Retrospective Study of the Etiology, Laboratory Findings, and Management of Patients with Urinary Tract Infections and Urosepsis from a Urology Center in Silesia, Southern Poland Between 2017 and 2020.

BACKGROUND Recent studies have shown that up to 25% of sepsis cases originate in the urinary tract. Urosepsis can be associated with cystitis, lower urinary tract infections (UTIs), and upper UTIs and is most commonly caused by gram-negative bacteria. This retrospective study from a urology center in southern Poland, was conducted between 2017 and 2020 and aimed to investigate the causes, microbiology laboratory findings, and management in 138 patients with UTIs and urosepsis. MATERIAL AND METHODS Records of patients with UTIs with urosepsis admitted to the Urology Department of the hospital in Silesia, Poland, between 2017 and 2020 were analyzed retrospectively, and clinical and laboratory data were evaluated. RESULTS The 138 included patients were admitted to the hospital between 2017 and 2020. The median age of patients was 67 (20-94) years, and 59.9% (82/137) were men. The most common reasons for admission to the Urology Department were hydronephrosis due to dysfunction of urinary drainage in 36.5% (50/137) of patients and hydronephrosis due to urolithiasis in 22.6% (31/137) of patients. The main etiological agents responsible for the development of urosepsis were strains of Enterobacteriaceae in 85% of patients, of which 41.4% (48/116) produced extended-spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL), accounting for 35.0% (48/137) of patients with urosepsis. In 83.3% (80/96) of patients, the pathogen cultured from the urine was identical to that cultured from the blood. CONCLUSIONS The identification of an increasing prevalence of urosepsis associated with ESBL-producing gram-negative rods from this single-center study highlights the importance of infection monitoring, rapid diagnosis, and multidisciplinary patient management.

Detection of Clostridioides difficile in hospital environment by using C diff Banana Broth™.

116 environmental samples from a 504 bed clinical hospital obtained in 2017/19 were inoculated into C diff Banana Broth™. Six C. difficile and 12 C. pefringens strains were isolated. Antibiotic-resistant Clostridium spp. dominated in hospital environment. To determine Clostridium spp. in hospital environment suitable medium like C diff Banana Broth™ should be used.

Toxin profile of fecal Clostridium perfringens strains isolated from children with autism spectrum disorders.

Infectious factors are taken into consideration in pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). ASD patients often suffer from gastrointestinal disorders. The intestinal microbiota of autistic patients significantly differs from that in healthy individuals. The aim of the study was to compare the profile of toxins produced by C. perfringens strains isolated from feces of children with ASD, with healthy individuals and obese subjects. This study included 111 strains of C. perfringens: 49 isolates from 29 children with ASD, 30 - from 17 healthy individuals and 32 - from 24 young obese subjects. Alpha, beta, beta2, epsilon, iota and enterotoxin genes were detected using appropriate PCRs. The alpha toxin gene (cpa) was present in all 111 examined strains (100%). The beta2 gene (cpb2) was detected in 45/49 strains (91.8%) isolated from children with ASD, 17/30 (56.7%) isolates from healthy subjects, and 12 of 32 (37.5%) isolates from obese subjects. C. perfringens strains with cpb2 gene were detected in 27/29 ASD patients (93.1%), 10/17 healthy subjects (58.8%) and 11/24 (45.8%) obese subjects. Beta2 toxin encoding cpb2 gene was significantly more common in strains isolated from ASD patients, with no significant difference between control subjects regardless of diet. Further research to explain observed phenomena and pathomechanism of beta2 toxin is required.

Occurrence of Clostridium difficile ribotype 027 in hospitals of Silesia, Poland.

