The interactions between interleukin-1 family genes: IL1A, IL1B, IL1RN, and obesity parameters.

BACKGROUND: Obesity has been recognized as a worldwide growing problem, producing many pathologies including the promotion of "proinflammatory state." The etiology of human obesity is still only partially understood; however, the genetic background has been proved. Its nature is complex, and currently, it appears that the combined effects of the interactions among multiple genes should receive more attention. Due to the fact that obesity promotes proinflammatory conditions, in this study, we investigated the genetic polymorphism of IL-1 family genes in healthy people with normal and elevated body mass index (BMI) and fat %. RESULTS: The single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the IL1A -889C > T (rs1800587), IL1B + 3954 T > C (rs1143634), and IL1RN -87G > A (rs2234677) genes alone were associated neither with BMI nor fat % values in tested group. The associations between SNP-SNP interaction and BMI for the IL1B × IL1RN interactions were significant for dominant model (p = 0.02) and codominant model (p = 0.03). The same SNP-SNP interaction (IL1B × IL1RN) was associated also with fat % for codominant (p = 0.01) and recessive (p = 0.002) models. CONCLUSIONS: This study further confirmed that IL-1 family genes are involved in genetic background of obesity. It has been shown that interaction IL1B × IL1RN was associated with both BMI and fat % with rare T allele protecting form higher values. Thus, even if certain polymorphisms in single genes of IL-1 family cannot be defined as related to obesity in examined population, the genetic interrelationships should be analyzed.

Association between peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-alpha, -delta and -gamma gene (PPARA, PPARD, PPARG) polymorphisms and overweight parameters in physically active men.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) have unique functions in energy metabolism regulation but are also involved in regulation of the inflammatory process and obesity. The aim of this study was to analyse potential associations between polymorphisms of PPARA (rs1800206), PPARD (rs1053049; rs2267668) and PPARG (rs1801282) and overweight parameters. One hundred and sixty-six males, unrelated Caucasian military professionals, were recruited in the genetic case-control study conducted in the period 2016-2019. All the participants were aged 21-41 and had similar levels of physical activity. Body mass, height and body composition were measured. The participants were divided into two groups depending on their BMI (body mass index) and FMI (fat mass index). The control group consisted of people with BMI between 20.0 and 25.0 or FMI values ≤ 6, while the overweight group consisted of people with BMI of ≥ 25.0 or FMI values > 6. Genomic DNA was isolated from extracted buccal cells. All samples were genotyped using real-time polymerase chain reaction (real-time PCR). It was found that two polymorphisms rs2267668 and rs1053049 of the PPARD gene were significantly associated with BMI: SNP rs2267668 for the dominant (OR = 2.04, 95%CI 1.01-4.11, p-value = 0.04) model (A/G-G/G vs A/A). The likelihood of being overweight was over 2 times smaller for allele A. A relationship between the polymorphism of PPARG (rs1801282) and BMI was found for the overdominant (OR = 2.03, 95%CI 1.03-4.00, p-value = 0.04) model (C/G vs C/C-G/G). Significant associations were found in different models for PPARD, PPARG and PPARA genes with BMI. In SNP rs2267668 for the codominant genetic model (G/G vs A/A) (p-value = 0.04) and in SNP rs1053049 for the codominant (C/C vs T/T) (p-value = 0.01) and the recessive genetic model (C/C vs T/T-C/T) (p-value = 0.004) all polymorphisms were associated with BMI. In conclusion, it was found that three of the four polymorphisms (rs1053049, rs2267668, rs1801282) selected are associated with the risk of being overweight. Having said that, one has to bear in mind that DNA variants do not fully explain the reasons for being overweight. Therefore more research is needed to make a thorough assessment using the latest genomic methods in sequencing and genotyping, combined with epigenomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, and metabolomics.

Acanthamoeba - pathogen and vector of highly pathogenic bacteria strains to healthy and immunocompromised individuals.

