Staphylococcus aureus is a major cause of hospital-acquired infections worldwide. Increased frequency of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in hospitalized patients and possibility of vancomycin resistance requires rapid and reliable characterization of isolates and control of MRSA spread in hospitals. Typing of isolates helps to understand the route of a hospital pathogen spread. The aim of this study was to investigate and compare genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of MRSA samples on three different geography locations. In addition, our aim was to evaluate three different methods of MRSA typing: spa-typing, agr-typing and GenoType MRSA.  We included 104 samples of MRSA, isolated in 3 different geographical locations in clinical hospitals in Zagreb, Mostar, and Heidelberg, during the period of six months. Genotyping and phenotyping were done by spa-typing, agr-typing and dipstick assay GenoType MRSA. We failed to type all our samples by spa-typing.  The most common spa-type in clinical hospital Zagreb was t041, in Mostar t001, and in Heidelberg t003.We analyzed 102/104 of our samples by agr-typing method. We did not find any agr-type IV in our locations. We analyzed all our samples by the dipstick assay GenoType MRSA. All isolates in our study were MRSA strains. In Zagreb there were no positive strains to PVL gene. In Mostar we have found 5/25 positive strains to PVL gene, in Heidelberg there was 1/49. PVL positive isolates were associated with spa-type t008 and agr-type I, thus, genetically, they were community-associated MRSA (CA-MRSA). Dipstick assay GenoType MRSA has demonstrated sufficient specificity, sensibility, simple performance and low cost, so we could introduce it to work in smaller laboratories. Using this method may expedite MRSA screening, thus preventing its spread in hospitals.

This study aims to compare the advantages of two widely used methods for fetal chromosomal detection, karyotyping and QF-PCR, together with the indications for invasive prenatal diagnosis. We retrospectively investigated 888 amniocenteses analyzed by karyotyping only or karyotyping combined with QF-PCR. We assessed the results of each method and compared them to the indications for prenatal testing including maternal age, fetal ultrasound findings, and serum screening. We found 39 (4.4%) abnormalities, where 59% of those abnormalities were numerical and 41% were structural abnormalities undetectable by QF-PCR methods. Many structural abnormalities do not have clinical significance and we found that 23% of found structural abnormalities were clinically significant but undetectable by QF-PCR (0.3% of all amniocentesis analyzed). Additional 23% of found structural abnormalities were balanced translocations which can have rare clinically significant consequences. In total, 46% of found structural abnormalities had possible clinical consequences, which were undetectable by QF-PCR, or by noninvasive prenatal testing for five common aneuploidies. Thus, QF-PCR is a reliable method to detect most common fetal aneuploidies, but karyotyping should be used if any other chromosomal abnormalities are suspected. Even though QF-PCR is a fast and reliable method, physicians should be aware of the limitations of various methodologies for detection of fetal abnormalities and assign the proper method to the indication for amniocentesis.

OBJECTIVES Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of infective, cancer and autoimmune diseases. In this study, we investigated the serum level of MMPs and its clinical importance in human brucellosis. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study included 60 brucellosis patients treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Centre, University of Sarajevo. Matrix metalloproteinases serum levels were quantified by ELISA. RESULTS The investigation involved three groups: 30 patients with complications, 30 patients without complications of brucellosis and 30 healthy control examinees. The complications of human brucellosis varied but osteoarticular involvement dominated (n=21/30; 70%). Matrix metalloproteinases serum levels in the patients with complications were highest. The serum level of MMP-1 in patients with complications was the highest at 9.45; in patients without complications it was 3.78 and in the control examinees it was lowest at 3.62 (p=0.001). The serum level of MMP-9 in patients with complications was the highest at 105.66; in patients without complications 64.67, and in the control examinees it was lowest at 37.32 (p=0.001). The serum level of MMP-13 in patients with complications was highest at 138.86; in patients without complications at 64.85; and in the control examinees it was the lowest at 29.55 (p=0.001). Pearson's coefficient showed a statistically significant positive correlation between levels of tested matrix metalloproteinases and development complications in human brucellosis (p=0.001). CONCLUSION This study showed the diagnostic value and importance of detection of matrix metalloproteinases in human brucellosis. MMPs are a useful serum biomarker for assessment of disease activity.

