If it is possible surgical treatment is recommended for removal of parasite, verification of preoperative tests. In majority of chirurgically removed cyst, antibodies against E. granulosus were found after 3.5 years on the average, what evidenced strong immunogenicity of the parasite.

Fungal infection is a common, serious and underestimated complication, which contributes significantly to high mortality in patients with acute liver injury. The features accounting for the incidence of fungal infection include defects of immune response, routine use of H2 antagonists, frequent use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and invasive monitoring. Clinical deterioration characterized by increasing coma grade after initial improvement, increasing prothrombin time, pyrexia unresponsive to antibiotics, renal failure and elevated white cell count make up the clinical picture of the disease which suggests coexistence of fungal infection in acute liver injury. Candida albicans is the principal etiological agent of fungal infection and this pathogen is frequently isolated from the respiratory tract within a week of admission. The mortality among untreated patients with acute liver injury complicated with mycotic infection reaches 100%. The early application of the specific treatment in cases suspected of mycotic infection in patients with liver injury could markedly reduce mortality in this group of patients.