Acanthamoeba is a free-living protist pathogen, which is present in every place on Earth. 50 to 100 percent of the adult population has serum antibodies, specific for Acanthamoeba antigens. Acanthamoeba is an etiological agent of keratitis and encephalitis diagnosed in human. Acanthamoeba keratitis occurs in healthy persons and may lead to visual impairment and blindness, because corneal infection with this parasite fails to induce cell-mediated immune response due to the absence of resident antigen-presenting cells in the cornea. Systemic immunization with Acanthamoeba antigens induces Th1 cell-mediated immunity and serum IgG antibody, but do not prevent the development of keratitis. Immunization via mucosal surfaces stimulates IgA antibodies in tears and protects against the development of keratitis. Amoebae feed mainly on bacteria, fungi, and algae. By transferring intracellular bacteria, amoeba contributes to the spread of diseases dangerous to humans. Some microorganisms have evolved to become resistant to protist, since they are not internalized or able to survive, grow, and exit free-living protists after internalization. In many cases, the bacteria inside living amoebae survive longer, and multiply better, showing higher virulence. There is a hypothesis, which assumes that Acanthamoeba and symbiontic bacteria survive and multiply better in moist soil, rich in nitrogen compounds, particularly in the vicinity of the root systems of Alnus glutinosa, infected with nitrogen-fixing bacteria Frankia alni. Impact of soil environment created by nitrogen-fixing bacterium Frankia alni on specific relations between protists Acanthamoeba and highly pathogenic bacteria strains in Alnus glutinosa habitats in Poland continue to be established.

Susceptibility of Dermacentor reticulatus tick to repellents containing different active ingrediens

INTRODUCTION: Ticks are vectors of human and animal diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of four different formulations containing DEET, Icaridin, IR3535 and mix of three compounds: DEET, IR3535 and geraniol, against Dermacentor reticulatus ticks. RESULTS: The repellent effectiveness of these products to adult ticks was different. At 90 minutes after application the repellent A (DEET 30%), repellent D (DEET 30%, IR3535 20%, geraniol 0.1%) and repellent G (IR3535 12%) exhibited a 100% effectiveness in protection against ticks, but the efficacy of repellent C (Icaridin 20%) dropped to 95%. DISCUSSION: DEET is considered by many authors to be the 'gold' standard of insect repellents, and we have also confirmed this in our studies with Dermacentor reticulatus. DEET expressed the higher repellency after 7 hours of application (90%) comparing to other formulation - repellent D containing DEET 30%, IR3535 20% and geraniol 0.1%, whose effectiveness dropped to 60%. Repellents C (Icaridin 20%) and G (IR3535 12%) were effective only up to four hours after application (the efficacy was 85% and 40%, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: DEET has proven to be the most effective repellent against Dermacentor reticulatus ticks.

Different effects of feeding pregnant and lactating mice Rhodiola kirilowii aqueous and hydro-alcoholic extracts on their serum angiogenic activity and content of selected polyphenols.

Angiogenesis plays an important role in many physiological processes, among them the formation of tissues and organs during embryogenesis. A lot of medicinal plants exhibit angiomodulatory properties. This creates the need for a thorough check of whether the plant extracts that we would like to give to pregnant women in order to increase their resistance to bacterial or viral infection will have negative effects on angiogenesis, and consequently on fetal development. This paper seeks to investigate the effect of serum of pregnant and nursing Balb/c mice that received aqueous (RKW) or hydro-alcoholic (RKW-A) R. kirilowii extracts (20 mg/kg), or epigallocatechin (0.2 mg/kg), on the in vitro proliferation and migration of mouse endothelial cell line Heca10. Of the 15 identified polyphenols in the extracts by HPLC, 8 were present in the sera. Chemical analysis revealed higher salidroside, kaempferol, chlorogenic acid, bFGF and VEGF concentration in RKW-A sera than in the sera of RKW group of mice. RKW-A and EGC sera did not affect migration of endothelial cells, however we noted some increase of migrating cells after RKW-sera treatment. RKW and EGC sera did not affect proliferation of endothelial cells. Sera of mothers from RKW-A group impaired the proliferation of endothelial cells in comparison to other groups. These data allow us to assume that Rhodiola kirilowii hydro-alcoholic extract (RKW-A) is potentially able to modulate pre- and post- natal angiogenesis what might influence the development of organs in progeny. Sera of RKW mothers have not harm the proliferation of endothelial cells, despite they also contain antiangiogenic catechins and salidroside. This suggests the existence in RKW-A extract and in RKW-A sera of some other, as yet unidentified substances influencing endothelial cells proliferation.

The influence of the workplace-related biological agents on the immune systems of emergency medical personnel.

