Leptospirosis in elderly patients

Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonosis with broad clinical spectrum and high mortality in severe forms. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, epidemiological data, and management in elderly patients with leptospirosis. Toward that end, we performed a descriptive analysis of 15 leptospirosis elderly cases (age 60-78 years) treated at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of University Hospital - Pleven (1976-2012). Patients were serologically confirmed by microscopic agglutination test. Twelve cases (80%) presented with the severe form of leptospirosis. Co-morbidity (hypertonic diseases, chronic pulmonary diseases, chronic alcohol abuse, and diabetes) was registered in 13 cases. All cases had fever, oliguria, conjunctival suffusions, hepatosplenomegaly. Jaundice (14/93%), hemorrhagic diathesis (13/87%), vomiting (11/73%), abdominal pain (10/67%), myalgia (7/47%) and hypotension (7/47%) also were observed. Renal dysfunction was expressed by increased blood urea nitrogen (mean 38.1 ± 24.1 mmol/L) and serum creatinine (mean 347.6 ± 179.8 µmol/L). Hepatic dysfunction was expressed by increased total serum bilirubin level (mean 274.6 ± 210.7 µmol/L) and slightly elevated aminotransferases (ASAT mean 125.8 ± 61.6 IU/L; ALAT mean 131.3 ± 126.5 IU/L). Five cases (33%) had a lethal outcome. In conclusion, leptospirosis in elderly patients is associated with severe course and higher risk for death, and requires prompt intensive treatment

Leptospirosis in elderly patients

Leptospirosis is a re-emerging zoonosis with broad clinical spectrum and high mortality in severe forms. The aim of this study was to analyze clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, epidemiological data, and management in elderly patients with leptospirosis. Toward that end, we performed a descriptive analysis of 15 leptospirosis elderly cases (age 60-78 years) treated at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of University Hospital - Pleven (1976-2012). Patients were serologically confirmed by microscopic agglutination test. Twelve cases (80%) presented with the severe form of leptospirosis. Co-morbidity (hypertonic diseases, chronic pulmonary diseases, chronic alcohol abuse, and diabetes) was registered in 13 cases. All cases had fever, oliguria, conjunctival suffusions, hepatosplenomegaly. Jaundice (14/93%), hemorrhagic diathesis (13/87%), vomiting (11/73%), abdominal pain (10/67%), myalgia (7/47%) and hypotension (7/47%) also were observed. Renal dysfunction was expressed by increased blood urea nitrogen (mean 38.1 ± 24.1 mmol/L) and serum creatinine (mean 347.6 ± 179.8 µmol/L). Hepatic dysfunction was expressed by increased total serum bilirubin level (mean 274.6 ± 210.7 µmol/L) and slightly elevated aminotransferases (ASAT mean 125.8 ± 61.6 IU/L; ALAT mean 131.3 ± 126.5 IU/L). Five cases (33%) had a lethal outcome. In conclusion, leptospirosis in elderly patients is associated with severe course and higher risk for death, and requires prompt intensive treatment

IMPROVING THE COMPETITIVENES OF TRAINING IN CONTROL AND ANALYSIS THROUGH INTERACTIVE MODELS

Съвременното развитие на информационните технологии оказва съществе- но влияние върху начините за преподаване, обучение и комуникация. В процеса на глобализация на висшето образование, образователните институции се стремят да утвърждават своите позиции, за да са конкурентоспособни. Този процес неизменно е съпътстван от използване на нови форми и средства за обучение. В разработката е извършено изследване на съвременните методи за преподаване чрез внедряване на дигитални платформи. Проучени са изискванията на практиката за ключовите компетенции, които трябва да притежават специалистите по контрол и анализ. Представени са етапите на конструиране, апробиране и усъвършенстване на уеббазираната интерактивна платформа Moodle. The development of modern information technologies has a significant impact on teaching, learning and communication. Within the process of globalization of higher education, educational institutions strive to improve their positions in the global educational environment in order to remain competitive. This process invariably includes implementation of new educational forms and methods. The current study reviews the modern teaching methods based on learning management systems. It includes an analysis of the key competences required from the specialists in the field of control and analysis and presents the stages of development, approbation and enhancement of the web-based learning management system Moodle