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The number of cases of oral cavity inflammation in the population has been recently increasing, with periodontitis being the most common disease. It is caused by a change in the microbial composition of the biofilm in the periodontal pockets. In this context, an increased incidence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) in the oral cavity has been found, which are a part of the common microbiome of the mouth. This work is devoted to the description of the diversity of SRB isolated from the oral cavity. It also deals with the general description of periodontitis in terms of manifestations and origin. It describes the ability of SRB to participate in its development, although their effect on periodontal inflammation is not fully understood. The production of hydrogen sulfide as a cytochrome oxidase inhibitor may play a role in the etiology. A meta-analysis was conducted based on studies of the occurrence of SRB in humans.

Pericardial tuberculosis is a specific pericarditis which is rarely reported in the absence of pulmonary tuberculosis. A case history is presented of a 74-year-old patient, immunocompromised as a result of kidney and liver cancer therapy. Mycobacterium tuberculosis was repeatedly recovered from pericardial effusion but not from other clinical specimens. Despite the early treatment of specific pericarditis, the patient died.

Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), herpes simplex virus one (HSV-1) and herpes simplex virus two (HSV-2) represent three out of the eight known human herpesviruses and belong to the subfamily of α-herpesviruses. These viruses are present worldwide and humans are their sole host and reservoir. After the primary infection, these viruses persist in the body throughout life. The period of latency may be interrupted by reactivation of infection due to various factors. Each virus can induce a wide spectrum of diseases. The primary infection is typical for children and otherwise healthy individuals are often asymptomatic. It is mainly immunocompromised patients who are at risk of developing severe disease or complications when infected by these viruses. However, even in otherwise healthy individuals an infection by a-herpesviruses can run a severe course and lead to death.

Neurosyphilis is defined as infection of central nervous system by Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. Neurosyphilis can develop at any stage after initial infec-tion and is reflected in laboratory results. The pathogenesis of neurosyphilis is similar to that of classical form of syphilis. Individuals with persistent abnormalities in the cerebrospinal fluid are at risk of the development of clinical manifestations. Proper understanding of particular forms of neurosyphilis for differential diagnosis is important to determine potential risk of the development of progressive disease in neurology.

Unlabelled: General practitioners (GPs) in their surgeries and substitution treatment centres are the major providers of opioid maintenance treatment in a number of European countries. Although in the Czech Republic any GP has been allowed to prescribe buprenorphine (Subutex) since 2001, the opioid substitution treatment provided by primary care professionals has not been the subject of research to date., Objective: To collect and analyze data on GPs' experience gained with opioid maintenance treatment in the Czech Reupblic, their attitudes and needs., Method: A structured questionnaire was distributed via the Bulletin of the Association of General Practitioners and district Association representatives. The validity of study results may be affected by a low respondence rate (10%) with 398 questionnaires only returned by mail., Results: Twenty-eight (7%) GPs reported to have gained experience with buprenorphine which was most frequently prescribed in the regions with the highest prevalence of heroin users, i.e. in Prague and the Ustí nad Labem region (27% and 12%, respectively). Other regions, including wes- tern and southern Bohemia with relatively high prevalence of heroin users, showed lower buprenorphine prescription rates (0-6%). Most buprenorphine prescribers (78%) rated their experience as positive or highly positive. Availability and effectiveness were seen as the main pros of the substitution treatment. One third of the GPs who have not prescribed opioid maintenance treatment yet are considering doing so in the future. Greater awareness of drug abuse issues and availability of methodical guidance and consulting in opioid substitution treatment are going to become the most relevant factors in the future. Possible reportability of data on opioid maintenance treatment to a central registry does not seem to be a major obstacle to implementing the substitution treatment in the GPs' surgeries. Decision makers should take advantage of the GPs' potential to promote the opioid maintenance treatment in the Czech Republic.