Original article 1 Mean platelet volume predicts the glycemic control deterioration in diabetes mellitus type 2 patients 36 Can a finding of cervical vestibular evoked myogenic potentials contribute to vestibular migraine diagnostics? 50 Does odor and taste identification change during hyperemesis gravidarum? 62 Factors affecting mortality in emergency surgery in cases of complicated colorectal cancer ABSTRACT Aim To investigate association of mean platelet volume (MPV) and glycemic control markers, and whether MPV could be used as a predictor of deterioration of glucoregulation in Diabetes mellitus type 2 (DMT2) patients. Methods The cross-sectional study included 106 DMT2 patients, treated at the Primary Health Care Centre in Zenica, distributed into groups according to glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values: A (n=44, HbA1c ≤7.0%) and B (n=62, HbA1c>7.0%). Spearman's correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the relationships between MPV and glycemic control markers. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the relationship between glycemic control, as dichotomous outcome, and MPV as the main predictor. Diagnostic value of MPV as a marker for poor glucoregulation was estimated by using ROC analysis. Results Mean platelet volume was significantly higher in the group B compared to the group A (p<0.0005). Significant positive correlations of MPV with fasting blood glucose and HbA1c were found in the total sample (rho=0.382, p<0.0005; rho=0.430, p<0.0005, respectively). Mean platelet volume was positively associated with the risk of inadequate glycemic control, with 2 times increased odds of inadequate glycemic control per femtoliter The area under ROC curve for MPV was 0.726 (95% CI: =0.628-0.823, p <0.0005). At the best cutoff value 9.55 fL, MPV showed sensitivity of 82% and specificity of 54.5%. Conclusion Mean platelet volume correlates with glycemic control markers in DMT2 patients. It could be used as a simple and cost-effective predictor of deterioration of glucoregulation.

Introduction: Acinetobacter baumannii is a frequent cause of infections in hospitals around the world, which is very difficult to control and treat. It is particularly prevalent in intensive care wards. Aim: The main objective of the research was to establish the application of epidemiological monitoring of nosocomial infections (NIs) caused by A. baumannii in order to determine: the type and distribution of NIs, and to investigate antimicrobial drug resistance of A. baumannii. Material and Methods: 855 patients treated at the Clinic of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, University Clinical Center Tuzla during 2013 were followed prospectively for the development of NIs. Infections caused by A. baumannii were characterized by the anatomical site and antibiotics resistance profile. Results: NIs were registered in 105 patients (12.3%; 855/105). The predominant cause of infection was A. baumannii with an incidence of 51.4% (54/105), followed by ESBL-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae with 15.2% (16/105) of cases, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus with 8.6% (9/105), and ESBL-producing Proteus mirabilis with 7.6% (8/105). According to the anatomical site, and type of NIs caused by A. baumannii, the most frequent were respiratory infections (74.1%; 40/54). Infections of surgical sites were registered in 11.1% (6/54) of cases, while bloodstream infections in 9.2% (5/54). A. baumannii isolates tested resistant against most antibiotics examined, but showed a high degree of susceptibility to tobramycin (87%; 47/54) and colistin (100%; 54/54). Conclusion: The increasing incidence of multi- and extensively drug-resistant Acinetobacter spp. emphasizes the importance of administration of an adequate antibiotic strategy and the implementation of strict monitoring of the measures for controlling nosocomial infections.

Introduction: Intensive care units (ICUs) are associated with a greater risk of developing nosocomial infections (NIs) than other departments. Aim: The aim of this study was to determine the rate, the site and causative organisms of NIs in the surgical ICU at University Clinical Center Tuzla. Methods: All patients admitted to the surgical ICU were followed prospectively, for the development of NIs (January-December 2010). Determination of NIs was performed using standardized the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) criteria. Results: 94 out of 834 patients (11.27%) developed NIs. Respiratory tract infections were seen in 56 (60%), urinary tract infections in 15 (16%) and gastrointestinal tract infections in 8 (9%) patients. Other infections identified were surgical site, bloodstream and skin infections. Gram-negative organisms were reported in approximately 75% of cases (78.7% extended-spectrum beta-lactamase (ESBL)-producers). Klebsiella pneumoniae was the commonest (51.0%), followed by Proteus mirabilis (21.3%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (10.6%). Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) (16%), and Clostridium difficile (9.6%) were the commonest among gram-positive bacteria. Conclusion: Respiratory and urinary tract infections made up the great majority of NIs. ICU patients are more susceptible to NIs, emphasizing the importance of continuous surveillance and enforcement of specific infection control measures.