Emergency medical services workers' (EMSWs) acute exposures to many biological agents are frequent and well recognised in their workplaces, as well as occupational diseases resulting from some of these exposures. At the same time, there is only scant information on the adverse effects of chronic exposure to biological hazard factors on the immune systems of EMSWs. In the Polish legislation system, the Ordinance of the Minister of Health about harmful biological agents in the workplace and ways of protecting workers from exposure to those agents is an implement of Directive 2000/54/EC, which deals thoroughly with those issues in European Union Countries. Emergency medical services workers play an essential role as primary providers of pre-hospital emergency medical care, and they are part of the integral components of disaster response. Traumatic experiences can affect emergency medical staff immune systems negatively, by functioning as a chronic stressor. Conscious use of biological agents in workplaces such as microbial laboratories can be easily controlled and monitored. However, risk assessment is more difficult for workers when they are exposed unintentionally to biological agents. Exposure to bio-aerosols is considered especially harmful. This review summarises available information about biological risk factors for emergency medical services workers, and some information about the influence of these factors on their immune systems.

Angiomodulatory properties of Rhodiola spp. and other natural antioxidants.

Disturbances of angiogenesis and oxidative stress can lead to many serious diseases such as cancer, diabetes or ischemic heart disease. Substances neutralizing oxidative stress are known as antioxidants. They can affect angiogenesis process also, and thus, they modulate therapy results. Antioxidants become more and more frequently used in order to maintain homeostasis of the organism and diminish the risk of disease. Herein, we introduce some antioxidant preparations of natural plant origin (Rhodiola, Aloe vera, Resveratrol, Echinacea, Plumbagin) and antioxidant supplements (Padma 28, Reumaherb, Resvega). Analyses of their angiogenic properties, their multidirectional molecular effect on angiogenesis as well as medical application are within the scope of this review. Most of presented preparations down regulate neovascularization. They can be safely administered to patients with abnormally high angiogenesis. Rhodiola modulates, and Echinacea, Aloe vera and Plumbagin inhibit tumour-related angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo (animal models). Resveratrol and Resvega reduce neovascularization in the eye and may be applicable in eye disorders. Padma 28 preparation exhibits angioregulatory activity, decreasing high angiogenesis of cancer cells and increasing physiological angiogenesis, therefore can be used in therapy of patients with various disturbances of angiogenesis. Antioxidant application in the case of angiogenesis-related diseases should take into consideration angiogenic status of the patient.

Impact of tick-borne pathogens on the health risk of soldiers.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Vector diseases are common in Europe, including Poland. Every year, 77,000 Europeans are infected with transmissive diseases as a result of contact with infected vectors. In Poland, ticks are vectors of great epidemiological importance. The most important etiological factors causing disease in humans and transmitted by ticks include bacteria of the genus Borrelia and the species Francisella tularensis, Anaplasma phagophytophilum and Coxiella burnetii; as well as tick-borne encephalitis viruses. The level of the number of diagnosed cases of vector diseases in humans is influenced by environmental conditions, the most important of which is the COVID-19 pandemic that has been spreading for two years. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the review was to assess knowledge about tick-borne diseases in humans, as well as etiological factors, epidemiology of these diseases in Poland and other European countries. Infection with pathogens can occur both during recreation in nature and during work related to a profession. Professional groups include those particularly exposed to contact with vectors and pathogens - foresters, farmers and soldiers. REVIEW METHODS: A comprehensive assessment was conducted of extant publications. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE STATE OF KNOWLEDGE: The results of the literature research revealed that in recent years an increase in the number of people suffering from tick-borne diseases has been recorded, possibly influenced by the changing climate. The vector diseases of the greatest importance for the inhabitants of Poland include Lyme disease and tick-borne encephalitis. SUMMARY: Soldiers, as a professional group who perform their duties in an environment where there is a high risk of exposure to infected ticks, are particularly at risk of acquiring transmission of vector diseases.

IL-6 Polymorphisms Are Not Related to Obesity Parameters in Physically Active Young Men.

Interleukin 6 (IL-6) is a cytokine with both pro- and anti-inflammatory actions, but is also considered as a "metabolic hormone" involved in immune responses, affecting glucose, protein and lipid metabolism. It has been proposed to be related to obesity, but various results have been presented. Thus, in this study, the very homogenous population of young, male military professionals, living in the same conditions involving high physical activity, has been selected to avoid the influence of environmental factors. The subjects were divided into groups depending on the obesity parameters BMI (body mass index) and fat percentage (fat%), and the following IL-6 SNPs (Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms) were analyzed: rs1800795, rs1800796 and rs13306435. No relation was found between obesity parameters and IL-6 polymorphisms rs1800795, rs1800796 and rs13306435. It may be postulated that even if a genetic predisposition involves IL-6 genes, this effect in individuals with obesity of a low grade is minor, or can be avoided or at least markedly reduced by changes in lifestyle.

