Genetic and Immunological Insights into Tick-Bite Hypersensitivity and Alpha-Gal Syndrome: A Case Study Approach.

Tick-bite hypersensitivity encompasses a range of clinical manifestations, from localized allergic reactions to systemic conditions like alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), an IgE-mediated allergy to galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal). This study investigated the clinical, molecular, immunological, and genetic features of two hypersensitivity cases. Two cases were analyzed: a 30-year-old woman with fixed drug reaction (FDR)-like hypersensitivity and a 10-year-old girl with AGS exhibiting borderline α-Gal-specific IgE.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Infection in a Two-Year-Old Child Returning from Switzerland (July-August 2023): Is It Time for TBE Immunization of Serbian Travelers?

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a vaccine-preventable viral infection that poses significant public health challenges, particularly in regions where tick-borne diseases are endemic. This case report describes a 2-year-old boy with confirmed abortive TBEV infection following a tick bite during travel to Switzerland. The patient developed fever and mild symptoms but did not exhibit central nervous system involvement.

Tick-borne diseases at the crossroads of the Middle East and central Europe.

Objectives: The Balkan Peninsula, acting as a crossroad between central Europe and the Middle East, presents diverse ecosystems supporting various tick species capable of transmitting TBDs. This study focuses on Serbia and North Macedonia, both endemic for TBDs, aiming to investigate human-biting ticks' prevalence, TBD prevalence, and major TBPs in blood samples.

Patients And Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in 2022 at two medical centers, involving 45 patients from Novi Sad, Serbia, and 17 patients from Skopje, North Macedonia.

Efficacy of aprepitant for refractory pruritus in patients with epidermolysis bullosa and atopic dermatitis: A retrospective study.

Introduction: At a single-center pediatric hospital, the neurokinin-1 receptor antagonist aprepitant was used to treat refractory pruritus in epidermolysis bullosa (EB) and atopic dermatitis (AD).

Methods: Thirty-seven patients were included (24 EB patients, 13 AD patients), ages 10 months to 37 years.

Results: 58% (14/24) of patients with EB and 85% (11/13) of patients with AD reported aprepitant was effective in decreasing their pruritus, with age-related differences in efficacy observed in EB patients, and access to the medication by insurance denial or availability of the drug as a barrier to use.

One health approach to study human health risks associated with mites.

Despite the significant health risks associated with infestations in humans, they are often overlooked. This study investigated a household case of infestation and explored the resulting clinical manifestations and risk of infection in family members. Microfluidic PCR was employed for high-throughput screening of pathogens in collected mites and blood samples from both chickens and family members.

Real-world evidence of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in Serbia: Nation-wide observational study (2017-2019).

Background: Rabies remains a deadly zoonotic disease, primarily prevalent in Eastern European countries, with a significant global burden in Asia and Africa. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is critical to prevent clinical rabies. Serbia, a country with a relatively low animal rabies incidence, has been implementing a 4-dose Essen PEP regimen for 13 years.

Evidence of tick-borne encephalitis virus neutralizing antibodies in Serbian individuals exposed to tick bites.

Introduction: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an emerging vector-borne and food-borne disease caused by the tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV; ), with a distribution spanning the Eurasian continent. Despite its significant public health impact in various European regions, TBE remains largely underdiagnosed in Serbia due to limited awareness and diagnostic challenges. In response to this, our study aimed to comprehensively assess TBEV exposure in individuals infested with ticks and to identify potential TBEV foci within Serbia.

Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus and Seroprevalence in Balkan Tick-Infested Individuals: A Two-Centre Study.

Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are important tick-borne diseases in Europe. This study aimed to investigate the seroreactivity against and TBE virus (TBEV) in tick-infested individuals in North Macedonia and Serbia. Serum samples were collected from tick-infested individuals and from healthy individuals in the same regions.

Interleukin 17 in early invasive breast cancer.

Introduction: Interleukin 17 (IL-17) has a key role in inflammatory responses. Increased serum concentrations of IL-17 have been reported in patients with different types of cancer. Some studies suggest antitumor activity of IL-17 while others speak in favor of its association with poorer prognosis.

Caries Experience in Primary and Permanent Dentition in Children Up to 15 Years of Age from Bosnia and Herzegovina-A Retrospective Study.

Unlabelled: The purpose of the study was to analyze caries experience in primary and permanent dentition in children up to 15 years of age located in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Methods: The research was conducted as a retrospective cross-sectional study. Analyzes and comparisons of caries indices were performed using groups formed according to their gender (male-M and female-F) and age, i.

Injury Occurrence in Amateur Rugby: Prospective Analysis of Specific Predictors over One Half-Season.

The incidence of injuries in rugby is extremely high, but studies have rarely examined the predictors of injury in amateur players. This study aimed to systematically analyse sports and injury factors as potential predictors of musculoskeletal injuries in senior-level amateur rugby players. : The participants in this study were 101 senior-level rugby players from Croatia (average of 24.

THE EFFECT OF REGIONAL VS. GENERAL ANESTHESIA ON THE IMMUNE RESPONSE IN BREAST CANCER SURGERY: A NARRATIVE REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE.

