PONS - medicinski časopis

Monitoring of drinking water quality in Mladenovac in the period 2021–2023

Snežana Pakić — 2026-01-22

Introduction

Water is of great importance for the entire living world. The World Health Organization classified water supply and drinking water quality among twelve basic indicators of the health status of a country's population.

Aim

The aim of the work is the analysis of physico-chemical and microbiological tests of drinking water in the territory of Mladenovac in a three-year period (2021-2023).

Materials and methods

The method of work is analytical-descriptive. For the analysis of the water quality in Mladenovac, data from the Annual Reports on the health control of drinking water from the water supply in Mladenovac for the years 2021, 2022 and 2023 were used. In the Laboratories of the City Public Health Institute of Belgrade, physico-chemical and microbiological tests of drinking water samples are carried out in the scope of Basic and Periodic analyzes according to the Rulebook on the hygienic suitability of drinking water ("Official Gazette of the FRY" No. 42/98 and 44/99 and "Official Gazette of the RS" No. 28/2019).

Results

The results of laboratory tests of water conducted in 2021 showed that out of a total of 362 tested samples, 292 (80.66%) were physically and chemically defective, while 51 (14.09%) were microbiologically defective. In 2022, a total of 368 samples were tested. From a physico-chemical point of view, 311 (84.51%) samples were unhealthy (unsafe), 50 (13.59%) were microbiologically unhealthy. Out of a total of 385 water samples tested in 2023, 273 (70.91%) were physico-chemically defective, and 43 (11.14%) were microbiologically defective. The causes of failure are physico-chemical parameters: turbidity, iron, manganese, ammonia and nitrites. In terms of microbiological water quality, the cause of malfunction is an increased total number of aerobic mesophilic bacteria in 1 ml of water, the presence of total coliform bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, faecal streptococci.

Conclusion

Analyzes indicate the need for urgent improvement of the water supply situation. Measures should be taken to reduce microbiological contamination and to reduce iron and manganese concentrations and water turbidity.

Non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation - health aspects

Lidija Radovanovic — 2026-02-27

The accelerated development of mobile telecommunications, the widespread use of modern wireless technologies for the transmission of information and energy, as well as the growing use of electromagnetic devices in medical practice, have led to significant changes in the quality of the environment. Modern man is continuously exposed to non-ionizing electromagnetic radiation of various origins, which has raised concerns about the potential health effects of long-term exposure of the population to artificial sources of electromagnetic fields. Numerous studies have been aimed at examining the possible connection between the level of electromagnetic exposure and the frequency of certain health disorders. In order to assess the level of exposure of the population, measurements of electric, magnetic and electromagnetic fields were carried out in residential and working areas, in the frequency range from 0 Hz to 3.5 GHz. The measurements were carried out in areas identified as "hot spots", as well as in the immediate vicinity of sources of electromagnetic radiation, including power lines and wireless computer networks. The results obtained represent the basis for assessing the compliance of the measured values with applicable national and international regulations and recommendations, as well as for considering potential implications for public health.

Examination and analysis of modern scintigraphic methods with reference to diagnostic procedures that predict disease risks

Darko Manjenčić — 2026-03-03

Nuclear medicine is a specialized, relatively young branch of medicine that uses radioactive compounds for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes. The basis of the application of radiolabels and radiolabeled substances in nuclear/medical diagnostics is the ability to monitor physiological and pathophysiological processes in the body. Radiopharmaceuticals are radioactively labeled chemical compounds, consisting of a radioactive isotope and a carrier molecule, which has a high degree of specificity for the process under investigation. In diagnostics, 99mTc has been indisputable for decades, due to its excellent physical properties, high quality and easy availability, and the main source for obtaining it is chromatographic 99Mo/99mTc generators. Scintigraphy is an imaging diagnostic procedure that monitors and records the distribution of the radioactivity of the applied radiopharmaceutical, obtaining a scintigram, a two-dimensional image, while single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) represents the circular motion of the detector around the body, along with a three-dimensional view of the organs. which can be observed in sections, in three planes (sagittal, frontal and transverse), where it is shown more clearly and precisely localizes any pathological process. In this work, we used a gamma camera Diacam - Siemens, penultimate generation, with extraordinary uniformity and resolution of the obtained diagnostic image. Based on the study reports of perfusion scintigraphy of the myocardium - mibi stress and scintigraphy of the parathyroid glands, made with 99mTc - sestamibi, we came to the images, which were studiously analyzed and processed with the help of a special computer program. We obtained a completely normal finding of the heart muscle, while the planar images of the neck and mediastinum were also disease-free, with a weakened display of radiopharmaceutical accumulation. From the perspective of the importance of scintigraphies performed, in the domain of image diagnostics, the paper shows the exceptional quality of the images obtained. Scintigraphy of the parathyroid glands is crucial in detecting disorders of the parathyroid glands, and also serves as a preoperative method. Nuclear medicine is the fastest growing medical field. It is extremely effective and with few side effects, allowing elderly patients to prolong and have a higher quality of life, compared to conventional treatments, such as chemotherapy. It is very versatile and is used in the treatment of various types of cancer.