[The spread of nematodes from Toxocara genus in the world]. / Rozprzestrzenienie nicieni z rodzaju Toxocara na swiecie.

Twenty seven species belong to the genus Toxocara. Most of the species infect Carnivora from families: Canidae, Felidae, Viverridae, Procyonidae, Mustelidae and Herpestidae. The most widespread species are: T. canis, T. cati and T. vitulorum. The life cycle of Toxocara spp. is connected with young animals and adults with the lowered immune response. Three of the Toxocara species: T. canis, T. cati and T. pteropodis are the aetiological agents of human toxocariasis.

[Occurrence of Toxocara spp. eggs in household environment of children with diagnosed toxocariasis in Lódz voivodeship]. / Czestosc wystepowania jaj inwazyjnych Toxocara spp. w srodowisku przydomowym dzieci ze zdiagnozowana toksokaroza w woj. lódzkim.

Toxocariasis is a zoonosis due to infection of humans by dog or cat roundworm (Toxocara canis, T. cati). Humans become infected by ingestion of infective eggs either from soil, dirty hands, raw fruits and vegetables or larvae from undercooked meat of paratenic hosts. The aim of the study was to evaluate the level of contamination of soil samples from households of children with diagnosed toxocariasis in rural and urban areas of Lódz voivodeship. In the years 2004-2007 toxocariasis was confirmed in 178 patients of the Polish Memorial Hospital in Lódz. The soil samples were collected from 53 courtyards of patients' domiciles. Toxocara spp. eggs were isolated from the samples using flotation technique (Dada 1979). The examinations revealed the high prevalence of ground contamination with Toxocara eggs in both, rural (30.4%) and urban areas (23.3%). The presence of Toxocara eggs in households enlarges the risk of re-infection for children with diagnosed toxocariasis, especially in rural areas where the high level of contamination was detected.

Environmental and personal risk factors for toxocariasis in children with diagnosed disease in urban and rural areas of central Poland.

To investigate the epidemiology of human toxocariasis a field survey was carried out at homes of 194 children (80 of rural and 114 of urban origin) with diagnosed disease from central Poland. A questionnaire referring to the possible risk factors was directed to their parents. Overall contamination rate of soil by Toxocara eggs was 27.5% in rural and 21.1% in urban environment in the households examined, with difference not significant (chi2=1.08, p=0.2986). In rural settlements 29.3% of yards surrounding houses were found contaminated, whereas in urban 25.0% of family gardens, 26.4% of private yards and 10.7% of public sandpits were positive. Frequency of positive samples differs only for rural yards and urban sandpits (chi2=3.85, p=0.0499). The study showed a high risk of reinfection for the ill children in sites of their residence. Despite diagnosed toxocariasis kids were not adequately supervised by their parents with no measures undertaken to avoid further infection. These data present strong need for educational programs which should be implemented for prevention of Toxocara infections in children.

[Toxocariasis in children--difficult clinical problem]. / Toksokaroza u dzieci--trudny problem kliniczny.

Toxocariasis in humans is a zoonosis due to the migration of Toxocara canis or T. cati larvae in human body. This review provides basic information on pathology of infection and clinical signs and symptoms of toxocariasis in children. The cases diagnosed in the recent years in central Poland are presented. The disease was recognised accidentally based on the results of laboratory analysis performed for other reasons, when abnormalities suggesting an active helminthiasis were found (eosinophilia, elevated IgE level and/or anemia). The high rate of soil contamination in households of the patients demonstrated elevated risk of infection and reinfection in both, rural and urban areas. Presented data show the need for educational programs which should be implemented for prevention of Toxocara infection in children.

[An attempt to determine intermediate hosts of the tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis in Poland]. / Próba wykrycia zywicieli posrednich tasiemca Echinococcus multilocularis na terenie Polski.

