reaches people exposed to the current transmission of HCV infection (bearing in mind the possibility of re-infection) is the only possibility of eradication of HCV infections.

Assessment of hepatitis B epidemiological situation in Poland in 2019 compared to previous years.

Data on the incidence of hepatitis B and HBV infections from 2019 registered by sanitary and epidemiological stations in the electronic Epidemiological Interview Registration System in Poland were analyzed. Data from the published annual bulletins „Infectious diseases and poisonings in Poland” and „Vaccinations in Poland” were also used. Data on deaths were obtained from the Central Statistical Office.

In 2019, 2,854 cases of hepatitis B were reported, which corresponds to the incidence of 7.4 per 100,000 population. Acute cases accounted for 1.6% of all registered cases. The incidence of acute hepatitis B was higher by 20% than in 2018 and lower by 20% than the median incidence for 2013-2017. There were no acute cases among children and adolescents aged 0-19 years. In the age group 20-24, 1 case was reported. The incidence of chronic and unknown stage of hepatitis B was lower by 11% than in the previous yehepatitis B registered cases and allow for the assessment of the actual number of newly detected HBV infections. The persistence of the low incidence of acute hepatitis B indicates the need to maintain the preventive measures applied so far, in particular the universal compulsory vaccinations of newborns and recommending vaccinations to all previously unvaccinated people.

Tetanus is an acute disease of the nervous system caused by tetanus toxin (neurotoxin) produced by tetanus bacilli (Clostridium tetani). This disease can be prevented by vaccination. In Poland, thanks to obligatory vaccinations of children and adolescents and high vaccination coverage, the disease has been practically eliminated. Less than 20 cases are recorded each year.

The aim of the work is to analyze the epidemiological indicators of tetanus in Poland in 2018-2019.

The analysis of the Polish tetanus epidemiological situation in 2018-2019 was based on a review of data from the bulletins „Infections diseases in Poland in 2018”, „Infections diseases in Poland in 2019” and the analysis of the population immunization was made on the basis of data from the bulletins „Protective Vaccination in Poland in 2018”, „Protective Vaccination in Poland in 2019”.

There are 17 tetanus cases registered in 2019, in 2018 8 cases. The total incidence rate was 0.044 per 100 thousand population and was higher compared to 2018 (0.021). All reports involved hospitalized individuals.

The few cases of tetanus in Poland occur mainly in people over 60 years of age. These can be linked to the lack of tetanus booster vaccination of adults.

The few cases of tetanus in Poland occur mainly in people over 60 years of age. These can be linked to the lack of tetanus booster vaccination of adults.

Chickenpox is a common disease in Poland, which is usually mild, but can lead to serious complications. Vaccination is an effective form of prevention. Prior to universal vaccination against chickenpox, high incidence was recorded in many countries. In Poland, since 2003, vaccinations have been carried out recommended for people who did not suffer from chickenpox and, since 2009, obligatory vaccinations for children up to 12 years of age particularly vulnerable to infection and children around them.

To assess epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2019, including vaccination coverage in Polish population, in comparison to previous years.

Assessment of the epidemiological situation of chickenpox in Poland in 2019 was based on the results of the analysis of aggregate data published in the annual bulletins „Infectious diseases and poisoning in Poland in 2019” and „Protective Vaccination in Poland in 2019.” In addition, the recommendations from the Protective Vaccine Program for 2019 were usededucation of the society in the field of primary prevention, which is based on vaccinations. As recommended, the chickenpox vaccination course consists of two doses of the vaccine separated by at least 6 weeks from the previous dose.

In 2019, there was a growth in the number of chickenpox cases compared to the previous year, the incidence remains lower than in 2012-2014. An effective method of disease prevention is vaccination against chickenpox, which, despite the lack of common funding, is carried out in a growing population. Further improvement of the epidemiological situation requires health education of the society in the field of primary prevention, which is based on vaccinations. As recommended, the chickenpox vaccination course consists of two doses of the vaccine separated by at least 6 weeks from the previous dose.

The objective of this study is to conduct a pilot program for self-testing for HIV during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The target population was the partners of newly diagnosed HIV persons. The premise of the program was to offer such partners a test that they could perform in the conditions, at the time, and with the assistance of persons they themselves selected.

The self-test kits were sent to an outpatient clinic providing care for people living with HIV, where, after taking a preliminary history, the physician who treats the newly diagnosed HIV patients handed them over for use by the partner of the patient. Only the persons who reported having relations with their sexual partner were included in the study. Information on whether the partner accepted the test kit and the self-test result were obtained at the subsequent visit.

Between June 2020 and March 2021, the total number of handed out test kits was 48 kits intended for 24 persons, included 11 women, average age of participants 35, sexual orientation 20 persons reported heterosexual orientation, two persons reported homosexual orientation, two failed to provide information on their sexual orientation. All persons tested negative. The pilot program found that self-testing kits are a method for HIV screening in partners of newly diagnosed HIV persons that is simple to apply and easy to accept.

