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Retroviral infections have been an important cause of preoccupation of research and medical systems in the past decades. The discovery of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the etivological factor of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) marked a turning point in the conceptual framework and medical management. Retrospective diagnosis has permitted the discovery of infections after 20- 30 years from the date of death. The transmission chains are still undefined and are still under study. Given that, the United Nations HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) targets for 2020 and 2030 are ambitious. To reach these goals, in spite of the overwhelming material costs to healthcare and socio-medical systems, and different kinds of “psychological pressure”, attention and support to combat HIV/AIDS infection need to remain a first‑line problem for governments and contemporary society. We propose a review of the defining moments in the natural history and their impact on the global medical systems of HIV/AIDS in the 1981-1990 period and to underline the most important information up to 2017 in our country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of excessive, often abusive use of antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents, further studies are needed to elucidate to what extent this problem is present in our country, followed by the development of a program to prevent and control the extension of this damaging, worrisome phenomenon, damaging both for the patient and for public health and healthcare system in general. There are recommendations on how these therapeutic resources should be properly utilized. However, noting that recommendations are rarely respected and given the fact that replacing drugs that can be "lost" due to the increase in microbial resistance requires on average two decades of study, we support the view of personalities in the field regarding a possible solution: avoiding errors most commonly encountered in the practice of antibiotic therapy. We presented some suggestive examples in this regard and we recommend the study of the bibliographic resources on the bases of which we wrote this material and that the concepts be applied in everyday practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Respiratory tract infections (upper and lower) represent one of the most frequent problems that lead to community medical visits, according to official data. In the hospital environment, the treatment of infections requiring inpatient care needs to be carried out in accordance with institutional guidelines, adapted to local antimicrobial resistance patterns. Information about the spectrum of bacterial resistance is often absent. Materials and methods: A retrospective study of the antibiogram registry of the Bacteriology Laboratory of the “Marius Nasta” National Institute of Pneumophtysiology (NIP) in Bucharest. The most frequent microorganisms isolated from pulmonary samples of adult inpatients in 2015 were analyzed. Results: The resistance of Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae, Haemophilus spp., Klebsiella spp., Escherichia coli, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was analyzed. We reported the total number of isolates, the number of analyzed isolates (the ones that come from patients who meet the inclusion criteria) and the absolute and proportion figures for resistant, intermediate and sensitive strains. Resistance is described for each of the microorganisms. Special cases of resistance (like methicillin resistant staphylococci and carbapenem resistant enterobacteriaceae; CRE) have been highlighted because of the need to monitor their evolution over time as well as the importance to approach them systemically (prevention and treatment). Discussions: The spectrum of resistance varies according to the ward where the patient was cared for. The isolates from the medical wards were, in general, less resistant than those from the ICU/surgery wards. Conclusions: Due to the high variability in the spectrum of bacterial resistance of the most frequent isolates from medical practice, heightened attention is required in choosing the appropriate empiric antibiotic coverage and adherence to sampling and diagnostic procedures. The present article helps to better characterize the epidemiology of infections and antibiotic resistance in the “Marius Nasta” Institute; it identifies the difficulties faced in gathering and analyzing the data and can be considered as a reference point to improve medical practice policies with regards to the use of antibiotics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

About one-third of the world population is estimated to be infected with tuberculosis (TB), but the global incidence of TB appears to be declining slowly, with regional differences. Specific control measures are required and have been proposed to obtain a substantial reduction in the global TB burden. The advantages achieved so far are currently threatened by the emergence of highly drug-resistant forms of TB, the high prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus infection and the persisting global poverty. Socioeconomic development, but also access and quality of health services appear to be important in lowering the risk factors for TB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]