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Introduction: A significant threat to public health is presented by antibiotic-resistant strains of bacteria, selective pressure on which results from antibiotic use. Colistin is an antibiotic commonly used in veterinary medicine, but also one of last resort in human medicine. Since the 2015 discovery in China of the mcr-1 gene encoding colistin resistance in Enterobacteriaceae, other countries have noted its presence. This study was to find the mcr-1 gene prevalence in E. coli isolated from poultry slaughtered in Poland. Material and Methods: Cloacal swabs were taken from December 2017 to October 2018 from broiler chickens in three regions. The samples (n = 158) were grouped as flocks treated with colistin sulphate (n = 87) and those not treated (n = 71). Resistance to antimicrobials commonly used in poultry was evaluated by minimum inhibitory concentration. The presence of the mcr-1 gene was confirmed by PCR. Results: Isolates containing the mcr-1 gene were yielded by 11.27% of the samples from not treated flocks and 19.54% of those from treated flocks, but no statistically significant difference in the prevalence of the gene was seen between the groups. Conclusion: The results clearly preclude intensification of selective pressure for colistin resistance due to colistin sulphate treatment because they show that the avian gastrointestinal tract was already inhabited by colistin-resistant E. coli by the time the chickens came to the poultry house. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present work conducted in the area of Międzyrzeki Strict Nature Reserve in the Roztocze National Park was to show new sites of rare and species new to Poland from the Kobayasiella genus ( K. okadae (Skvortzov) Lange-Bert., K. tintinnus Buczkó, Wojtal & Jahn) with regard to morphological and ecological characteristics. Chemical parameters show that investigated habitats are poor and oligotrophic with a low content of chlorides, sulfates and nitrates. K. okadae, K. subtilissima (Cleve) Lange-Bert. and K. tintinnus were found in the studied area. The authors suggest the use of synonym Navicula hoeflerii Cholnoky for the Kobayasiella okadae. LM and SEM images were used in the analysis of the material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigations were conducted in northeastern Poland near Lidzbark Warminski (54° 08" N, 20° 36" E). Five mid-field ponds situated on grasslands were chosen: four of them were dredged and deepened, and one of them remained as a natural reservoir. The aim of this paper was to assess the influence of weather conditions on the quantity and quality of water in mid-field ponds situated in agricultural areas. It was found that the quantity of water in mid-field ponds was related much more to the air temperature, which was responsible for either water evaporation or snow melting, rather than to the amount of precipitation. The reduction in the volume of water stored in the ponds during very dry years had a negative influence on its quality. During the observation period, the dredged ponds were characterized by permanent water tables, whereas the natural reservoir dried out in very dry years. Atmospheric conditions influenced the concentrations of ammonium nitrogen and calcium and chlorine ions in the studied water bodies. The volume of water retained in mid-field ponds influenced the concentrations of phosphorus and sulphates. Increased precipitation sums caused lower water pH; however in warmer periods, at increased pH and CODCr, a decrease in dissolved oxygen was noted. It was revealed that increases in precipitation sums during the year caused increases in the load of mineral nitrogen and calcium and magnesium ions in pond water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]