AIM To determine a predictive potential of biochemical and clinical parameters, including independent predictors of the therapeutic outcome in patients with H1N1 influenza. METHODS In this retrospective study, 119 patients treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases in Tuzla in the period July 2009 to February 2010 were included. They were at the age of 1 month up to 80 years. The patients showed clinical, epidemiological and biochemical parameters of the pandemic flu and they had also been positive for the virus A (H1N1), which was confirmed by the real time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). RESULTS One hundred and nineteen patients were positive to the virus A (H1N1), 60 (50.4%) were male, and 59 (49.6%) female patients. The average age of the patients was 26.74 years. The number of patients with co-morbidity was 53 (44.5%). There were 71 (59.7%) patients who had been admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. The complications of the flu had appeared in 45 (37.8%) patients. Pneumonia was recorded in 108 (90.8%), and reduced saturation in 62 (52.1%) patients. The highest number of cured patients was in the group of patients who had received the oseltamivir within 48 hours after the outbreak of the disease. CONCLUSION The age, reduced saturation with oxygen, duration of the hospitalization, pregnancy and overweight were independent predictors of the severe form of the disease/lethal outcome. For an optimal therapeutic outcome, it is important to apply antiviral therapy as soon as possible.

AIM To determine the etiology of peritonitis, as well as the sensitivity of isolated bacteria to antibiotics. METHODS Study was performed at the Surgical Clinic, Department of Anesthesiology and Reanimation, Department of Microbiology, Department of Clinical Pharmacology of University Clinical Centre (UCC) Tuzla. In a prospective study, starting from 1.6.2009. to 30.6.2010., was 60 patients analyzed who underwent surgery for acute peritonitis in the Surgical Clinic, UCC Tuzla. RESULTS After microbiological processing of the content of the operative field, wound swabs and smears of drainage, we isolated Gram positive coccid bacteria: Coagulase-negative Staphylococcus in 18.36%, Staphylococcus aureus in 12.6%, while Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecum were found in 3.44% isolates. In the group of Gram-negative bacteria we isolated: Escherichia coli in 15.51%, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae in 10.34% of the cases. The sensitivity of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus was largest to vancomycin (100%), and lowest to penicillin (10%) and Staphylococcus aureus sensitivity was largest to vancomycin and amoxicillin-clavulanate (100%) and lowest to penicillins (3.7%). Sensitivity of the facultative anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli was highest to carbapenems 95-100%, and lowest to penicillin preparations 0-56%. CONCLUSION Based on the results of microbiological findings of 83.33% patients empirical antibiotic therapy was appropriately involved, and in 16.67% was inadequate and later changed, following the results of microbiological findings. This study indicates the importance and validity of microbiological diagnostics to determine the etiology of peritonitis and appropriate selection of antibiotics to treat these infections, with the required surgical treatment.

Introduction: Clostridium difficile (C. difficile) is currently the leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea, but almost nothing is known about the extent of C. difficile infection (CDI) in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Goal: We aimed to retrospectively analyze CDI in hospitalized patients at University Clinical Center (UCC) Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina from January 2009 through June 2012. Methods: We analyzed all patients (except children ages 0-2), diagnosed with CDI based on anamnestic and epidemiological, clinical picture and microbiological tests (proof of toxins in the stool by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay). Results: From a total of 989 patients tested for C. difficile toxin (60.2 per 10,000 inpatient days) 347 (35.08%) were positives. The mean incidence rate of CDI was 2.23 per 10,000 inpatient days (range 1.32-2.87). Annual rates of hospitalization were 15.68 per 10,000 admissions (range 8.99-20.35). Most patients had a previously identified risk profile of old age, comorbidity and recent use of antibiotics. 41/276 (14.86%) patients had died, and 11/41 (26.82%) were CDI-associated deaths. Complicated CDI were registered in 53/276 (19.21%) patients, and recurrent infections in 65/276 (23.55%). Conclusion: Our data suggest that CDI is largely present in our setting which represents a serious problem and points to the importance of international surveillance, detection and control of CDI.

Introduction: Hospital-acquired Urinary tract infections make 35% of all the hospital-acquired infections, and about 80% of them are related to the catheterization of the urinary bladder Purpose: To determine clinical characteristics and dominant etiologic factors of Urinary Tract Infections associated with urinary catheter (C-UTIs). Methods: Determined clinical characteristics of C-UTIs were prospectively analyzed on 38 hospitalized patients in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases at the University Clinical Centre Tuzla, from January 1st 2011 to December 31st 2011. The control group constituted of 200 patients with community-acquired Urinary Tract Infections (Co-UTIs) hospitalized in the same period. Results: It was registered on 22 (57.89%) of symptomatic infections, 14 (36.84%) asymptomatic bacteriuria and 2 (5.26%) other C-UTIs. Dominant etiologic factors were: E. coli, caused 14 (36.84%), Extended-Spectrum Beta-lactamase producing (ESBL) Klebsiella pneumoniae 7 (18.42%), Enterococcus faecium and Candida spp. 3 (7.89%) of C-UTIs. E. coli was significantly most common etiologic factor of C-UTIs in younger women (p=0.04). E. coli from C-UTIS showed significantly higher resistance to antimicrobial drugs. Inadequate antimicrobial therapy was significantly more common prescribed to patients from C-UTIs. Lethal outcome was significantly most common associated with certain clinical and laboratory findings. Conclusion: Initial antimicrobial therapy of those serious infections should be based on data from those research.

