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Cases of fungal infections are being encountered more often in clinical practice. The factors associated with a high risk of mycoses include, among others, corticosteroidotherapy, the administration antibiotics with wide spectrum of antibacterial properties, neutropenia, neoplasms. Fungi may play a role in cancer formation, may act as a complication in the course of treatment, and may mimic a neoplastic process by giving a similar clinical picture. In the case of fungal throat infection, patients complain of increased body temperature, a general feeling of weakness, malaise, headache, spontaneous pain intensifying during swallowing, a feeling of an obstacle in the throat or a cough. A physical examination may reveal congestion of the mucosa followed by a unilateral crater ulceration often covered with fat, as well as a thick coating, which is accompanied by foetor ex ore. The submandibular and neck lymph nodes are often greatly enlarged and painful. These symptoms may resemble those associated with the neoplastic process and changes in the course of systemic diseases (agranulocytosis). A correct diagnosis in these cases is necessary for adequate therapy. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common type of leukemia among adults in Europe and North America. It is estimated that in Poland, CLL affects approximately 1,400 people per year. In this paper, a case of 62-years old patient with CLL with fungal infection of oral cavity and throat is presented.

Myiasis is a rare, worldwide, human disease with seasonal variation, caused by developing larvae of a variety of fly species. It can be dangerous when infestations penetrate into the brain. In the available literature, we have found only a few papers concerning ear myiasis caused by Lucilia sericata. Here, we report 2 cases of aural myiasis. Early intervention (surgical removal, occlusion) in these cases should prevent complications. Larvae, for further examination, should be killed by immersion in very hot water, then preserved in an ethanol.

In mycoses congenital--nonspecific innate as well as acquired immunity (involving neutrophiles, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells and lymphocytes) both play important roles in host defence. Th1 lymphocytes release cytokines (IL-2, IL-12, IFN gamma) and stimulate cytotoxic cells and neutrophiles to destroy fungal cells. Th2 lymphocytes, on the other hand, suppress cellular immunity by releasing the cytokines IL-4, IL-6 and IL-10 which counter regulate the secretion of IL-2, IL-12, IFN gamma and depress the activity of macrophages. Cellular mechanisms play essential roles in host responses to fungal infections. Dysfunction of T lymphocytes and a reduction in their number are typically observed in patients with mycotic diseases. There occurs a reduction of both T lymphocyte populations and the T-helper to T-suppressor cell number ratio, and these are of critical importance in explaining the diminished IgA production and enhanced adhesion of fungal cells to the surface of host cells as well as in facilitating the intrusion of fungi throughout the skin and mucous membranes. The specific immunological reaction, associated with the synthesis of antibodies against fungal cell wall or cytoplasmic antigens, is of little significance in protective immunity, but nevertheless has a rather important role to play in diagnosis as well as in supporting phagocytosis by inhibition of fungal cell adherence. In patients with mycoses, typically low blood serum level of the immunoglobulin class G and A and low sIgA in saliva are observed. A detailed understanding the nature and function of the immune system in mycoses is necessary to enable improvements in pharmacotherapy with antifungal antibiotics and chemotherapeutics, as well as to treatments based on immunotherapy and vaccination.

Formation of fungal biofilms in patients with implanted biomedical prosthesis constitutes very serious clinical problems. The biofilm can lead to dysfunction of implanted material and can be a reservoir for chronic and systemic infections. Numerous investigations demonstrated differences in quantity and structure of biofilms that had been formed by various species of fungi belonged to Candida genus. Stages of biofilm formations had been examined carefully in in vitro conditions. Biofilm formation begin with adhesion of fungi to the surface, microcolonies are formed subsequently. At the end of the process, extracellular material is excreted, and its formula, that is various in different fungi Candida species, contribute to its resistance to antifungal drugs. Farnesol and tyrosol are two quorum-sensing molecules. They are acting inversely, regulating formation of "germ tubes" and influencing morphogenetic conversion between yeast and filamentous forms, which plays a very important role in pathogenicity and formation of biofilm. Drug resistance of fungi from Candida has been shown to create a very important clinical problem. Many experiments in vitro confirm significantly lower activity of antifungal drugs toward Candida biofilm than toward Candida, in the form of planctonic cells. Surprisingly, some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can inhibit biofilm formation.

Objective: To investigate a relationship between the etiological factor of external otitis and occurrence of particular signs/symptoms., Design: A special questionnaire was designed and completed by all patients covering personal details, medical history, results of otolaryngological examination and bacteriological and mycological investigations., Subjects: 249 patients of the Outpatient Department of Laryngology at the Regional Hospital in Bełchatów with symptoms of external otitis. For analysis of relationships between particular signs/symptoms and species/genera of microorganisms, statistical tests were used: chi2 test, chi2 test with Yate's modification, C-Pearson index, and Fisher exact test for very small samples., Results: There is a statistical dependence between discharge, hearing loss, swelling of skin, scant, dried discharge with fetid odour and bacteria isolated from the external ear canal. Similar dependence exists between pain, hearing loss, no smelly discharge or wet, black plug of fetid odour and fungi. Also there is a statistical dependence between pruritus, red skin and grey, fetid discharge and mixed flora., Conclusions: Some of symptoms and signs are connected with definite etiological factors which is important not only for correct diagnosis but also for institution of appropriate and effective treatment. On the basis of some characteristic symptoms and signs it is possible to make a tentative diagnosis as to the etiological pathogen responsible for external otitis.

