[Clinical and epidemiological aspects of infectious diseases (findings from Saint Petersburg)]

The paper analyzes official statistics on infectious diseases, data on the course and outcomes of infections which have been most common in the region in the past 20 years. It shows that the epidemiological situation has deteriorated, the incidence of severe and complicated forms and mortality due to infectious diseases have increased. Great emphasis is laid on the epidemics of dysenteria and diphtheria in the past years. The etiological, clinical and epidemiological features of acute viral hepatitis are discussed. The HIV infection situation is assessed. The paper shows it necessary to improve outpatient diagnosis of infections, to rigorously implement a programme for vaccine prevention, to develop adequate etiotropic and pathogenetic therapeutic techniques for infectious diseases.