Publications (7)0 Total impact
-
Article: [Various clinical manifestations of brucellosis infection].
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Brucellosis is an acute, subacute or chronical disease, from the zoonosis group, caused by various types of bacteria belonging to genus Brucellae. It is transmitted to humans from domestic animals: goats, sheep, cattle, pigs and dogs. The course of the disease may either be asymptomatic, or produce a variety of clinical manifestations, ranging from light ones to extremely severe clinical forms. The aim of the study was to follow the clinical features of brucella infection in the hospital-treated patients, as well as its course and outcome. The investigation included 15 patients, treated for brucella infection at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases during the last two years (2004 and 2005). All patients were adults, their age ranged from 18 to 71, 49.96 on average. The epidemiological questionnaire was positive in all patients, confirming contacts with the ailing animals, or consumption of cheese made from milk of diseased animals. They all exhibited the classic symptoms--increased body temperature and shiver, fever, sweating, malaise and headache, the so called flu like state. The serum agglutination test was positive in respect to brucellosis, the titre ranged from 1:80 to 1:1280. Eight patients suffered excessive back pain, accompanied with impeded walk. In half of them magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the spondylodiscitis diagnosis. Three patients had clinical features of knee arthritis, two had bronchopneumonia, one pancreatitis, and one developed the signs of an acute kidney insufficiency. The outcome was favourable in all patients. They recuperated or healed completely. In one patient a relapse occurred, leading to the chronic course of the illness. Although predominantly Mediterranean Brucellosis is a worldwide spread disease. During the last two years, an increased incidence of the disease has been observed. Due to the variety of clinical futures and the possibility of numerous complications and sequelae, brucella infection should be always taken into consideration while diagnosing undefined febrile states.Medicinski pregled 61(9-10):517-20. -
Article: [Zoonoses--a current issue in contemporary infectology].
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Animal infectious diseases which can be transmitted to humans are as old as the civilization itself. It is thought that 75% of all human infectious diseases are of zoonotic origin. Zoonoses are of significant public health importance, with major social and economic impact. GENERAL FACTS ABOUT ZOONOSES: Depending on their life cycle, four groups of zoonoses are distinguished: orthozoonoses, cyclozoonoses, metazoonoses and saprozoonoses. Some zoonoses are of bacterial or viral origin, some are caused by rickettsia or chlamydia, others are mycotic or parasitic infections, whereas some are caused by arthropods or prions. TRANSMISSION OF ZOONOSES TO HUMANS: Three stages are differentiated during the transmission of the causative agent to humans: excretion, presence in the environment and entry into the new host. There are two transmission mechanisms: transmissive (vector-borne) and non-transmissive (fecally-orally). CONCLUSION: Undoubtedly, new zoonoses will continue to emerge, and that is why we need to take seriously the warning of the Third Congress for the European Society for Emerging Infections "to expect the unexpected".Medicinski pregled 60(9-10):441-3. -
Article: [Demographic aspects of aging].
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: The contemporary world is undergoing demographic transition not only due to a decreased population growth, but also due to change in age-structure. The aging process is most prominent in the developed countries, while it is yet expected to commence in the European developing countries. The aging process is characterized by participation of persons older than 60 or 65 years in the overall population. U.S.A: Persons older than 65 make up 13% of the US population. It is expected that their share will increase to 30% during the next 30 years. EUROPE: European population in the world is systematically declining. By the year 2050, the population aged 65 and over will exhibit an increase of 60%. A nonlinear, ever increasing depopulation is expected to occur in Croatia, while FYR Macedonia has already been classified as a country in an advanced stage of population aging. SERBIA: During the second halfof the 20th century, on average, the Serbian population was younger than the European, but aging was more prominent. Today, Serbia is among ten countries with the oldest population in the world. VOJVODINA: The worst demographic situation is found in Vojvodina. According to an assessment, its population has been among the world's oldest for more than 30 years. The latest census shows a shift in the most numerous age group: from 35-39 to 40-45. CONCLUSION: Population aging is a worldwide reality. Differences among developed, developing and undeveloped countries are diminishing. Our population is among the oldest. Unless the state takes appropriate measures, we are heading towards a demographic catastrophe.Medicinski pregled 60(5-6):247-50. -
Article: [Neurocysticercosis--5 years' experience at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases].
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is the most common parasitic disease with wide distribution which is caused by larval forms of Taenia Solium. Our aim was to: show the most common clinical manifestations of patients with NCC and their importance in diagnosing this disease; examine the value of serologic diagnostic methods in blood and cerebrospinal fluid; to emphasize the value of radiological diagnostic methods--CT and MRI of the brain, in relation to the applied protocol of therapy, as well as the impact of anti-parasitic therapy on the outcome of this disease. 13 patients with NCC (from 35 to 63 years of age, median age 49; 61.5% male and 38.5% female) were treated at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases in Novi Sad during a five-year period. Two patients had a positive epidemic data of parasitic diseases of the intestinal tract in childhood. The most common clinical manifestation was headache in 61.5% of patients, and generalized convulsions and hemiparesis in 46.2%. Meningeal inflammation was present in 27.3% of patients. Two of five patients had positive ELISA test for cysticercosis in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. CT and MRI findings confirmed parenchimal form of NCC in 30.8% of patients, while calcifications were found in 69.2% of patients. All patients were treated with Albendazole, 800 mg a day, in two doses, 30.76% of patients had a favorable outcome of the disease, 53.7% of patients were discharged with complications, and one patient died. The most common manifestation of NCC in our patients was headache, followed by general convulsions and hemiparesis. Radiological diagnostic methods--CT and MRI--proved to be most valuable both in diagnostics and follow-up of lesions. All our patients were treated with Albendazole; Dexamethasone was applied in patients with severe inflammatory reaction, and anti-convulsive drugs in patients with convulsions.Medicinski pregled 55(11-12):523-7. -
Article: [Anthrax--the past, present and future].
