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Microsporidia are single-celled intracellular parasites which occur in a number of animals, both vertebrates and invertebrates. Several species of microsporidia can cause disease in humans in both immunocompromised and immunocompetent individuals. However, the sources of human infection and the routes of transmission of microsporidia have not yet been fully determined, although more and more researchers are of the opinion that microsporidia in humans is zoonotic. The aim of the presented study was to identify the most common microsporidial species in the droppings of raised and wild pigeons in Poland. A total of 139 collective samples of droppings (33 samples of droppings from feral pigeons and 106 samples from raised pigeons) were examined using conventional staining and molecular techniques. Using chromotrope staining and multiplex FISH techniques, the microsporidial spores were found in 12 (8.6%) of the 139 samples of droppings. The spores of Encephalitozoon hellem were detected in five samples of pigeon droppings (3.6%), spores of E. intestinalis in four samples of droppings (2.9%), while spores of E. cuniculi and E. bieneusi were only detected in two samples (1.4%). Furthermore, a mixed infection of E. bieneusi and E. cuniculi was found in a single sample of droppings (0.7%). The presence of microsporidial spores in droppings collected from raised pigeons indicates a risk of infection to humans, mainly pigeon fanciers.

The seasonal concentrations of pollen and spores of selected fungi taxa in the area of the Main Square Market in Cracow, in 2011 were analysed using the volumetric method of sampling in order to compare these concentrations with results obtained in the continuous monitoring. The highest percentages of pollen in total pollen were noted for Urtica, Pinus and Poaceae. The fungal spore concentrations, with dominant contribution of Cladosporium spores, were relatively higher in comparison with pollen grains. The U Mann-Whitney test indicated that the differences between total pollen in both sites were not statistically significant for most of the taxa, on the contrary to fungal spores. The highest total pollen was reached in the second decade of May and the third decade of August in both study sites. The pollen and fungal spore season characteristics indicate similar pollen season duration for most taxa in both study sites, except at Rumex. Herb pollen seasons are clearly longer than tree pollen seasons and show periods of different concentrations. The statistically significant differences in pollen season dynamics were found for Plantago, Rumex and Urtica in both study sites. The period of high Alternaria spore concentrations coincided with high concentrations of Artemisia, however the time of high Cladosporium spore concentrations was related to relatively high concentrations of Poaceae and Urtica pollen.

Ganoderma spores are one of the most airspora abundant taxa in many regions of the world, and are considered to be important allergens. The aerobiology of Ganoderma basidiospores in two cities in Poland was examined using the volumetric method, (Burkard and Lanzonii Spore Traps), from selected days in 2004, 2005 and 2006. Spores of Ganoderma were present in the atmosphere from June to November, with peak concentrations generally occurring from late July to mid-October. ANN (artificial neural network) and MRT (multivariate regression trees), models indicated that atmospheric phenomenon, hour and relative humidity were the most important variables influencing spore content. The remaining variables (air temperature, dew point, air pressure, wind speed and wind direction), also contributed to the high network performance, (ratio above 1), but their impact was less distinct. Those results are consistent with the Spearman's rank correlation analysis., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The aim of this study was to show the influence of air conditioning control for microbial contamination of air inside the operating theatres equipped with correctly working air-conditioning system. This work was based on the results of bacteria and fungi concentration in hospital air obtained since 2001. Assays of microbial air purity conducted on atmospheric air in parallel with indoor air demonstrated that air filters applied in air-conditioning systems worked correctly in every case. To show the problem of fluctuation of bacteria concentration more precisely, every sequences of single results from successive measure series were examined independently.

A study was made of the link between time of day, weather variables and the hourly content of certain fungal spores in the atmosphere of the city of Szczecin, Poland, in 2004-2007. Sampling was carried out with a Lanzoni 7-day-recording spore trap. The spores analysed belonged to the taxa Alternaria and Cladosporium. These spores were selected both for their allergenic capacity and for their high level presence in the atmosphere, particularly during summer. Spearman correlation coefficients between spore concentrations, meteorological parameters and time of day showed different indices depending on the taxon being analysed. Relative humidity (RH), air temperature, air pressure and clouds most strongly and significantly influenced the concentration of Alternaria spores. Cladosporium spores correlated less strongly and significantly than Alternaria. Multivariate regression tree analysis revealed that, at air pressures lower than 1,011 hPa the concentration of Alternaria spores was low. Under higher air pressure spore concentrations were higher, particularly when RH was lower than 36.5%. In the case of Cladosporium, under higher air pressure (>1,008 hPa), the spores analysed were more abundant, particularly after 0330 hours. In artificial neural networks, RH, air pressure and air temperature were the most important variables in the model for Alternaria spore concentration. For Cladosporium, clouds, time of day, air pressure, wind speed and dew point temperature were highly significant factors influencing spore concentration. The maximum abundance of Cladosporium spores in air fell between 1200 and 1700 hours.

