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.

Current Status and Challenges Associated with Tick-Borne Pathogens and Diseases: Where Do We Stand?

Lyme Borreliosis (LB), caused by sensu lato (s [...

Cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in North Macedonia, July to August 2023.

The last report of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in North Macedonia was more than 50 years ago in the northwest. We report on a fatal CCHF case following a tick bite in the east of the country in July 2023. Tracing of 67 contacts identified CCHF in one healthcare worker (HCW) providing care for the patient.

Maternal, Fetal, and Neonatal Outcomes of Gestation in Women with and Without Infection.

Background: Maternal, fetal, and neonatal complications of brucellosis in pregnant women are probably higher than those in the general population. This comparative study aimed to survey the mentioned complications in pregnant women with positive and negative serologic tests.

Study Design: This is a prospective cohort study.

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.

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of imported falciparum malaria in the Republic of North Macedonia : A 13-year experience.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum is the leading cause of imported malaria and the most common cause of death in returning travellers.

Aim: To identify the main epidemiological and clinical characteristics of patients with imported falciparum malaria in the Republic of North Macedonia.

Material And Methods: Retrospectively analyzed were the epidemiological and clinical features of 34 patients with imported falciparum malaria who were diagnosed and treated at the university clinic for infectious diseases and febrile conditions in Skopje from 2010 to 2022.

Classical fever of unknown origin in 21 countries with different economic development: an international ID-IRI study.

Fever of unknown origin (FUO) is a serious challenge for physicians. The aim of the present study was to consider epidemiology and dynamics of FUO in countries with different economic development. The data of FUO patients hospitalized/followed between 1st July 2016 and 1st July 2021 were collected retrospectively and submitted from referral centers in 21 countries through ID-IRI clinical research platform.

PrEP Scale-Up and PEP in Central and Eastern Europe: Changes in Time and the Challenges We Face with No Expected HIV Vaccine in the near Future.

With no expected vaccine for HIV in the near future, we aimed to define the current situation and challenges for pre- and post-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP and PEP) in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). The Euroguidelines CEE Network Group members were invited to respond to a 27-item survey including questions on PrEP (response rate 91.6%).

Chronic Kidney Disease and Nephrology Care in People Living with HIV in Central/Eastern Europe and Neighbouring Countries-Cross-Sectional Analysis from the ECEE Network.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). The Central and East Europe (CEE) region consists of countries with highly diversified HIV epidemics, health care systems and socioeconomic status. The aim of the present study was to describe variations in CKD burden and care between countries.

Hematological Findings and Alteration of Oxidative Stress Markers in Hospitalized Patients with SARS-COV-2.

: Hematological parameters are the starting point in COVID-19 severity classification. The aim of this study was to analyze oxidative stress in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and to determine its association with D-dimer, neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelets to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) as markers for disease progression. s: 52 patients with moderate and severe forms of COVID-19 were enrolled.

Presentation of cytokine profile in relation to oxidative stress parameters in patients with severe COVID-19: a case-control pilot study.

COVID-19 can be worsened by hyper-production of cytokines accompanied by increased level of oxidative stress. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between a set of cytokines and the markers of the oxidative stress. The levels of cytokines IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL8, IL-10, VEGF, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-1α, MCP-1 and EGF were determined by using High Sensitivity Evidence Investigator™ Biochip Array technology.

Vitamin D levels and oxidative stress markers in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Background: COVID-19 is characterized by the presence of oxidative stress. Vitamin D status has been reviewed as one of the factors that may affect disease severity. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum vitamin D levels, oxidative stress markers and disease severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients.

Evaluation of oxidative stress markers in hospitalized patients with moderate and severe COVID-19.

Clinical evidence suggests increased oxidative stress in COVID-19 patients and this worsened redox status could potentially contribute to the progression of the disease. To investigate the oxidative stress we have measured oxidative stress parameters, namely, PAT (total antioxidant power, iron reducing) and d-ROMs (plasma peroxides). Additionally we have investigated their correlation with the most frequently used clinical parameters CRP, LDH, and NLR in serum from moderate and severe COVID-19 patients hospitalized in a tertiary hospital.

The Impact of Pneumonia on the Course and Outcome in Patients with Seasonal Influzenza.

Introduction: Seasonal influenza, although often presented as a mild, self-limiting disease, is frequently accompanied by complications that lead to the development of a severe clinical presentation and a fatal outcome. The most common are respiratory complications, with secondary bacterial pneumonia being the leading cause.

Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the impact of pneumonia on the severity of the clinical presentation and outcome in patients with seasonal influenza.

Post Partum Death in a Patient Diagnosed With COVID-19.

There are few case reports describing maternal mortality and intensive care of the pregnant patient with COVID-19 infection. A 27-year-old patient at 34 weeks of gestation was admitted for the evaluation of cough, fever, tachypnea, and oligohydramnios. The day of admission she underwent cesarean delivery for a non-reassuring fetal heart rate tracing.

Short epidemiological overview of the current situation on COVID-19 pandemic in Southeast European (SEE) countries.

We are living in times where a viral disease has brought normal life in much of the world to a halt. The novel coronavirus known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) started in December 2019 in Wuhan, China initially and in a short time crossed the European borders. After mitigating the epidemic in China, Italy became one of the most COVID-19 affected countries worldwide.

HIV care in times of the COVID-19 crisis - Where are we now in Central and Eastern Europe?

Introduction: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has hit the European region disproportionately. Many HIV clinics share staff and logistics with infectious disease facilities, which are now on the frontline in tackling COVID-19. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of the current pandemic situation on HIV care and continuity of antiretroviral treatment (ART) supplies in CEE countries.

Acute Thyroiditis Associated with Brucellosis: A Case Report.

Brucella thyroiditis represents an extremely rare focal form of brucellosis. In this case report we describe a 55 years old male, diagnosed with brucellosis and peripheral arthritis with subsequent development of acute thyroiditis. The symptoms duration consistent with brucellosis started two weeks before establishing the diagnosis.