Imported Malaria in the Material of the Institute of Maritime and Tropical Medicine: A Review of 82 Patients in the Years 2002-2014.

Malaria is, along with tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS, one of the three most dangerous infectious diseases in the world. In the absence of native cases since 1963, malaria has remained in Poland an exclusively imported disease, mainly occurring in people travelling to tropical and subtropical areas for professional reasons. The aim of this study was the epidemiological and clinical analysis of 82 patients admitted to the University Center for Maritime and Tropical Medicine (UCMTM), Gdynia, Poland, with a diagnosis of malaria between 2002 and 2014.

Studies on Immunogenicity and Antigenicity of Baculovirus-Expressed Binding Region of Plasmodium falciparum EBA-140 Merozoite Ligand.

The erythrocyte binding ligand 140 (EBA-140) is a member of the Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte binding antigens (EBA) family, which are considered as prospective candidates for malaria vaccine development. EBA proteins were identified as important targets for naturally acquired inhibitory antibodies. Natural antibody response against EBA-140 ligand was found in individuals living in malaria-endemic areas.

The first detection of Echinococcus multilocularis DNA in environmental fruit, vegetable, and mushroom samples using nested PCR.

The aim of this study was to estimate the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis DNA in fruits, vegetables, and mushrooms in rural areas of Varmia-Masuria Province, Poland, which is the region with the highest number of human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) cases in this country. Recovery tests showed that E. multilocularis DNA is detectable in samples contaminated with at least 100 eggs of this tapeworm.

Staffing and training issues in critical care hyperbaric medicine.

The integrated chain of treatment of the most severe clinical cases that require hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) assumes that intensive care is continued while inside the hyperbaric chamber. Such an approach needs to take into account all the risks associated with transportation of the critically ill patient from the ICU to the chamber and back, changing of ventilator circuits and intravascular lines, using different medical devices in a hyperbaric environment, advanced invasive physiological monitoring as well as medical procedures (infusions, drainage, etc) during long or frequently repeated HBOT sessions. Any medical staff who take care of critically ill patients during HBOT should be certified and trained according to both emergency/intensive care and hyperbaric requirements.

Hyperbaric oxygen therapy for intensive care patients: position statement by the European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine.

Many of the accepted indications for hyperbaric oxygen treatment (HBOT) may occur in critically ill patients. HBOT itself may cause a number of physiological changes which may further compromise the patient's state. Guidelines on the management of critically ill patients in a hyperbaric facility have been founded on the conclusions of the 2007 European Committee for Hyperbaric Medicine (ECHM) meeting.

First finding of Echinococcus multilocularis DNA in soil: preliminary survey in Varmia-Masuria Province, northeast Poland.

The aim of this study was to estimate the presence of Echinococcus multilocularis DNA in the soil in rural areas of Varmia-Masuria Province, Poland, which is the region with the highest recorded number of human alveolar echinococcosis (AE) cases in this country. In total, 62 soil samples were analyzed. Samples were collected in forests near the lairs of foxes, as well as from arable fields, kitchen gardens and farmyards.

Acetylcholinesterase activity in the host-parasite system of the cod Gadus morhua and acanthocephalan Echinorhynchus gadi from the southern Baltic Sea.

Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity measurement is widely used as a specific biomarker of neurotoxic effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate AChE activity in a host fish (the cod) and its acanthocephalan parasite Echinorhynchus gadi from the southern Baltic. AChE activity in hosts and parasites was inversely related: the highest cod AChE activity corresponded to the lowest E.

Polish system of education in maritime health care and medical assistance for seafarers.

The Polish public awareness of the crucial importance of the own maritime economy to the very existenceof the national state has its historical reasons. The Polish maritime involvement has seen several dramaticcrises, but the Polish nationals have become an established group in the global marine trade workforceand are entitled to the proper health care. In this paper the main maritime health issues are mentioned.

Extremely deep recreational dives: the risk for carbon dioxide (CO(2)) retention and high pressure neurological syndrome (HPNS).

Clear differences between professional and recreational deep diving are disappearing, at least when taking into account the types of breathing mixtures (oxygen, nitrox, heliox, and trimix) and range of dive parameters (depth and time). Training of recreational deep divers is conducted at depths of 120-150 metres and some divers dive to 180-200 metres using the same diving techniques. Extremely deep recreational divers go to depths of more than 200 metres, at which depths the physical and chemical properties of breathing gases create some physiological restrictions already known from professional deep diving.

The first detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA in environmental fruits and vegetables samples.

Toxoplasma gondii infections are prevalent in humans and animals all over the world. The aim of the study was to estimate the occurrence of T. gondii oocysts in fruits and vegetables and determine the genotype of the parasites.

Sudden cardiac event on a sea-going ship and recognition of a work-related accident.

