The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of Nd:YAG laser with flat-top handpiece on the in vitro growth of Candida albicans and Streptococcus mutans. The incidence of C. albicans (opportunistic commensal) and S. mutans (facultatively anaerobic) infections is increasing, despite available treatments. Cultures of Streptococcus mutans and Candida albicans were irradiated using Nd:YAG laser (LightWalker, Fotona) with flat-top handpiece (Genova, LightWalker, Fotona) at the following parameters: group G1: 0.25 W, 10 Hz, 15 s, 3 J and group G2: 1 W, 10 Hz, 60s, 59 J. The results were evaluated directly and 24 h after irradiation using a quantitative culture method (estimation of colony-forming units in 1 ml of suspension, cfu/ml), and microscopic analysis with Janus green stain and compared with control group in which laser was not applied. C. albicans was reduced by 20 up to 54% for G1, and for G2 by 10 up to 60% directly after the application. The cfu/ml values for S. mutans decreased by 13% (p = 0.1771) for G1 and 89% (p < 0.0001) for G2. In both test groups 24 h after the application, the number of colony-forming units decreased by 15-46% for G1 and by 15-64% for G2. The arrested cell division, increasing the surface area and increasing the number of metabolically inactive cells, were observed in morphometric analysis. Macroscopic and microscopic analyses revealed a reduction in cell number and a significant decrease of cell metabolism after laser application for both C. albicans and S. mutans.

Significant changes in the frequency of candidaemia and the distribution of causative species have been noted worldwide in the last two decades. In this study, we present the results of the first multicentre survey of fungaemia in Polish hospitals. A total of 302 candidaemia episodes in 294 patients were identified in 20 hospitals during a 2-year period. The highest number of infections was found in intensive care (30.8%) and surgical (29.5%) units, followed by haematological (15.9%), 'others' (19.2%) and neonatological (4.6%) units. Candida albicans was isolated from 50.96% of episodes; its prevalence was higher in intensive care unit and neonatology (61.22% and 73.33%, respectively), and significantly lower in haematology (22%; P < 0.001). The frequency of C. krusei and C. tropicalis was significantly higher (24% and 18%) in haematology (P < 0.02); whereas, the distribution of C. glabrata (14.1%) and C. parapsilosis (13.1%) did not possess statistically significant differences between compared departments. Obtained data indicates that species distribution of Candida blood isolates in Polish hospitals reflects worldwide trends, particularly a decrease in the prevalence of infections due to C. albicans.

In the article has been presented an analysis of susceptibility of selected dental materials, made in the CAD/CAM technology. The morphology and structural properties of selected dental materials and their composites were determined by using XRPD (X-ray powder diffraction) techniques, as well as the IR (infrared) spectroscopy. Moreover, an adhesion as well as development of biofilm by oral microorganisms has been studied. It has been shown that a degree of the biofilm development on the tested dental materials depended on microorganism genus and species. Streptococcus mutans has demonstrated the best adhesion to the tested materials in comparison with Candida albicans and Lactobacillus rhamnosus. However, the sintered materials such as IPS e.max® and the polished IPS e.max® have showed the best “anti-adhesive properties” in relation to S. mutans and L. rhamnosus that have not formed the biofilm on the polished IPS e.max® sample. Furthermore, S. mutans have not formed the biofilm on both surfaces. On the contrary to S. mutans and L. rhamnosus, C. albicans has demonstrated the adhesive properties in relation to the above-mentioned surfaces. Moreover, in contrast to S. mutans and C. albicans, L. rhamnosus has not formed the biofilm on the polished IPS Empress material.

The aim of this study was to compare the utility of BACTEC™ Mycosis-IC/F (Mycosis), BACTEC™ Plus Aerobic/F (Aerobic), and BACTEC™ Plus Anaerobic/F (Anaerobic) media in the detection of fungi from simulated (obtained by the inoculation of tested media first with sterile sheep’s blood and subsequently with one of 60 clinical yeast isolates) and clinical blood samples, taken during routine diagnostic examination in two hospitals. All tested strains grew on Mycosis as well as Aerobic bottles, and the time to detection obtained for Mycosis was significantly shorter (p < 0.05). The largest differences in the time to positivity was found for Candida glabrata and Cryptococcus neoformans, when Mycosis preceded Aerobic in 20–48 h (mean 35.5 h) and 0.7–64 h (mean 24 h), respectively. On the contrary, C. krusei were detected earlier in Aerobic media. In clinical samples, the detection of C. glabrata was also significantly faster in Mycosis than in Aerobic (29.22 ± 11.48 h compared to 86 ± 40 h). The media complement each other and, in 45 % of clinical examination sets, a single positive medium was noted (25 % in Mycosis and 19 % in Aerobic). The study proved that both Aerobic and Mycosis media serve as the correct condition for the culture of fungi and that they varied significantly in the detection time of clinically important species. This result could suggest that the simultaneous use of Aerobic as well as Mycosis media may improve the time of diagnosis in many patients, especially those infected with C. glabrata or C. neoformans.

