[Identification of yeasts isolated from the genital tract of women by mass spectrometry MALDI-TOF].

INTRODUCTION: A fungal infection of vagina is one of the most common gynecological problems of women of childbearing age. There has been a gradual increase in yeast- like fungi which are problematic to identify. There is thus a need for searching new identification methods, which would allow for fast recognition and selection of the proper course of treatment. The aim of study was to evaluate the usefulness of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry technique in the diagnosis of pathogenic yeast-like fungi isolated from the genital tract of women. METHODS: There were identified 484 yeast-like fungi strains isolated from the genital tract of patients treated at Centrum Badah Mikrobiologicznych i Autoszczepionek im. Jana Bobra in Cracow (CBMiA) in the age group 20 - 50. The material was analyzed using streak plating on the culture medium: Sabouraud agar (CBMiA) and chromogenic media chromID Candida (bioMdrieux). The strains were identified using MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer (MALDI Biotyper MicroflexTM Series, Bruker Daltonics, Germany) operating as IVD (In Vitro Diagnostic). The procedure of proteins extraction with the use of ethanol and formic acid was used. RESULTS: All 484 yeast-like fungi strains isolated from the genital tract of women were correctly identified to the species level. CONCLUSIONS: MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry method may be successfully used for routine identification of yeast-like fungi and in particular the strains of non-albicans Candida, which have a lower susceptibility to antifungal agents.

The occurrence and comparative phenotypic characteristics of Staphylococcus spp. from healthy and diseased, household and shelter dogs, based on routine biochemical diagnostic methods.

To determine the staphylococcal colonization pattern in healthy and diseased dogs, living in two particular environments, a number of microbiological samples were taken. Overall, twenty dogs, either healthy or with infected skin lesions, were examined. In each case bacterial swabs were collected from the nasal mucosa, ear, perineum, lumbo-sacralis triangle, and from the infection sites if such were present. A total number of 104 isolates representing different staphylococcal species were isolated and identified using routine biochemical methods applied in diagnostic laboratories. Among 17 isolated staphylococcal species, Staphylococcus intermedius was the most common species isolated from both healthy or diseased dogs living either in animal shelter or household environments. The pattern of Staphylococcus sp. colonization differs considerably for animals living in the two tested habitats. In particular, S. aureus MRSA and MSSA isolates were detected only in infected skin lesion samples from animals that dwelled in the animal shelter. As could be expected, S. intermedius was found to be a predominant causative agent in canine skin infections. In our study, we demonstrated that S. intermedius in its carrier-state, inhabits mainly the mucosal membrane of the nasal vestibule. It was also found in the samples taken from the skin, the lumbo-sacralis triangle and perineum, but was rarely isolated from the ears.

[Municipal landfill site in Krzyz near Tarnów as source of microbiological factors harmful to environment and human health]. / Skladowisko odpadów komunalnych w Tarnowie-Krzyzu jako zródlo mikrobiologicznych czynników szkodliwych dla srodowiska i zdrowia czlowieka.

The present study aimed to evaluate microbiological pollution of air with microorganisms belonging to different taxonomic and physiological groups, and to examine whether the effect of the municipal landfill site in Krzyz changes at various study sites located: in so called "zero zone" (operating landfill), at different distances from the landfill and in Tarnów. Microbiological studies of atmospheric air were carried out from May 1998 to April 2001. Measurements were taken at 10 study sites located at the operating municipal landfill site in Krzyz, inside and outside of its protection zone. Microbial air pollution standard (PN-89/Z-04111/02 and PN-89/Z-04111/03) were used to evaluate the impact of municipal landfill site on the atmospheric environment. The standards were most often exceeded by hemolytic bacteria, (277 cases out of 360 measurements) i.e. 76.9%, and Actinomycetes (213 cases out of 360 measurements) i.e 59.1%, while by fungi (26 cases out of 360 measurements) i.e 7.2% and bacteria (42 cases out of 360 measurements) i.e 11.6% in a lesser degree. The standards were most often exceeded in operating land fill site sector, at the gateway to the land fill site and in partially reclaimed sector. Fewest cases of standard exceedance were recorded in control site (located outside the landfill site), near built-up area and before the entrance to the land fill site.