Clostridium difficile is an important healthcare-associated pathogen, responsible for a broad spectrum of diarrheal diseases. The aim of this prospective study was to determine the occurrence of C. difficile infection (CDI), to characterize cultured C. difficile strains and to investigate the association of fecal lactoferrin with CDI. Between January 2013 and June 2014, 148 stool samples were obtained from adult diarrheal patients (C. difficile as a suspected pathogen) hospitalized in different healthcare facilities of 15 Silesian hospitals. Out of 134 isolated C. difficile strains, 108 were ribotyped: 82.4% belonged to Type 027, 2.8% to Type 176, 2.8% to Type 014, 1.9% to Type 010 and 0.9% to Types 001, 018, 020 and 046 each. In total, 6.5% non-typable strains were identified. All Type 027 isolates contained both toxin genes tcdA & tcdB, and binary toxin genes (cdtA &cdtB). Susceptibility testing revealed that all Type 027 isolates were sensitive to metronidazole and vancomycin and resistant to moxifloxacin, ciprofloxacin, imipenem and erythromycin. Of 89 Type 027 strains, 16 had a ermB (688 bp) gene coinciding with high levels of erythromycin resistance (MIC >256 µg/mL). Of 16 ermB positive strains, 14 demonstrated also high level of resistance to clindamycin (>256 µg/mL). A significant difference (p = 0.004) in lactoferrin level was found between C. difficile toxin-positive (n = 123; median 185.9 µg/mL; IQR 238.8) and toxin-negative (n = 25; median 22.4 µg/mL; IQR 141.7) fecal samples. Stool samples from n = 89 patients with CDI caused by Type 027 demonstrated significantly higher (p = 0.03) lactoferrin level (median 173.0 µg/mL; IQR 237.3) than from patients with CDI caused by other ribotypes and non-typable C. difficile strains (median 189.4 µg/mL; IQR 190.8).

Comparison of cultures and 16S rRNA sequencing for identification of bacteria in two-stage revision arthroplasties: preliminary report.

BACKGROUND: The use of a prefabricated spacer in two-stage revision arthroplasty remains one of the few surgery strategies for infected-joint arthroplasty treatment, despite the many unidentified microorganisms in the infected joint replacements reported in some recent studies. The aim of this prospective survey was to investigate if the sonication followed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) can improve bacterial identification on the surfaces of prefabricated spacers and if the systemic laboratory mediators of infection and positive microbiological results can take a role of predictive factors of infection and clinical failures in 2-years follow-up. METHODS: Thirteen patients with prosthetic joint infection were investigated. Bacterial culture and deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sequencing were used to detect bacteria on the surface of prefabricated spacers removed during the second stage of revision arthroplasty. The results of pre- and intraoperative culture and DNA sequencing were compared. Minimum follow-up was 2 years. RESULTS: The result of tissue cultures in second-stage revision arthroplasties revealed positive results in 15 % of patients with Coagulase-negative Staphylococci (CNS) growth. Bacterial DNA was found in over 90 % of patients with negative synovial fluid culture. Positive PCR results revealed potential pathogenic bacteria and species of human and environmental microflora with low virulence. Clinical failures at final follow-up were recorded in 2 (16.6 %) patients. CONCLUSION: The lack of clinical signs of infection, negative culture of preoperative joint aspirate, and intraoperative specimens do not exclude the presence of bacteria on the surfaces of spacers. The positive results of sonication and molecular tests should be interpreted as real pathogenicity factors in the light of the clinical and laboratory data, especially for patients with immunodeficiency. We confirmed our previous results that sonication followed by PCR and sequencing improved bacterial identification.

Prevalence of Urogenital Mycoplasmas Among Men with NGU in Upper Silesia, Poland. Preliminary Study.

The prevalence of urogenital mycoplasmas in men with NGU in Upper Silesia (Poland) was studied. Mycoplasmas were detected in 36.7% men (Ureaplasma parvum and Mycoplasma genitalium were found in 30% and 16.7% respectively). Urealyticum urealyticum was not detected. We suggest including M. genitalium in the diagnostic scheme for nongonococcal urethritis (NGU).

Urogenital mycoplasmas and human papilloma virus in hemodialysed women.

