The family Hippoboscidae is a less known group of blood-sucking flies. Deer ked are particularly important for animal health; they may act as potential vectors of disease to ungulates, and may transmit pathogens to animals and humans. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of Trypanosoma (Megatrypanum) DNA in deer keds using molecular methods. Results prove the presence of Megatrypanum trypanosome DNA in the studied winged adult deer keds and this is the first detection of this pathogen in Lipoptena fortisetosa. In addition, this paper evidences the occurrence of L. fortisetosa in two new locations: one in the Białowieża Primeval Forest, and another in the Strzałowo Forest Inspectorate (Piska Forest), both in north-eastern Poland.

The Białowieża Forest (BF) is one of the best-preserved lowland deciduous and mixed forest complexes in Europe, rich in diverse fungi. This paper summarizes what is known about the poroid fungi of the Polish part of the Białowieża Forest, based on literature data, a re-examination of herbarium materials, and the authors’ studies from 1990–2014. An annotated catalogue of polypores recorded in the forest is presented, including 80 genera with 210 species. All literature and herbarium records are enumerated, and 160 species are illustrated with color pictures. Fourteen species previously reported in the literature have uncertain status because they lack voucher specimens and were not confirmed in recent field studies. Antrodiella subradula (Pilát) Niemelä & Miettinen, previously known from Asia, is reported for the first time from Europe. Fourteen species are newly reported from the Białowieża Forest (mainly from Białowieża National Park), including 8 species with first records in Poland (Antrodia hyalina Spirin, Miettinen & Kotir., Antrodia infirma Renvall & Niemelä, Antrodiella subradula, Junghuhnia fimbriatella (Peck) Ryvarden, Postia folliculocystidiata (Kotl. & Vampola) Niemelä & Vampola, Postia minusculoides (Pilát ex Pilát) Boulet, Skeletocutis chrysella Niemelä, Skeletocutis papyracea A. David), and 6 species reported previously from other localities in Poland [Antrodiella faginea Vampola & Pouzar, Dichomitus campestris (Quél.) Domański & Orlicz, Loweomyces fractipes (Berk. & M. A. Curtis) Jülich, Oxyporus latemarginatus (Durieu & Mont.) Donk, Perenniporia narymica (Pilát) Pouzar, Phellinus nigricans (Fr.) P. Karst.]. Several very rare European polypores already reported from the Białowieża Forest in the 20th century, such as Antrodia albobrunnea (Romell) Ryvarden, Antrodiella foliaceodentata (Nikol.) Gilb. & Ryvarden, Buglossoporus pulvinus (Pers.) Donk, Dichomitus albidofuscus (Domański) Domański and Gelatoporia subvermispora (Pilát) Niemelä, were found at new localities, confirming their continuous occurrence in this forest.

Application of substances from medicinal mushrooms is one of the interesting approaches to improve cancer therapy. In this study, we commenced a new attempt in the field of Heterobasidion annosum (Fr.) Bref. sensu lato to further extend our knowledge on this basidiomycete fungus. For this purpose, analysis of the active substances of Heterobasidion annosum methanolic extract and also its influence on colorectal cancer in terms of in vitro and in vivo experiments were performed. In vivo studies on mice were conducted to verify its acute toxicity and to further affirm its anticancer potential. Results indicated that all the most common substances of best known medicinal mushrooms that are also responsible for their biological activity are present in tested extracts. In vitro tests showed a high hemocompatibility and a significant decrease in viability and proliferation of DLD-1 cells in a concentration-dependent manner of Heterobasidion annosum extract. The studies performed on xenograft model of mice showed lower tendency of tumor growth in the group of mice receiving Heterobasidion annosum extract as well as mild or moderate toxicity. Obtained results suggest beneficial potential of Heterobasidion annosum against colon cancer as cytotoxic agent or as adjuvant anticancer therapy.

Mushrooms have been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases. Today, their therapeutic value is scientifically studied and appreciated. Research indicates that polypores-a large group of fungi of the phylum Basdiomycota-exhibit antiviral, antimicrobial, anticancer, anti-allergic, anti-atherogenic, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities. Phellinus igniarius, a polypore mushroom, is one of the most used in traditional Asian medicine. Its potent anticancer activity has been repeatedly reported. In the past two decades, numerous pharmacologically active metabolites have been isolated and identified from P. igniarius. Among the large number of compounds, the most active group are polysaccharides. They modulate immune responses and inhibit tumor growth.

Eight new species of fungi (Acanthobasidium norvegicum, Amylocorticium laceratum, Hyphoderma transiens, Odonticium septocystidiatum, Phlebia cretacea, Ph. subulata, Steccherinum albidum, and Tubulicrinis calothrix) were identified for Poland after a study of collections from large forests situated in the northeast part of the country. Leptosporomyces fuscostratus was confirmed for Polish mycobiota. Main diagnostic features, natural range, substratum preferences, and taxonomic position of these species are discussed. Color images of basidiomata for 9 species, line drawings of microscopic structures for 6 species, and scanning electron microscopy images of important microstructures for 4 species are provided.