Purpose. In this study, we applied various assays to find new activities of 1,4-naphthoquinone derivatives for potential anti-Candida albicans applications. Methodology. These assays determined (a) the antimicrobial effect on growth/cell multiplication in fungal cultures, (b) the effect on formation of hyphae and biofilm, (c) the influence on cell membrane integrity, (d) the effect on cell morphology using atomic force microscopy, and (e) toxicity against zebrafish embryos. We have demonstrated the activity of these compounds against different Candida species and clinical isolates of C. albicans. Key findings. 1,4-Naphthoquinones significantly affected fungal strains at 8–250 mg l−1 of MIC. Interestingly, at concentrations below MICs, the chemicals showed effectiveness in inhibition of hyphal formation and cell aggregation in Candida. Of note, atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed an influence of the compounds on cell morphological properties. However, at low concentrations (0.8–31.2 mg l−1), it did not exert any evident toxic effects on zebrafish embryos. Conclusions. Our research has evidenced the effectiveness of 1,4-naphthoquinones as potential anti-Candida agents.

Many etiological agents of zoonoses are considered as significant biological hazard to people visiting forested areas frequently, for instance, hunters. They may be exposed to ticks, rodents, and birds as well as excreta/secretions of wild animals or contaminated water and soil. Hence, this population is at risk of contracting infection with pathogens such as Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.), Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia spp., tick-borne encephalitis virus, Bartonella spp., Francisella tularensis, Echinococcus spp., or hantaviruses. The aim of the study was to assess the seroprevalence of zoonotic agents, viz. A. phagocytophilum, hantaviruses, and Echinococcus spp., with special regard to B. burgdorferi s.l., among hunters in Lubelskie Voivodeship (eastern Poland). Serum samples collected from 134 hunters from Lubelskie Voivodeship were analyzed with the use of immunological techniques (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, line immunoblot test, and indirect fluorescence assay) for the presence of antibodies against the agents. Specific antibodies were detected in 66% of the tested individuals. Antibodies against B. burgdorferi s.l. (39%), A. phagocytophilum (30%), hantaviruses (9%), and Echinococcus spp. (8%) were detected individually or as mixed results. The results confirm that there is a risk of exposure to different pathogens in the forested areas in eastern Poland and that hunters are highly vulnerable to infection with the examined zoonotic agents. A significant proportion of co-occurring antibodies against different pathogens was noticed. Thus, hunters have to take special care of their health status evaluation and mitigate the exposure risk by using adequate prophylaxis measures.

Introduction: Lyme borreliosis/Lyme disease is caused by Borrelia burgdorferi and is one of the most common vector-borne diseases transmitted by ticks. Material and Methods: A total of 136 Ixodes ricinus ticks, collected in the Ternopil (Ukraine) region, including 126 adults (70 females and 56 males), and 10 nymphs were examined. The identification of the species and their developmental form was based on morphological characteristics. Results: PCR with B5S-Bor and 23S-Bor primers resulted in Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato DNA amplification among six ticks (4.4%). The detailed analysis based on the DNA sequencing showed the presence of DNA of Borrelia afzelii in four samples; the remaining two represented Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, although their genospecies were not determined. The research confirmed the dominance of Borrelia afzelii genospecies in the ticks from Ukraine. Conclusion: It seems reasonable to undertake similar research in ticks from other regions of Ukraine. Knowledge in this field can be useful for public health and planning the prevention of tick-borne diseases.

Borelioza z Lyme (LB) jest najczęstszą chorobą przenoszoną przez kleszcze w Europie, a liczba zachorowań stale rośnie. Celem pracy było przedstawienie sytuacji epidemiologicznej oraz standardów diagnostycznych LB w dwóch sąsiadujących krajach Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej: Polsce i Ukrainie. Borelioza z Lyme uważana jest za endemiczną zarówno w Polsce jak i Ukrainie. W Polsce system nadzoru dla LB rozpoczęto w 1996 roku, a liczba rejestrowanych przypadków zachorowań systematycznie rośnie. Borelioza z Lyme zajmuje czołowe miejsce wśród rozpoznawanych w Polsce chorób zawodowych. Na Ukrainie rejestracja LB rozpoczęła się w 2000 roku, a częstość występowania tej choroby rośnie z każdym rokiem. Brakuje jednocześnie oficjalnego uznania LB jako choroby zawodowej z odpowiednimi gwarancjami socjalnymi. W Polsce dostępne są rekomendacje Polskiego Towarzystwa Epidemiologii i Chorób Zakaźnych dotyczące diagnostyki i leczenia LB. Zalecenia dotyczące metod diagnozowania i leczenia LB na Ukrainie są na dzień dzisiejszy nieobecne. W związku z brakiem rekomendacji dotyczących diagnostyki laboratoryjnej LB na Ukrainie, należy podjąć starania zmierzające do harmonizacji standardów w diagnostyce boreliozy z Lyme w tym kraju na podstawie wytycznych obowiązujących w krajach europejskich.

