[Neuroradiologic imaging results suggestive of parasitic cysts in central nervous system in course of neoplastic disorders--cases report]. / Obraz neuroradiologiczny imitujacy torbiele pasozytnicze osrodkowego ukladu nerwowego w przebiegu chorób nowotworowych--opisy przypadków.

Cystic changes within CNS, revealed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging, pose difficult diagnostic and therapeutic problem. We present two patients with primary diagnosis of parasitic cysts of CNS, in whom neoplastic etiology was finally confirmed. Differential diagnosis of cystic foci should from the beginning include not only parasitic infections, but also neoplastic diseases, which are much more frequent in Poland at present and in which prolonged diagnostic process and delayed treatment is highly unfavorable.

[Blood-brain barrier--function of Mato cells]. / Bariera krew-plyn mózgowo-rdzeniowy--szczególna rola komórek Mato.

Brain because of its functions, is isolated from either external or internal environment. This function is performed by skull, cerebral meninges, cerebrospinal fluid and unique system of mechanisms and barriers restricting exchange of oxygen, soluble substances between blood, nervous tissue and cerebrospinal fluid. Mato cells, located in Virchow-Robin's space play a key role in blood-brain barrier. Mato cells are rich in hydrolytic enzymes. They act as phagocytes in blood-brain barrier by scavenger receptors, which take part in eliminating excess of unfavorable substances from environment. Ageing, hypercholesterolemia and vitamin E deficiency can cause degeneration of perivascular cells and limit their protective function. Mato cells probably are responsible for pathogenesis of various diseases, f.e. Alzheimer disease, diabetic rethinopathy, encephalitis.

[Long-term fever as a first symptom of neoplasmatic process in young patients--case reports]. / Dlugotrwala goraczka, jako pierwszy objaw choroby nowotworowej u osób mlodych--opis przypadków.

UNLABELLED: Fever is a thermoregulation disorder with body temperature increased (above 38 degrees C). The most often accompanies infections, but it may also be a symptom of neoplasmatic disease. CASE REPORTS: In our paper we described 2 patients, who were admitted to the Department of Infectious Diseases and Neuroinfections with fever as a main symptom. Laboratory tests excluded the infection as causative agents of a long term fever. Wide spectrum diagnosis in both cases led to diagnosis of neoplasmatic disease. Presented cases indicate that in patents with long term fever, even in young age, neoplasmatic process should be taken into consideration.

[Detection of anti-hantavirus antibodies in forest workers in the north-east of Poland]. / Wystepowanie przeciwcial przeciwko hantawirusom wsród pracowników lesnych z terenu Polski pólnocno-wschodniej.

OBJECTIVE: To estimate exposition to hantaviruses in a high-risk population (forest workers) in the north-east of Poland. METHODS: IgG antibodies against virus Puumala (PUUV) and Hantaan (HTNV) were detected by ELISA in sera of 59 forest workers from Podlaskie and Warminsko-Mazurskie provinces (group I), as well as in 10 employees of Regional Forest Administration in Bialystok (group II). MAIN OBSERVATIONS: Anti-PUUV IgG antibodies were detected in 3 persons in group I and 1 in group II. Anti-HTNV IgG were present in 1 person in group I and 2 in group II, in one case accompanying strong reactivity towards PUUV. RESULTS: Anti-PUUV IgG, suggestive of the history of non-diagnosed PUUV infection, were detected in 4 persons of 69 (5,7%). Isolated anti-HTNV IgG, which could indicate past infection with Saaremaa virus, antigenically related to HTNV, were present in 2 subjects (2,9%). CONCLUSIONS: Non-diagnosed infections with Puumala and Saaremaa viruses seem to occur in the high risk groups in the north-east of Poland, with frequency comparable to other European countries. Most infections are probably mild or asymptomatic.

[Failures of antibiotic treatment in Lyme arthritis]. / Niepowodzenia antybiotykoterapii w boreliozie ukladu kostno-stawowego.

Antibiotic treatment has been proven to be effective in about 90% of patients with Lyme arthritis in controlled studies. Overt arthritis persisting in spite of antibiotic therapy is rare and most likely has an autoimmune background. More frequently, patients with history of Lyme borreliosis present with non-specific articular and musculosceletal symptoms, which seem to be permanent sequelae of arthritis or constitute part of so called post-Lyme disease syndrome, of unclear pathogenesis. As persistence of active infection after proper antibiotic therapy is unlikely, repeated treatment seems of no benefit in most of the patients. No more than 2-3 attempts of antibiotic therapy should be undertaken; if symptoms persist, symptomatic and anti-inflammatory treatment should be introduced. Lack of response to antibiotics should also point to co-existing musculoskeletal morbidity or to improper diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis, which is frequent due to common occurrence of false-positive serologic tests results.

[Re-infection with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l in a patient with a history of neuroborreliosis--case report]. / Reinfekcja Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. u pacjentki po wyleczonej neuroboreliozie--opis przypadku.

Reinfection with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., which is likely in highly exposed persons, has not been described in Poland so far. Symptoms of Lyme arthritis, preceded by typical skin lesion (erythema migrans) appeared in 46 years old women 5 years after successful treatment of borrelial meningitis. Re-appearance of symptoms of Lyme borreliosis following localized skin lesion, after a long asymptomatic period, as well as accompanying increase in specific antibodies, point to reinfection with Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. Different localization of systemic symptoms during two episodes of Lyme disease suggests infection with distinct genospecies of B. burgdorferi s.l. This case confirms risk of recurrent infections with different B. burgdorferi s.l. genospecies in inhabitants of highly endemic areas in the north-east of Poland, which may pose necessity of repeated antibiotic treatment.

[Reinfection in Lyme borreliosis]. / Reinfekcja w boreliozie z Lyme.

Persons exposed to tick bites in endemic areas of Lyme borreliosis are at high risk of repeated infections with Borrelia burgdorferi s.l. Typically, recurrent episodes of Lyme borreliosis present as erythema migrans, but systemic manifestations, like borrelial arthritis and meningitis, have been described. Differentiating reinfection from relapse or chronic sequelae of primary infection should be possible on the basis of epidemiological data, clinical course and careful interpretation of serologic tests results. In case of reinfection, antibiotic treatment should be administered.