[Saxitoxins and tetrodotokxins as a new biological weapon]. / Saksytoksyny i tetrodotoksyny jako nowa bron biologiczna.

Saxitoxins (STX) and tetrodotoxins (TTX) are a group of chemical compounds produced by certain species of marine algae and fish. Lethal dose for a human is about 0.5-2.0 mg when the toxin enters the body via food, and 0.05 mg of poisoning at the time of injection. In the case of aerosol the lethal dose for human being is 5 mg/min/m(3). STX and TTX poisoning cause mostly symptoms from the nervous system in the form of: paresthesia around the lips, tongue, gums, distal segments of the limbs, headache, dysphonia, astigmatism, floating feeling, muscle weakness, paralysis of cranial and peripheral nerves. There is no specific antidote for STX and TTX. It is recommended supportive treatment.

[Community-acquired pneumonia caused by biological pathogens]. / Zewnatrzszpitalne zapalenia pluc wywolane przez patogeny biologiczne.

Community-acquired pneumonia is still serious disease with morbidity estimated at 5-12 per thousand adult population. The proper management of patients with pneumonia is crucial for effectiveness of therapy and decrease of mortality. There are few classifications of pneumonia severity. In clinical practice the most useful is division on community and hospital acquired pneumonia. This paper concerns recommendations and crucial information for diagnosis and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia based upon publications and own clinical experience.