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The study of sperm cellular components at molecular level is crucial for the diagnosis of male unexplained infertility. The aim of the study was to compare the molecular profile of steroid receptors and aromatase in spermatozoa obtained from two normozoospermic groups of patients issued from couples treated for infertility. We investigated 46 male patients from unexplained infertility couples and from men, 38 where female partners presented with tubal infertility. Sperm ERs (estrogen receptors: alpha and beta), GPER (G protein-coupled estrogen receptor), AR (androgen receptor) and aromatase mRNA expression levels by TaqMan qPCR were analyzed. AR transcript level was significantly lower in sperm of men from unexplained infertility couples vs. men from couples with tubal factor infertility (P = 0.04). Although the AR mRNA expression level did not had any effect on embryo development and its implantation, a significant correlation between AR mRNA levels and clinical pregnancy in unexplained infertility patients was observed. Taken together, AR transcript presence in ejaculated spermatozoa could be a potential marker for unexplained infertility.

Background & Aims Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is the most common pregnancy-related liver disorder that affects from 0.2% to 15.6% pregnant women. The disease is connected with increased risk of fetal morbidity and mortality, but is unfortunately detected quite late. The diagnosis of ICP is based on only one manifestation: pruritus which mainly affects soles and palms. Methods Twenty intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) women and twenty healthy pregnant women (control group) took part in the study. In the study group, blood sampling for baseline measurements was performed on the first day of hospital stay – before the commencement of treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) – and repeated after 7 days of 900 mg UDCA per day. An additional blood sample was collected on the second day after childbirth. In the control group, blood samples were collected directly after hospital admission. We compared plasma sphingolipids in samples of the subjects from ICP and ICP + UDCA-treated groups as well as the ICP group after delivery with the healthy controls. Results Of all sphingolipids, the median values of C16-Cer and C18-Cer were significantly higher in the plasma of cholestasis patients not treated with UDCA as compared to the control. Following 7 days of UDCA treatment, a considerable decrease in C16-Cer, C18-Cer and the total concentration of bile acids was noted as compared to the baseline. Conclusion It is known that sphingolipids serve as modulators of liver regeneration. We assume these substances could be potential markers for detecting early onsets of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Zoophilic species of human dermatophytoses, such as Trichophyton mentagrophytes are significantly rare. We present a case of a 42-year-old male who for 2 months had been unsuccessfully treated and then referred to hospital with suspected actinomycosis. Lesions on the skin on his neck, submandibular area, cheeks and groins were consistent with extremely painful, merging inflammatory tumours and infiltrations with the presence of numerous pustules in hair follicles that poured purulent contents forming into yellow crusts after compression. The treatment with terbinafine was successful. The final identification of the Trichopyton mentagrophytes var. granulosum strain was performed based on a microscopic assessment of the culture, and the result of species identification was confirmed by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

Summary 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

Clostridium difficile is a well-known cause of hospital-acquired infection such as antibiotic associated diarrhoea or pseudomembranous colitis. Extraintestinal infections caused by this pathogen are described rarely. A case of post-traumatic wound infection caused by C. difficile in an immunocompetent, young and otherwise healthy trauma patient is reported. A 31-year-old female, a car accident victim, was admitted to hospital because of polytrauma. After open reduction and internal fixation of a supracondylar femoral fracture by means of the dynamic condylar screw (DCS) system, a purulent fistula occurred. Microbiological examination of the pus revealed C. difficile as the single aetiological factor of this infection. Empirical antibiotic treatment with cefazoline and metronidazole had been administered right after the surgery, but was found to be ineffective. The strain isolated from the patient was sensitive to most antimicrobials except for clindamycin, and amoxicillin/clavulanic acid was chosen for the guided therapy. Such treatment combined with the removal of the DCS system produced a desirable effect.

A continuous pressure of antibiotics and chemotherapeutics in ICU patients promotes isolation of multidrug-resistant (MDR) strains. Treatment of infections caused by microorganisms resistant to available drugs often results in a therapeutic failure. The purpose of this work was a retrospective comparison of the rates of isolation of particular MDR pathogen groups in 2007 vs 2008 in ICU patients hospitalised in a university hospital 11-bed reference department, and of antibiotic consumption in the analysed years.