Background: The aim of the study was to recognize exposure to biological agents in the air of waste sorting plants. This publication contains the characteristics of technical solutions in use during sorting of waste and the results of quantitative analysis in terms of the presence of moulds and inhalable dust in the air., Material and Methods: The study was conducted in the summertime inside two waste sorting plants with different production capacity ("big" and "small"). To evaluate inhalable dust in the air, 53 samples were collected using personal samplers on glass fiber filters. To assess mycological contamination of the air, 30 triple samples were directly collected on Petri dishes (Malt Extract Agar medium), using the volumetric impact method in the worker's respiratory zone. Samples were incubated for 5 days at 30 degrees C. Outcomes of the total number of moulds were provided in cfu/m3 (cfu--colony forming units)., Results: The mean concentration of inhalable dust, determined in the "big" waste sorting plant, was 2.38 mg/m3 and in the "small" plant 1.12 mg/m3. The quantitative analysis revealed the following values of the total number of moulds present in the air: 1) "big" waste sorting plant, 2.9 x 10(4) cfu/m3 (work premises) and 3.6 x 10(3) jtk/m3 (office premises); 2) "small" waste sorting plant, 7.8 x 10(4) cfu/m3 (work premises) and 2.5 x 10(3) jtk/m3 (office premises)., Conclusions: Mould concentrations determined in the environment of waste sorting plants were high. To protect health of workers in this kind of plants, preventive programs focused on the protection of the skin and respiratory system should be implemented. Offices should be properly isolated from work premises to minimize spreading of inhalable dust.

The aim of the study was to valuate effectiveness of the air condition system in hospitals. It was done by estimation of bacteria and fungi concentration in the air. The study were performed in ten hospital rooms which were protected by EU 13 or EU 9 filters. Possible the most important source of fungi was not treated air incoming from outside. Only in four of the rooms concentrations of the fungi in the air were satisfactory and not exceeded 20 cfu/m3 (cfu--colony forming unit). However in two of them the number of fungi rise 4-5 times after the windows were opened. Concentration of the fungi in operating theater number 2 (1-2 cfu/m3) allow to valuate efficiency of air conditioning systems. The lowest bacteria concentration was in Intensive Care Unit (73 cfu/m3) but the highest in instrumentalists rum (1427 cfu/m3. where according to high fungi concentration (116 cfu/m3) the air conditioning systems was switched of and the ventilation was by open windows.

Spores of many fungal pathogens are dispersed by wind. Detection of these airborne inocula is important in forecasting both the onset and the risk of epiphytotics. Species-specific primers targeted at the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region of Leptosphaeria maculans and L. biglobosa - the causal organisms of phoma stem canker and stem lesions of Brassica spp., including oilseed rape - were used to detect DNA extracted from particles deposited on tapes obtained from a spore trap operated in Rarwino (northwest Poland) from September to November in 2004 and 2006. The quantities of DNA assessed by traditional end-point PCR and quantitative real-time PCR were compared to microscopic counts of airborne ascospores. Results of this study showed that fluctuations in timing of ascospore release corresponded to the dynamics of combined concentrations of DNA from L. maculans and L. biglobosa, with significant positive correlations between ascospore number and DNA yield. Thus the utilization of PCR-based molecular diagnostic techniques enabled the detection, identification, and accurate quantification of airborne inoculum at the species level. Moreover, real-time PCR was more sensitive than traditional PCR, especially in years with low ascospore numbers.

Alternaria is an airborne fungal spore type known to trigger respiratory allergy symptoms in sensitive patients. Aiming to reduce the risk for allergic individuals, we constructed predictive models for the fungal spore circulation in Szczecin, Poland. Monthly forecasting models were developed for the airborne spore concentrations of Alternaria, which is one of the most abundant fungal taxa in the area. Aerobiological sampling was conducted over 2004--2007, using a Lanzoni trap. Simultaneously, the following meteorological parameters were recorded: daily level of precipitation; maximum and average wind speed; relative humidity; and maximum, minimum, average, and dew point temperature. The original factors as well as with lags (up to 3 days) were used as the explaining variables. Due to non-linearity and non-normality of the data set, the modelling technique applied was the artificial neural network (ANN) method. The final model was a split model with classification (spore presence or absence) followed by regression for spore seasons and logx+1 transformed Alternaria spore concentration. All variables except maximum wind speed and precipitation were important factors in the overall classification model. In the regression model for spore seasons, close relationships were noted between Alternaria spore concentration and average and maximum temperature (on the same day and 3 days previously), humidity (with lag 1) and maximum wind speed 2 days previously. The most important variable was humidity recorded on the same day. Our study illustrates a novel approach to modelling of time series with short spore seasons, and indicates that the ANN method provides the possibility of forecasting Alternaria spore concentration with high accuracy.

