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Contamination of soil with helminth eggs in the samples of fields, kitchen gardens, yards and composts in rural areas of Lodz district (Poland) was investigated. In this study, helminth eggs were found in 60-100 % of field samples, in 20-100 % of yards samples, in 0-20 % of kitchen gardens samples and in 10-100 % of composts. The highest average density of helminth eggs in 100 g of soil was detected in composts (44.0), then fields (28.5) and yards (18.0). In samples taken from kitchen gardens the average density of eggs was 0.4/100/g of soil. The comparison of frequency of positive samples from fields, kitchen gardens and yards did not exhibit significant difference (p > 0.05). The soil samples of fields contained mainly eggs of Ascaris spp. (87.7 %), less frequently Toxocara spp. (7.7 %) and Trichuris spp. (3.5 %). In samples from yards among detected eggs the most often were Toxocara spp. (73.9 %), and there were statistically significant differences in comparison with fields (7.7 %) and composts (0.3 %). The highest prevalence of eggs with moving larva was noted in yards (25.6 %), which differ statistically significantly from analogous value for fields (p < 0.05) and composts (p < 0.0001). These results showed a considerable infestation of soil with geohelminth eggs of the examined rural areas of Lodz district which is a potential source of antropozoonosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ovicidal activity of seven fungal strains: Acremonium alabamense, Alternaria chlamydospora, Cladosporium herbarum, Fusarium solani, Paecilomyces variotii, Paecilomyces viridis and Penicillium verruculosum isolated from urban soil samples from Poland was determined in vitro. The fungal mycelium was co-cultured with Ascaris suum eggs on plates with 2% water-agar for 28 days. Eggs exposed and unexposed (control) to fungal mycelium were observed weekly by light microscopy and the percentage of malformed eggs were determined. The eggs were classified according to following parameters: type 1 - biochemical and physiological effect without morphological damage to the eggshell; type 2 - lytic effect with morphological alteration of the eggshell and embryo; type 3 - lytic effect with morphological alteration of eggshell and embryo with hyphal penetration and internal egg colonization. All examined species of fungi extended embryogenesis, but the retardation of embryonic development was varied and depended on the species. A. alabamense, A. chlamydospora and P. verruculosum exhibited very high inhibitory activity on A. suum egg development. The fungus-exposed eggs revealed morphological alternations in all stages of embryogenesis. Isolates of F. solani, P. variotii and P. viridis showed hyphal penetration and internal colonization of A. suum eggs (type 3 effect). No appressoria were produced and simple hyphal penetrations were most commonly observed. A. alabamense and P. verruculosum demonstrated morphological destruction, with eggshell destruction. The remaining fungi showed type 1 effect. The results demonstrated that examined strains of F. solani, P. variotii and P. viridis may be considered to be potential limiting factors of parasitic geohelminth populations., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: Yeasts may become potential human and animal pathogens, particularly for individuals with a depressed immune system. Their presence in the environment, especially in soil, may favour their spread into human ontocenoses., Materials and Methods: Eighty-four soil samples obtained from 21 children's recreational sites in Łódź in autumn 2010 and spring 2011 were evaluated. The yeasts were isolated by classical microbiological methods and identified on the basis of morphological and biochemical features., Results: The fungi were found in 73.8% and in 69.0% of the examined samples collected in autumn and spring, respectively. Among 97 isolates of yeasts, the species potentially pathogenic to humans and animals were Candida colliculosa, C. guilliermondii, C. humicola, C. inconspicua, C. lambica, C. lusitaniae, C. pelliculosa, C. tropicalis, Cryptococcus albidus, C. laurentii, C. neoformans, C. terreus, Kloeckera japonica, Geotrichum candidum, G. penicillatum, Rhodotorula mucilaginosa, R. glutinis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Sporobolomyces salmonicolor and Trichosporon cutaneum. The most frequently isolated fungi included the genus Cryptococcus (38 isolates) and two species: Rhodotorula glutinis (15), Trichosporon cutaneum (14). C. neoformans, an etiological factor of cryptococcal meningitis, was present in the sandpits of 3 kindergartens. The Candida species were identified from park playgrounds and school sports fields mainly in autumn 2010 (14 isolates), in spring 2011 - only 1 isolate. The concentration of fungal species in particular samples varied considerably, but in the majority of samples, fungi were present at concentration of up to 1×10(2) CFU/1 g of soil., Conclusions: Yeasts were present in the soil of parks, schools and kindergarten recreational areas; the fact may pose a health risk to humans, especially to children, and this type of biological pollution should be regarded as a potential public health concern.

Objectives: The first aim was an attempt to evaluate the level of knowledge on Lyme disease among people whose profession involves working in the forest; the second--recognition of the health problems that should be included in health education programmes concerning Lyme disease in this group of professionals., Materials and Methods: The study was performed on 159 subjects., Results: Only 15% know the etiological factor of disease, 98%--the main cause of infection, and route of pathogen transmission., Conclusion: Propagation of knowledge on Lyme disease, particularly among risk group people, is not satisfactory. Little knowledge on tick risk among secondary school students indicate the necessity for cooperation between teachers, epidemiologists, and health service providers in order to propagate the knowledge on parasites, symptoms, spread and methods of prevention.

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.

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.

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.

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

Protozoa and fungi of the oral cavity, although frequently occurring and connected to considerable clinical adverse effects, are as yet insufficiently known. The aims of the study were (i) to estimate the prevalence of common invasions of Trichomonas tenax and fungi, (ii) to associate the symptoms with the diagnosis of trichomonosis complicated by mycosis, and (iii) to determine trichomonacidal properties of ornidazole, tinidazole and metronidazole. A sample of 936 dentist patients with different diagnoses were included in the study. The collected material consisted of rinsings, with simultaneous application of selective media, different for protozoa or fungi cultures. Using ornidazole, tinidazole and metronidazole, we examined in vitro their influence on 30 strains of T. tenax. Among the examined patients T. tenax was found in 90 cases including 85 cases where it occurred together with fungi, on the basis of which diagnosis of trichomonosis complicated by mycosis of the oral cavity was established. It was the most frequent in patients with leukoplakia and lichen Wilsoni. We recorded a statistically significant association for T. tenax with fungi and xerostomia, burning sensation, periodontal pockets and denuded teeth. T. tenax was never found in patients with caries and with aphtha recidivans. The curves of ornidazole activity were obtained within the solution range of 130-4350 micrograms/ml; the curves of tinidazole activity within the concentration range of 500-16870 micrograms/ml; metronidazole in the highest concentration killed from 5 to 100% of the population of all strains.