Infections caused by exposure to opportunistic pathogens can cause serious health problems during recreational water use. The problem of diseases caused by microbes transmitted by water is a major public health challenge, especially in developing countries with economic problems and poor hygiene conditions. Moreover, the quality of water in natural reservoirs is often at a very low level in terms of microbiological water purity, which means that their use for recreational purposes, but also as a source of drinking water, may have serious health consequences. Recreational waters pose a threat to human health. Therefore, the quality of recreational waters is closely monitored in many jurisdictions. In this review, we summarize key information on the most common pathogens that can be water-based or waterborne. The issue of antimicrobial resistance among opportunistic pathogens remains equally important. It is important not only to fight pathogens, but also to take action to reduce chemical stressors (especially antibiotics) in the aquatic environment, and to understand the various mechanisms of the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes.

Microbiological diagnostics is of great importance in limiting the spread of nosocomial infections. The information on etiological agents of infections and their susceptibility to antibiotics enables a quick response in the case of a suspected epidemic outbreak. The aim of this study is to analyze the incidence of nosocomial urinary tract infections among patients hospitalized in hospital wards over a period of 2 years and to determine the predominant etiological agent depending on the method of clinical specimen collection. Data from the Mazovian Specialist Hospital (MSH) in Radom constitute the material for the preparation of this study. Urine was collected using two methods. The first one was the method of collecting urine from the central stream, while the second method was urine collected from patients with a urinary catheter in place. The statistical calculations were conducted using the statistical software. Based on hospital data, it was shown that 5,870 urine tests were performed during the period under review, of which 2,070 were positive. The number of positive results in 2021 decreased by 2.84% compared to that in 2020. On the basis of the statistical analysis, differences in the occurrence of multiple strains were observed between catheter-based and midstream urine collection. Differences were observed especially for Acinetobacter baumannii, Candida albicans, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. A. baumannii, C. albicans, and P. aeruginosa were significantly more frequently found in urine samples collected through the catheter than from the midstream. Furthermore, E. coli (51.56%) and Enterococcus species (25.46%) were more frequent when collected from the middle stream than when urine was collected through a catheter. However, for the strain K. pneumoniae, the results were comparable when urine was collected from catheterized patients (13.83%) and from midstream (13.35%). Urinary tract infection among hospitalized patients of the Mazovian Specialist Hospital in Radom was diagnosed quite frequently. In 2021, 32 more urine cultures were performed than in 2020. In the analyzed period, among all ordered urine cultures, 35.27% of samples were positive.

A bacterial biofilm is a spatially organized structure composed of microorganisms surrounded by an extracellular matrix (EPS – Extracellular Polymeric Substances). Bacteria, fungi, algae, and protozoa are capable of forming biofilms. In a biofilm, microorganisms function as an organized community, which provides protection against harmful environmental factors, including the action of antibiotics and disinfectants. Urinary tract infections (UTIs) are among the most common bacterial infections, and biofilm plays a key role in their pathogenesis. It is estimated that up to 60% of UTI cases are associated with the presence of biofilm, which significantly complicates treatment and contributes to disease recurrence. The ability of bacteria to adhere to the epithelium of the urinary tract and form biofilms on artificial surfaces, such as urinary catheters, is of particular importance. The process of biofilm formation on a catheter begins almost immediately after it is inserted into the bladder, significantly increasing the risk of infection. For this reason, it is crucial to follow aseptic techniques during catheterization, use closed systems, and ensure proper placement of the urine bag below the level of the bladder. The presence of biofilm in the urinary tract not only complicates the elimination of pathogens but also promotes the development of antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens, further complicating therapy and prolonging recovery time. Biofilm serves as a permanent reservoir of microorganisms, often leading to chronic infections and their recurrence. Understanding the mechanisms of biofilm formation and its role in UTIs is essential for developing more effective methods of prevention and treatment of these common and troublesome infections.

