Summary:The occurrence of trichinellosis in farm or wildlife animals in some areas pose the permanent risk of infection in humans. In Slovakia, where only the sylvatic trichinellosis exists, the humans trichinellosis is sporadic. The most common cause of infection is wild boar meat. Unusual local eating customs may also favour an outbreak of disease in humans. The outbreak of trichinellosis in Slovakia in 1998, when 336 people were affected, was of the same kind.Trichinella britovi was the agent of the infection. 82 dogs and 95 wild boars were examined and were

The outbreak of human trichinellosis in an area where feral animals have been previously considered free of Trichinella was unexpected. Following the suspicion of trichinellosis being addressed, larvae were detected in meat and meat products from pig and the course of disease in patients was successfully controlled and managed.

SummaryAlveolar echinococcosis (AE), caused by proliferating metacestodes of the parasitic fox tapeworm Echinococcus multilocularis, is a life-threatening disease in humans. In this study we report four human cases of AE in Slovak Republic with regard to various clinical manifestations and susceptibility to chemotherapy with albendazole or mebendazole. Patients were monitored serologically by ELISA test and Western Blots within 2 -5 years after initiation of chemotherapy/surgery. Using computerized tomography (CT) we compared morphological changes of the parasitic lesions in the liver during the course of treatment. The parasitic lesions in the CT were manifested as nodular hyperplasia with hyper or hypodense zones and calcified foci within the lesion. In other cases the lesion was visualised as a hypodense poorly-delineated septated focus without calcifications. In the last case, the diagnosis of AE was confirmed only at surgery. Calcified foci found inside the main parasitic lesions were the only abnormality that was detected in two cases and were absent in other two cases. The levels of specific anti-parasitic antibodies followed the pathomorphological changes in the livers. Total IgG levels to Em2+ and EmP antigen declined gradually during the follow-up (1 -5 years) and disappeared only in the patient receiving radical surgery (cured). In comparison with total IgG, concentration of the IgG4 antibody subclass seemed to correlate more adequately with the outcome of therapy as their levels decreased in improved/stabilised patients, but were elevated in "aggravated" patients. We showed that, in patients with AE in Slovakia, radical surgery of parasitic foci proved to be the most successful treatment and, in inoperable cases, albendazole and mebendazole were differently effective. Moreover, IgG4 levels rather than total IgG to protoscoleces antigens proved to be more sensitive serological marker of the progress of therapy.

8 SummaryInfections of various aetiology during pregnancy present a serious risk factor that can lead to abortion, premature birth, stillbirth, birth of newborn with genetic developmental defects, or seemingly healthy infant that may develop symptoms later in life. A total of 530 sera of patients from gynaecology departments were examined for antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii, Toxocara spp. and Listeria monocytogenes using ELISA (IgG, IgM). In women with habitual abortions we determined up to 42.1 % seroprevalence of IgG antibodies against T. gondii. The prevalence of antibodies was statistically significant (p < 0.0004) when compared to control group (25.1 %). In the patients diagnosed with sterility the prevalence of antibodies (26.3 %) was similar to that of control group. The prevalence of antibodies against Toxocara spp. (5.5 %) and Listeria monocytogenes (2.3 %) in patients with habitual abortions were similar to those of women in the general population.

28 SummaryWe report the case of a 14-year-old girl who suffered from headache, fatigue, caught and a fever with body temperature up to 40 0 C for a week. The patient had abdominal enlargement and clinical examination showed the hepatomegaly +5 cm. In ELISA assays employing Em2+ antigen, high titres of specific IgG antibodies to Echinococcus multilocularis somatic antigens were found in the serum. Western blot analysis also indicated on presence of alveolar echinococcosis (AE). CT examination showed expansive foci in the right liver lobe and histological examinations of the biopsy after PAS staining confirmed the presence of alveolar echinococcosis. After 320 days of chemotherapy with albendazole, CT revealed progression of parasitic foci and new abscess lesions inside parasitic cysts were detected, with some parts being necrotic. The surgical removing of foci was performed as following -the laparotomic revision, the removal of the right liver lobe with dilatation, reconstruction of v. cavae cum prothesis PTFE in length 12 cm. Three months after the operation, the rest of the patient's left liver lobe had grownup and compensated at least a part of the removed liver.