Human Coxiella burnetii infections in regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2002.

Acute infections in humans and animals caused by Coxiella burnetii (C. burnetii) are becoming an important medical problem for Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). From a clinical and epidemiological aspect, Q fever represents a complex medical problem, considering that one of the highest incidence rates of Q fever in Europe has been recorded during the last few years in B&H.

HIV/AIDS cases according to the year of diagnosis and selected characteristics of cases registered in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina 1991-2004.

In the period between 1991-2004, in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina there were altogether 59 registered HIV positive persons, out of those 43 were clinically diagnosed with AIDS. Gender-wise, 83% of the infected were male, and 17% female. The age groups with the highest risk of being infected with HIV are 20-24 and 40-44.

[Epidemiological characteristics of trichinosis in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina].

The territory of Bosnia and Herzegovina, by its geographical setting and climate characteristics has the conditions for breeding and spreading the cause of trichinosis in environment. This, under certain conditions, in the context of different socio-economic, social and zoological-sanitary circumstances, can lead to the periodical epidemic outbreaks of the disease among people on a small or larger scale. Data on registered cases of human trichinosis collected during annual monitoring of trichinosis cases on the territory of Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in the past fourteen years, show its continual presence in this area, with a varying rate of morbidity, from 0,1 (2002) to 11,73 (1998) per 100.

Eradication of typhus exanthematicus in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Typhus exanthematicus in Bosnia and Herzegovina held in endemic areas from which especially quickly began spread after 1945. That year, in 1945, one hundred epidemics of typhus fever appeared, with the highest incidence rate in Europe of 215.04 per 1,000.

Long term protection after hepatitis B vaccination.

A survey of persistence of anti-HBs after hepatitis B vaccination has shown that five years after vaccination on a sample of 152 persons, or 82.53%, stands at >10 IU/I. Long term immunogenicity of vaccinated children remained at 88.

Serotesting of human brucellosis on wider area of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The study involved 286 individuals from different regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, whose sera were tested in the Laboratory for specific diagnosis of human brucellosis in Microbiology Department of Medical Faculty of University in Sarajevo, during the period from 2000. to 2003. Sera were tested using Brucelloslide Test, qualitative agglutination test Rose Bengal.

[Viruses in water].

The article elaborates the significance of water, which is necessary for the maintenance of an organism and specifies its daily needs in human beings. Reference data on the early isolations of viruses from sewage water and modern understanding on the occurring virus species are listed. The article considers virus survival in sewage and flowing water and other fresh and marine water systems as well as marine silt or fruit.

Vineyard pesticide induced changes in the lungs: experimental studying on rabbits.

Our intention was to analyze changes in the lungs in rabbits induced by the inhalation of the Bordeaux Mixture aerosol and determination of the time necessary for development of changes that cause respiratory failure and eventually precancerous changes. To experimental rabbits aerosol was administred for 4 months. Lungs were examined pathohistologically and histochemically with rubeanic acid for copper detection.

Higher mortality risk of lungs carcinoma in vineyard sprayers.

This study investigated mortality rate of lungs carcinoma in professional vineyard sprayers. Clinical investigation was performed in 187 professional vineyard sprayers who had been exposed to the inhalation of the particles of Bordeaux mixture for 24 years on average. Bordeaux Mixture is used for prevention against mildew attacking vineyards.

[Epidemiological investigations transmisssion of Q fever among humans in Bosnia and Herzegovina].

Appearance of an acute disease by Coxiella burnetii in humans in Bosnia and Herzegovina is very big epidemiological problem because incidence rate is among the highest incidence rates in Europe. Incidence rate of Q fever in Federation Bosnia and Herzegovina was very high during 1998. year 5.

[Coxiella burnetii infections as the public-health problem].

The Aim Of Work: To evaluate the incidence of human Q-fever in individual regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, to determine the prevalence and areas at risk of Q-fever incidence, to assess Q-fever seroprevalence and to demonstrate seroprevalence ratings in regard to relevant criteria (sex, age, location of residence).