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: Anthrax has been known since ancient times. Besides some references in the Old Testament, there is evidence of plagues in ancient Egypt, as well as descriptions of the disease by the Roman poet Virgil. Anthrax is caused by Bacillus anthracis, unmovable, aerobic, gram-positive rods. It forms spores, which can survive for years in the environment. Capsular polypeptide and anthrax toxin are the principal virulence factors of Bacillus anthracis. Anthrax toxin consists of three proteins called protective antigen, edema factor, and lethal factor. It is thought that the inflammatory mediator--lethal factor is stored within the macrophage during the early stage of infection. It is rapidly released in large amounts into the blood stream and once the threshold for lysis is reached, it may be the cause of sudden death. Grass-eating animals are usually infected by the bacilli from grass and ground. The disease is transmitted to people by contact with the sick animals or their products, such as wool, skin, meat etc. Two clinical forms exist: outer--cutaneous and inner, including inhalation and gastrointestinal anthrax. While cutaneous anthrax is easily cured, the inner forms have high mortality rates. DIAGNOSIS AND DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: The diagnosis is easily established in cutaneous cases, characterized by black eschar. Severe intoxication and collapse during the course of bronchopneumonia or hemorrhagic enteritis should arise suspicion of anthrax. Hospitalization of patients is mandatory. Bacillus anthracis is susceptible to a number of antibiotics, including penicillin, erythromycin, tetracyclines, cephalosporins etc. General veterinary prevention including vaccination of livestock and control of products is very important. The vaccine consists of anthrax bacillus that is attenuated. The endangered population, such as animal workers and military personnel should be vaccinated. Annual schedule of booster immunization must be maintained. ANTHRAX AS A BIOLOGICAL WEAPON: Anthrax has been developed as a weapon of mass destruction since World War I. During accidental release from a biological warfare factory in the former Soviet Union, 68 people died. The ease of laboratory production and its dissemination via aerosol led to its adoption by terrorists, as shown by recent happenings in the USA. A good knowledge of anthrax, its transmission and potentials as a biological weapon is essential for timely prevention and protection.Medicinski pregled 55(3-4):114-9. -
Article: [Aging and infection].
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: EPIDEMIOLOGY: Aging is a natural process and a part of our lives, but nowadays there is an increase in the number of persons aged 65 and over. Today infectious diseases are still responsible for one-third of all deaths in the world. The elderly population is most vulnerable to serious infections and at greatest risk for death and complications. Among geriatric population pneumonia and influenza are the fourth most common cause of death. VACCINATION: One of the goals of preventive medicine is to reduce the rate of complications and mortality from infectious diseases by increasing immunization rates. Influenza and pneumococcal vaccines are indicated for persons aged 65 and over. Despite well-recognized benefit of such vaccination, less than 50% of eligible patients receive the vaccine each year. INFECTIONS: Older persons generally have increased susceptibility to infections because of multiple risk factors and they are the most vulnerable population to nosocomial and health-care associated infections. Older persons may manifest infectious diseases atypically, with acute confusion or delirium which can lead into delay in diagnosis and therapy. It is important to know that the older present with delayed or poor response to antimicrobial therapy and high rates of adverse reactions to drugs, including antibiotics. CONCLUSION: As elderly population is rapidly growing, majority of patients with serious or life-threatening infections are old. Geriatric issues have not typically been a focus of training in infectious diseases, but we must become aware of and knowledgeable about special and unique aspects of infections in this population.Medicinski pregled 56(5-6):243-6. -
Article: [Lyme disease--new findings on its physiopathology, diagnosis, therapy and prevention].
[show abstract] [hide abstract]
ABSTRACT: INTRODUCTION: Lyme disease is a tick-borne disease caused by a spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi, which manifests as a multisystem disease of the skin, nervous system, heart and joints. Recently it is the most common vector-borne disease in Yugoslavia. NEW EPIDEMIOLOGICAL STUDIES: New epidemiological studies revealed that ticks can occasionally be infected not only by Borrelia burgdorferi, but also by some other microbes that can cause diseases in humans. Recently discovered the variable major protein-like sequence, antigenic variation of B. burgdorferi B 31 partly explains the ability of this organism to evade an active immune response. A key role in development of clinical symptoms associated with lyme disease belongs to the connection with ability of B. burgdorferi to induce and activate metallopeptidases and fibrinolytic enzymes, leading to extracellular matrix destruction. DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT: Diagnosis of Lyme borreliosis is made on the basis of clinical picture, exposure to ticks in endemic areas and serologic confirmation. It seems that polymerase chain reaction has little role in detection of B. burgdorferi in urine, blood, and spinal fluid samples, but it is most useful in evaluating the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy of Lyme arthritis. Infectious Diseases Society of America had prepared new guidelines for selective treatment of Lyme disease. Vaccination is still the best way of prevention for people living in high-risk areas.Medicinski pregled 55(5-6):207-12.
