Human alveolar echinococcosis in Poland: 1990-2011.

BACKGROUND: Alveolar echinococcosis (AE) caused by Echinococcus multilocularis infections is a dangerous old disease in the Northern Hemisphere. The aim of the paper was to collect and analyze data on human AE in Poland in the last two decades. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: The sources of data were both the cases officially registered and detected by an active field and laboratory surveillance. The cases were verified by clinical, epidemiological, and laboratory criteria. Altogether 121 human cases of AE were detected. Among these 83 (68,6%) cases were classified as confirmed, 16 as probable and 22 as possible. During the two decades a continuous increase in detection rate was noticed. The cases were 6-82 years old at the time of diagnosis (mean - 47.7 years). Sex ratio M/F was 0.86/1.0. The AE was fatal in 23 (19%) patients (mean age at death - 54.1 years). Family agglomeration of AE was found in 4 foci, involving 9 patients. Seventy six of the cases were diagnosed in an advanced stage of disease. In all cases the liver was the primary location of AE. In 30 (24.8%) patients a spread to other organs was observed. Ninety four of the patients were treated with albendazole. In 73 (60%) patients a surgical operation was performed, including 15 liver transplantations. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The studies confirmed that AE is an emerging disease in Poland, which is the fourth country in Europe with over 120 cases detected. The results also indicate the need of a wider national programme for implementation of screening in the highest AE risk areas (north-eastern Poland) with an effort to increase the public awareness of the possibility of contracting E. multilocularis, and above all, training of the primary care physicians in the recognition of the risk of AE to allow for an early detection of this dangerous disease.

[Management in Chikungunya virus infection--a new threat for Europe]. / Postepowanie w przypadku podejrzenia zakazenia wirusem Chikungunya--nowego zagrozenia dla Europy.

The authors present etiology, epidemiology and clinical aspects of one of the tropical diseases--Chikungunya fever (CHIK), which has spread across Europe as emerging infectious disease, transmitted to humans by Aedes mosquitoes. The aim of this study is to present the real threat of CHIK to Europe and especially to Poland. The article also describes actions taken by sanitary authorities in the European Union countries. It focused on the initiatives taken by the State Sanitary Inspection in order to prevent of CHIK and its vector. The article is based on the experience gained by a team from the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate. In conclusion the article describes information related to the occurrence of Chikungunya fever in Europe. Finally, it underlines the necessity of preventive measures too.