Agnieszka Gniadek

Occurrence of fungi and cytotoxicity of the species: Aspergillus ochraceus,Aspergillus niger and Aspergillus flavus isolated from the air of hospital wards

OBJECTIVES The basic care requirement for patients with weakened immune systems is to create the environment where the risk of mycosis is reduced to a minimum. MATERIAL AND METHODS Between 2007 and 2013 air samples were collected from various wards of a number of hospitals in Kraków, Poland, by means of the collision method using MAS-100 Iso MH Microbial Air Sampler (Merck Millipore, Germany). The air mycobiota contained several species of fungi, and almost 1/3 of it was made up of the species of the Aspergillus genus. Sixty-one strains of species other than A. fumigatus were selected for the research purposes, namely: 28 strains of A. ochraceus, 22 strains of A. niger and 11 strains of A. flavus species. Selected fungi underwent a cytotoxicity evaluation with the application of the MTT colorimetric assay (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5- diphenyltetrazolium bromide). The assay assesses cell viability by means of reducing the yellow tetrazolium salt to insoluble formazan. A semi-quantitative scale for cytotoxicity grading was adopted: low cytotoxic effect (+) with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for values ranging from 31.251 cm2/ml to 7.813 cm2/ml, medium cytotoxic effect (++) for values ranging from 3.906 cm2/ml to 0.977 cm2/ml and the high one (+++) for values ranging from 0.488 cm2/ml to 0.061 cm2/ml. The absence of cytotoxicity was determined when the IC50 values was at ≥ 50. RESULTS For 48 samples the analyzed fungi displayed the cytotoxic effect with A. ochraceus in 26 out of 28 cases, with 11 strains displaying the high cytotoxic effect. The lowest cytotoxicity was displayed by fungi of A. niger in 13 out of 22 cases, and the major fungi of A. flavus species were toxic (9 out of 11 cases). CONCLUSIONS A half of the fungi displayed the low cytotoxic effect. On the basis of the comparison of average cytotoxicity levels it was determined that there were significant differences in the levels of cytotoxicity of the analyzed fungi. However, such statement may not provide grounds for a definite conclusion about the compared species of fungi that display a more cytotoxic effect than others. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2017;30(2):231-239.

Umiejscowienie kontroli zdrowia wśród leśników i myśliwych wobec zawodowej ekspozycji na choroby przenoszone przez kleszcze

Introduction: Making the forester profession and practicing hunting associate with frequent staying in the environment of feeding ticks and exposure to biological agents. Lyme disease and encephalitis transmitted by ticks are the most frequently diagnosed tick-borne diseases in Poland. In order to avoid the infection it’s important to use before exposure prophylaxis and take appropriate actions after the bite of a tick. Aim: To assess the degree of exposure to tick-borne diseases in the group of foresters and hunters against the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC). Material and methods: The study group consisted of 121 persons: 66 foresters, 15 hunters and 40 respondents who are both forester and hunter. The study used diagnostic survey method using: the own questionnaire and MHLC Scale. Results: Foresters and hunters are exposed to tick-borne diseases. As many as 55.86% respondents were stabbed by a tick from 1-10 times in the last year. Among 45.59% (n=51) of the foresters and hunters tick-borne diseases were detected: it was Lyme disease in 50 cases and tick-borne encephalitis in one. Most respondents knew personal protection methods in the prevention of infection and they applied to those methods. However, the number of stings by ticks wasn’t dependent on the actions and taken precautions. Conclusions: The types of locus of health control hadn’t connection with the activities undertaken by the foresters and hunters after a tick. In the diagnosis of diseases transmitted by ticks essential role has post-exposure observation of the body.

Jakość życia młodzieży z chorobą Leśniowskiego-Crohna

Introduction. Leśniowski-Crohn’s disease, because of its nature and character, affects many spheres in the life of a young person, and determines the quality of life. Wellbeing and good physical and social functioning of adolescent patients, thus their quality of life, are responsible for an effective control over the course of the disease. Objective. Evaluation of the quality of life of adolescent patients suffering from Crohn’s disease. Material and methods. The study covered 61 male and female patients aged 13–18, diagnosed with Leśniowski-Crohn’s disease, who were hospitalized to perform diagnostic check-up tests, due to aggravation of the disease or for administration of biological therapy. The study was performed by the method of a diagnostic survey, using a standardized WHOQOL – BREF questionnaire, the Cantril’s ladder, and a questionnaire designed by the author. The differences between variables were verified using the Chi2 test of independence, T-test for dependent and independent samples, Spearman’s rank correlation and chi square goodness of fit test. The p level p< 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results. Despite discomfort caused by the disease and its influence on everyday routine, the patients evaluated their quality of life as satisfactory. A considerable percentage of patients were satisfied with their health condition. A statistically significant relationship was observed between the age of the patients and their quality of life, especially in the sphere of Social Relations – social support, and Physical and Environmental spheres. The adolescents evaluated their quality of life, both current and expected, in high terms. Conclusions. Adolescents were satisfied with their daily life functioning from the bio-psycho-social aspect, which may be related with the understanding of own disease and the support obtained. An extensive education concerning the disease and coping with it, as well as skilful provision of support play the key role in the improvement of the quality of life of patients with Crohn’s disease.