The systemic fungal invasions are recognized with increasing frequency and constitute a primary cause of morbidity and mortality, especially in immunocompromised patients. Early diagnosis improves prognosis, but remains a problem because there is lack of sensitive tests to aid in the diagnosis of systemic mycoses on the one hand, and on the other the patients only present unspecific signs and symptoms, thus delaying early diagnosis. The diagnosis depends upon a combination of clinical observation and laboratory investigation. The successful laboratory diagnosis of fungal infection depends in major part on the collection of appropriate clinical specimens for investigations and on the selection of appropriate microbiological test procedures. So these problems (collection of specimens, direct techniques, staining methods, cultures on different media and non-culture-based methods) are presented in article.

The occurrence of potentially pathogenic fungal strains in the Charzykowskie Lake and runnels flowing into and out of it was investigated. The study material was obtained in 2005 and in 2006, in the periods of spring intermix and summer stagnation, and in 2005 in the period of autumn intermix. The fungi found in the Charzykowski Lake belonged to 5 genera: Rhodotorula (R. minuta, R. rubra and R. glutinis), Cryptoccocus (C. neoformans, C. laurentii, C. terreus and C. laurentii), Candida (C. inconspicua, C. lusitaniae, C. tropicalis, C. pelliculosa, C. kefir, C. glabrata, C. inconspicua, C. parapsilosis, C. ciferrii and C. colliculosa), Trichosporon (T. cutaneum) and Klockera (K. apiculata). The fungi found in runnels flowing into and out of the Charzykowskie Lake belonged to 4 genera: Rhodotorula (R. rubra and R. glutinis), Cryptoccocus (C. laurentii, C. neoformans, C. albidus and C. terreus), Candida (C. colliculosa, C. lusitaniae, C. tropicalis, C. pelliculosa, C. cifferii, C. glabrata) and Trichosporon (T. cutaneum).

Introduction: Over the last years, systemic fungal infections have dramatically increased in hospitalized patients. The Candida is the main pathogen caused nosocomial fungal infections., The Aim of the Study: The aim was to analyze frequency of occurrence of the yeast-like fungi in different biological materials isolated from the patients of an Intensive Care Unit of the University Hospital of Lodz in the period of 2000-2003., Material and Methods: 123 strains of fungi were analyzed with the use of API 20 C AUX test (bioMarieux)., Results: Among all the investigated Candida strains C. albicans accounted for 52.0%. Samples from respiratory system and urine most often contained the strains of C. albicans (56.3 and 60.5%, respectively); blood samples contained C. parapsilosis (44.8%). In patients who were untreated by bacterial antibiotics C. albicans was the most frequent species, whereas in patients who were ordered bacterial antibiotics it was C. parapsilosis that dominated., Conclusions: (1) Candida is the most frequent cause of fungal infections in patients hospitalized in an intensive care unit. (2) C. parapsilosis is the main pathogen caused bloodstream infections. This species is also more frequent in patients who were ordered antibacterial antibiotics over five days. (3). Species other than C. albicans become more and more frequent and dangerous.

For the past twenty years, invasive fungal infections have dramatically increased resulting in the high morbidity and mortality. The main reason of these infections is the development of invasive diagnostic and therapeutic technologies. Immunosuppression, neutropenia, broad-spectrum antibacterial agents, corticosteroids, chemotherapy, central intravascular catheter, total parenteral nutrition are the major risk factors of the invasive fungal infections. Most of these factors are very common for hospitalized patients. For example, patients with fungemia are more likely to die during hospitalization then those with bloodstream infection caused by nonfungal pathogens. Unfortunately, diagnosis and diagnostic methods of fungal infection are still difficult.

Some aspects of multifocal and disseminated mycosis are discussed. Special attention is devoted to factors, which play a significant role in the development of fungal infections. Host criteria and microbiological as well as a clinical criteria are discussed. A special attention is given to nosocomial invasions and post-transplantation mycosis.

The hydrolytic activity of Rhodotorula and Trichosporon strains isolated from Sulej6w Reservoir water and sediments were studied. Also tolerance of high concentrations of natrium chloride and biogenic compounds was evaluated. Fungi from genera Rhodotorula and Trichosporon showed the activity of 12 and 10 from 19 hydrolases of API Zym test, respectively. Tolerance tests showed high resistance of Rhodotorula glutinis to hypertonic saline solutions and very high resistance of both Rhodotorula and Trichosporon strains to nitrate, ammonium and phosphate compounds. These properties of fungi may influence the distribution and the quantity of fungi in aquatic reservoirs.