Between June 2020 and March 2021, the total number of handed out test kits was 48 kits intended for 24 persons, included 11 women, average age of participants 35, sexual orientation 20 persons reported heterosexual orientation, two persons reported homosexual orientation, two failed to provide information on their sexual orientation. All persons tested negative. The pilot program found that self-testing kits are a method for HIV screening in partners of newly diagnosed HIV persons that is simple to apply and easy to accept.

Surgical site infections (SSIs) in patients undergoing orthopedic surgeries limit the success of the treatment, and implant-related infections are considered one of the most difficult complications for treatment (1). Controlling the SSI risk factors opens an opportunity for proper assessment of the risk of SSI and how difficult it can be to avoid infection.

Determination of factors associated with the risk of surgical site infection in patients undergoing orthopedic surgery.

The work is based on a retrospective analysis of medical records of 4,314 patients undergoing orthopedic surgery in the traumatology and orthopedic surgery department of the City Hospital in Zabrze in 2014-2017.

Surgical site infection has been diagnosed in 187 (4.3%) patients. A number of significant predictors of SSI have been revealed body mass index with a 9% increase in the risk of SSI for each increase in BMI by 5kg/m2, positive history of orthopedic and non-orthopedic procedures in the past, with an increase in risk by 32% and 14%, respectively, waiting time in the ward for surgery, with an increase in the risk of SSI by 19% for each extension of hospitalization by 5 days, planned procedure and implantation endoprosthesis compared to osteosynthesis increased the risk by 15% and 9%, respectively. The only significant factor reducing the risk of SSI was the increased consumption of hand disinfectant. Here, for every 10 ml of increased consumption of this preparation, the risk of SSI was reduced by 28%.

1. The SSI risk is related to both factors that can be modified and factors that cannot be changed. 2. Promotion of hand disinfection among hospital staff should become a priority in the prevention of nosocomial infections in every healthcare facility.

1. The SSI risk is related to both factors that can be modified and factors that cannot be changed. 2. Promotion of hand disinfection among hospital staff should become a priority in the prevention of nosocomial infections in every healthcare facility.

The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak is an increasing major global public health threat. Mortality rate varies across countries, therefore conducting studies on this disease in different countries is necessary, and will improve disease management worldwide.

This study aimed to investigate the COVID-19 disease course characteristics in Iran.

This is a retrospective study of 108 patients with confirmed COVID-19 from Feb 20 to June 20, 2020, at one Hospital in Iran. In summary, we obtained demographic data, clinical, laboratory, and chest CT findings of patients. The statistical analysis evaluated patients in two groups recovered or died.

In brief, cough (70/108, 64.8%) and fever (69/108, 63.9%) were the most common symptoms. CT scan findings of patients with COVID-19 showed that bilateral lung involvement was more common in deceased patients than recovered ones (20/26, 76.9% vs. 30/70, 42.8%, p = 0.026). Laboratory findings of routine blood tests including Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS), White Blood Cell (WBC), the number of platelets (PLTs) showed a significant difference between the two groups (p <0.05). There were no significant differences in age and gender between the two groups.

In this study, we described the features of deceased and recovered patients with COVID-19. Our findings suggest that levels of FBS, ESR, WBC, and PLTs, also patterns of lung involvement, existence of underlying disease, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation can be predictors of mortality risk. Further studies are proposed to investigate these characteristics in different populations.

In this study, we described the features of deceased and recovered patients with COVID-19. Our findings suggest that levels of FBS, ESR, WBC, and PLTs, also patterns of lung involvement, existence of underlying disease, respiratory rate, and oxygen saturation can be predictors of mortality risk. Further studies are proposed to investigate these characteristics in different populations.

The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has taken a heavy toll of 4 million deaths. We were all looking forward to the authorisation of safe vaccines. Soon after vaccination programmes started, the reports about anaphylaxis began to emerge. Growing anxiety has urged regulatory agencies and academic societies to issue adequate recommendations regarding patient eligibility to vaccination.

Observation of patients who had a history of a severe anaphylactic reaction and/or anaphylactic shock and were vaccinated against COVID-19.

A single-centre, prospective, observational study was conducted at the Department of Infectious Diseases and Paediatrics at Stefan Żeromski Specialist Hospital in Krakow, Poland. Adult patients with a history of a severe anaphylactic reaction and/or anaphylactic shock and patients without it were administered the Comirnaty vaccine by Pfizer-BioNTech or the ChAdOx1-S vaccine by AstraZeneca in a two-dose schedule at the department. The patients were then observed at the department for 60 minutes. A week after each vaccination dose, the patients were contacted by telephone in order to collect data about a late allergic reaction.