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| INTRODUC TI ONSuperficial fungal infections (SFI) are one of the most common diseases in the world with an exceptionally high prevalence in the range of 22%-25%. 1 The major causative agents of SFI with public and veterinary health relevance are the dermatophytes that infect keratinized tissue (skin, hair and nails) of humans and animals. Pathogenic species in this group are anthropophilic and zoophilic fungi belonging to three genera: Trichophyton, Microsporum and Epidermophyton.Other, clinically less important, dermatophytes are geophilic and zoophilic species divided over Nannizzia, Lophophyton, Arthroderma, Ctenomyces genera and two newly introduced genera, Guarromyces and Paraphyton. 2 Summary Background: Superficial fungal infections (SFI), one of the most prevalent diseases in the world, are infections of keratin-rich structures of human body mostly caused by dermatophytes and yeasts. Objectives: The goal of this study was to determine the possible changes in the epidemiology of SFI on the territory of Southeastern Serbia and to investigate epidemiological characteristics and the influence of SFI on the patient's quality of life. Methods: From 2012 to the end of 2017, samples of 1643 patients (568 males and 1075 females, mean age 40.32 ± 22.44 years) with suspected SFI from Southeastern Serbia were examined using the standard mycological methods. The questionnaires were used to investigate epidemiological characteristics.Results: Superficial fungal infections were diagnosed in 20.5% (n = 336) of patients.In the group of dermatophytes, the most prevalent was Microsporum canis (63.9%, n = 76) followed by Trichophyton mentagrophytes (21.8%, n = 26). Non-albicans Candida species were dominant aetiological agents of superficial candidosis (62.3%).BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 (P = 0.019) was determined as an independent risk factor for SFI.There was a statistically significant difference in the EQVAS score between the groups of patients and the control group (P < 0.001). Conclusions:Results of conducted study indicate that SFI prevalence has not changed in the previous period. However, increase of Candida-SFI prevalence, especially Candida onychomycosis, was established. K E Y W O R D SCandida spp., dermatophytes, prevalence, superficial fungal infections | 459 OTAŠEVIĆ ET Al.

Background and objectives: Persistent infection with carcinogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) is the leading cause of cervical cancer. The study explored students’ knowledge about cervical cancer and awareness of human papillomavirus and the HPV vaccine. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire-based survey was carried out among 1616 first-year female college students at the University of Niš. It examined socio-demographic characteristics, measured the score of knowledge about cervical cancer, assessed awareness regarding HPV and the HPV vaccine and inquired about the source of information about cervical cancer and HPV. Results: The average cervical cancer knowledge score was 16.35 ± 7.92 (min 0, max 30), with medical professional education, parents’ education level, place of residence and relationship status having significant effects on the score. The awareness about HPV and the HPV vaccine was low, with only 14.2% of students having heard about both HPV and its vaccine. The most commonly reported sources of information were the media, while the most competent one was organized health education. Conclusions: Health promotion campaigns and educational programs are necessary in order to reduce cervical cancer burden and should be directed particularly towards those who have demonstrated low cervical cancer knowledge and low awareness regarding HPV and its vaccine.

Recurrent vulvovaginal candidosis (RVVC) represents a major health problem that significantly affects a patient’s quality of life (QoL). This infection presents with a plethora of clinical manifestation, and this is the first study that carries out a cluster analysis of these signs and symptoms (SS). The goals are to evaluate the distribution of species causing RVVC, their in-vitro susceptibility to antifungals, and the patient’s QoL. Additionally, the clinical characteristics are analyzed using cluster analysis. Prospective analysis of data was performed for women diagnosed with RVVC in the period from January 2016 to December 2019 based on the analysis of data from a single-center’s records. The standard mycological methods and antifungal susceptibility testing were done. Clinical characteristics and QoL were examined by appropriate questions. The cluster analysis was used to identify clusters of SS. A total of 320 women were diagnosed. The dominant species was Candida (C.) albicans. Non-albicans Candida (NAC) yeast was found in 24.4%, and the most common was C. glabrata. Interestingly, Saccharomyces (S.) cerevisiae was detected in 2%. All of the isolated species, except C. parapsilosis and C. kefyr, demonstrated reduced susceptibility to antifungals. We confirmed the emergence of the NAC species and S. cerevisiae with reduced susceptibility to antifungals. Cluster analysis represented by a dendrogram revealed three SS clusters: irritation, uncommon, and discharge, but further studies are needed to examine the relationship between clusters, Candida strains, and outcomes.

Quadricuspid aortic valve, a rare congenital anomaly, is often related to severe aortic regurgitation and has a significant morbidity. The first described case was reported in 1862. Quadricuspid aortic valve is, in most cases, an isolated malformation, but it can be associated with other concomitant anomalies. We present here the case of a quadricuspid aortic valve discovered by intraoperative transesophageal echocardiography and successfully replaced with a mechanical aortic valve.