The aim of the study was to analyze the frequency of occurrence of Trichomonas tenax in patients with periodontitis and also to check the relationship between the occurrence of the protozoan and the indices of oral hygiene, and to evaluate periodontal treatment needs. The study involved 91 individuals aged 23-79 years (52 women and 39 men). 34 of them were infected with Trichomonas tenax. The study revealed dependence between the frequency of occurrence of Trichomonas tenax and the state of periodontium and the hygiene of the oral cavity.

Increasing use of elctromagnetic fields (EF) in the treatment of various diseases may have potential impacts on fungi--possible aetiological factors of concomitant mycoses. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EF on miconazole susceptibility among fungi of the genus Candida showing confirmed pathogenicity in humans. Fifteen Candida strains obtained from patients were used and their susceptibility to miconazole was determined by diffusion in agar gel. Antifungal activity of miconazole was assessed as minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) which was calculated for Candida strains not exposed to EF (control) and EF-exposed (3 experiments). In the majority of cases the susceptibility of Candida species to miconazole decreased (higher MICs) after the first week of EF exposure, regardless of the EF's parameters. This was followed by an increase in susceptibility (lower MICs) after the second week of exposure to EF of 2 mT intensity and frequency 3 Hz (experiment I) and an EF of 9 mT intensity and 12.5 Hz frequency (experiment II) relative to control. An increase in susceptibility (lower MICs) was observed in the second week of exposure, whatever the parameters of the EF. The application of low intensity, low frequency EF for a period of at least two weeks may be beneficial in the treatment of mycoses caused by pathogenic fungi of Candida genus.

Progressive degradation of water ecosystems may contribute to the propagation of fungi pathogenic to humans and animals. The aim of this study was a quantitative evaluation and identification of species of potentially pathogenic fungi in the littoral zone of the Sulejów Reservoir used as recreation site. We studied samples of surface water and sediments collected from 6 sampling sites of the reservoir in the years 2000 and 2001. In 2000, fungi were isolated from 82.7% of samples, while in 2001 from as many as 95.4%. There were 28 species representing genera: Candida, Cryptococcus, Geotrichum, Kloeckera, Rhodotorula, Saccharomyces, and Trichosporon. The most common species were Rhodotorula glutinis and Candida guilliermondii. The density of the population of identified species depended on the season and sampling site and ranged from 80 to 328000 cells/dm3 (also uncountable growth). The waters of the Sulejów Reservoir may be a covenient place of anamorphic developmental forms, for the 15 cultured species which can also propagate in humans and other mammals.

We have investigated the hydrolytic activity of 21 species of yeast-like fungi from Candida genus and 1 species of yeast S. cerevisiae isolated from Sulej6w Reservoir water. The activity of hydrolytic enzymes of the studied fungi was different than that of standard strains and also of fungi isolated from patients. This difference demonstrates the capability of the studied fungi to adapt to various environmental conditions.

Candida glabrata is very important pathogen which is resistant to some imidazoles (fluconazole). The aim of study was to compare a susceptibility of Candida albicans and Candida glabrata - strains isolated from patietnts treated in Centre for Treatment of Parasitic Diseases and Mycoses - to miconazole using MIC. 96.5% of strains were sensitive to miconazole; values of MIC for C. albicans were lower than for C. glabrata.

We have evalueated the activity of acidous asparagine protease in 48 strains of Candida isolated from homogenates of palatine tonsils from 116 patients after tonsilectomy. Strains most frequently isolated were C. albicans (66.7 +/- 6.8%) and C. tropicalis (14.6 +/- 5.09%). The range of proteolysis zone for Candida strains was 4.6 to 12.5 mm. Over 60% of the studied strains showed high and very high proteolytic activity (>6.6 mm) and the remaining strains showed moderate activity (4.6-6.5). There were no strains with low medium activity (to 4.5 mm zone). The range of the number of rosettes E formed by lymphocytes obtained from the studied tonsils was 0-268.3. Lymphocytes isolated from 70 % of tonsils infected with Candida formed only 0-130 rosettes E; in the remaining cases the number ranged between 131 and 220. The number of lymphocytes T forming rosettes E isolated from palatine tonsils from patients not infected with fungi was 2.5 times higher. There was no correlation between the size of proteolysis zone and the number of rosettes E.

Protozoa and fungi of the oral cavity, although frequently occuring and connected with considerable clinical adverse effects, are as yet insufficiently known. The aims of the study were to estimate the prevalence of common invasions of Trichomonas tenax and fungi, to associate the symptoms with the diagnosis of trichomonosis complicated by mycosis and to determine trichomonacidal properties of ornidazole, tinidazole and metronidazole. 936 dentist patients with different diagnoses were included into the study. The collected material consisted of rinsings, with simultaneous application of selective media, different for protozoa and for fungi 6ultures. Among the examined patients T. tenax was found in 90 cases including 85 cases where it occurred together with fungi (11 species), on the basis of which the diagnosis of trichomonosomycosis of the oral cavity was established. It was the most often in patients with leukoplakia and Lichen Wilsoni. We received a statistically significant association (0.001