Herpes zoster (HZ) is caused by reactivation of latent varicella-zoster virus and affects 25-30% of individuals, with the highest incidence in adults aged ≥50 years and a lifetime risk exceeding 50% after the age of 85. Its most common complication is postherpetic neuralgia (PHN), i.e., persistent neuropathic pain. Reports of increased HZ incidence during or after SARS-CoV-2 infection suggest potential epidemiological associations requiring further investigation. Our goals were to evaluate the incidence of HZ and its complications during the pandemic and the post-pandemic period in primary care settings in Poland. We conducted a retrospective multicenter study in 20 primary care clinics in Poland, covering 43,949-81,091 patients from 2020 to 2024. Incident HZ cases and complications (PHN, herpes zoster ophthalmicus (HZO), HZ oticus, and disseminated HZ) were identified, and demographic data, including place of residence, were collected. Statistical analyses included χ2 or Fisher's exact tests, Student's t-tests or nonparametric equivalents, odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs), and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis to assess age-related risk of prolonged symptoms. A total of 570 HZ cases were recorded from 2020 to 2024. Incidence ranged from 1.61 to 2.14 per 1,000 persons and increased with age, reaching 6.57 per 1,000 in individuals aged ≥80 years. Patients aged ≥71 years had higher odds of developing PHN (pain persisting for >90 days) than younger patients (OR = 4.47; 95% CI: 2.30-8.67; p < 0.001). Older adults were also more likely to develop HZO (p = 0.001). Rural incidence was significantly lower during the pandemic than in the post-pandemic period (p = 0.005), with no significant differences in urban or semi-urban areas. The risk of HZ, PHN, and HZO rises with age. During the pandemic (2020-2021), rural incidence was significantly lower than in the post-pandemic period (2022-2024). The study provides updated data on HZ epidemiology in Poland and highlights the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare access and HZ reporting in rural areas.

Introduction: Depressive disorders are one of the greatest public health challenges worldwide, affecting up to 16% of the population over a lifetime and significantly impacting quality of life, disability, and premature mortality. Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a leading cause of disability, despite the availability of numerous treatment options. In 20–50% of patients, traditional pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy become ineffective, leading to a diagnosis of treatment-resistant depression (TRD). Objective: The objective of this study was to provide a thorough assessment of current research findings evaluating the efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) in patients with MDD and TRD, with particular emphasis on rapid antidepressant effects and long-term therapeutic potential. Methods: A literature review was conducted in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases. Keywords related to psilocybin, depression, treatment-resistant depression, and psychedelic-assisted therapy were used. Results: Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is a promising alternative for the treatment of MDD, TRD, and secondary depression. Compared to traditional antidepressants, PAT is characterized by a faster onset of action, symptom reduction often occurs as early as the first week after starting therapy, and the achieved results may persist long-term for up to 6–12 months. In addition, many patients showed improvement in anhedonia, anxiety, and overall psychosocial functioning. Conclusions: Psilocybin represents a promising therapeutic alternative for patients with severe depression and TRD, offering rapid and lasting antidepressant effects. Its use could significantly change the approach to treating depression, particularly in cases resistant to standard therapies.

Melanoma is a highly aggressive skin cancer with a steadily increasing annual incidence. Although it accounts for only 1% of diagnosed skin cancers, it has the highest mortality rate among them. Therefore, it is essential to continuously develop treatment methods and improve long-term outcomes. In recent years, a breakthrough has been the introduction of adjuvant therapy following surgical treatment, which has become the standard of treatment. This has led to an increase in recurrence-free survival and overall survival in high-risk patients. Immunotherapy with anti-CTLA-4 and anti-PD-1 antibodies, as well as targeted therapy for patients with BRAF mutations, have become part of the standard of care. These are recommended for patients with stage IIB–IV melanoma at high risk of recurrence to eliminate micrometastases. Various treatment regimens targeting different patient subgroups are still being investigated to optimize outcomes and minimize adverse effects. This paper reviews and discusses current adjuvant treatment strategies for melanoma. In addition, it highlights the emerging role and future potential of these therapies in the neoadjuvant setting.

Recurrent upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) represent a significant clinical challenge in otolaryngology, with growing evidence suggesting that intestinal microbiota may play an important role in their pathogenesis. The gut-lung axis describes bidirectional immunological, metabolic, and microbial communication between the gastrointestinal and respiratory systems. Disturbances in gut microbiota composition, known as dysbiosis, can impair mucosal immunity through altered IgA production, reduced regulatory T‑cell activity, and decreased levels of immunomodulatory metabolites such as short‑chain fatty acids. These changes may increase susceptibility to infections of the pharynx, sinuses, and middle ear, contributing to their chronic and recurrent course. Frequent antibiotic use, common in ENT practice, may further exacerbate dysbiosis, creating a potential vicious cycle of recurrent infections. Emerging therapeutic strategies - such as probiotics, prebiotics, dietary interventions, and personalized microbiome‑based approaches - offer promising but yet insufficiently validated avenues for supporting standard treatment. Further prospective clinical studies are required to better define the role of the gut-lung axis in the development and management of recurrent ENT infections and to assess the effectiveness of microbiome‑modulating therapies.

Background/Objectives: Herpes zoster (HZ) vaccination rates remain low globally despite the availability of effective recombinant vaccines. This study aimed to assess knowledge of HZ and HZ vaccination, willingness to vaccinate, and factors associated with vaccination willingness among at-risk populations in both outpatient clinic and online survey settings in Poland. Methods: A questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was conducted between May and September 2025 in outpatient primary care clinics operated by Medical Center Medyk (Podkarpackie Voivodeship, southeastern Poland) and via online social media platforms. Participants included individuals aged ≥50 years with a history of HZ and individuals aged ≥18 years with at least one recognised HZ risk factor. Multivariable logistic regression and classification and regression tree (CART) analysis were employed to identify predictors of vaccination willingness. Results: Valid responses were obtained from 212 onsite and 241 online participants. A prior history of HZ was significantly associated with correct responses to several knowledge items concerning HZ and HZ vaccination in both settings. Over 40% of initially hesitant or unwilling onsite participants reported a positive change in vaccination intention following medical consultation. CART models demonstrated good discriminative performance (AUC: online 0.841, onsite 0.861). The primary difference between settings was the source of information: online participants relied more heavily on the internet, whereas onsite participants more frequently cited healthcare professionals. Conclusions: Personal experience with HZ and engagement with healthcare professionals significantly influence vaccination willingness. Targeted educational interventions delivered through appropriate communication channels, with emphasis on physician engagement, may help improve vaccination willingness among at-risk populations.