[Current status and change in infectiology]

Clinical infectiology had passed through a marked transformation in the past, it is changing in the present time and will do so in the future. The most important factors for these changes are: the change of the living standard of the people, the increased number of persons with dispositions for infections, a better knowledge about the microbial etiology of infections and new possibilities of diagnostics and therapy of infectious diseases. The importance of these changes are in Germany inadequately reflected not only in the clinical practice but also in medical teaching and research. The reintegration of the infectiology as an important medical specialty in the Germany's medicine is urgently indicated.