The relationship between hospitals location and bacteria and fungi concentration in hospitals rooms was investigated. Hospitals situated in the city centre and outside the city were chosen to investigation. The relationship between bacteria and fungi concentration in indoor and ambient air was analyzed. In the investigation air-conditioned rooms were isolated.

The aim of this work was the estimation of microbial contamination of the air in "small gastronomy point". The study included three places, which have been separated on the ground of their function: 1. area of subsidiaries, 2. area of distribution (sale and serving meal), 3. area of consumption. The total numbers of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and moulds were determined by sedimentation method. Taxonomy units of fungal aerosol were also estimated. The samples of air were collected in 16 investigation points in the morning (8-8.30) and in the afternoon (14-14.30). Four series of measurements were carried out and in general 128 of air samples were tested. The results showed that numbers of bacteria, yeasts and moulds were variable and received respectively 30-3397, 0-254 and 0-138 cfu x m(-3). Microbial contamination of air changed depending on area character (the highest average count of bacteria occurred in the air of consumption area and fungi in subsidiaries area), time of a day (contamination of the air increased in the afternoon) and determination date. Only in single samples the numbers of bacteria and fungi were higher than recommended level. Pigmentary bacteria had high participation in total count of bacteria and filamentous fungi were represented mostly by Penicillium sp. and Cladosporium sp.

Test results of total number of bacteria and fungi in air of operating rooms were presented. The investigation was performed during "warm season" of the year--from June to September. Concentration of bacteria and fungi in the air of operating rooms with and without air conditioning system are compared, as well between hospitals where continuous inspections and regulations of air conditioning systems are practiced and those where inspections and regulations were done periodically. Results from operating rooms with faulty air conditioning are presented separately.

Objectives: Assessment of the incidence of fungal pathogens in air of the operating rooms from one of the hospitals in Białystok., Material and Methods: Investigations were conducted in selected rooms of obstetrics department. Material for mycological studies was air sampled at the entrance of hospital building, the entrance to operating room, hall and selected rooms of the department. Fungi were identified using the standard microbial procedures: The monitoring of airborne fungi pollution was done using SAS SUPER 100 (pbi international). Classification of the isolated fungi was done with an accordance to the current procedures., Results: In the air of 16 rooms of obstetrics department different numbers of fungal colonies from 0 to 560 CFU/1000L of air were isolated. Fungi were not isolated from the air samples of preparing, septic, operating and family deliveries rooms. The highest number of fungi colonies were isolated at the entrance the hospital. The following fungal pathogens isolated from the air were: Candida albicans. non-Candida albicans, Penicillium species, Cladosporium species and Aspergillus species., Conclusions: 1. The different number of fungal colonies was found depending on type of the hospital room. 2. The highest number of fungal colonies was isolated from the air samples of patients rooms 3. No fungal colonies were isolated from the septic, operating and family deliveries rooms 4. The main fungal pathogen isolated from the air samples was Candida albicans.

The microbiological condition of minimally processed vegetable salads (7-days durability) purchased in the retail network of Szczecin has been assessed. The study included 14 kinds of salads manufactured by two producers. The total count of mesophilic aerobic bacteria and their spores, aid-forming bacteria (lactobacilli), titre of coliforms, occurrence of pathogenic bacteria and counts of moulds and yeast were determined. No pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Proteus) was detected in all salads. However contamination by saprophytic microorganisms was high in salads of both producers. Total count of mesophilic aerobic bacteria was higher than recommended level (> 10(5) cfu/g) in majority of salads. The high quantities of yeast (> 10(3) jtk/g) and lactobacilli (10(3)-10(5) fu/g) were also stated. The titre of coliforms was reduced (down to 0.01-0.0001 g). The count of moulds did not exceed 100 cfu/g in a most of samples. Moulds occurring in tested samples were represented mainly by Penicillium sp.