For breast cancer patients, surgery remains the cornerstone in treatment. Perioperative and postoperative period is associated with impaired immune function that can have profound implications for cancer patients in terms of tumor recurrence and metastases. The three main factors include surgery and related neuroendocrine stress response, anesthetic drugs, including opioid analgesics and postoperative pain.

Fatal Case of Imported Tick-Borne Encephalitis in South Serbia.

Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is vaccine-preventable neglected zoonotic neuroinvasive disease, caused by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Many of the Central and Eastern European countries are affected by TBE, which is often poorly perceived by tourists visiting endemic territories. Here we are reporting a fatal case of imported TBE in Serbian resident who was exposed to a tick bite during a visit to Switzerland.

Differential detection of tick-borne pathogens in human platelets and whole blood using microfluidic PCR.

The tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) with adhesive phenotype can use platelets for dissemination and colonization of distant tissues and organs, and it has been shown that they can be found concentrated in the platelet fraction of blood. This study shows the differential presence of TBPs in samples of human platelet fraction (n = 68), whole blood samples (n = 68) and ticks collected (n = 76) from the same individuals, using an unbiased high-throughput pathogen detection microfluidic system. The clinical symptoms were characterized in enrolled patients.

QUALITY OF LIFE IN PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY - SINGLE CENTRE EXPERIENCE.

A prospective study was carried out at the Zagreb University Hospital Centre to evaluate the relationship between epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and quality of life (QoL) in patients with epilepsy (PE), and its association with depressive symptoms and sexual dysfunction (SD). QoL was assessed by use of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 Inventory (QOLIE-31), SD by the Arizona Sexual Experiences Scale (ASEX), and depressive symptoms by the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAM-D17). The study included 108 PE (women 63% and men 37% men), mean age 39.

(Low) Energy Availability and Its Association with Injury Occurrence in Competitive Dance: Cross-Sectional Analysis in Female Dancers.

The risk of low energy availability is related to various health problems in sports. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify a possible association between various dance factors, anthropometrics/body build, and energy availability with injury occurrence in contemporary dancers. The participants were 50 female competitive dancers (19.

The role of interleukin‑7 serum level as biological marker in breast cancer: a cross‑sectional, observational, and analytical study.

Background: The important role that the immune system plays in malignant diseases is well known. The action of interleukin-7 (IL-7) as a cytokine has been observed in many cellular processes, both in normal cells of the immune system and in some cancer cells. The aim of this study has been to explore whether there is any elevation of interleukin-7 serum levels in early invasive breast cancer (EIBC) patients in comparison with healthy controls.

Unexpected TBEV Seropositivity in Serbian Patients Who Recovered from Viral Meningitis and Encephalitis.

The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) causes a life-threatening disease named Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). The clinical symptoms associated with TBE range from non-specific to severe inflammation of the central nervous system and are very similar to the clinical presentation of other viral meningitis/encephalitis. In consequence, TBE is often misclassified by clinical physicians, mainly in the non-identified high-risk areas where none or only a few TBE cases have been reported.

Change of Direction Speed and Reactive Agility in Prediction of Injury in Football; Prospective Analysis over One Half-Season.

Agility is an important factor in football (soccer), but studies have rarely examined the influences of different agility components on the likelihood of being injured in football. This study aimed to prospectively evaluate the possible influences of sporting factors, i.e.

PSEUDOCYST FORMATION AFTER ABDOMINOPLASTY: A CASE REPORT.

Abdominoplasty is one of the most popular aesthetic body contouring procedures. Seroma formation is the most common early complication after abdominoplasty. Usually, it resolves with punctions and seroma evacuation.

Clinical Aspects and Detection of Emerging Rickettsial Pathogens: A "One Health" Approach Study in Serbia, 2020.

Ticks carry numerous pathogens that, if transmitted, can cause disease in susceptible humans and animals. The present study describes our approach on how to investigate clinical presentations following tick bites in humans. To this aim, the occurrence of major tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in human blood samples ( = 85) and the ticks collected ( = 93) from the same individuals were tested using an unbiased high-throughput pathogen detection microfluidic system.

Predictors of Quality of Life in Patients with Drug Resistant Epilepsy after Neurosurgical Treatment: One-Year Follow-Up.

Background: Invasive neurosurgical treatment or minimally invasive neurosurgical treatment are methods of choice for the treatment of patients with drug resistant epilepsy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of neurosurgical treatment and the quality of life of patients with drug resistant epilepsy and to determine what are the potential predictors of quality of life of patients with drug resistant epilepsy one year after neurosurgical treatment.

Subjects And Methods: The research was performed at the Referral Centre for Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Centre Zagreb from February 2015 to February 2020 with Ethics commitee approval.

The Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale (Acss) and Its Correlations with Psychological Characteristics among the Croatian Population.

Background: This study aimed to examine the results of Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale among the Croatian population and its correlations with other scales and demographic data.

Subject And Methods: The sample consisted of 420 people who voluntarily filled out an online questionnaire. They completed demographic questions and four scales: Acceptance of Cosmetic Surgery Scale (ACSS), Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES), Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), and Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2).