SVIBOR - Project code: 3-01-120

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

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Project code: 3-01-120


RISK ASSESMENT FOR LEGIONNAIRE'S DISEASE IN CROATIA


Main researcher: GJENERO-MARGAN, IRA (150006)



Assistants
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.

Keywords: Legionnaire's disease, epidemiology, antibodies prevalence rate, Legionella pneumophila, Legionella micdadei, risk groups, environment, cultivation, water quality, clinical manifestation, Pityriasis rosea Gibert

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


  1. Name of institution: KBC "Firule" Split, Odjel za kožne i spolne bolesti
    Type of institution: International organization
    City: 21000 - Split, Croatia


OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS


  1. Name: Registar oboljelih od legionarske bolesti u Hrvatskoj
    Type of achievement: Other
    Authors: Gjenero-Margan Ira

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Last update: 09/22/95
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