Predisposing Factors Responsible for the Occurrence of Bacterial Purulent Meningoencephalitis.

Bacterial purulent meningoencephalitis (BPME) is a life-threatening infectious disease caused by various pyogenic bacteria. The disease is defined as the inflammatory process of leptomeninges (visceral layer, pia mater and arachnoid membrane) and brain parenchyma with exudates in the subarachnoid space and surrounding brain structures. The aim of the study was to define the predisposing factors responsible for the occurrence of BPME, as well as the possible correlation between the presence of predisposing factors and patient demographic characteristics, etiology and outcome of the disease.

Risk factors for hospital infections caused by carbapanem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Introduction: Acinetobacter baumannii is one of major causative agents of severe, life-threatening hospital infections (HIs), especially in intensive care units (ICUs). Our aim was to discover the risk factors associated with the emergence of HIs caused by carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), as well as those associated with death in patients who suffer from such infections.

Methodology: A prospective cohort study was conducted over a five-year period in the medical-surgical ICU of the Clinical Centre in Kragujevac, Serbia.

Fever of unknown origin: Most frequent causes in adults patients.

Background/aim: The differential diagnosis of fever of unknown origin (FUO) includes more than 200 different diseases and conditions. The aim of this study was to identify the most frequent causes of FUO among adult patients according to gender and age.

Methods: The study included 74 patients examined from June 2010 to June 2013 at the Infectious Disease Clinic, Clinical Center Kragujevac in Serbia, according to the defined criteria for FUO.

[Risk factors of nosocomial infections caused by piperacillin-tazobactam resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa].

Introduction: Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a common cause of serious infections in hospitalized patients and is associated with high rates of hospital morbidity and mortality.

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors of nosocomial infections caused by piperacillin-tazobactam-resistant P.aeruginosa (PT-RPA).

Assessment of viral genotype impact to the cost-effectiveness and overall costs of care for PEG-interferon-2α + ribavirine treated chronic hepatitis C patients.

Background: Pegylated interferon alfa plus ribavirin protocol is currently considered the most efficient hepatitis C treatment. However, no evidence of costs comparison among common viral genotypes has been published.

Objectives: We aimed to assess core drivers of hepatitis C medical care costs and compare cost effectiveness of this treatment among patients infected by hepatitis C virus with genotypes 1 or 4 (group I), and 2 or 3 (group II).

Hospital infections in a neurological intensive care unit: incidence, causative agents and risk factors.

Introduction: Hospital infections (HIs), which are frequently associated with hospital treatment, increase morbidity, mortality and treatment costs. The aim of this study was to establish the incidence of HIs in a neurological intensive care unit (nICU), and to determine the most prevalent causative agents and risk factors for HIs.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study with nested case-control design was conducted between 1 July 2009 and 30 June 2010 at an 18-bed neurological intensive care unit at the Clinical Center Kragujevac, Serbia.

Radiology Services Costs and Utilization Patterns Estimates in Southeastern Europe-A Retrospective Analysis from Serbia.

Objective: Assessment of costs matrix and patterns of prescribing of radiology diagnostic, radiation therapy, nuclear medicine, and interventional radiology services. Another aim of the study was insight into drivers of inappropriate resource allocation.

Methods: An in-depth, retrospective bottom-up trend analysis of services consumption patterns and expenses was conducted from the perspective of third-party payer, for 205,576 inpatients of a large tertiary care university hospital in Serbia (1,293 beds) from 2007 to 2010.

[Risk factors for acute respiratory distress syndrome development in patients with type A influenza (H1N1)].

Introduction: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a significant complication in patients with type A influenza (H1N1) due to the severity of the disease and adverse outcome.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify risk factors for the development of ARDS in patients with type A influenza (H1N1) and outcome of ARDS.

Methods: The research was conducted as a case series study, and included patients admitted at the Clinical Center in Kragujevac during the 2009 and 2010 flu season.

[Incidence, risk factors and outcome of nosocomial pneumonia patients with central nervous system infections].

Introduction: Pneumonia is the most frequent nosocomial infection in intensive care units. The reported frequency varies with definition, the type of hospital or intensive care units and the population of patients. The incidence ranges from 6.

Characteristics of radiological changes in lungs during varicella zoster viral infection.

The objective of this research was to analyse the varicella patients' data in order to determine the following: general frequency of pneumopathies and types of lung changes according to X-ray presentation and the changes on the computed tomography. It examined 101 patients with the clinical presentation of varicella and some of the X-ray entities of varicella pneumopathies. Radiological techniques included chest X-ray and CT scans.

Clinical characteristics of nosocomial infections of patients with acute central nervous system infections treated in ICU.

A retrospective study was performed to evaluate the clinical characteristics of nosocomial infections in patients with acute infection of central nervous system (ACNS infections). The study included 1,686 patients admitted to the ICU. Of 1,686 patients, 936 (55.

[Lyme borreliosis--diagnostic difficulties in interpreting serological results].