Echinococcus multilocularis, a tiny tapeworm (2-3 mm in length) occurs in the small intestine of red foxes and raccoon dogs in Poland. Small rodents, intermediate hosts of the tapeworm can ingest parasite eggs excreted in faeces by final host. Humans can become infected by accidental ingestion of the eggs. The resulting disease, alveolar echinococcosis, potentially lethal zoonosis, typically presents as an infiltrative tumor-like growth in the liver, which may invade neighbouring organs. The objective of the study was to determine intermediate host species for E. multilocularis in Poland. During the years 2004-2006, a total of 1425 animals, i.e. 1170 rodents (14 species), 238 insectivores (4 species) and 17 Mustelids (3 species) were trapped and autopsied for the presence of E. multilocularis protoscolices (larvae). Animals were captured in northern, north-eastern, central and southern Poland, areas where the high prevalence of the tapeworm was recorded in foxes. In 44 (3.1%) of examined animals were found cysts in the liver, however no typical lesions were affirmed. Infection was not confirmed using PCR technique with primers specific for E. multilocularis (EmCA90, EmTriple83).

[Estimation of eosinophilia, immunoglobulin E and eosinophilic cationic protein concentration during the treatment of toxocariasis]. / Ocena eozynofilii, stezenia immunoglobuliny E i eozynofilowego bialka kationowego podczas leczenia toksokarozy.

Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati do not transform in human organism into a mature form and they circulate reaching various organs and tissues causing characteristic symptoms. Activated eosinophils, which play a significant role in parasitic invasion, contain in their granules eosinophilic cationic protein (ECP) of strong pro-inflammatory activity. The aim of the study was to estimate the concentration of immunoglobulin E, peripheral blood eosinophilia and serum concentration of eosinophilic cationic protein in children treated for toxocariasis and the analysis of their value as the markers of active invasion and the therapy efficacy. The study included 45 children, aged from 3 to 18 years with Toxocara canis infection diagnosed for the first time. The children were diagnosed and treated at the Department of Gastroenterology, in the Outpatient Gastrointestinal and Allergologic Clinic, Institute Polish Mother Health Centre. T. canis larva infection was diagnosed based on serological investigation using immunoenzymatic ELISA test (Bordier Affinity Products, Switzerland). The tests (percentage of eosinophilia in peripheral blood, ECP, IgE) were performed after diagnosis and every 3 months since the beginning of the therapy. In children with toxocariasis its covert form was diagnosed and mebendazole was administered. Among the children with toxocariasis eosinophilia was found in 14 (31.1%) before therapy. Mean percentage of peripheral blood eosinophils was 5.58% in children with toxocariasis. The concentration of IgE was elevated in these children and was significantly higher than in the control group (p=0.002). Mean IgE concentration after 3-and 6-month therapy decreased IgE(I) vs IgE(III) (p=0.01), but it was still higher than normal value. In children with toxocariasis the ECP concentration was 30.19 microg/l before the therapy and was significantly higher than in the control group (p<0.05); after 6 months of the therapy it decreased significantly (p<0.05). Eosinophilic cationic protein and eosinophilia can be the markers of Toxocara canis infection activity. The determination of immunoglobulin E and eosinophilic cationic protein concentration may be useful for toxocariasis therapy monitoring.

Quantifying the risk of zoonotic geohelminth infections for rural household inhabitants in Central Poland.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the risk of soil transmitted zoonotic helminth infections for families with young children, inhabitants of villages in the Mazowieckie Province of Central Poland. Epidemiological survey was conducted at 33 randomly selected households with 2-3 children present. Examination of soil samples from yards surrounding the houses for the presence of geohelminth eggs was conducted, the households were inspected, and family members interviewed using a designed questionnaire. Among 55 localities examined, i.e. 33 backyards, 10 vegetable gardens and 12 sandpits, contamination was found in 2 backyards (6.1%) and 1 sandpit (8.3%) at 3 households (9.1%). Of the total 550 examined soil samples, 4 (0.7%) were found to contain Trichuris and Toxocara eggs, with an average density of 1.5 and 2.0 eggs per sample. The study showed a low level of soil contamination, which was the result of inhabitants care about the sanitation of their domiciles. However, the results of the questionnaire survey demonstrated the need to warn rural residents about the risk factors for zoonotic helmints infections. In particular, parents should be advised how to minimize the threat of parasitic diseases for children in the rural environment. The presented study showed that promotional campaigns implemented in recent years on the prevention of parasitic zoonoses have had little effect to increase the awareness of the rural community. The present results confirmed that Toxocara is the most common zoonotic agent among geohelminths in the rural environment.

Variations in the Rate of Infestations of Dogs with Zoonotic Nematodes and the Contamination of Soil in Different Environments.

