Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the most common cause of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and an important cause of nosocomial infection. Since the publication of the National Guidelines (2016, 2017), new data have been accumulated on the genetic structure and pathogenic properties of the most common causative agent of severe forms of antibiotic- associated diarrhea, which has led to the reclassifi cation of the pathogen, formerly known as Clostridium diffi cile, to Clostridioides difficile. Laboratory algorithms have been developed to diagnose CDI and determine the toxigenicity of strains reliably. New data on the effectiveness of antibacterials  have been published, monoclonal antibodies to toxin B (bezlotoxumab) have been introduced into clinical practice to prevent CDI recurrence, and fecal microbiota transplantation has been proposed. Over the past 5 years, many international guidelines on the management of adult patients with CDI have also been updated (USA, EU). In the last decade, including due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been an increase in CDI incidence. Considering the
relevance of CDI, new data on the pathogen, and domestic features, the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internal Medicine, the Gastroenterological Scientific Society of Russia, and the North-West Society of Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists developed these clinical guidelines.

   Clinical guidelines are intended for gastroenterologists, internists, and general practitioners and focus primarily on the management of patients with symptomatic uncomplicated diverticular disease, as well as on the primary and secondary prevention of acute diverticulitis and other complications of diverticular disease. Clinical guidelines were developed by the Russian Scientific Medical Society of Internal Medicine, the Gastroenterological Scientifi c Society of Russia, and the North-West Society of Gastroenterologists and Hepatologists. One of the reasons for creating new clinical guidelines is that the current guidelines on diverticular disease (2021) pay much more attention to complications of diverticular disease and surgical treatment of acute and chronic complications of the disease.

   This article examines the development of the health care system in Iran in the period after the “Islamic Revolution” (1979). The author aims to use factual material to show the contemporary nature of the health care system of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI), which has implemented a number of important reforms over the past 40 years. The most important reform was the formation of the national health network in 1983, which aimed to reduce inequalities and increase access to health care for the population in disadvantaged areas of the country. Health services and medical education had been integrated, a health insurance reform had been carried out, which had contributed to progress towards universal health insurance coverage, a family physician programme and a hospital autonomy policy had been implemented. Iran was one of the few countries that provided comprehensive health insurance for refugees on the same basis as for its own citizens. Despite the achievements of Iran’s family planning programme, which aimed not only to establish an eff ective population policy but also to improve overall socio-economic indicators, attitudes towards it have been mixed at different points in Iran’s recent history. Despite its dependence on imported raw materials, Iran has developed a fairly well-developed medical industry, which enabled the country to become an exporter of pharmaceutical products. Iran has achieved impressive progress in the sphere of medical tourism, occupying leading positions in the Middle East, South and Central Asia, as well as Transcaucasia. The Iranian national health network system had been effective in providing a unique framework for the delivery of primary health care in rural areas, which had contributed to the overall improvement of the country’s health indicators.

   Conclusion. The article provides a proper assessment of the level of health care development in Iran for expanding Russian-Iranian cooperation in this field.