Worldwide microbial resistance to antimicrobial agents.

The resistance of microbial pathogens to antimicrobial agents is a crucial health-related problem. The inappropriate use of antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine, along with the widespread use of these agents in animal breeding and in agriculture, has favored the selection of multiply resistant microbial strains. The policies employed for the monitoring of such microbial resistance must be reviewed, and new policies designed to retard and combat the emergence of resistance must be implemented.

[Surveillance of sexually transmitted diseases: practical approach (author's transl)]. / La surveillance des maladies transmises par voie sexuelle. Approche pratique.

Even today we still do not have enough precise information either on the number of diseases which should be included in this collective concept or on the frequency of the diseases and their complications. Information is also lacking on methods for measuring these frequencies and assuring satisfactory surveillance. Various methods of gauging the frequency of these diseases are examined and evaluated and a practical surveillance programme is suggested.

[Laboratory methods used for the screening and the control of sexually transmitted diseases (author's transl)]. / Methodes de laboratoire utilisables pour le dépistage et la surveillance des maladies à transmission sexuelle.

The most currently used methods by laboratories for the screening of sexually transmitted diseases were reviewed by the authors and their comparative reliability and sensitiivity examined. The authors endeavoured to give guidance to physicians and bacteriologists in the choice of available techniques as regards collection sites, transport of specimens, choice of transport media, serological tests for syphilis screening and diagnostic methods for urethritis or non-gonococcal vaginitis.