SVIBOR - Project code: 3-01-441

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Strossmayerov trg 4, HR - 10000 ZAGREB
tel.: +385 1 459 44 44, fax: +385 1 459 44 69
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Project code: 3-01-441

THE CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF SEROTYPING OF STREPTOCOCCI IN ZAGREB

Main researcher: BEGOVAC, JOSIP (143475)

Assistants

Type of research: developmental
Duration from: 09/01/91. to 12/15/95.

Papers on project (total): 13
Papers on project quoted in Current Contents: 7

Institution name: Medicinski fakultet, Zagreb (108)
Department/Institute: Department of Infectious Diseases
Address: Mirogojska 8
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia

Communication: Phone: 385 (0) 1 4557 222; Fax: 385 (0) 1 425 907

Summary: In the period 1991-1995 five studies were finished and published. First, with the collaboration with the WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Streptococci, University of Minnesota and Department of Microbiology, University of Minnesota, USA a study of the types of streptococcal pyrogenic toxins in strains of BHS-A from patients treated from various streptococcal illnesses in Zagreb was conducted. The BHS-A strains were isolated from patients treated at the University Hospital of Infectious Diseases, whereas M, T, OF typing and determination of SPE were performed in the USA. Secondly, a retrospective study of patients with group A streptococcal bacteremia treated at the University Hospital of Infectious Diseases, Zagreb in the period 1975 to 1989 was conducted. Thirdly, a study of variations in anti-streptolysin O antibody levels was also performed. Fourthly, a study on 504 patients with suspected streptococcal pharyngitis was conducted in order to determine the value of the Venterscreen Strep A antigen test for rapid diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis. Lastly, in a one-year study the rate of asymptomatic throat carriage of beta-haemolytic streptococci in 1796 patients was investigated. Two investigations have as yet not been published they concern a comparative study of azithromycin and benzathine penicillin G in the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis and a study comparing clinical findings of group A streptococcal bacteremia in children with the infection in adults.

Keywords: Streptococcal, toxins, bacteremia, treatment

Research goals: The aim of the study on M, T and OF types and streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin profiles on group A streptococi in patients with various streptococcal infections, treated at the University Hospital of Infectious Diseases, was to provide information about the distribution of M and T serotypes and SPE profiles of strains from Zagreb, Croatia. An association between serotype and /or exotoxin type with the severity of group A streptococcal infections was investigated. A retrospective study of group A streptococcal bacteremia was also conducted. The aim of this study was to describe the clinical picture, epidemiologic features, predisposing conditions and therapeutic aspects of patients with group A streptococcal bacteremia. The study compared clinical findings of GAS bacteremia in children with the infection in adults. The aim of the study on anti-streptolysin O antibody levels was to evaluate age related variations of ASO titers in patients with different, non-streptococcal related conditions. The aim of the Venterscreen Strep A antigen test for rapid diagnosis of streptococcal pharyngitis was to compare the performance of the VSA antigen detection test with the two-plate culture method routinely used at our institution. The one-year study on streptococcal carriage was undertaken to determine the carriage rate of streptococci in patients without current or recent sore throat, treated at the University Hospital of Infectious Diseases, Zagreb. The influence of age, day-care attendance, tonsillectomy etc. on the carriage rate was also studied. The comparative study of azithromycin and benzathine penicillin G in the treatment of streptococcal pharyngitis was to determine if azithromycin is an effective alternative in this setting.

COOPERATION - INSTITUTIONS

Name of institution: Imunološki zavod
Type of institution: University/Faculty
City: 10000 - Zagreb, Croatia
Name of institution: WHO Collaborating Center for Reference and Research on Streptococci
Type of institution: University/Faculty
City: Minneapolis, USA

Other information about the project.


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