The Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Hospitalizations for Ambulatory Care-Sensitive Conditions in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia.

We aimed to explore whether the COVID-19 pandemic influenced hospitalizations for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions (ACSCs) in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia. : We performed a cross-sectional comparative study using two different time periods, the pre-pandemic (from March 2019 to February 2020) and the pandemic period (from March 2020 to February 2021), to explore the possible influences that the COVID-19 pandemic had on hospitalizations for ACSCs. The ACSCs were classified into the categories of vaccine-preventable, chronic, and acute disease.

Vaccine effectiveness against influenza hospitalisation in adults during the 2022/2023 mixed season of influenza A(H1N1)pdm09, A(H3N2) and B circulation, Europe: VEBIS SARI VE hospital network.

We conducted a multicentre hospital-based test-negative case-control study to measure vaccine effectiveness (VE) against PCR-confirmed influenza in adult patients with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) during the 2022/2023 influenza season in Europe. Among 5547 SARI patients ≥18 years, 2963 (53%) were vaccinated against influenza. Overall VE against influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 was 11% (95% CI: -23-36); 20% (95% CI: -4-39) against A(H3N2) and 56% (95% CI: 22-75) against B.

Vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalisation in adults (≥ 20 years) during Alpha- and Delta-dominant circulation: I-MOVE-COVID-19 and VEBIS SARI VE networks, Europe, 2021.

IntroductionTwo large multicentre European hospital networks have estimated vaccine effectiveness (VE) against COVID-19 since 2021.AimWe aimed to measure VE against PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 in hospitalised severe acute respiratory illness (SARI) patients ≥ 20 years, combining data from these networks during Alpha (March-June)- and Delta (June-December)-dominant periods, 2021.MethodsForty-six participating hospitals across 14 countries follow a similar generic protocol using the test-negative case-control design.

Vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalisation in adults (≥ 20 years) during Omicron-dominant circulation: I-MOVE-COVID-19 and VEBIS SARI VE networks, Europe, 2021 to 2022.

IntroductionThe I-MOVE-COVID-19 and VEBIS hospital networks have been measuring COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) in participating European countries since early 2021.AimWe aimed to measure VE against PCR-confirmed SARS-CoV-2 in patients ≥ 20 years hospitalised with severe acute respiratory infection (SARI) from December 2021 to July 2022 (Omicron-dominant period).MethodsIn both networks, 46 hospitals (13 countries) follow a similar test-negative case-control protocol.

Influence of Metal Concentration and Plumbing Materials on Contamination.

colonization of water supply pipes is a significant public health problem. The objective of this work was to evaluate colonization in hotel hot water systems and to investigate the relationship between metal concentrations, piping materials (galvanized iron pipes and plastic pipes), and proliferation. Concentrations of calcium and magnesium ions and the presence of were determined in a total of 108 water samples from the hot water systems of four hotels in Split-Dalmatia County over a 12-month period, and additional data on piping materials were collected.

Liver damage indices as a tool for modifying methadone maintenance treatment: a cross-sectional study.

Aim: To assess the effect of liver damage on methadone metabolism in opiate addicts undergoing methadone maintenance treatment (MMT).

Methods: This cross-sectional study recruited 74 patients treated at the outpatient clinic of Public Health Institute of Split-Dalmatia County from 2013-2016. Concentrations of methadone and its main inactive metabolite were measured in participants' biological samples on regular check-ups.

A six-year epidemiological surveillance study in Split-Dalmatia County, Croatia: urban versus rural differences in human campylobacteriosis incidence.

Data from population-based laboratory surveillance were used to examine the epidemiological pattern of campylobacteriosis in a sentinel site, Split-Dalmatia County (SDC),Croatia, from 2007 to 2012, and to evaluate the association between disease incidence and demographic, geographical, climatic, agricultural, and microbiological factors. A total of 2658 laboratory-confirmed Campylobacter infections were recorded. Overall mean incidence was 96/100,000, ranging from 61/100,000 in rural to 131/100,000 in urban areas; rates were highest in the age group 0-4 years.

Effects of carvedilol therapy in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction - Results from the Croatian heart failure (CRO-HF) registry.

Background And Objective: According to recent guidelines, the best approach for treatment of heart failure patients with preserved ejection function is still not defined. The aim of this study was to investigate how carvedilol therapy influences the survival rate, ejection fraction and NYHA class in these patients.

Patients And Methods: We conducted study on heart failure patients with preserved systolic function from the Croatian heart failure registry who were hospitalized in the period between 2005 and 2010.

Acinetobacter baumannii in Southern Croatia: clonal lineages, biofilm formation, and resistance patterns.

Background: Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most prevalent causes of severe hospital-acquired infections and is responsible for the dramatic increase in carbapenem resistance in Croatia in the last 5 years. Such data have encouraged multicenter research focused on the organism's ability to form biofilm, susceptibility to antibiotics, and particular genotype lineage.

Methods: Biofilm formation in 109 unrelated clinical isolates of A.

Attitudes towards tuberculosis and sources of tuberculosis-related information: study on patients in outpatient settings in Split, Croatia.

Attitudes towards tuberculosis may have severe impact on individuals and their families as well as on the effectiveness of tuberculosis control programs. The purpose of this study was to describe these attitudes and explore the sources of tuberculosis information available to the general population in Croatia through a cross-sectional survey based on structured questionnaire using convenience sampling among 386 subjects aged 18 years and over. Data were stratified by sex, age groups, educational background, personal monthly income and contact with tuberculosis patient.

High prevalence and molecular characterization of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Proteus mirabilis strains in southern Croatia.

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance rates of extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Proteus mirabilis strains isolated from inpatients at the Split University Hospital (southern Croatia) during a survey performed between 2005 and 2008. A total of 2152 consecutive isolates of P. mirabilis were isolated.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment and seasonal variations.

Seasonal variations of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) have been reported in only several studies, mostly from Central and northern Europe. In this study, seasonal incidence of RRD was determined and compared with sunlight exposure per season in the Mediterranean region of south Europe. The study was based on a retrospective review of medical records on 280 eyes of 272 consecutive hospital patients in the district of Split, Croatia, who were treated for primary nontraumatic phakic RRD over a 12-year period (1988-1999).