Companion animals are an important aspect in human life. However, they may also be considered a source of pathogens. An example of zoonotic parasitoses is toxocarosis or cutaneous larva migrans (CLM). The aim of the study was to detect zoonotic nematodes of dogs living in different areas and the intensity of contamination in parasite polluted environments that are hazardous to human health. The fecal samples were examined using standard flotation and decantation methods as well as McMaster's quantitative technique. The soil samples in urban and rural areas were examined using a modified flotation method as described by Quinn et al. Statistical analyses were performed by IBM SPSS Statistics Version 23. The overall prevalence of parasites in dogs was 38%, 17.02% and 56.60% from urban and rural areas, respectively. The percentage values of nematodes important for human health (Toxocaracanis, Ancylostomatidae, Trichurisvulpis) remained at the same level (16%). The infected dogs were dominated by a single parasite species, the main was T.canis (28.95%). In total, 54.30% of the soil samples were contaminated with parasite eggs. The contamination of urban and rural sandpits was 40% and 60%, respectively. The molecular examinations of soil samples using LAMP (loop-mediated isothermal amplification) confirmed the presence of nematode eggs of the species T.canis in all samples previously classified as positive.

Risk of soil-transmitted helminth infections on agritourism farms in central and eastern Poland.

Agritourism provides ecological tourist services for urban dwellers in rural areas. Agritourism farms offer space and attractive scenery for people seeking to rest in quiet place and wanting healthy, outdoor recreational activities. The high epidemiological standard of agritourism farms is beneficial for the health of the farm owners and the guests. Upgraded level of the farm sanitation, also from parasitological point of view is of great importance, especially that among agritourism farms guests predominate families with small children. A field survey was carried out in 57 farms in central-eastern Poland to evaluate the environmental risk factors for geohelminth infections on agritourism farms offering tourist services for urban dwellers. Samples of soil were collected from 76 sites, i.e. yards surrounding houses, vegetable, fruit and flower gardens, playgrounds and sandpits. In addition, samples were taken from 27 public places of recreation (playgrounds at forest clearing) visited by agritourism farm guests. During visits the farms were inspected and the owners were questioned about their awareness of the threat of parasitic infections. Soil contamination with geohelminth eggs was found in 4 examined farms (7.0%), in one locality on each farm. The eggs of Toxocara spp. and Ascaris spp. were detected in single samples from 3 backyards (6.4%) and one sandpit (10.0%). In the soil samples from places of recreation outside the farms eggs of human or animal helminths were not identified. The results of this study showed that the risk of helminth infections on agritourism farms is low, since geohelminth eggs (1-3 per sample) were detected only in four samples (0.5%) among 760 collected from farms households. The farm owners must be aware of the importance of preventive measures to eliminate the environmental contamination with eggs of zoonotic soiltransmitted helminths. Special attention should be paid to the risk of intestinal parasites of cats of semi domestic behaviour migrating from neighbouring yards as well as of red foxes frequently observed in the vicinity of agritourism farms.

Epidemiology of human toxocariasis in Poland - A review of cases 1978-2009.

Toxocariasis is a helminthozoonosis due to the infection of humans with larvae belonging to the Toxocara genus. Humans become infected as a result of accidental consumption of infected eggs containing third stage larvae (L3) nematodes from Toxocara canis or Toxocara cati species. Toxocariasis was recognized for the first time in the early 1950s, and the first cases of toxocariasis in Poland were described a few years later. Toxocariasis is clinically classified into several types: classic and incomplete visceral larva migrans (VLM) syndrome, ocular larva migrans (OLM) syndrome, neurological toxocariasis (NLM), covert toxocariasis and asymptomatic toxocariasis. In 1994-2005, 18,367 sera of people suspected of being infected with Toxocara were analysed, 1.8-76% had anti- Toxocara antibodies. In the period 1978-2009, 1,022 clinical cases of toxocariasis were recognized in Poland. In the opinion of the authors, in order to reduce the frequency of toxocariasis in human populations, some prophylaxis should undertaken, e.g. public education of zoonotic diseases, systematic control of animal, deworming of pets, cleaning pets' faeces by the owners.

The contamination of the environment with Toxocara eggs in Mazowieckie voivodship as a risk of toxocarosis in children.

The home surroundings (109 places) of 120 children with diagnosed toxocarosis were examined to assess if the presence of Toxocara spp. eggs in the soil corresponds with the occurrence of clinical cases. 31 places (28.4%) were found to be contaminated. The highest level of soil contamination was revealed in rural and suburban regions (15.6% and 11.9%, respectively), while in urban areas it was 0.9%. These results confirmed that soil contamination might be recognized as a very important factor in the epidemiology of human toxocarosis.