OBJECTIVES. Evaluation of the effect of selected work environment factors on a sea-going ship on the occurrence of a sudden cardiac event and its recognition as a work-related accident. BACKGROUND.

Bioaerosols on Tri-city (Gdańsk-Sopot-Gdynia) beaches.

Bioaerosol formation is an important process of mass and energy exchange between the sea and the atmosphere by means of droplets of marine dust. Studies of marine aerosol activity developed in the last decades of the 20th century. Those studies revealed that concentrations of bacteria in aerosol droplets were hundreds of times higher than were those measured in superficial marine waters.

Usefulness of PCR method for detection of Leishmania in Poland.

Leishmania parasites are the etiological agents of leishmaniosis, with severe course and often fatal prognosis, and the global number of cases has increased in recent decades. The gold standards for the diagnosis of leishmaniosis are microscopic examinations and culture in vitro of the different clinical specimens. The sensitivity of these methods is insufficient.

Recompression treatment for decompression illness: 5-year report (2003-2007) from National Centre for Hyperbaric Medicine in Poland.

A serious diving accident can occur in recreational diving even in countries where diving is not very popular due to the fact that diving conditions there are not as great as in some tropical diving locations. The estimated number of injured divers who need recompression treatment in European hyperbaric facilities varies between 10 and 100 per year depending on the number of divers in the population, number of dives performed annually, and number of hyperbaric centres in the country. In 5 years of retrospective observation in Poland (2003-2007) there were 51 cases of injured recreational divers recorded.

Detection of Toxoplasma gondii oocysts in environmental soil samples using molecular methods.

Infections caused by Toxoplasma gondii are prevalent in humans and animals throughout the world. So far, there is no sufficient information concerning T. gondii oocysts prevalence in the environment, especially in soil.

Strategies towards health protection in maritime work environment involving the role of health promotion--invitation to join in discussion.

The aim of the paper is to present problems, limitations and advantages of strategies adopted for health protection at sea, with particular regard to health promotion. The invitation is extended to IMH readers to join in discussion and to present suggestions how to improve the present practice of health services for seafarers.

New Polish occupational health and safety regulations for underwater works.

In Poland, the new regulation of the Ministry of Health on Occupational Health for Underwater Works (dated 2007) pursuant to the Act on Underwater Works (dated 2003) has just been published. It is dedicated for commercial, non-military purposes. It defines health requirements for commercial divers and candidates for divers, medical assessment guide with a list of specific medical tests done on initial and periodical medical examination in order for a diver or a candidate for diver to be recognised fit for work, health surveillance during diving operations, compression and decompression procedures, list of content for medical equipment to be present at any diving place, formal qualifications for physicians conducting medical assessment of divers, requirements for certifications confirming the medical status of divers and candidates for divers.

Pneumoperitoneum after diving--two clinical cases and literature review.

Pneumoperitoneum after diving is a rare symptom. Diagnosis and treatment strongly depends on the primary source of the air in the abdominal cavity. There are two main sources of air entering the perineum: perforation of the gastrointestinal tract and pulmonary barotrauma.

Assessment of clinical course and outcome of Plasmodium falciparum malaria in Angola diagnosed by microscopic and molecular methods.

Malaria still remains the main infectious cause of morbidity and mortality in the world. The majority of cases occur in tropical Africa, including Angola. The study was performed in Angola, in the Health Centre of St.

Evaluation of methods of sewage treatment on board of vessels on the basis of surveys in 1994-1999.

The purpose of the present study was to show in what degree the ships of the Polish merchant fleet observe the obligations provided for Poland by acts of good will of nations, i.e. International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships -MARPOL 73/78 - Annex IV, and the Helsinki Convention.

Health problems of deep sea fishermen.

In 1995-1997, 966 fishermen were subjected to medical examinations and their health state was evaluated. In 78.2% fishermen examined no pathologies were recorded and in 7.

HIV antibodies in seafarers, fishermen and in other population groups in the Gdańsk Region (1993-1996).

In 1993-1996, serological tests for HIV were performed comprising seamen, fishermen, people travelling abroad, drug addicts, patients of National Health Service Hospitals, health workers and other groups of people from the Gdańsk Region. HIV-antibodies were determined by means of immunoezymatic method ELISA, using Abbot's test recombinant HIV1/HIV2 third generation. Positive results were verified with the aid of the specific confirmation test Western blot.

The effect of heavy work on the musculoskeletal system of dockers.

In compass of 1989-1995 all in all 388 dockers were examined, including 136 stevedores, 128 operators of mechanic equipment, 74 hoistmen and 73 retired stevedores. Out of the group of 508 stevedores that in 1989 was selected for the purpose of the study, at the end of 1995 there were 136 still working, and out of 141 operators 128 remained in employment. The number of the hoistmen working did not change.