Pedicures are the most common cosmetic foot treatment. Many pedicurists and podiatrists suffer from respiratory infections and diseases such as asthma, sinusitis, chronic cough and bronchitis. Skin and nail dust may play an important role in the development of occupational diseases and the transmission of mycosis to other clients. To examine the presence of dermatophytes in nail and skin dust produced during podiatric treatments of people without typical symptoms of mycosis and to assess the epidemiological hazards of tinea pedis for podiatrists as well as other clients. Seventy-seven samples underwent direct microscopy and culture. The results of direct microscopy were positive in 28/77 samples (36.36%) and doubtful in 3/77 (3.9%). Fungi were cultured from 36/77 samples (46.75%), including 8/77 (10.3%) positive for dermatophytes (Trichophyton rubrum-6 isolates and Trichophyton mentagrophytes-2). Material collected during podiatric treatments is potentially infected by pathogenic fungi; thus, there is a need to protect both workers who perform such treatments, as well as other clients, to prevent the transmission of pathogens in the Salon environment. Exposure to this occupational hazard may increase not only the risk of respiratory infections but also increase asthmatic or allergic reactions to Trichophyton.

The research has been carried out with a focus on the assessment of the antimicrobial efficacy of pure nanohydroxyapatite, Cu2+-doped nanohydroxyapatite, ozonated olive oil-loaded nanohydroxyapatite, and Cu2+-doped nanohydroxyapatite, respectively. Their potential antimicrobial activity was investigated against Streptococcus mutans, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Candida albicans. Among all tested materials, the highest efficacy was observed in terms of ozonated olive oil. The studies were performed using an Ultraviolet–Visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis), electron microscopy, and statistical methods, by determining the value of Colony-Forming Units (CFU/mL) and Minimal Inhibitory Concentration (MIC).

Purpose: The present research aimed to determine whether and how the aluminium chloride – based materials affect the cell line of the bacterial line and fungi. Methods: Cytotoxicity of haemostatic astringents: Alustat (liquid), Alustat (gel), Alustat (foam), Alustin, Hemostat, Racestyptine and Traxodent containing AlCl3 was conducted on L929 cell line with the use of MTT and SRB assays. The antimicrobial activity (CFU and MIC) against C. albicans, S. mutans, L. rhamnosus was determined. Results: In the MTT results, cell viability for all agents were very low. In SRB, the lowest cytotoxicity was demonstrated for Hemostat and Alustat (foam), Traxodent and Racestyptine. Total reduction of the CFU of S. mutans was observed. Alustat (gel) and Alustat (liquid) completely inhibited the growth of C. albicans, S. mutans and L. rhamnosus. Conclusions: The viability of L929 cells obtained in the SRB assay is more reliable than that obtained in the MTT assay, in the case of gingival haemostatic agents.

Background. Urinary tract infections (UTis) represent 10-20% of all community-acquired infections. Escherichia coli remains the most commonly isolated microorganism. Because of the dominance of these bacteria, routine laboratory tests are not recommended in making the first UTi diagnosis. However, careful monitoring of all etiological agents of uncomplicated UTis should be an important strategy for empirical therapy. Objectives. a determination of the incidence of UTi bacterial etiological agents in outpatients. Material and methods. The results of urine cultures were analyzed. The samples were obtained in the period from 01.2011 to 03.2013 from outpatients of all age groups. Results. The rods of Escherichia coli were the most frequently identified microorganisms responsible for uncomplicated UTis. They were isolated from 52% of infected patients. every fourth case of UTi indicated the participation of Enterococcus spp. and Streptococcus agalactiae. The next 21% of infections were caused by gram-negative bacteria other than E. coli. The role of coagulase-negative staphylococci was insignificant and equaled less than 2%. Conclusions. despite the dominant role of E. coli in urinary tract infections, there has been a decrease in the frequency of its isolation. However, the natural resistance of Enterococcus spp. to antibiotics increases the number of urinary tract infections caused by these bacteria. Streptococcus agalactiae is a UTi cause with similar frequency in women of reproductive age and postmenopausal women. Monitoring of the incidence of uncomplicated infections facilitates empirical treatment and prevents UTi recurrence. Key words: Streptococcus agalactiae, Enterococcus spp., uncomplicated urinary tract infection. Material and methodsThe urine culture results were analyzed in dysuric outpatients with symptoms of varying severity over 26 months (from 01.2011 to 03.2013). The most common UTi symptoms reported by patients were: urinary frequency, pain during urination, abdominal pain, pain in the lower abdomen and/or lumbar region, changed color and/or odor of urine. less frequently patients reported fever, weakness and decreased appetite. all subjects provided urine for culture to the specialist Microbiological laboratory of the Medical University Foundation microFaM in wroclaw. The tests were performed by a quantitative method (calibrated loops) on columbia agar medium with 5% sheep blood, Macconkey agar and sabouraud agar (Becton dickinson). The identification of pathogens was performed in an automatic BBl crystal system (Becton dickinson) based on the biochemical activity of microorganisms in accordance with the recommendations of the national consultant for clinical Microbi-