Conflict of interest: none declared. Goal The goal of the research is to determine the relationship between frequency and reporting of stab incidents, attitudes and knowledge about stab incidents and occupational risk for transmission of viral infection with HBV, HCV or HIV among health care professionals employed in primary health care. Material and methods Conducted is prospective, cross-section study by questionnaires in 2012. The survey included health professionals in Primary Health Care Center in Tuzla. The final sample has 131 respondents (85% women). Statistical analysis was performed using the statistical package SPSS version 20.0. Results The prevalence rate of stab incidents throughout their career in our study was 66%; while the rate of reported incidents was 4.83 ˜ 5 times lower than the actual prevalence. In 49 out of 87 cases this was a case of hollow needle prick. The most common causes of stab incidents are the time pressure, unforeseen reactions of patients and lack of concentration. Conclusion Stab incidents are often not reported in in developing countries. Training in order to raise awareness and knowledge about the problem, proper procedures, good organization of work and anti-stress program, safer disposal, conducting prophylaxis before and after exposure monitored by the relevant institutions of occupational medicine should contribute to solving this problem.

INTRODUCTION Bacterial meningitis is one of the most serious infectious diseases in childhood. AIM To identify the most common causes of bacterial meningitis in children in Tuzla Canton. PATIENTS AND METHODS This is a retrospective study which included 140 children, aged from 1 month to 14 years, treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases Tuzla, in the period 1999-2009, who had clinical and laboratory parameters of bacterial meningitis. RESULTS In Tuzla Canton in ten year period were registered 140 cases of bacterial meningitis in children aged 1 month to 14 years. Prevalence was 1.53/1000. The average age of patients was 3.6 +/- 3.8 years. Male to female ratio was 1.3:1. April, May and November were the months with the most reported cases of bacterial meningitis (p = 0.02). Most affected were children 1-12 months of age (p < 0.001). The most common pathogens of bacterial meningitis were Haemophilus influenzae (13.6%), Neisseria meningitides (8.6%) and Streptococcus pneumoniae (5.7%) (p < 0.001). Mortality was 2.14%. CONCLUSION Bacterial meningitis is present in Tuzla Canton, and three major pathogens are Haemophilus influenzae, Neisseria meningitis and Streptococcus pneumoniae. The most affected were children 1-12 months of age, and most cases of bacterial meningitis occurred in spring.

Objectives: Hospital outbreaks of multidrug-resistant Klebsiella spp., especially those in neonatal wards, are often caused by new types of strains, the so-called extended-spectrum-beta-lactamase (ESBL) producers. Methods: The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of nosocomial infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL strain by location and kind of infections in the University Clinical Centre Tuzla during a period of one year. A prospective study was implemented for all patients who developed hospital infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL strain during the period from 1st of January to 31st of December 2010 year. Determination of nosocomial infections was performed using standardized CDC criteria. Mandatory registration of hospital infections was done via a written application form which is used for surveillance. Results: Hospital infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae ESBL strain were reported 141 times, during the year 2010. Most common hospital infection were urinary tract infections 52 times (36,9%), followed by respiratory tract infections 43 times (30,5%), infection of the gastrointestinal system 20 times (14,2%), infections of surgical sites 12 times (8,5%), 10 times (7,1%) the bloodstream infection and other infections 4 times (2,8%). Nosocomial infection was mostly reported in the Clinic of anesthesiology and reanimation 37 times (26,2%) and Clinic for children\'s diseases 33 times (23,4%). Regarding age, 41 (29,1%) of nosocomial infections were detected in patients below the age of one year and 35 (24,8%) in patients above the age of 65 years. Conclusion: Respiratory tract infections were reported more frequently in the intensive care unit than in the wards. However, infection of the urinary tract and gastrointestinal infections were reported more frequently in the wards than in intensive care units.

