Cold-water immersion (CWI) after exercise is a method used by sportsmen to improve recovery. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of a 3 min CWI on the inflammatory state by measuring levels of interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 10 (IL-10), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1), and activities of α1-antitrypsin (AAT) and lysosomal enzymes, including arylsulfatase (ASA), acid phosphatase (AcP), and cathepsin D (CTS D), in the blood of healthy recreational athletes. Male volunteers (n = 22, age 25 ± 4.8 yr) performed a 30 min submaximal aerobic exercise, followed by a 20 min rest at room temperature (RT-REST) or a 20 min rest at room temperature with an initial 3 min 8 °C water bath (CWI-REST). Blood samples were taken at baseline, immediately after exercise, and after 20 min of recovery. The IL-6, IL-10, and TNF-α levels and the AAT activity increased significantly immediately after exercise. The IL-6 level was significantly higher after CWI-REST than after RT-REST. No changes in the activities of the lysosomal enzymes were observed. The effect of a 3 min CWI on the level of inflammatory markers during post-exercise recovery was limited. Thus, it might be considered as a widely available method of regeneration for recreational athletes.

Toxoplasma gondii is a worldwide distributed protozoan parasite. This apicomplexan parasite infects one-third of the population worldwide, causing toxoplasmosis, considered one of the neglected parasitic infections. In healthy humans, most infections are asymptomatic. However, in immunocompromised patients, the course of the disease can be life-threatening. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients have a very high burden of Toxoplasma gondii co-infection. Thus, it is essential to use modern, sensitive, and specific methods to properly monitor the course of toxoplasmosis in immunodeficient patients.

<br><b>Introduction:</b> The observation of the epidemiology of toxoplasmosis may prevent the development of a severe form of the disease in HIV patients.</br> <br><b>Aim:</b> The aim of the study was to evaluate the seroprevalence of <i>Toxoplasma gondii</i> in the population of the Kuyavian-Pomeranian Voivodeship at high risk of contracting HIV.</br> <br><b>Material and methods:</b> Blood serum samples of 43 patients of the Consulting and Diagnostic AIDS Center were tested for the presence of anti-HIV-1/HIV-2 antibodies and p24 antigen, and for the presence of anti-toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies.</br> <br><b>Results:</b> Anti-toxoplasma IgG antibody prevalence of 53.5% (23/43) was found in the study population, while the examination of specific IgM antibodies was negative. A high IgG antibody avidity index was obtained in 18 (94.7%) seropositive samples. Thirty (69.77%) of the samples were female, and 13 (30.23%) were male. Among men, HIV was detected in 1 (7.69%), and IgG antibodies against <i>T. gondii</i> in 7 (53.85%) samples. IgG antibodies against <i>T. gondii</i> were found in 16 (53.33%) women. The HIV-positive individual was 24 years old. The presence of antibodies against <i>T. gondii</i> in the IgG class was found in people of different ages (in women aged 38.44 ±13.00 years old and in men aged 29.29 ±10.86 years old). The risky situation that could cause HIV infection is in most cases sexual contacts (79.07%).</br> <br><b>Conclusions:</b> High seroprevalence of <i>T. gondii</i> was found among the studied subjects at a high risk of HIV infection. Further research is required on a larger study group.</br>