Between January 2014 and the beginning of February 2015, the Federal Institute of Public Health in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina has reported 3,804 measles cases. Notable transmission has been observed in three Central Bosnia Canton municipalities: Bugojno, Fojnica and Travnik. Most cases were unvaccinated 2,680 (70%) or of unknown vaccination status 755 (20%). Health authorities have been checking vaccination records and performing necessary prevention measures. The epidemic is still ongoing.

A mumps outbreak reported from the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina involved 7,895 cases between December 2010 and September 2012. This was the largest outbreak in the country since the introduction of the measles, mumps and rubella vaccine in 1980. The highest disease incidence was found among 15 to 19 year-olds. About 39% (3,050/7,895) of cases reported to be unvaccinated; the vaccination status of 31% (2,426/7,895) was unknown. A seroprevalence study among 150 asymptomatic contacts to mumps cases showed that about one third (45/150) were susceptible to mumps. Among 105 clinically suspected mumps patients hospitalised at the Clinical Centre of the University of Sarajevo, orchitis (60% of all males: 51/85) and meningitis (9%: 9/105) were the most common complications. Among 57 outbreak sequences obtained for the small hydrophobic gene, eight different variants of genotype G viruses were identified. The outbreak affected mainly age groups comprising individuals who were not vaccinated during or after the Bosnian war, as well as cantons with single dose immunisation policies until 2001. In addition to issues related to vaccination of individuals, differential responses to vaccines and vaccine strains, waning of antibodies and potentially also the genetically diverse variants of genotype G may have compounded the size and duration of the outbreak. Our report emphasizes the need for supplementary immunisation programmes in particular for adolescents and young adults.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is one of the most common sexually transmitted disease (STD) worldwide. HPV is a small, double-stranded DNA virus that infects mucosal and coetaneous epithelia trough tiny cuts and abrasion, exposed by the cells of the basal layer. If diagnosed on time HPV can be successfully treated, however, in some cases it can lead to the development of tumor. Most of cervical tumors contain HPV DNA, and majority of them contain high-risk types HPV16 and HPV18. Different risk factors are associated with HPV infection, including behavioral and biological predispositions. Aim of this study is to genotype potentially infected patients on high-risk types HPV DNA and to correlate the results with patient’s different biological and lifestyle factors. For this purpose 20 gynecological smear samples were collected from women, previously subjected to the survey. Methodology included DNA extraction and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results showed that out of 20 patients five were positive for high risk HPV. Four of five positive patients were positive on HPV16 type of which one had HPV16 together with others high risk types. One of five positive patients was positive on HPV18 type and other high risk types not identified. Final outcome indicates the correlation of potentially endangered patients with specific sexual behavior and lifestyles, and furthermore represent the general consensus and awareness level this disease has on the

The Goal: The goal of this study was to determine the effect of psychoactive substances (drugs) on the presence and frequency of oral Candida species and Candida dubliniensis. Materials and methods: For the purpose of achieving the set goals, we chose a sample. Sixty bed-ridden patients from the Institute for Alcoholism and Other Addictions in Sarajevo Canton, both males and females between 18 and 60 years of age, were included in the research and assigned to two different groups (alcohol addicts and opiate addicts). After extensive anamnesis and a clinical examination, samples of oral epithelia were taken for microbiological identification. Two confirmatory methods were used for the identification of Candida species: the blastesis test and cultivation in a chromatophilic medium (Chrom agar). A yeast assimilation test (API test) was used for the identification of non-albicans Candida. A separate test was used to identify Candida dubliniensis (PAL agar). Results: The results of the microbiological analysis confirmed the frequency of Candida albicans (43%) in psychoactive substance addicts, as well as an increase in non-albicans Candida regardless of the type of addiction (34%). The presence of Candida dubliniensis was proven in psychoactive substance addicts (23%) and it was confirmed that the frequency of bacterial adherence of Candida dubliniensis is directly proportional to the duration of the drug-addiction. Conclusion: The abuse of psychoactive substances has an effect on the frequency of albicans and non-albicans species of oral Candida. Based on the findings, we have concluded that psychoactive substances (opiates and alcohol) lead to an increase in oral Candida dubliniensis regardless of the type of addictions.