SVIBOR - Project code: 3-01-116

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Strossmayerov trg 4, HR - 10000 ZAGREB
tel.: +385 1 459 44 44, fax: +385 1 459 44 69
E-mail: ured@znanost.hr

SVIBOR - Collecting Data on Projects in Croatia

Project code: 3-01-116

Investigation of the haemorrhagic fever with renal - syndrome ecology in Croatia

Main researcher: BORČIĆ, BERISLAV (4572)

Assistants

ALERAJ, BORISLAV (127040)
TURKOVIĆ, BRANKO (55593)

Type of research: applied
Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/31/95.

Papers on project (total): 2

Institution name: Zavod za zaštitu zdravlja Republike Hrvatske, Zagreb (5)
Department/Institute: Department of epidemiology
Address: Rockefellerova 7
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

Communication: Phone: 385 (0)41 27 73 07; Fax: 385 (0) 41 27 73 07

Summary: Summary A sero-screening study of target population segments - general and at special risk - will be carried out with the aim to determine the incidence and the geographic distribution of haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome (HFRS)in Croatia. For this purpose some 1000 sera samples of the general population and some 500 sera samples from forest workers, both originary from locations where HFRS was peviously registered, will be submitted to virological testing. The indirect immunofluores cency test will be performed (using antigen of our own produc tion). "Positive" persons will be mapped according to their place of residence. At the same time the fauna of potential reservoirs of HFRS (small wild mammals), caught at selected areas in Croa tia, will be virologically investigated as to determine the species involved, the fequency, the dynamics adn the geograph ical distribution of virus carriers. For the purpose some 1000-1500 small wild mammals will be collected: a) originally it was planned to organize 5 successive annual trappings at the Plitvice Lakes area (the well known focus of HFRS) and b) trappings at places where human HFRS is registered. Lungs of trapped animals will be virologically investigated for the presence of HFRS virus by the direct immunofluorescencu tech nique. From frozen "positive" animal lungs the isolation of the virus on VERO cells culture will be attempted. Results will be analysed, interpreted and published. 1

Keywords: Haemorrhagic fever with renal syndrome, Croatia, sero-screening, small wild mammals

Research goals: To determine the incidence and the geographical distribu tion of the infection with the HFRS virus in humans in Croatia and to determine the species of animals reservoirs of the virus in the environment as well as their incidence and geo graphical distribution. A sero-survey of the general population conducted in 6 localities (ex districts): Slunj, Delnice, Ogulin, Jastrebar sko, Velika Gorica and Požega. In all 422 sera samples were examined. The indirect immunofluorescence test gave positive results in 2 % of samples (Požega) up to 17 % (Jastrebarsko). Forest workers were examined in 5 localities: Korenica, Ogu lin, Gospić, Senj and Požega. 411 sera samples were examined with positive results ranging from 0 % (Gospić) to 3.6 % (Požega). A special serosurvey was conducted among two groups of first line soldiers (Novska and Ivanić Grad). Of the 217 sera tested 10 % were positive. Small wild mammals were trapped on 6 trapping sites: Planina Gornja (Sesvete), Plitvička Jezera (Korenica), Kobilić (Velika Gorica), Vranovdol (Jastrebarsko),Toti (Sesvete) and Nova Subocka (Novska). In all 724 animals of 14 different species were trapped and examined. The number of positive animals ranked from 0 (Plani na G.) to 18.1 % (Vranovdol). The HFRS virus was detected most frequently in the lungs of the yellownecked mice (Apodemus flavicollis), in an average of 11.2 %, followed by the bank vole (Cletrionomys glareolus) with 8,2 %, the field mouse (A. agrarius) with 6,0 % and the wood mouse (A. sylvaticus) with 4,4 %. A single positive field vole (Microtus agrestis) was also trapped. 1

Other information about the project.


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Last update: 10/17/95
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