Bacterial infections, especially endogenous, are the frequent complications among hemodialyzed and renal transplant patients. In this study we assumed the prevalence of urogenital mycoplasmas and HPV among hemodialysed women. We examined 32 hemodialysed women aged 20-48 (mean 35.6 ± 8.23) and 100 healthy controls of the same ages. Two swabs were collected for detection of mycoplasmas and HPV. Culture of Ureaplasma spp. and M. hominis was performed using Mycoplasma IST2 (bioMérieux, France), Identificaton of U. parvum and U. urealyticum was performed by Kong. Primers described by Jensen were used for M. genitalium. For detection of high-risk HPV types Amplicor HPV (Roche Molecular System, CA) was used. Prevalence of urogenital mycoplasmas in the hemodialysed women (53.1%) was significantly higher (P = 0.0059), compared with controls (25%). In both groups, U. parvum was the most frequently isolated. Cooccurrence of urogenital mycoplasmas was shown in 75% of the HPV-positive hemodialysed women and in 30.4% of HPV-positive controls (P = 0.0461). Cooccurrence of urogenital mycoplasmas with HPV was significantly higher in hemodialysed women. The need to take into account these microorganisms in routine diagnostic, especially for hemodialysed patients, was demonstrated. Further studies to demonstrate the role of this cooccurrence in etiopathogenesis of infection in hemodialysed patients are required.

Identification of silent prosthetic joint infection: preliminary report of a prospective controlled study.

PURPOSE: We will test the hypothesis that ultrasound supported by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) could improve bacterial identification in non-infected prosthetic joint loosening. The aim was to detect bacterial species in non-infected prosthetic joint loosening using ultrasound and 16S rRNA gene sequencing. METHODS: A total of 16 patients (11 women and five men) aged 46-80 years (mean age 65.7) with diagnosed knee or hip implant loosening (mean implant survival of 102.1 months) were investigated. Bacterial culture and DNA sequencing were used to detect bacteria on the surface of failed implants removed during revision arthroplasty. The results of pre- and intraoperative culture and DNA sequencing were compared. Histopathological analysis was also performed. RESULTS: The number of positive cultures rises with a higher level of C-reactive protein (CRP). The results of the cultures from synovial fluid obtained through joint aspiration were consistent with sonicates from components of prostheses in 12 cases (75%). Bacterial DNA was found in 90% of patients with negative synovial fluid culture. PCR revealed two or more bacterial species, often of the same genus: Ralstonia pickettii, Pseudomonas spp., Brevibacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp., Propionibacterium spp. and Staphylococcus spp.These are micro-organisms present in the environment or on the human body and often associated with compromised immunity. CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasound procedure followed by PCR and sequencing improve bacterial identification in silent prosthetic joint infection. The lack of clinical signs of infection and negative preoperative and intraoperative cultures do not exclude the presence of micro-organisms on the implants.

Prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus cervical infection in female kidney graft recipients: an observational study.

BACKGROUND: Immunosuppressive therapy protects the transplanted organ but predisposes the recipient to chronic infections and malignancies. Transplant patients are at risk of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer resulting from an impaired immune response in the case of primary infection or of reactivation of a latent infection with human papillomavirus of high oncogenic potential (HR-HPV). METHODS: The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of HR-HPV cervical infections and CIN in 60 female kidney graft recipients of reproductive age in comparison to that in healthy controls. Cervical swabs were analyzed for the presence of HR-HPV DNA. HR-HPV-positive women remained under strict observation and were re-examined after 24 months for the presence of transforming HR-HPV infection by testing for HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA. All the HR-HPV-positive patients were scheduled for further diagnostic tests including exfoliative cytology, colposcopy and cervical biopsy. RESULTS: The prevalence of HR-HPV did not differ significantly between the study group and the healthy controls (18% vs 25%, p = 0.37). There was no correlation between HR-HPV presence and the immunosuppresive regimen, underlying disease, graft function or time interval from transplantation. A higher prevalence of HR-HPV was observed in females who had had ≥ 2 sexual partners in the past. Among HR-HPV-positive patients, two cases of CIN2+ were diagnosed in each group. In the course of follow-up, transforming HR-HPV infections were detected in two kidney recipients and in one healthy female. Histologic examination confirmed another two cases of CIN2+ developing in the cervical canal. CONCLUSIONS: Female kidney graft recipients of reproductive age are as exposed to HR-HPV infection as are healthy individuals. Tests detecting the presence of HR-HPV E6/E7 mRNA offer a novel diagnostic opportunity in those patients, especially in those cases where lesions have developed in the cervical canal.

Antibiotic Resistance Profile of RT 027/176 Versus Other Clostridioides difficile Isolates in Silesia, Southern Poland.

