No abstract

The retrospective study (2002-2007) for human leptospirosis in Vojvodina was undertaken in order to describe the distribution of the disease in relation with some environmental factors. Regarding the presented results, the major detected number of leptospirosis cases concurs with stagnant waters, wetlands, fish pond areas and protected regions, which comprised the basis for mapping of the region in three risk zones: very high risk (incidence rate higher than 5.0), high risk (2.5-5.0) and medium risk of leptospirosis infection (1.0-2.5). During the investigated period, 97 cases were registered with an average of 13.85 cases per year: 2002, 32 cases; 2003, 7; 2004, 22; 2005, 16; 2006, 4 and 2007, 16. Out of these 97 cases only 5 were women. Serovars from 11 presumptive serogroups caused infection, with a predominance of Icterohaemorrhagiae and Bratislava, accounting for 72.72% of cases together. Icterohaemorrhagiae was the commonest infecting serogroup mostly connected with fish ponds. Case fatality ratio was 9.4%.

Dirofilariasis is a vector-borne zoonotic disease caused mainly by Dirofilaria immitis and Dirofilaria repens that affect dogs and humans all over the world. Serbia is considered an endemic country to both forms of dirofilariasis, although most of the population is concentrated in the north of the country. The aims of this study were to show the prevalence of D. immitis and D. repens in dogs and the seroprevalence in humans compared to previous studies in Northern Serbia. In total, 346 dog sera samples and 265 human samples were analyzed. Dog blood samples were analyzed using the modified Knott's method to check whether there were Dirofilaria spp. microfilariae and serum samples were checked by a commercial D. immitis antigen test. Human serum samples were analyzed with a non-commercial ELISA for detection of specific anti- D. immitis , anti- D. repens , and anti- Wolbachia IgG antibodies, and confirmed by western blotting. The overall prevalence for Dirofilaria spp. in dogs was 29.19%. The overall prevalence for D. immitis was 26.30%. The percentages of D. immitis and D. repens microfilaremia in dogs were 25.72 and 1.45%, respectively, while D. immitis ./ D. repens microfilaremia co-infections were also 1.45%. The overall seroprevalence for Dirofilaria spp. in humans was 3.77%. The overall seroprevalence for D. immitis was 1.51, 1.13% for D. repens , and for D. immitis / D. repens co-infections was 1.13%. The results indicate that D. immitis and D. repens are present in dogs and humans in the province of Vojvodina, in the northern part of Serbia. It is most likely associated with the presence of many rivers, the climate, and presence of mosquitoes in the area, so there could be a real public health risk.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is defined by a profound, debilitating fatigue, lasting for at least 6 months and resulting in a substantial reduction of occupational, personal, social and educational status. CFS is a relatively poorly recognized clinical entity, although everyday experience shows that there are many patients with CFS symptoms. The incidence and prevalence of CFS remain unknown in most countries; however, the working population is most affected with predominantly female patients in generative period. Although, CFS was first mentioned four centuries ago, mysterious aethiopathogensis of CFS still intrigues scientists as hundreds of studies are still published every year on the subject. About 80 different aetiological CFS factors are mentioned, which can be classified into five basic groups: genetics, immunology, infectious diseases, endocrinology and neuropsychiatry-psychology. Even today the condition is passed established based on the diagnosis by exclusion of organic and psychiatric disorders, which demands a multidisciplinary approach. As the syndrome is often misdiagnosed and mistreated, self-medication is not uncommon in CFS patients'. In addition, such patients usually suffer for years tolerating severe fatigue. Thus, at the moment there are three priorities regarding CFS; understanding pathogenesis, development of diagnostic tests and creating efficient treatment program.