RISK ASSESMENT FOR LEGIONNAIRE'S DISEASE IN CROATIA
Main researcher
: GJENERO-MARGAN, IRA (150006) Assistants
DRAŽENOVIĆ, VLADIMIR (185022)
ŠOBOT, SLAVKO (47684)
ALERAJ, BORISLAV (127040)
VIDOVIĆ, RADOVAN (92074)
Type of research: applied Duration from: 01/01/91. to 12/15/95. Papers on project (total): 12
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 2
Institution name: Zavod za zaštitu zdravlja Republike Hrvatske, Zagreb (5) Department/Institute: Epidemiology service Department for epidemiology of infectious diseases Address: Rockefellerova 7, 41000 Zagreb City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Communication
Phone: 385 (0)41 27 73 07
Fax: 385 (0)41 27 73 07
Summary: We intend to assess the prevalence of antibodies to
Legionella something unknown for our poulation. Next, this knowledge would
enable us to establish which groups are at a higher risk of infection. On
a practical level, it would make discover higher risk groups, respectively
facilities posing a greater level of Legionella contamination. It would
try to determine if there are environmental conditions (e.g., water
quality) that increase the risk of legionella colonies forming. The norms
of cross-sectional epidemiological field population study and subsequent
laboratory diagnosis are the basis of the population study. Serological
diagnosis of the presence of antibodies to both L. pneumophila serogroups
1-6 and L. micdadei (IFA), as well as Legionella identifications in the
external environment make up subsequent laboratory diagnosis. We plan to
obtain such proofs by a case control study. Setting out from a working
hypothesis of legionellosis involvement, in a separate case control study
on clinical patients we would attempt to determine the still unkown
etiology of Pityriasis rosea Gibert. Possible outbreaks of Legionnaire's
disease during the proposed investigation woud constitute a controlled
natural experiment.
Research goals: The study sets out to establish the still unknown
regularities ofthe epidemiology of Legionnaire's disease. Apart
fromcontributing to science, this would make for more efficientcontrol and
prevention of the disease, whose hotel outbreaks havetaken human lives and
created negative publicity for tourism.They have entailed huge material
costs. Estimates put themortality from Legionella-caused world hospital
infections at 4%.The study should determine next whether the legionellas
involvedare the etiological agent of a dermatological disease
whoseetiology is unknown. Besides representing a scientificcontribution
this would permit an etiological treatment ofpatients. Specifically, sthe
study shoud: 1)Determine theprevalence of antibodies to L. pneumophila and
to L. micdadei inCroatia's population. The prevalence of antibodies to
theinfection in the general population is unknown. The rate not onlyshows
the size of infection risk for the general population, italso helps detect
groups at a higher risk of infection, thusenabling a more rapid and more
efficient control and preventionof the epidemics; 2) Determine which
population groups run ahigher risk of infection, but have not been
similarly recognizedtill now. Our studies to date have confirmed the
discovery ofseveral such groups, which should contribute to conceiving
moreeffective measures for the prevention of Legionnaire's disease
inCroatia; 3) Check by case control study on clinical patients witha
Pityriasis rosea,the etiology of that is unknown, if therewas
Legionnaire's disease, a conclusion which the pilot studyresults encourage
us to draw.
COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS
Name of institution
: KBC "Firule" Split, Odjel za kožne i spolne
bolesti Type of institution: International organization City: 21000 - Split, Croatia
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Name
: Registar oboljelih od legionarske bolesti u Hrvatskoj Type of achievement: Other Authors: Gjenero-Margan Ira Other information about the project.