Demodicosis – pathophysiology, treatment and therapeutic efficacy of metronidazole ointment and mercury oxide ointment

U człowieka opisano dwa gatunki nużeńców: Demodex folliculorum oraz Demodex brevis. Stan chorobowy spowodowany obecnością nużeńca nazywa się nużycą lub demodekozą. W leczeniu demodekozy stosuje się m.in.: maść z metronidazolem, maść z tlenkiem rtęci, olejki eteryczne, iwermektynę albo Infectoscab. Celem pracy była ocena skuteczności leczenia demodekozy przy użyciu maści z tlenkiem rtęci oraz maści z metronidazolem. Do grupy, w której badano skuteczność leczenia maścią z tlenkiem rtęci, zakwalifikowano 49 pacjentów, a do grupy leczonej maścią z metronidazolem – 42 pacjentów. Materiał do badań stanowiły rzęsy pobrane od pacjentów. Za leczenie skuteczne uznawano przypadek, gdy u pacjenta podczas pierwszej lub kolejnej wizyty kontrolnej po leczeniu nie stwierdzono nużeńców w pobranym materiale. Skuteczność leczenia maścią z metronidazolem wyniosła 10%, natomiast maści z tlenkiem rtęci – 37%.Two species known to infest humans are Demodex folliculorum and Demodex brevis. Infestation by Demodex sp. is known as demodicosis. Demodicosis is currently typically managed with a metronidazole ointment, mercury oxide ointment, essential oils, ivermectin or Infectosab (permethrinum 5%). The aim of the study was to efficacy of mercury oxide ointment and metronidazole ointment in the treatment of patients with demodicosis. The therapeutic efficacy of mercury oxide ointment was tested in 49 patients and metronidazole ointment in 42 patients. Material for this study were eyelashes collected from patients. Treatment was considered effective when patient on the first or subsequent control visit did not have any Demodex mites in eyelashes. The efficacy of mercury oxide ointment and metronidazole ointment was demonstrated in 37% and 10% of cases, respectively

Human Gut Microbiota in Health and Selected Cancers

The majority of the epithelial surfaces of our body, and the digestive tract, respiratory and urogenital systems, are colonized by a vast number of bacteria, archaea, fungi, protozoans, and viruses. These microbiota, particularly those of the intestines, play an important, beneficial role in digestion, metabolism, and the synthesis of vitamins. Their metabolites stimulate cytokine production by the human host, which are used against potential pathogens. The composition of the microbiota is influenced by several internal and external factors, including diet, age, disease, and lifestyle. Such changes, called dysbiosis, may be involved in the development of various conditions, such as metabolic diseases, including metabolic syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, Hashimoto’s thyroidis and Graves’ disease; they can also play a role in nervous system disturbances, such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and depression. An association has also been found between gut microbiota dysbiosis and cancer. Our health is closely associated with the state of our microbiota, and their homeostasis. The aim of this review is to describe the associations between human gut microbiota and cancer, and examine the potential role of gut microbiota in anticancer therapy

Human Glucose Transporters in Renal Glucose Homeostasis

The kidney plays an important role in glucose homeostasis by releasing glucose into the blood stream to prevent hypoglycemia. It is also responsible for the filtration and subsequent reabsorption or excretion of glucose. As glucose is hydrophilic and soluble in water, it is unable to pass through the lipid bilayer on its own; therefore, transport takes place using carrier proteins localized to the plasma membrane. Both sodium-independent glucose transporters (GLUT proteins) and sodium-dependent glucose transporters (SGLT proteins) are expressed in kidney tissue, and mutations of the genes coding for these glucose transporters lead to renal disorders and diseases, including renal cancers. In addition, several diseases may disturb the expression and/or function of renal glucose transporters. The aim of this review is to describe the role of the kidney in glucose homeostasis and the contribution of glucose transporters in renal physiology and renal diseases

Occurrence and Abundance of <i>Dermacentor reticulatus</i> in the Habitats of the Ecological Corridor of the Wieprz River, Eastern Poland

Ecological corridors are zones of natural vegetation, which connect with other vegetation strips to create migration routes for animals and plants. The aim of our study was to investigate the occurrence and relative abundance of Dermacentor reticulatus in various habitats of the ecological corridor of the Wieprz River in eastern Poland. Ticks were collected using the flagging method in seven sites within the ecological corridor of the Wieprz River, i.e., one of the longest uninterrupted vegetation strips in eastern Poland. The presence of D. reticulatus adults was confirmed in each of the examined sites. The autumn peak of tick activity dominated in most plots. During this period, on average up to 309.7 individuals were collected within 30-min. The results of our study show that, due to the high abundance of local D. reticulatus populations, the habitats located in the ecological corridor of the Wieprz River can be regarded as preferred habitats of this tick species

Molecular identification of Trichomonas tenax in the oral environment of domesticated animals in Poland – potential effects of host diversity for human health

Introduction The protozoan Trichomonas tenax is considered to be a human specific flagellate of the oral cavity, found in humans with poor oral hygiene and advanced periodontal disease. Morphological variability and great similarity between species occurring in humans and animals, complicate the specific identification of trichomonads, using microscopic examination and other standard parasitological techniques. Objective The aim of the study was to search for and identify T. tenax in domesticated animals using molecular methods. The obtained data were assessed in terms of potential effects of a spread of the species deriving from the animals in the human environment. Material and methods 301 animals: 142 dogs, 57 cats and 102 horses, were examined in terms of their mouth status and occurrence of trichomonads. ITS1–5.8S rRNA-ITS2 region was amplified and sequenced. Results Finally, 7 dogs, 3 cats and 1 horse were diagnosed positive for T. tenax by PCR. In the oral cavity of 9 /11 animals, gingivitis and dental plaque accumulation were diagnosed. 9 /11 sequences of trichomonad isolates showed 100% identity with T. tenax sequence derived from the GenBank. The sequences of 2 isolates differed by substitutions. Conclusions It was proved that T. tenax , considered so far as a human specific parasite, can also inhabit the oral cavity of dog, cat and horse. To summarize, T. tenax was detected in the mouths of different domesticated animals, indicating that in Poland it can colonize a wider range of hosts than previously known. The owners of 3 dogs showed oral tissue inflammation of different intensity and were also positive for T. tenax ; therefore, oral trichomonosis spread from humans to domestic animals and conversely should be taken into consideration

Head Lice Infestation in Schoolchildren, in Poland—Is There a Chance for Change?

Pediculosis capitis is a current and neglected health issue worldwide. The lack of screening programs contributes to the marginalization of the problem and delays therapeutic measures. Our study aimed to analyze the occurrence of this parasitosis in primary schools in Poland and to determine factors contributing to the persistence of its foci. The research tools were two questionnaires: one for primary school children and the other for school managers. While children answered questions about the epidemiology of pediculosis capitis and expressed their opinion on the hygienic condition of infested persons, the school directors were asked about the occurrence of head lice in schools, preventive measures, and institutions supporting schools in combating the infestation. The survey covered the period 2014–2018. Pediculosis capitis was reported in 87.5% of the schools. The greatest number of cases was reported in the group of 6–9 year-olds (68%). Among 4970 children, 16.7% had no knowledge of head lice; however, 57.1% wanted to increase their awareness of the problem. Campaigns on lice were conducted mainly as a result of emerging pediculosis capitis cases, and most schools could not rely on institutional support. Screening programs and preventive educational campaigns should be part of pediculosis capitis control in Poland