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Sexually transmitted diseases represent a public health problem with extremely diverse clinical, social and economic implications, which is often underestimated by both doctors and patients. The increasing incidence of persistent or recurrent urethritis might be explained by the emergence of microorganisms resistant to the latest treatments available. In this review we aim to provide a general overview of the therapeutic management of persistent and recurrent urethritis, according to the most recent international recommendations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a chronic inflammatory skin disease, with a poor therapeutic response and a significant impact on the patient's quality of life. The aim of this review-type article is to assess the role of bacterial infections in both the pathogenesis and evolution of the hidradenitis suppurativa, but also to evaluate the convenience of antibiotherapy in the management of the disease. Antibiotherapy plays an important role in its longterm management, mainly due to the anti-inflammatory action of the frequently recommended agents from the schemes of treatment. The therapy's initiation ought to be consistent with the antibiotic sensitivity profile of microorganisms isolated in the laboratory, personalized depending on the disease’s severity, history of antibiotic use, the risk of drug interactions and the patient's comorbidities. Moreover, the association of antibiotics with anti-TNF-α (tumour necrosis factor) biologic therapy represents a valid therapeutic alternative that can significantly enhance the quality of life, of great utility especially in severe disease stages. In order to elucidate the pathogenesis, we propose two main research directions. Firstly, the profile analysis of virulence of microorganisms and its correlation with the host response to bacterial insult. Secondly, the description of the bacterial biofilm communities, both architecturally and physiologically in-depth analyzes of inter-cellular communication mechanisms. These steps are necessary for the discovery of new therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic venous leg ulcers (CVLU) account for the final outcome of a far wider disease spectrum referred to as chronic venous disease. Physiological wound healing involves a three-stage process, with the coagulation/ inflammatory, granulation and epithelialization phases occurring successively. In the case of chronic wounds, such as CVLUs, the tissue damage and repair are misbalanced, resulting in the ulcer's lodging in a particular wound stage - the inflammation or granulation stage -, consequently impairing progression towards wound healing. Failure to rebuild the skin integrity may be due to a large number of factors, either endogenous - host factors determining or maintaining breaches in the protective barrier of the skin -, or exogenous, such as microbial biofilm infections. The future research should focus upon the study of wound microenvironment. The detection of specific biomarkers of chronic wound healing, as well as the discovery of therapeutic agents that target molecules involved in the pathogenic cascade would change the course of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atopic dermatitis is an inflammatory skin disease, characterized by periods of exacerbation and remission, which affects 15-30% of children and 2-10% of adults. It is known that atopic dermatitis is caused by an abnormal skin barrier (physical, chemical and immunological). In addition, new studies have shown that an important role in the pathophysiology of atopic dermatitis is the altered skin microbiota. This review highlights the recent observations regarding the changes of the skin microbiome in atopic dermatitis and possible therapeutic options for this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hidradenitis suppurativa represents a chronic, recurrent inflammatory disease, characterized by the formation of painful abscesses, sinuous tracts, foul smelling secretions, vicious scaring, with a severe reduction of the patients' quality of life. The pathophysiology of hidradenitis suppurativa is complex, follicular hyperkeratosis being regarded as the main pathogenetic mechanism. Bacterial colonization and follicular dysbiosis are of secondary importance in the pathogenesis of the disease, by triggering immunemediated inflammation. The formation of bacterial biofilms in sinuous tracts inhibits the efficacy of antibiotics, thus inducing chronic lesions. This article aims to highlight the role of bacterial colonization in the pathophysiology of hidradenitis suppurativa, as well as therapeutic options that act by regulating follicular dysbiosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]