Clostridioides difficile is an important health care-associated pathogen. The aim of this study was to analyze the antibiotic susceptibility of C. difficile isolates from feces of patients from 13 hospitals in Silesia, Poland. The incidence of CDI per 100.000 people in Silesia in 2018−2019 was higher than the average in Poland (39.3−38.7 vs. 30.2−29.5, respectively). The incidence doubled from 26.4 in 2020 to 55.1 in 2021. Two hundred and thirty stool samples tested positive for GDH (glutamate dehydrogenase) and toxins were cultured anaerobically for C. difficile. The isolates were characterized, typed, and tested for susceptibility to 11 antibiotics by E-test (EUCAST, 2021). The genes of toxins A/B and binary were detected by mPCR. Of 215 isolates, 166 (77.2%) were classified as RT 027 and 6 (2.8%) as related RT 176. Resistance to ciprofloxacin (96.7%), moxifloxacin (79.1%), imipenem (78.1%), penicillin (67%), and rifampicin (40.5%) was found. The ermB gene was detected in 79 (36.7%) strains. Multidrug resistance (MDR) was confirmed in 50 (23.3%) strains of RT 027 (94%). We concluded that a high prevalence of MDR among hypervirulent RT 027/176 C. difficile was found in the Silesian region of Poland, emphasizing the need to enhance regional infection control on CDI and antibiotic stewardships.

Identification of pregnant women at risk of Streptococcus group B colonisation.

OBJECTIVES: The aims of the study were: 1) to evaluate the prevalence of recto-vaginal group B streptococci (GBS) colonisation using Todd Hewitt Broth - recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) - and Granada medium; 2) to establish the sensitivity and specificity of Granada medium for the detection of GBS colonisation; 3) to evaluate each vaginal Gram stained swab for bacterial vaginosis (BV) using Nugent criteria and for determining the amount of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leucocytes. METHODS: Eighty pregnant women between 35 and 40 gestation weeks hospitalised in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Medical University of Silesia, Poland, were included in the study. Two specimens were collected from each patient: one from the posterior vaginal fornix (Gram stain) and one from both vagina and anus to detect GBS colonisation. Each vaginal Gram stained swab was evaluated for BV using Nugent criteria as well as for PMN leucocyte count. To detect GBS colonisation, the liquid Todd Hewitt Broth, subsequently subcultured to blood agar and direct inoculation onto Granada medium, were used. Isolated GBS were identified by morphological features and by serological (Slidex Strepto-Kit, bioMerieux) and biochemical (rapid ID 32 Strep, bioMerieux) testing. RESULTS: GBS colonisation was observed in 22 (27.8%) patients in both used media. Only in one case were GBS detected in Todd Hewitt Broth and not detected in Granada medium. The sensitivity and specificity of Granada medium were established as: 95.65% and 100%, respectively, compared with Todd Hewitt Broth recommended by CDC. Nugent criteria demonstrated 6.25% of cases of BV; in one case both BV and GBS colonisation were detected. CONCLUSIONS: The selective Granada medium may be used concurrently with liquid Todd Hewitt Broth as a screening tool for prenatal group B streptococcal colonisation in pregnant women.

Fecal lactoferrin and Clostridium spp. in stools of autistic children.

Stools from autistic and healthy children were studied for fecal lactoferrin, Clostridium difficile toxins, Clostridium perfringens enterotoxin and cultured for Clostridium spp. Elevated level of FLA was demonstrated in 24.4% stools, all from boys (31.25%). No toxins were detected. Clostridium spp. was isolated with similar frequency from all samples. C. perfringens were isolated significantly often from the autistic stools, intermediate sensitive strains to penicillin 19%, to clindamycin 11.3%, and to metronidazole 7.5% were detected. Further studies on fecal microflora and inflammatory mediators, with larger groups of patients, are required in order to explain their role in neurological deficits.