The risk of influenza infection in the elderly and the role of vaccination in the prevention and reduction of complications

Aleksandra Cvetković — 2026-03-03

Introduction

The flu poses a serious threat to the elderly due to a weakened immune system and comorbidities. People over the age of 65 face an increased risk of complications, including hospitalizations, cardiovascular problems, pneumonia, and death. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), influenza causes between 250,000 and 500,000 deaths a year, of which 38,500 are estimated in Europe.

Aim of the paper

To investigate the risks posed by influenza to the elderly population, with a focus on comorbidities and the impact of vaccination in reducing these risks, as well as the benefits of new vaccines for this risk group.

Discussion

The risk of complications increases with age and concomitant diseases. Cardiovascular complications, including heart attacks and worsening heart failure, are often the result of influenza infection. Pneumonia is the leading cause of mortality, occurring in 10% of those infected. Although the immune response to vaccines may be weaker in the elderly, research shows that vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe outcomes. A new generation of vaccines, such as high-dose and adjuvant vaccines, improve the immune response and protection.

Conclusion

Influenza vaccination provides significant protection for the elderly, reducing the severity of the disease and the mortality rate. Advances in the development of new vaccines improve outcomes in this risk group, making vaccination a key strategy in preventing complications of influenza.

Keywords: influenza virus, influenza, vaccination, aging, complications, vaccine effectiveness

Presentation of a new instrument for assessment of nutritional status in elderly persons

JELENA P PAVLOVIĆ — 2026-03-07

International team of experts, Jelena Pavlović, PhD (Faculty of Medicine in Foča, University of East Sarajevo) i Maja Račić, PhD (The Ohio State University, Columbus, United States) constructed and validated a new instrument/tool for nutritional risk assessment in older adults in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Nutrition risk assessment in older adults - NRA). The newly developed tool is comprehensive, has acceptable validity and internal consistency. It contains a total of 14 questions. The scoring of each question as well as the final score of the tool is designed in detail, and the maximum number of points is 21. The tool has three categories, and a lower score indicates a nutritional risk. The time required to complete the assessment ranged from 15 to 22 minutes. the new tool is the author's original contribution to science and practice. The new tool is protected and copyrighted, and can only be used with the author's permission.

Adapted milk formulas for newborns

Ana Momcilovic — 2026-03-03

Breastfeeding is the best and most natural way of feeding newborns, but there are factors that make breastfeeding difficult or completely impossible for either the child or the mother. In those cases, adapted milk is used, which is the most similar to the composition of mother's milk in terms of quality and quantity of nutrients. The aim of this work is to examine the reasons for using and choosing adapted milk formulas. The choice of adapted milk formula depends on the age of the newborn, his health condition, as well as individual specifics. There is no universal way of choosing, but special attention should be paid to formulas, which are intended for newborns with different health conditions or nutritional challenges.

Invasive pneumococcal disease in children - a case report of pneumonia with pleural effusion and septicemia

Slađana Pekmezović — 2026-01-27

Slađana Pekmezović^1,4, Svetlana Blagojević¹, Bojan Jašović^3,4, Vladimir Čotrić^2,4, Janko Pejović⁴ , Slavica Mutavdžić Divac¹

^{1. Pediatric Hospital, Clinical Center Zemun, 2. Radiology Department, Clinical Center Zemun, 3. Clinical Center Zvezdara, 4. Sanitary medical school of applied sciences “VISAN}

Pneumococcal disease (PD) represents a spectrum of infections caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae. Isolation of Streptococcus pneumoniae from normally sterile areas and fluids is a key diagnostic method for Invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). Despite the availability of conjugate vaccines, infections caused by non-vaccine serotypes have increased serious and invasive infection incidence („serotype replacement“).

Case report: We present a 20-month-old male admitted with a six-day history of fever and respiratory symptoms. Chest radiography and ultrasound confirmed pneumonia with pleural effusion. Laboratory findings revealed significant elevated inflammatory markers (CRP 317 mg/L, PCT 3.43 ng/ml). Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 19A was isolated from both blood culture and nasopharyngeal aspirate. It was susceptible to penicillins and cephalosporins but resistant to macrolides and aminoglycosides. The patient was successfully treated with empirical dual antibiotic therapy, followed by ceftriaxone monotherapy, resulting in full clinical and radiological recovery. Considering the incomplete vaccination, complete vaccination with the 13-valent vaccine was recommended.

Discussion: Early recognition is essential for improved outcome, but often poses a challenge in pediatric practice: the symptoms are nonspecific with good condition, there are no specifically sensitive laboratory parameters that would indicate the severity or cause of the infection and sampling of microbiological material from the respiratory tract is limited. Early initiation of antibiotic therapy ensures a favorable outcome and reduc complications. In this case report non-vaccine serotype 19A was confirmed, which is consistent with the occurrence of “serotype replacement”.

Conclusion: This case report demonstrates that IPD remain diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Can be develop in immunocompetent children with incomplete pneumococcal vaccination and the initial symptoms are nonspecific (fever, lethargy, mild to moderate respiratory distress).

Initial empirical therapy according to defined and updated protocols is the cornerstone of treatment and vaccination remains the most effective method for its prevention. Continuous monitoring of pneumococcal serotype distribution and antibiotic resistance is essential, as well as planning public health strategies.

Forensic medicine

Katarina Vitošević — 2026-03-07

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