Introduction: Lyme borreliosis is a multi-systemic disease caused by spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato. The specific response is influenced by phenotypic characteristics of Borrelia, different antigen structure, their different geographic distribution, and the patient's capability to react to the infection. The immune response to Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato develops relatively late, whereas in some patients it never develops.

[Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome during pregnancy: case report].

Introduction: Hemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFWRS) is an acute infectious disease with abrupt onset, high fever, renal failure and frequent hemorragies. HFWRS during the pregnancy has relatively low occurrence, with only few described cases mostly in the region of the former Soviet Union. Although, according to the data from the literature, the disease is less severe during the pregnancy, the eclampsy, stillbirth and fetal infection were also described.

[Exercise tolerance and dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

Background/aim: Peripheral muscle weakness and nutritional disorders, firstly loss of body weight, are common findings in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The aim of this study was to analyse the impact of pulmonary function parameters, nutritional status and state of peripheral skeletal muscles on exercise tolerance and development of dyspnea in COPD patients.

Methods: Thirty COPD patients in stable state of disease were analyzed.

[Weil's syndrome (leptospiral infection): a case report].

Introduction: Leptospirosis is an acute zoonotic infection, caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira. It is characterized by extensive vasculitis. It is usually transmitted indirectly, per contaminated water, rarely directly, through contact with infected animals.

[Altered state of consciousness as a factor affecting the course and consequences of acute viral encephalitis].

Introduction: Acute viral encephalitis is an infectious disease, which is characterized by sudden onset, serious clinical picture and with an uncertain outcome. Disturbances of consciousness are common in the course of acute viral encephalitis. Consciousness is the heighest form of psychic life and consciousness disturbances may include quantitative (somnolentia, sopor, coma) and qualitative symptoms (convulsions, twilight state).

Nosocomial infections in patients with acute central nervous system infections.

Due to current increase in the rate of nosocomial infections, our objective was to examine the frequency, risk factors, clinical presentation and etiology of nosocomial infections in patients with central nervous system infections. 2246 patients with central nervous system infections, treated in the intensive care units of the Institute of Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Clinical Center of Serbia in Belgrade and at the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Clinical Hospital Center Kragujevac, were included in this retrospective and prospective study. Clinical manifestations of nosocomial infections were registered in 180 (12.

[Myopericarditis during acute Epstein-Barr virus infection: a case report].

Introduction: Complications associated with infectious mononucleosis are rare, but occasionally they can occur involving hematological, neurological, cardiological and pulmological complications, as well as liver and spleen disorders, sometimes with lethal outcome. The most important cardiac complications are myocarditis and pericarditis.

Case Report: An 18-year-old male patient was admitted to the Departement of Infectious Diseasees with clinical picture of infectious mononucelosis, while symptoms appeared 7 days before admission.

[Changes in plasma osmolality in food poisoning].

Introduction: Changes in plasma osmolality may occur during acute intestinal infections due to dehydration (loss of water and/or electrolytes). Depending on whether the water and electrolyte deficit is primary, or a proportional loss of water and electrolytes, dehydration can be classified into three categories: hypertonic, hypotonic and isotonic.

Material And Methods: Thirty (30) patients with food poisoning were included in this research.

[Epstein-Barr virus hepatitis associated with icterus--a case report].

Introduction: Primary Epstein-Barr virus infection (EBVI) in children is usually asymptomatic with seroconversion. If primary infection occurs in adolescents or in adulthood, the most common manifestation is acute infectious mononucleosis. The diagnosis of acute infectious mononucleosis is made by virus and serologic tests.

[Reiter's syndrome after Salmonella infection].

Two patients with Reiter's syndrome, after Salmonella infection were treated on the Infections disease ward at Clinical hospital center in Kragujevac. In the first patient, ten days after the onset of Salmonella infection, signs of edema and pain in the right ankle occurred, accompanied by expressed conjunctivitis. Within next two months consecutive metatarsophalanges changes joint of the right foot have appeared.

[Risk factors for hepatitis C virus infection].

Introduction: Hepatitis C viral infection represents a major health problem in the world. The estimated global incidence is about 3%, whereas the number of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) carriers worldwide is estimated to be between 150-300 million people.

Material And Methods: This retrospective analysis included 82 patients whose diagnosis of viral hepatitis C infection was based upon the following criteria: case history, physical examination, laboratory and abdominal ultrasound examination, histological examination of the liver, radiological examination, serological analysis and viral analysis.

[Pseudomembranous colitis during antibiotic therapy].

Introduction: The use of antibiotics is commonly accompanied by diarrhea: idiopathic diarrhea with a benign process and diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile and pseudomembranous colitis. Clostridium difficile colonizes the gastrointestinal tract and produces a toxin in cases when normal flora is suppressed by antibiotics. Pseudomembranous colitis most frequently appears after application of clindamycin, lincomycin, ampicillin, cephalosporins and other antibiotics.