Clostridioides difficile Ribotype 027 (RT027) Outbreak Investigation Due to the Emergence of Rifampicin Resistance Using Multilocus Variable-Number Tandem Repeat Analysis (MLVA).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was Clostridioides difficile outbreak investigation due to the emergence of rifampicin resistant ribotype 027 (RT 027) fecal isolates from patients of Polish tertiary care hospital between X. 2017 and II. 2018 using multilocus variable tandem repeat analysis (MLVA). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-nine C. difficile fecal isolates from patients of tertiary care hospital in Southern Poland were ribotyped and analyzed by MLVA. Multiplex PCR (mPCR) for genes encoding GDH (gluD), toxins A (tcdA)/ B (tcdB), 16S rDNA and binary toxin genes (ctdA and ctdB) was performed. The antibiotic susceptibility profile was determined by E-test. RESULTS: The A, B and binary toxins encoding genes were detected in all 29 C. difficile strains which were sensitive to metronidazole, vancomycin and were resistant to erythromycin, clindamycin, and moxifloxacin; resistance to imipenem demonstrated 97%, to rifampicin - 45% isolates. C. difficile strains could be grouped by MLVA into 5 distinct clusters, and the largest cluster II contains 16 strains. The comparison of rifampicin GM MIC of cluster II (n=16 strains) with all others (n=13) showed that strains from clusters I, III, IV and V possessed significantly (p <0.005) higher GM MIC and were more resistant to rifampicin. CONCLUSION: MLVA analysis proved transmission and recognized outbreak due to multidrug-resistant RT 027 C. difficile among patients of tertiary care hospital in Southern Poland. The reason for this is probably the widespread occurrence of spores in the hospital environment, which includes, among others, neglect of hygienic procedures and epidemic supervision. High resistance to imipenem (97%) and to rifampicin (45%) among C. difficile RT 027 Silesian isolates is threatening and requires further studies to elucidate this phenomenon.

[Intestinal microflora of autistic children]. / Mikroflora jelitowa dzieci autystycznych.

Autistic behavior is often accompanied by numerous disturbing symptoms on the part of gastrointestinal system, such as abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea. These problems are often connected with deregulation of physiological microflora in intestine. The aim of this study was to determine differences in intestinal microflora of autistic and healthy children. Strains of Clostridium spp. and enterococci were isolated more frequently from stool samples of autistic children and rarely lactobacilli. Quantitative differences were observed maliny among staphylococci, Candida spp. and Clostridium perfringens. Monitoring and stabilization of intestinal microflora and knowledge about role of particular strains in etiology of autistic disorders can increase the chances for appropriate therapy.

[HBD-1 and hBD-2 are expressed in cervico-vaginal lavage in female genital tract due to microbial infections]. / Ekspresja hBD-1 i hBD-2 w popluczynach pochwowo-szyjkowych z dróg rodnych kobiet w stanach zapalnych wywolanych drobnoustrojami.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare concentration of selected human beta-defensins (hBD-1, hBD-2) in cervico-vaginal lavage (CVL), obtained from women with candidiasis, chlamydiasis and other bacterial infections. MATERIAL AND METHODS: beta-defensins were detected quantitatively by RT-PCR (7000 Taqman, Applied Biosystems) in cervico-vaginal lavage collected from 120 (79 women in the study group and 41 controls) non-pregnant women, aged 18-40 (mean age 28.5 +/- 6.29). The study group patients were divided into three subgroups on the basis of clinical and microbiological diagnosis: women with candidiasis (n=13); with chlamydiasis (n=13), and with other bacterial infections (n=12). RESULTS: The highest count of hBD-1 RNA copies was found in women with bacterial infections and candidiasis (335.84 and 320.10 respectively), and hBD-2--with chlamydiasis. The difference between RNA copies of hBD-1/microg in candidiasis, chlamydiasis and bacterial pathogens was statistically significant; for hBD-2 only in case of chlamydiasis. CONCLUSIONS: Chlamydia trachomatis infection activates the production of hBD-2. Candida albicans, Chlamydia trachomatis, and bacterial pathogens induced variable increases of hBD-1 concentration.

The Bioinformatic and In Vitro Studies of Clostridioides Difficile Aminopeptidase M24 Revealed the Immunoreactive KKGIK Peptide.