Methods: The research has involved 708 individuals from different cantons, whose sera were tested in Laboratory for Specific Diagnosis of Human Q-fever on the Microbiology Desk of Medical Faculty of University in Sarajevo, during the period from July 2000-December 2003. Sera were tested by Indirect Immunofluorescence Assay (IFA), using commercial test kit, reagents for Q-fever IFA IgM and IFA IgG for in vitro diagnostic use (Focus technologies).

Protective effect of neonatal BCG vaccines against tuberculous meningitis.

Neonatal BCG vaccination reduces the risk of tuberculosis and provides protection higher than 80% against the development of meningeal and miliary tuberculosis in newborns. Tuberculosis meningitis remains a major problem and also an important cause of death in some countries. In countries with high and moderate incidence of tuberculosis, prevention from the most severe complications of tuberculosis can be achieved only with a high coverage of the universal BCG neonatal immunization, being higher than 98% in the cohort of newborns.

[Prevention strategy of viral hepatitis B and C].

Infections by Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C viruses, as well as infections caused by microorganisms transmitted through blood, blood products or in any other way, are now reality for all medical workers. This danger is stilll becoming increased for those medial workers who are more exposed in their everyday work to contaminated human blood or other biological materials. Therefore, the health institutions must introduce prevention measures against possible infection, but also the protection procedures to be applied immediately before and after incidental exposition to infectious material.

[Oxidative disinfectants--a new strategy in the prevention of viral hepatitis in hemodialysis centers] ].

The dialysis setting as a height risk environment for transmission to both patients and health care personnel of blood-born infections, such as hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus We report the results of questionnaries of the frequency of occupational exposure in dialysis units. Among 120 health care workers of dialysis units had 25.02% percutaneous injure or mucous.

[Determination of the potential number of users of family medicine services--importance of user registration].

The family medicine as the determination of the reformators and the strategies of the action in BiH is given in the form of the legal solution in the organization of the primary healhtcare action in BiH given in the form of the legal solution in the organization of the primary healthcare protection (the law about the healthcare protection--official newspaper F/BiH No 29/97). The fact is given the alternative solution--the team of the family medicine or the team of the medicine. Besides this there exist also some essential questions about the registration of the patients for the family medicine teams make complex the forming of the next of the family medicine.

[Strategy for administering hepatitis B vaccine to newborns in Bosnia-Herzegovina].

Background: Neonatal hepatitis B vaccination is the best effective measure for prevention hepatitis B infection in the countries with intermediate to high levels of HB endemicity.

Methods: Epidemiological methods of research had the aim to follow the incidence rates of viral hepatitis B and HBsAg carriers and to determine influence on the risks of transmission hepatitis B infection in new-borns in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Serologic immunogenic quality of hepatitis B vaccine is researched.

[Expected incidence of post-vaccination complications in vaccination programs].

Incidence rate of the harder adverse immunization reactions in the Program of the vaccination children in Federation Bosnia and Herzegovina is similar in the terms of kind and frequency as in the countries with high quality programme of the vaccination. In the period from 2002-2003 year cases of the adverse reactions were not registered, as vaccinal form of polyomyelitis, toxic syndrome or sudden acute deaths. The adverse events following immunization were classified in relation to 100,000 applicated vaccines, the incidence rate of supurative lymphadenitis at BCG vaccination reported are 32@100000, anaphylaxia at MMR vaccination 0.

[Occupational exposure and prevention of viral hepatitis B in health care personnel in the Canton of Sarajevo].

Health workers are exposed to the accidental injuries with blood, so that increasing of HBsAg among inhabitants in Bosnia and Herzegovina and professional risk for VHB is increased in this risk group. Among 6.712 health workers in Canton Sarajevo, it's expected that 1.

Q-fever serologic diagnostics with inhabitants of Canton of Sarajevo 2001 year.

Q-fever is widely spread antropoozosis caused by Coxiellae burnetti, an intracellular compulsory microbe parasite. Two characteristics of Coxiellae burnetti are of crucial importance for appearance of Q-fever, especially in the circumstances when the cause of infection remains unclear. The first one is a high resistance of Coxiellae burnetti to environment changes and the second one is a small size of the infectious dose.

Q-fever, human and animal morbidity in some regions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, in 2000.

Q-Fever is a worldwide zoonosis caused by Coxiella burnetti. C. burnetti is an obligate intracellular parasite.