SPECIES AND IMPORTANCE OF RICKETTSIOSES IN THE MIDDLE PART OF SOUTHERN CROATIA
Main researcher
: PUNDA, VOLGA (39312) Assistants
BRADARIĆ, NIKOLA (71240)
PETRIĆ, IVO (175605)
KLIŠMANIĆ-NUBER, ZORANA (181953)
BORZIĆ, ELMICA (175616)
Type of research: applied Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/15/95. Papers on project (total): 21
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 5
Institution name: Medicinski fakultet, Zagreb (108) Department/Institute: Department of Microbiology, Medical School Zagreb-Medical Study Split and Clinical Hospital Split Address: Spinčićeva 1 City: 21000 - Split, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0)021-515-055
Fax: 385 (0)021-365-738
Summary: In the middle part of southern Croatia (Split and
Kastelas;urban, suburban, and semirural environment) epidemiological
andclinical features of rickettsioses caused by Rickettsia conorii,R.
typhi, R. prowazekii and Coxiella burnetii are surveyed. Bloodspecimens
are taken from healthy persons who participated in anepidemiological
questionnaire. Blood are collected from domesticanimals, which may have an
important role inepidemio-epizootiological chain of rickettsiae. Human and
animalsera are tested by complement fixation (CF) and
indirectimmunofluorescence (IF) tests with specific rickettsial
antigens.Patients with acute febrile illness with clasical symptoma
ofrickettsioses (fever, rash, headache, eschar), atypical pneumoniaand
with syndrome of undetermined febrile illness are clinicallyand
serologically examined at least twice within the period of2-4 weeks of
illness onset. Clinical, serological andepidemiological features of
rickettsioses are studied. Thekinetics of specific antibodies in acute and
convelescent serumare studied by CF, IFA and Weil-Felix tests.
Keywords: Rickettsies, Natural focus, Seroepidemiology, Clinical features
Research goals: To survey the seroprevalence of antibodies to R.
conorii, R.typhi, R. prowazekii and C. burnetii among humans and
domesticanimalis living in the studied area. To prove the endemicity
ofthese rickettsial species in Southern Croatia. To detect thedifferences
between frequency and spreading of rickettsiae. Tocharacterize
epidemiological features and correlation of theillness onset with risk
factors (occupation, sex, age,environment, season, presence of domestic
animals orarthropodes). To investigate the incidence of rickettsioses
insouthern Croatia. To find out atypical, severe forms of thedisease which
might be due to rickettsial strain characteristicfor studing area. To
evaluate serologic tests in detecting acuteinfection as well as in
sero-epidemiological surveys. Todetermine the role of domestic animals
inepidemo-epizootical chainof studied rickettsioses. An important
outcome of the study will be the determinationof presence, diffusion and
frequency of rickettsial species inthe southern Croatia. The results of
the survey should provideevidence about significant activity of R. conorii
throughout thenatural environment of the region. This survey should allow
theevaluation of actual importance of rickettsioses for publichealth.
According to the results of this study measures ofcontrol of rickettsioses
will be proposed. Identification ofrickettsial species will enhance our
knowledge and permits arapid and specific diagnosis of rickettsioses. With
thisinformation it may be possible to select and begin appropriatetherapy
for treatment of rikettsioses, which can be fatal.
COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS
Name of institution
: Zavod za javno zdravstvo županije
Splitsko-dalmatinske Type of institution: Institution whose primary activities ar Type of cooperation: Joint project City: 21000 - Split, Croatia
Name of institution
: Veterinarski fakultet Type of institution: University/Faculty Type of cooperation: Occasional exchange of information City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Name of institution
: University of Maryland at Baltimore Type of institution: University/Faculty Type of cooperation: Systematic exchange of information City: 21201 MD - Baltimore, USA
Name of institution
: Medical College of Wisconsin Type of institution: University/Faculty Type of cooperation: Joint publishing of scientific papers City: 53226 WI - Milwaukee, USA Other information about the project.