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Introduction: Acute viral infections of the lower respiratory tract are of great importance for mortality in children worldwide. The most common causative agents include human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV), human metapneumovirus, parainfluenza virus, influenza virus and adenoviruses. The application of molecular methods has significantly contributed to the identification and determination of the frequency of respiratory viruses in these infections. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the frequency of different viruses that cause lower respiratory tract infections in the pediatric population using panel PCR test from bronchoalveolar lavage samples. Material and methods: Eighteen samples of bronchoalveolar lavage of children younger than 5 years with a diagnosis of pneumonia and antigenic confirmation of the presence of HRSV were analyzed. Virus detection was performed by real-time chain polymerization using the commercial FTlyoTM Respiratory Pathogens 21 kit (Fast Track Diagnostics, Luxembourg) to simultaneously detect the genomes of 18 different viruses and 1 bacterium. Results: Respiratory viruses were detected in all 18 samples, with HRSV identified in all samples, human bocavirus (HBoV) in 7 and human rhinovirus (HRV) in one sample. Coinfections were detected in 38.9% of samples. The HRSV and HBoV co-infection was proven in 33.33% of samples, while the presence of all three viruses in only one sample. Conclusion: The results of this study show the presence of HRSV, HBoV and HRV in bronchoalveolar lavage using multiplex RT-PCR method. Both HRSV and HBoV were the most common viral coinfections. Additional research is needed to more accurately estimate the frequency and distribution of respiratory viruses in children.

Introduction: Human papilloma viruses (HPV) have been identified as a major etiological factor in the pathogenesis of cervical cancer. High-risk type HPV16 has the greatest medical significance. Based on differences in the nucleotide sequence of the type 16 genome, the existence of 16 variants of this type with different geographical distribution has been shown. Aim: Examination of the nucleotide sequence variability of the L1 gene presented in HPV16 variants in our territory. Material and methods: The paper includes 37 sequences of HPV16 L1 genes taken from the database of the Institute of Microbiology and Immunology of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade. The sequences were compared with the reference sequences of the HPV16 variants and the construction of the phylogenetic tree was done using the MEGA (Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis, version X) software package. Results: Out of the 37 HPV16 L1 analyzed gene sequences, 23 were grouped with European variants. Other isolates were grouped with non-European HPV16 variants. The nucleotide distance was less than 1%, that is, at the level of subvariants. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that the European variants of the HPV16 virus are the most common in our population, but they also indicate the presence of non-European variants. Further analysis is necessary in order to monitor the circulation of HPV16 variants in our population.

Introduction: Human papilloma virus is the most important etiological factor that leads to the malignant alteration of cervical epithelium. More than 200 types of human papillomavirus are identified. Based on its oncogenic potential, human papillomavirus can be classified as low-oncogenic and high-oncogenic types. Aim: To determine the frequency of infection with high-risk human papillomaviruses in the cervical swabs of reproductively active women in our population. Material and methods: The research is designed as descriptive study. Data on the presence of HPV infections, as well as the virus genotype in 707 cervical swabs from the period from January 2019 to August 2020, together with the correlation with the woman's age and cytological status on the cervix, were analyzed. Results: Human papilloma virus infection was present in 223 out of 707 tested samples (31.54%). The highest frequency of HPV infection, as well as the highest number of HPV genotypes was in the group of women aged 25 - 34 years (36.32%). The frequency of HPV infection correlates with altered cytological status. The presence of 26 HPV genotypes was determined, 16 highly oncogenic and 10 low oncogenic types, of which the most common was highly oncogenic type 16 (25.11%). Conclusion: These findings showed a high frequency of highly oncogenic HPV genotypes, primarily type 16 in most groups of women of reproductive age. In addition, the frequency of infection correlates with cytological status, which indicates the great importance of prevention of genital HPV infection in our female population.

The new coronavirus has crossed the species barrier leading to the pandemic of COVID-19. The lengthy circulation of the virus within the human population has enabled the development of many new viral variants, some of which are conducive to further pathogen spread. Notable variants are those that contain mutations within the S gene, particularly within the region that codes for the receptor-binding domain (RBD) that links to the hACE-2 receptor. These mutations are responsible for increased viral transmission and influence disease severity, reliability of clinical tests, as well as vaccine efficacy. At present, the variant first identified in the United Kingdom poses the greatest threat in Europe.

Introduction: Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) is a very important cause of perinatal infections. The greatest risk for perinatal infection is a primary infection during pregnancy with possible transplacental transmission of the virus and the onset of congenital varicella syndrome or neonatal varicella. Aim: The objective of this study was to evaluate the frequency of transplacental VZV transmission in pregnant women in our population. Material and Methods: The study included 50 samples of amniotic fluid of pregnant women with suspected fetal varicella or VZV vertical transmission. The presence of the virus was determined by the PCR method with primers for DNA VZV gene 71. The procedure involved the extraction of DNA, PCR and gel electrophoresis for visualization of specific PCR products. Results: The presence of VZV was demonstrated in 14% (7/50) of the amniotic fluid samples. Transmission of the virus was detected in all three trimesters of pregnancy. Statistical significance was not shown between the referral diagnosis, age of pregnant women and gestational age of the pregnancy and VZV positivity. Conclusion: The results of this study showed a low prevalence of VZV vertical transmission during the eight-year period, the lowest in the second trimester, and no statistical significance in accordance with diagnosis, gestational age, and VZV positivity. Screening is significant for VZV during the generative period of women. Those who are seronegative for VZV during pregnancy are at high risk for vertical transmission and are indicative for immunoglobulin therapy. If intrauterine infection is confirmed, adequate antiviral therapy is required.