Lyme borreliosis is the most common tick-borne disease in Europe and the USA. However, a great variety of pathogens are transmitted by ticks, which results in mixed infections, with Lyme borreliosis. The aim of the present study was to show the incidence of Borrelia burgdorferi, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Babesia microti coinfections among the population of foresters and farmers, as these people, due to their profession, are particularly exposed to tick contact. The study was carried out in eastern Poland (the northern part of the Lublin Province) in 2013. The study was performed in a group of 93 individuals occupationally exposed to tick bites (foresters and farmers), whose blood serum showed the presence of IgG anti-B. burgdorferi antibodies. Blood serum in this group were evaluated for IgG anti-A. phagocytophilum and IgG anti-B. microti antibodies by means of IFA IgG indirect immunofluorescence tests. Information related to age, sex, number of tick bite episodes, presence of various symptoms related to the tick bites, and antibiotic therapy applied as treatment for diagnosed Lyme borreliosis were obtained from the subjects through a structured questionnaire. The results were analyzed in Statistica v. 7.1 statistical analysis software. The presence of IgG antibodies against the analyzed pathogens revealed B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum coinfection in 26 (28%) of the examined subjects and B. burgdorferi and B. microti coinfection in one person (1.1%). No coinfection with all the three pathogens was observed in any individual. The co-occurrence of headache plus bone, joint and muscle pain was noted significantly more often among individuals diagnosed with B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum coinfection. Foresters and farmers are exposed to B. burgdorferi and A. phagocytophilum coinfection in the study area. Therefore, it is probable that these pathogens may severely interfere with the clinical course of Lyme borreliosis.

The objective of the study was assessment of risk of infection with Borrelia burgdorferi in the area of southern Podlasie in Poland, near the border with Belarus, by analysis of post-exposure procedure, and evaluation of asymptomatic infection in adolescents bitten by a tick, confirmed by serologic tests. The study was conducted among 128 healthy individuals aged 16-20 who declared being bitten by a tick. The level of IgM and IgG class antibodies was determined using the immunoenzymatic test (Borrelia 14 kD + OspC IgM ELISA and Borrelia IgG + VlsE ELISA, DRG Diagnostics). Positive and doubtful results were confirmed using the Western blot method (EUROLINE-WB, EUROIMMUN). In the study group, the largest number of respondents (59.4%) declared tick bite in the region of the lower extremities, most often in the knee pit. Among the methods for removing the tick the largest number of respondents indicated removing it with the use of tweezers, with a simple, swift steady movement (29.7%), and pulling it out with the fingers (22.7%). In the ELISA test, a positive or doubtful result in at least one class was observed in 25.0% of respondents (n=32/128): in IgM class - 23.4% (n=30/128), and in IgG class - 4.7% (n=6/128). After verification with the Western blot test, infection was confirmed in 5.5% of respondents (n=7/128): in IgM class - 1.6% (n=2/128), in IgG class - 3.9% (n=5/128). In IgM class antibodies, the Western blot test confirmed positive or doubtful results of the ELISA test in 6.7%, while in IgG class antibodies in 83.3%. Evaluation of the actual infection with Borrelia spp. using serologic tests is difficult due to a certain non-specificity of the ELISA test, especially in IgM class antibodies, and difficulties with performance of a wide scope of specific Western blot tests. The variety of methods of tick removal declared by adolescents suggests that a wider education of society concerning appropriate methods of removing the tick should become an especially important element of prophylactic actions in the area of borreliosis.