The estimation of microbiological quality of muesli samples was the aim of this investigation. The study included 40 samples which represented various consignments of muesli, produced in 2002 year. Total number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, yeasts and moulds, and also occurrence of pathogenic bacteria, coliforms and enterococci were determined. The systematic units of muesli fungal flora have been identified. It was stated that microbiological quality of all tested muesli was good. No pathogenic bacteria (Salmonella, Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus) was detected and also coliforms and enterococci titre was correct (> 0.1 g). A majority of samples characterized low contamination levels of mesophilic aerobic bacteria and fungi, and their total number did not exceed, suitably 10(3) and 10(2) cfu/g. The mesophilic aerobic bacteria were mainly represented by vegetative forms. The average share of these bacteria spores in total number of bacteria received 30%. The Aspergillus sp. and Penicillium sp. were regular elements of muesli fungal flora.

Fungal spores are one of the main groups of allergens. They are present in our environment all year long. The concentration of the spores in July and August is 100-1000 higher than pollens. In contrast with the pollens there is a correlation between the spore count and higher risk of medication use, nocturnal asthma attacks, and hospitalization rates. We have presented the clinical classification of fungi, and characterized main indoor and outdoor allergens. The fungi play also an important role in the sick building syndrome. Fungal allergens are not only aeroallergens, they may also get into our body with food. They may also develop contact reactions. Antibiotic allergy is regarded as one of the classic allergic reactions caused by fungi. The id reactions are caused by the fungi from far infection focuses.

Zoosporic and conidial fungi species and environmental factors in 5 various sites of the Podlasie stretch of the river Bug were studied. Samples of water were collected in October 1999 and April 2000 for hydrochemical analysis and the order to determine the number of fungal species. Buckwheat-seeds, hemp-seeds, cellophane and snake exuviae were used as bait during the exposure in laboratory. Sixty-four zoosporic fungus species and forty-six conidial species were found in various sites of the Podlasie stretch of the river Bug. 8 species were recorded for the first time from Poland.

Zoosporic and conidial fungi species and environmental factors in 10 various sites of River Narew in the Narew National Park were studied. Samples of water were collected in autumn 1999 and spring 2000 for hydrochemical analysis and the order to determine the number of fungal species. Buckwheat-seeds, hemp-seeds, cellophane and snake exuviae were used as bait during the exposure in laboratory. 198 lower aquatic fungus species were found in various sites of River Narew. 13 species were recorded for the first time from Poland.

The occurrence of keratinophilic fungus Lagenidium humanum Karling was investigated, using the bait method, in relation to the environmental conditions in the surface waters of the River Bug, Supraśl and Zwierzyniec in Podlasie in the years 1995-2000. The fungus was found to be the most common at eutrophized sites of the River Supraśl and Biała, and snake exuviae was the most frequently colonized bait. It was revealed that the occurrence of Lagenidium humanum in the water reservoirs was mostly affected by the content of biogenes, suspended solids, oxidability and temperature. Its appearance was seasonal, being most common in spring and autumn.

The real contribution of moulds to the pathogenesis of allergic diseases remains unknown, although positive skin prick tests and/or specific serum IgE to moki allergens can be detected in 1-5% of atopic patients. A significant problem in assesment of exposure to mould allergens, resulting with difficulty in standarization of methods. The aim of this work was to assess the concentration of spores of 8 mould species in flats inhabited by peoples who Bont show any symptoms of allergy. The Open Petri Dish (OPD) method involving sedimentation of participles contained in the column of air over the dish was used to assess the number of spores in 1 m3 of indoor atmospheres. All colonies were counted, but only 8 mould species implicated in inhaled allergy were identified, ie.: Alternaria tenuis, Cladosporium herbarum, Helminthosporum halodes, Pullularia pullulans, Penicillium notatam, Rhizopus nigricans, Mucor mucedo, Aspergillus fumigatus. The tests were carried out in 10 flats located in various quarters of the cify of Lodź during three consecutive days of September 1995 between 5:00 pm and 6:04 pm. In analyzing the percentage of spores of each of the eight mould species tested we determined that, independent of fiat and test day, C. herbarum predominated. It is good agreement with the observations of other authors who report that among large quantities of fungi that are detected in late summer, usually C. herbarum spores dominate. This is the season when the incidence of the Cladosporium spores in the atmospheric air increases. Spores of H. halodes were detected least frequently. Our study demonstrated the presence of substantial amounts of mould spores in indoor air of houses in Lódź. The spores belong to species with documented allergenicity, suggesting that they may play a role in development of allergic sensitization in susceptible subjects.