Fungal infections constitute a serious clinical problem in the group of patients receiving total parenteral nutrition. The majority of species isolated from infections of the total parenteral nutrition patients belong to Candida genus. The most important factors of Candida spp. virulence are the phenomenon of “phenotypic switching,” adhesins, dimorphism of fungal cells and the secretion of hydrolytic enzymes such as proteinases and lipases, including aspartyl proteinases. We determined the proteolytic activity of yeast-like fungal strains cultured from the clinical materials of patients receiving total parenteral nutrition and detected genes encoding aspartyl proteinases in predominant species Candida glabrata—YPS2, YPS4, and YPS6, and Candida albicans—SAP1–3, SAP4, SAP5, and SAP6. C. albicans released proteinases on the various activity levels. All C. glabrata strains obtained from the clinical materials of examined and control groups exhibited secretion of the proteinases. All 13 isolates of C. albicans possessed genes SAP1–3. Gene SAP4 was detected in genome of 11 C. albicans strains, SAP5 in 6, and SAP6 in 11. Twenty-six among 31 of C. glabrata isolates contained YPS2 gene, 21 the YPS4 gene, and 28 the YPS6 gene. We observed that clinical isolates of C. albicans and C. glabrata differed in SAPs and YPSs gene profiles, respectively, and displayed differentiated proteolytic activity. We suppose that different sets of aspartyl proteinases genes as well as various proteinase-activity levels would have the influence on strains virulence.

Trichosporon spp. is not an important factor of mycotic infections in immunocompetent patients. It may be a cause of invasive mycoses with a high mortality rate in patients undergoing solid organ transplantation. We have analysed the antifungal agents' susceptibility of Trichosporon asahii and its frequency of occurrence as a prospective etiological agent of infections in liver, kidney and simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients. Clinical specimens (urine, blood, peritoneal fluid and swabs) were obtained from patients hospitalised in the A total of 475 strains of yeast-like fungi were isolated from clinical specimens taken from 263 liver, kidney and simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplant recipients and from 26 organ donors. Trichosporon asahii was found in 26 clinical samples taken from 18 patients and one organ donor. Positive cultures were obtained from 22 urine samples, one stoma fluid, one wound swab, one tracheal aspirate and one ejaculate. Isolates of Trichosporon asahii were found in 6% of total positive mycological cultures in the solid organ transplant recipients. Among cultured strains, 11 isolates were resistant to fluconazole, four to itraconazole and three of them demonstrated resistance to amphotericin B.

Introduction Angiogenesis occurs under physiological and pathological conditions and is regulated by cytokines and growth factors. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a multifunctional angiogenic cytokine that plays a significant role in inflammation and immune responses implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory processes in the implant- surrounding tissues. Objective The study investigated the concentration of VEGF in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in healthy and diseased soft tissues surrounding implants. Material and methods Clinical examinations were focused on assessing the periodontal status of soft tissues around dental implants with the use of Florida Probe. Bone loss was examined radiologically. VEGF concentrations were assessed by enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA). Results VEGF concentrations were found higher in crevicular fluid around implants than in clinically healthy sites. They were also strongly correlated with the pocket depth. Conclusions The presence of VEGF in gingival crevicular fluid in patients with peri-implants can be implicated in the progression of peri-implantitis, possibly by promoting the formation of new blood vessels during angiogenic processes.

Background: Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are a common reason for patients to present at dental offices. The majority of people with TMD are women between the age of 20 and 40 years. The purpose of this study was to assess the types and prevalence of temporomandibular disorders in female patients of reproductive age with menstrual disorders. Materials and methods: The study involved 65 females of reproductive age (18–40 years, an average of 28.00 ± 6.27 years). The women who qualified for the study were patients of the University Center for Maternal and Newborn’s Health hospitalized because of infertility or menstrual cycle disorders. Women with confirmed estrogen metabolism disorders participated in a clinical study with the use of Diagnostic Criteria for Temporomandibular Disorders (DC/TMD). Results: In the studied female patients with menstrual disorders, temporomandibular disorders (92.3%) were frequent occurrences. The most common type was intra-articular joint disorders (68%). Other reported complaints included masticatory muscle pain (44.62%), and degenerative joint diseases (12.3%). Conclusions: 1. In women with menstrual disorders, TMD may exist. 2. In women with TMD symptoms, their medical history should be extended to include the diagnosis of female hormone disorders.

Introduction. For patients using removable dentures the level of comfort and thus the life quality has substantially increased with the development of prosthetic dentistry. However, denture stomatitis, especially accompanied by fungal infections, remains a problem and affects many patients using prosthetic restorations. It is mainly caused by an increasing resistance of fungi to antifungal medications. Aim of the study. To assess clinically the effectiveness of a herbal grapefruit seed extract product called Citrosept Dental in treating Candida-associated denture stomatitis, in patients using acrylic removable dentures. Materials and methods. The studied group included 32 patients (18 women and 14 men) of the Department of Prosthetic Dentistry, Medical University of Warsaw, aged 41 to 83 years (average age 62 years), with symptoms of denture stomatitis accompanied by fungal infections, which were confirmed by a mycological test (group 1). Patients with a positive mycological test result used 1% Citrosept Dental gel on mucosal lesions three times a day after meals, for three weeks. Results. The lesions disappeared completely in 24 patients (75%) after three weeks of Citrosept Dental application. The mucosa of 13 patients with type 1 stomatitis (81.25%) was pink and healthy; that was also the case of 78.57% patients with diffuse erythema. In the three remaining patients with type 2 stomatitis lesions healed after using Citrosept Dental and only had single pinpoints of hyperaemia. There was no change in the oral mucosa of the patient with type 3 stomatitis. Conclusions. Citrosept Dental in in vivo studies reduced denture-associated mucosal inflammations in patients with denture stomatitis accompanied by fungal infections, and also produced resolution of subjective symptoms in a significant majority of patients.