[Parkinson’s disease is the elderly people’s condition which increases the risk of infections in the upper airways in its ad­vanced stages. Specific diseases (as hypertension, diabetes mellitus), older age and the male sex are significantly worsening the course of COVID-19. It would be challenging to examine parallel these diseases, since they are raising two important ques­tions. First, if Parkinson’s disease be a risk factor of COVID-19 morbidity and mortality. Se­condly, how the COVID-19 pandemic can influence the Parkinson’s disease patients. The authors are seeking answers to these questions based on the published results in the topic concerned.]

[We aim to review the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on epilepsy and epilepsy-care. While the virus has no specific link with epilepsy, it may affect the nervous system both directly and indirectly, leading to seizures in several ways. The hyper-coagulable state occurring with the infection may cause strokes leading to seizures. The infection may first manifest in the form of disturbances of consciousness and behaviour, seizures, and even status epilepticus. The interactions of antiviral/antiepileptic drugs need to be taken into account during treatment. The hypercoagulable state induced by COVID-2 infection may cause stroke, which leads to seizures. The infection can occur also as an impaired consciousness of non-epileptic origin. Interactions of antiviral/antiepileptic drugs have also to be taken into account. The pandemic itself as well as quarantines and social distancing may cause anxiety and insomnia, challenge continuous antiepileptic supply; each one carrying the risk of seizing. Young epilepsy patients with learning disabilities and mental health issues are most vulnerable, justifying their hyper-protection. The danger of infection has highlighted the role of telemedicine. Internet-based video communication may ensure full care for chro­nic patients. Those methods favour bes­­ted patients with higher education. Epilepsy does not increase directly the risk of infection, but its comorbidities may worsen the course of the disease. Brain lesions and hypoxia, stress, insomnia and fever joining the infection increase seizure susceptibility. Because the danger of infection ma­de telemedicine an essential tool of pa­tient care, education and better computer supply for those in need is crucial. ]

[COVID-19 has made providing in-person care difficult. In most countries, including Hungary, telemedicine has partly served as a resolution for this issue. Our purpose was to explore the effects of COVID-19 on neurological care, the knowledge of neurology specialists on telemedicine, and the present state of telecare in Hungary, with a special focus on Parkinson’s disease (PD). Between July and October 2021, a nationwide online survey was conducted among actively practicing Hungarian neurology specialists who were managing patients with PD. A total of 104 neurologists were surveyed. All levels of care were evaluated in both publicly funded and private healthcare. Both time weekly spent on outpatient specialty consultation and the number of patients with PD seen weekly significantly decreased in public healthcare, while remained almost unchanged in private care (p<0.001); higher portion of patients were able to receive in-person care in private care (78.8% vs. 90.8%, p<0.001). In telecare, prescribing medicines has already been performed by the most (n=103, 99%). Electronic messages were the most widely known telemedicine tools (n=98, 94.2%), while phone call has already been used by most neurologists (n=95, 91.3%). Video-based consultation has been more widely used in private than public care (30.1% vs. 15.5%, p=0.001). Teleprocedures were considered most suitable for monitoring progression and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and evaluating the need for adjustments to antiparkinsonian pharmacotherapy. COVID-19 has had a major impact on the care of patients with PD in Hungary. Telemedicine has mitigated these detrimental effects; however, further developments could make it an even more reliable component of care.]

[Various bloodstream infections are associated with high mortality, so early diagnosis is very important to reduce complications, with the gold standard procedure being blood culture and evaluation. Several databases were used to search for qualitative, relevant literatures (MEDLINE, PubMed, Ebsco). We selected national and international literature on the correct sampling of blood culture and sampling errors published between 2010 and 2020. The timing, method and location of blood culture sampling, the amount and frequency of sampling, the choice of haemoculture bottles, their storage and transport are all factors that influence the outcome. The choice of time can be independent of the clinical condition of the patient. Intravascular cannulation should be avoided if possible. Careful disinfection prior to haemoculture sampling and the use of chlorhexidine disinfection, which is already customary abroad, with the appropriate contact time, will both reduce contamination samples. Whether or not the patient is on antibiotic therapy is a key factor in the choice of blood culture bottle. To ensure optimal detection of pathogens, a quality control phase should be built into the pre-analytical processes. The solution to reduce the number of contaminated samples is to use sampling kits and to follow a mandatory blood culture sampling protocol.]

[The aim of the study: To investigate the circumstances of breaking bad news by health care professionals and the conditions of communication at the Ophthalmology Clinic of the University of Pécs, among diabetic retinopathy patients. Material and method: Quantitative and cross-sectional examination, February-December 2018. Statistical methods: descriptive and mathematical statistics (χ2-test), SPSSv22, (p<0,05). Results: Most of the examined medical professionals working at the clinic (20 persons/90.90%) can’t be supported by a protocol for breaking bad news, however, the need for a protocol is formulated as more than half of the respondents (11 persons/59.09%). Conclusions: Health care professionals would need to develop a protocol to break bad news in health care institutions, also in the Clinic of Ophthalmology, furthermore, attention should be paid to improving the circumstances during providing information to patients.]