INTRODUCTION The prevalence of human brucellosis in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Tuzla Canton reached its peak in 2008, with a reported total of 994 cases within country, and with 104 cases within the Tuzla Canton. AIM to analyze the clinical and epidemiological features of human brucellosis in patients hospitalized at the University Clinical Center Tuzla during the period from 01/01/2000 till the 31/12/2010. METHODS We retrospectively analyzed the clinical symptoms, the laboratory and X-ray findings, the treatments, and the course and outcome of the disease. The diagnosis of brucellosis was based on anamnesis, clinical presentation, in correlation with a positive blood-culture, and/or serological tests. RESULTS The majority of patients (93.18%) were from rural regions. There were more males (79.54%) than females. Most of the patients were aged between 30 to 39 years (21% cases). Contact with infected animals was registered for 83.40% of the patients. The main symptoms and signs were fever, joint-pains, night sweating, anorexia, headaches, and hepatosplenomegaly. The important laboratory findings were increased erythrocyte sedimentation rates, increased values of C-reactive protein, and anemia. Adult patients were treated with a combination of gentamicin or streptomycin with doxycycline, and the children with a combination of gentamicin, and trimethoprim-sulfametaxasol, over at least 6 weeks. Complications were documented in 20.45% of the patients. Relapses were observed in 14.20%, and a chronic form of brucellosis in 5.11% of patients. There were no cases with lethal outcomes. CONCLUSION Brucellosis is a growing public health problem, not only within the Tuzla Canton, but throughout Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Association of Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina based on the experiences of domestic and foreign centers operating in the field of hepatology and accepted guidelines of the European and the U.S. Association for Liver Diseases adopted the consensus for the diagnosis and treatment of chronic viral hepatitis B and C. The guidelines are intended for specialists in gastroenterology and hepatology, and infectious diseases physicians working in primary health care and family medicine, but also other physicians who are confronted with this disease in their practice, with the aim of facilitating and shortening the diagnostic and treatment protocols of patients with chronic viral hepatitis B and C. This ensures faster, more efficient, more rational and cost-effective care of patients with hepatitis, with an emphasis on stopping the deterioration of liver disease to liver cirrhosis and eventually hepatocellular carcinoma. Key words: Chronic hepatitis B and

SUMMARY The 4th Congress of Infectiologists of Bosnia-Herzegovina with international participation was held in Konjic, on 30. May to 02. June 2012. In addition to the prominent infectious disease experts from almost all university centers in B&H, the teachers at medical schools in Bosnia-Herzegovina, infectious disease specialists who work in health institutions in B&H, this Congress was attended by infectious disease experts from Serbia (12 participants), Turkey (3 participants), Croatia (3 participants), Macedonia (3 participants), Germany (2 participants) and Montenegro (2 participants). Topics included: Infections of the skin, soft tissue and bones, Sepsis and endocarditis, Infectious diseases emergencies and pediatric infectology, Emerging and reemerging infectious diseases, Hospital infections, Sexualy transmitted diseases, Infectious diagnostic and therapeutic protocols. Participating invited speakers were following professors: Salih Hosoglu (Turkey), Hakan Leblebicioglu (Turkey), Resat Ozaras (Turkey), Karsten Plötz (Germany), Ilija Kuzman (Croatia), Bruno Baršić (Croatia), Goran Tešović (Croatia). In addition to experts in infectious diseases at this Congress, their works were presented by experts from other medical disciplines, but with infectious character issues (Professors: Sead Ahmetagić, Ismet Gavrankapetanović, Zora Vukobrat-Bijedić, Senija Rašić, Halima Resić, Adnan Kapidžić, Ivo Curić, Jelena Ravlija, Amela Begić, Izet Mašić, Sadeta Hamzić, and others). Some of the papers that were presented at this Congress have been published in extenso, in the Medical Archives and Materia Socio Medica. One part as abstracts (both journals are indexed in over 10 databases), and will be electronically available to the general scientific community in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Europe and worldwide. In this way, the Bosnian infectious disease experts, as a science and profession, will be worthily represented to the colleagues from other countries in the region and beyond.

Organized by the Association of Infectologists of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Clinic of Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University in the period from 30th May untill 2nd of June in Konjic was held the 4th Congress of Infectologists of B&H with international participation. This was the biggest meeting of infectious disease and allied disciplines specialists in the last six years, with the presence of more than 100 participants. The Congress was held under the auspices of the Clinical Center of Sarajevo University and the Federal Ministry of Health. In addition to infectologists the Congress was attended by a large number of experts from related medical fields: microbiologists, epidemiologists, orthopedists, gastroenterologists, nephrologists, neurosurgeons, pediatricians, audiologists, oncologists. Topics were current and were related to sepsis, endocarditis, osteomyelitis, nosocomial infection, pediatric infectious diseases, emergent and re-emergent diseases, therapeutic protocols for the presentation of new knowledge in these fields. A total of about 90 papers were presented, while participants of the Congress were experts from Bosnia and Herzegovina, neighboring countries (Croatia, Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia) but also Turkey and Germany. Congress by the participants was rated as very successful and well organized, with arrangements for the continuation and improvement of cooperation and possible joint organization of symposia and seminars with colleagues from abroad