Legionella sp. in water systems in public teaching and education facilities in Malopolskie voivodeship in 2016

INTRODUCTION: Bacteria Legionella sp. found in water distribution systems, especially warm, transferred to water spray devices for aerators and showers in the form of aerosols infected with them become a threat to the human inhaler. OBJECTIVE: Assessment of colonization of the water supply network with Legionella bacteria in teaching and education facilities in Malopolska in 2016 year. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The results of water samples taken from plumbing installations were analyzed in teaching and education facilities by employees of the State Sanitary Inspection of the Lesser Poland Voivodeship. RESULTS: The results of 366 testing hot water samples in 111 teaching and education centers in Malopolska have shown that in 123 testing samples (33,6%) in 48 centers (43,2%) the water sample was colonized with Legionella sp. and the water quality did not meet the requirements of the current ordinance of the Minister of Health. CONCLUSIONS: It is justified to periodically monitor the presence of Legionella sp. in water supply installations in teaching and education centers and taking action to reduce the colonization of these bacteria.

The Lyme disease as the increasing health problem in Malopolskie voivodeship compared with Poland in 1998-2014 / Borelioza jako narastajacy problem zdrowotny w województwie malopolskim na tle Polski w latach 1998-2014

OBJECTIVE: Lyme disease is one of the most known tick borne diseases in Poland caused by spirochetes of the genus Borrelia burgdorferi. Most cases of Lyme disease are diagnosed in the northeastern Poland and the south of Poland, in Slaskie, Malopolskie, Podkarpackie voivodeship. The aim of the study was to evaluate epidemiological data of Lyme disease in Malopolskie voivodeship and other voivodeships in Poland and frequency analysis of the Lyme disease as an occupational disease. METHODS: The authors analyzed prevalence from 1998 to 2014. Incidence of the Lyme disease was evaluated through review data from "Choroby zakazne i zatrucia" Bulletin and Lyme disease as an occupational disease obtained data from the Nofer Institute of Occupational Medicine in Lódz. RESULTS: It is estimated that the number of Lyme disease cases in Poland increased 18 times between 1998 and 2014 year (2,0 to 36 per 100,000 population), in the same period it was over 35 times of sudden rise in Lyme disease incidence in Malopolskie voivodeship. In years 2005-2014 the number of cases of Lyme disease as an occupational disease fluctuated with a slight upward trend both in Poland and Malopolskie voivoideship. CONCLUSIONs: In Poland number of reported cases is systematically increasing. Podlaskie and Warminsko- Mazurskie voivodeships are areas of high prevalence. Exponential increase in the number of cases is observed in southern Poland, especially in Malopolskie voivodeship from 2013.

Alert microorganisms isolated from patients hospitalized in Malopolskie province in 2010-2012.

OBJECTIVE: Healthcare centers undertake supervisory activities to control health care-associated infections (HCAIs) by elaborating procedures, identifying alert microorganisms and analyzing data collected. The aim of the study was to analyze the prevalence of alert microorganisms in hospital wards in 2010-2012. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Legislation which is in force since several years introduced the principles of health care-associated infections control and reporting system. Analysis was based on annual reports on alert microorganisms provided by 19 District Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations from Malopolskie province. The data discuss positive tests results for alert microorganisms in patients who stayed in hospitals supervised by the Sanitary and Epidemiological Stations. RESULTS: Compared to 2010-2011, the number of tests per hospital bed in 2012 was lower, amounting to 24 (2010 - 44, 2011 - 34). Of these tests, the majority was performed in the following wards: transplantology (2010 - 339, 2011 - 354, 2012 - 330), burn care (2010 - 354, 2011 - 148, 2012 - 113) and ICUs for adults (2010 - 155, 2011 - 157, 2012 - 140). In 2010-2012, an increase in the number of positive test results for extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL+) and Clostridium difficile as well as slight decrease in the number of positive test results for other alert microorganisms were noted. The highest number of microorganisms was identified in neonatal and neonatal pathology (Enterobacteriaceae ESBL+); pediatric and infectious diseases (Rotavirus); infectious diseases (Rotavirus, C.difficile); burn care (Acinetobacter baumanii, Pseudomonas sp.) and ophthalmic and hemodialysis wards (MRSA). CONCLUSION: Irrespective of a decrease in the number of tests per hospital bed in 2012, a high number of positive test results for alert microorganisms was observed. It suggests the necessity for wider application of collected data as to improve monitoring of infections and reduce resulting threats.