Vol 86, No 3 (2010)

Phenotypic methods were initially used for bacterial typing yet they have a number of drawbacks limiting their use. Methods of molecular and genetic typing have become wide-spread today. Among these methods, bacterial typing based on multilocus sequence typing (Multilocus Sequence Typing - MLST) has been developing at the fastest rate. However, schemes of molecular and genetic typing of STD pathogens as compared to other bacteria are insufficiently developed, which considerably complicates the planning of measures aimed at the reduction of their spread.

The review covers current aspects of ultraviolet therapy for patients suffering from psoriasis. It describes mechanisms of action as well as early and remote side effects of the current phototherapy methods. The review also presents data from literature about the risk of their cancerogenicity. It also discusses approaches to the optimization of phototherapy in view of risks and benefits for the patient.

Spinal fluid samples collected from 50 patients suffering from neurosyphilis (key group) and 30 patients with a nervous system pathology and craniocerebral injuries without any signs of syphilis in the anamnesis (control group) were examined in the course of regulated serological tests to reveal anti-T. pallidum antibodies (complement-fixation test with a treponemal antigen, complementfixation test with a cardiolipin antigen, immunofluorescence test with whole spinal fluid, ELISA) as well as in the course of TPHA with the use of modified methods with the end-point dilution of spinal fluid as 1:4. Visual assessment was used to assess the TPHA results with the determination of the result positivity degree expressed in conditional units - «pluses», along with the automated assessment using the Criterion 2 hardware system. Comparative results of visual and instrumental assessments of the spinal fluid study results in TPHA revealed full compliance of the qualitative study results and 97.5% correspondence in the results expressed in conditional units («pluses»), which provides sufficient grounds for recommending the Criterion 2 automatic diagnostics complex for TPHA image assessment to be used in clinical and diagnostic laboratories in health care institutions for determining treponemal specific antibodies in spinal fluid for neurosyphilis diagnostics.

The article is written in the form of a discussion. It examis. The described provisions are assessed in a positive way, and the authors suggest introducing certain changes and amendments based on the authors' own studies.ines the clinical recommendations regarding syphilis being the forerunner of the publication entitled Guidelines for Patient Management. Syphil

The article is devoted to the problem of chronic hepatic diseases in leprosy patients at the stage of long-term rehabilitation. The article focuses on the opportunity to use such hepatoprotector as Heptral® for the complex treatment of chronic hepatic affections in leprosy patients, and presents the authors' clinical experience of studying the drug efficacy.

The article analyzes current classifications of topical glucocorticosteroid drugs. It also describes advantages and disadvantages of current classifications, emphasizes the expediency of assessing not only the efficacy of the active ingredient but also its skin concentration taking into consideration the base, trade name of the drug and particular features of its biotransformation in the skin.

The review summarizes and systematizes data accumulated in the world research literature, which are related to the role of P. acnes in the pathogenesis of acne, its microbiology and antibacterial resistance; it also examines antibacterial drugs for the external therapy of acne and recommendations for their use.

The article presents a clinical study of two cases when linear unilateral dermatosis developed in children suffering from allergic diseases: against the background of atopic dermatitis and obstructive bronchitis with signs of transformation into bronchial asthma.