Bakterie z rodzaju Nocardia zaliczane są do tlenowych promieniowców wywołujących poważne infekcje ludzi oraz zwierząt. Występuje ponad 30 gatunków chorobotwórczych dla człowieka. Najczęściej izolowane szczepy, m.in.: N. nova complex, N. abscessus, N. transvalensis complex, N. farcinica, N. asteroidestyp VI (N. cyriacigeorgica) i N. brasiliensis, są odpowiedzialne za wiele różnych chorób począwszy od postaci skórnej, poprzez płucną oraz wielonarządową. Sporadycznie mogą powodować także ropień mózgu, zwłaszcza u osób w immunosupresji. Grupą najbardziej podatną na zachorowania są pacjenci z obniżoną odpornością. Właściwa identyfikacja bakterii z rodzaju Nocardia jest trudna. Niezbędne jest wykorzystanie metod biologii molekularnej, gdyż nowe gatunki niekiedy nie wykazują żadnych różnic fenotypowych między sobą. Prawidłowa identyfikacja jest konieczna do wdrożenia właściwej antybiotykoterapii.

Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are infections that develop during a patient’s hospitalization, which were not in the incubation period at the time of admission to the hospital. They represent a significant issue in modern medicine, impacting the length of hospitalization, increasing treatment costs, and raising patient mortality rates. The main risk factors for healthcare-associated infections include prolonged hospitalization, previous antibiotic therapy, mechanical ventilation, vascular and urinary catheterization, surgical procedures, and weakened immune function. These infections are often caused by microorganisms that colonize the hospital environment and can easily spread between patients, staff, and medical equipment. A particular threat comes from multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs), which are capable of surviving under harsh hospital conditions and exhibit resistance to multiple groups of antibiotics. Research confirms that contaminated hospital environments play a key role in the transmission of pathogens such as MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ), VRE (Vancomycin-Resistant Enterococcus ), ESBL (Extended-Spectrum Beta-Lactamases), KPC ( Klebsiella pneumoniae Carbapenemase), and NDM (New Delhi Metallo-beta-lactamase). Antimicrobial resistance is a global problem, representing one of the most serious public health challenges. Resistance to antimicrobial drugs refers to the ability of bacteria to survive and multiply despite the use of antibiotics. Microorganisms have developed numerous defense mechanisms, including enzymatic inactivation of drugs, changes in the targets of antibiotics, restricting their entry into cells, and actively expelling drugs from cells. The growing problem of multidrug resistance complicates the effective treatment of hospital infections, significantly increasing the risk of complications, treatment costs, and mortality. Effective infection prevention and control are crucial to addressing this issue.

Ropień okołoodbytniczy to choroba, której leczenie jest procesem długotrwałym i uciążliwym dla pacjenta. Prowadzi ona do istotnego obniżenia jakości życia pacjenta i niejednokrotnie zmusza go do czasowego wyłączenia się z dotychczasowych aktywności. Ropnie odbytu, pomimo stosowania zaawansowanych schematów leczenia, charakteryzują się tendencją do nawrotów i powikłań, stanowiąc niejednokrotnie wskazanie do hospitalizacji chorego. Poprawa jakości życia pacjenta jest głównym celem opracowywania nowoczesnych metod leczenia, wśród których istotne znaczenie odgrywa terapia podciśnieniowa i coraz częściej stosowane preparaty bogatopłytkowe, zarówno w postaci iniekcyjnej jak i w postaci opatrunków autologicznych. W pracy zaprezentowano studium przypadku 56-letniej pacjentki, u której doszło do samoistnego pęknięcia ropnia okołoodbytniczego. W leczeniu zastosowano terapię podciśnieniową, co umozliwiło skuteczną ewakuację ropnej wydzieliny z kanału ropnia i istotne zmniejszenie rozmiarów rany. W drugim etapie leczenia, dzięki zastosowaniu fibryny bogatopłytkowej w postaci iniekcji i opatrunku autologicznego zaaplikowanego do kanału ropnia, w szybkim tempie uzyskano wygojenie rany. Holistyczny sposób leczenia zastosowany u pacjentki przyniósł rezultat w postaci pełnego wygojenia rany w stosunkowo krótkim czasie i uzyskania dobrej jakości blizny. Synergistyczne połączenie róznych metod zastosowanych w leczeniu pacjentki wydaje się być rozwiązaniem ciekawym, skutecznym i możliwym do zastosowania u innych pacjentów w podobnej sytuacji klinicznej.