Cholera in the Mediterranean: outbreak in Albania

Greco, Donato; Luizzi, I; Sallabanda, A; Dibra, Arvin; Kacarricy, E; Shapo, Laidon

doi:10.2807/esm.00.00.00125-en

Cited by 12 publications

(9 citation statements)

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“…However, it should be noted that a survey on drinking water quality in the area of Tirana (the capital of Albania) showed the presence of microorganisms in one-third of water samples, whereas one fifth had no residual chlorine [27]. This suggests the possibility of waterborne transmission not only for viral and bacterial infectious agents [3,8], but also for intestinal parasites. Water contamination in this country is the consequence of the discharge of untreated urban and industrial wastewater directly into rivers, lakes or seas.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…In the last few years, several outbreaks of bacterial and viral infections have been reported, caused by Vibrio cholerae El Tor [3], Poliovirus [4,5], CrimeanCongo hemorrhagic fever virus [6], Rotavirus [7] and hepatitis A virus (HAV) [8]. A high endemicity level of HAV [9] and hepatitis B virus (HBV) [10,11] and recrudescence of visceral leishmaniasis [12] have also been reported.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

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Intestinal Parasites in Healthy Subjects in Albania

et al. 2006

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The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of intestinal parasites in 277 healthy subjects in the city of Mamuras (Albania, South Eastern Europe) and the correlation between parasitic infections and possible risk factors. Faecal samples collected with sodium-acetate-formalin fixative were concentrated by formalin ethylacetate sedimentation and examined as wet mounts, permanent stains and by anti-Giardia/Cryptosporidium fluorescent antibodies. Data concerning age, sex, level of education, availability of piped water, number of people living in the same house, and residence in rural or urban area were collected for each subject. Statistical analysis was performed by chi-square test and regression logistic analysis. The overall prevalence of intestinal parasites was 183/277 (66.06%). In particular, pathogenic protozoa or helminths were found in 67 subjects (24.18%), including Trichuris trichiura in 34 (12.27%), Giardia duodenalis in 31 (11.19%), Hymenolepis nana in 5 (1.8%), Ascaris lumbricoides in 3 (1.08%). A significant correlation was observed only between parasite colonization and older age and between Trichuris trichiura infection and residence in rural areas.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Intestinal Parasites in Healthy Subjects in Albania

et al. 2006

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“…Hepatitis A is largely endemic in Albania with an overall prevalence higher than 95% in the younger age. In autumn 1994, a cholera epidemic outbreak [Greco et al, 1995] appeared in the Southern-Central region, and in 1996 an outbreak of poliomyelitis [Divizia et al, 1999a] involved the entire country. In a survey study on drinking water quality in Tirana, Palombi et al [2001] has clearly demonstrated the high pollution of the potable water in Tirana and, indirectly, the possibility to transmit enteric viruses by contaminated water.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Hepatitis in Albanian children: Molecular analysis of hepatitis A virus isolates

Gabrieli¹,

Sánchez

Macaluso³

et al. 2004

Journal of Medical Virology

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Hepatitis A is a common disease in developing countries and Albania has a high prevalence of this disease associated to young age. In spite of the occurrence of a unique serotype there are different genotypes classified from I to VII. Genotype characterisation of HAV isolates circulating in Albania has been undertaken, as well as the study of the occurrence of antigenic variants in the proteins VP3 and VP1. To evaluate the genetic variability of the Albanian hepatitis A virus (HAV) isolates, samples were collected from 12 different cities, and the VP1/2A junction amplified and sequenced. These sequences were aligned and a phylogenetic analysis performed. Additionally, the amino half sequence of the protein VP3 and the complete sequence of the VP1 was determined. Anti-HAV IgM were present in 66.2% of all the sera. Fifty HAV isolates were amplified and the analysis revealed that all the isolates were sub-genotype IA with only limited mutations. When the deduced amino acid sequences were obtained, the alignment showed only two amino acids substitutions at positions 22 and 34 of the 2A protein. A higher genomic stability of the VP1/2A region, in contrast with what occurs in other parts of the world could be observed, indicating high endemicity of HAV in Albania. In addition, two potential antigenic variants were detected. The first at position 46 of VP3 in seven isolates and the second at position 23 of VP1 in six isolates.

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“…The majority of studies have placed an emphasis on the epidemiology and aetiology pertaining to diarrhoeal infections among children, and there has been limited research pertaining to the epidemiology of gastroenteritis among adults within Albania (7). This is attributed to the most recent diarrhoea case management system introduced in the 1990s, which does not incorporate the modern diarrhoeal changes experienced by adults (1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Study on the Epidemiology and Aetiology of Acute Gastroenteritis in Adult Patients Presenting at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Tirana, Albania

Stroni¹,

Dhimolea²,

Pipero³

et al. 2014

Balkan Med J

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Background: Acute gastroenteritis remains a common cause of hospital emergency room visits in Albania. However, the aetiology of severe gastroenteritis leading to hospitalization in adults frequently remains unclear. Aims: Our objective was to study the epidemiology and causes of community-acquired, acute gastroenteritis in adult patients presenting to hospital. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Methods: A prospective study was conducted from January 2010 to January 2012, among patients ≥15 years old with community-acquired gastroenteritis presenting to the emergency room of the University Hospital "Mother Theresa" in Tirana, Albania. Stool samples and rectal swabs were collected from the patients for microbiological testing. Results: The median age of the study patients was 33 (15-88) years and 577 (58%) were females. The median age of males was 35 (15-87)

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Cholera in the Mediterranean: outbreak in Albania

Abstract: In the 1990s, an epidemic of cholera caused by Vibrio cholerae 01 El Tor has spread from northern Pakistan to the Mediterranean. In 1993 sporadic cases of cholera, and epidemic foci, were recorded in many countries of the southern part of Eastern Europe.

Cited by 12 publications

References 0 publications

Intestinal Parasites in Healthy Subjects in Albania

Intestinal Parasites in Healthy Subjects in Albania

Hepatitis in Albanian children: Molecular analysis of hepatitis A virus isolates

A Study on the Epidemiology and Aetiology of Acute Gastroenteritis in Adult Patients Presenting at the Infectious Diseases Hospital in Tirana, Albania

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