Clostridioides difficile (CD) is a Gram-positive pathogen responsible for CD-associated disease (CDAD), which is characterized by symptoms ranging from mild diarrhea to pseudomembranous colitis. This work is an attempt to respond to the need of novel methods for CD infection (CDI) prevention, since the number of CDI cases is still rising. A bioinformatics approach was applied to design twenty-one peptides consisting of in silico predicted linear B-cell and T-cell epitopes of aminopeptidase M24 from CD. These peptides were mapped for epitopes exploiting PEPSCAN procedure and using sera obtained from CD infected patients, umbilical cord blood, and healthy volunteers. Two new CD epitopes, 131KKGIK135 and 184KGTSTHVIT192, were identified and characterized. Immunoreactivity of the synthetic biotinylated 131KKGIK135 epitope was significantly higher compared to 184KGTSTHVIT192 epitope in Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) with umbilical cord blood and CDI patients' sera. Hereafter, the conjugate of bovine serum albumin and epitope 131KKGIK135 was evaluated in vitro on lung epithelial cell line. In vitro, a significant induction of IL-6 by conjugate was observed, thereby we postulate that this new 131KKGIK135 epitope possesses immunostimulating properties suggesting possibility of its use in a vaccine against Clostridioides difficile.

Mycoplasma genitalium: a significant urogenital pathogen ?

Detection of mycoplasma infections, especially those caused by Mycoplasma genitalium (M. genitalium) is not a part of routine microbiological diagnostics, as commercial strip tests based on microculture in test wells do not include M. genitalium in their identification spectrum. Also classical methods of culture are especially demanding in the case of M. genitalium strains. PCR technique with application of specific starter oligonucleotides is currently used in the diagnostics of M. genitalium. In view of growing number of reports on the significance of this mycoplasma in etiopathogenesis of mainly urogenital disorders, an increasing number of laboratories uses molecular methods in diagnostics of M. genitalium infection. In this review we summarize epidemiological, clinical and microbiological research data of M. genitalium in the light of recent publications and our own observations.

Occurrence of Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum in women with cervical dysplasia in Katowice, Poland.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the occurrence of genital mycoplasmas, especially Ureaplasma parvum and Ureaplasma urealyticum, in women with atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASCUS), low grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (LSIL) and high grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL), compared to women with normal cytology living in Katowice, Poland. Two sterile swabs were used to obtain material from the posterior vaginal fornix of 143 women with squamous intraepithelial lesions and 39 healthy women: first for general bacteriology, second for detection of urogenital mycoplasmas using Mycoplasma IST2 kit. From each positive Mycoplasma IST2 culture DNA was isolated and PCR was performed for identification of U. parvum and U. urealyticum. Mycoplasma IST was positive in 34.1% cases. Urogenital mycoplasmas were demonstrated in women with HSIL significantly more often compared to women with LSIL, ASCUS, and with normal cytology. DNA of U. parvum was demonstrated in majority of Mycoplasma IST2-positive cases, U. urealyticum DNA-only in 9 (4.9%). Predominance of 3/14 serovars of U. parvum was demonstrated. U. urealyticum biovar 2 was present more often in women with squamous intraepithelial lesions.

[Clostridium spp. spores in pathomechanism of autism]. / Spory bakterii Clostridium spp. w patomechanizmie autyzmu.

Autism is a syndrom with unknown etiology, however many hypothesis are described in medical publications. These hypothesis include clostridial spores as key elements. Exo- and also endogenous spores are possible cause of autism: antibiotics have lack of effects on spores, which germinate after discontinuation of antibiotic therapy to vegetative neurotoxin producing forms. In this paper we discuss possible role of gastrointestinal tract and intestinal microflora in pathomechanism of autism on the light of recent publications.

Erythrocyte antioxidant parameters in workers occupationally exposed to low levels of ionizing radiation.

It has been postulated that ionizing radiation generates reactive oxygen species (ROS). ROS are annihilated by an intracellular enzymatic system composed mainly of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Workers of X-ray departments are occupationally exposed to long-term low levels of ionizing radiation, which may affect their antioxidant status. Erythrocyte activities of SOD, CAT and GPx were measured in 45 workers of X-ray departments and 30 persons who constituted the control group. Subgroups with respect to sex and cigarette smoking were selected. Colorimetric method was used for determination erythrocyte activities of SOD, CAT and GPx. A significant decrease of GPx, SOD and CAT activity in workers as compared to controls was observed. Lower activity of SOD and GPx in female and GPx in male subgroup was found. SOD was significantly more elevated in smoking workers than in the non-smoking staff. Moreover non-smoking employees showed lower SOD and GPx activity in comparison to the non-smoking control. GPx decrease was found in smoking workers in comparison to the smoking control. Additionally, smoking workers showed lower activity of GPx and CAT compared to non-smoking control.