OUTBREAK INVESTIGATION AND CONTROL OF BRUCELLOSIS

Background: Brucellosisis an infectious and contagious disease caused by bacterial species of the genus Brucella. It is a major zoonosis with an important social and economic impact. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate and analyze the measures application for control and eradication of brucellosis occurred in the region of Pleven. Methods: We conducted a retrospective epidemiological study. Respective documents were reviewed. We analyzed Case report form and Questionnaire for persons suspected of having brucellosis. Conclusions were made of the possible source of the disease and the risk factors leading to infection of humans. Results: A focus of Brucellosis among the animals to private goat farm in August was detected. The connection to other existing in the country focuses has been proved. Two of the persons, having had contacts with the animals developed clinical symptoms of the disease; referenced persons have consumed fresh goat cheese and milk. A joint epidemiological investigation with representatives of responsible authorities was carried out and measures undertook to restrict and liquidate the focus. Conclusion: Brucellosis in man can only be prevented effectively by elimination of the animal reservoir. This necessitates a close interaction between the medical authorities concerned with public health authorities on the one hand and the veterinary authorities on the other

IL-6, D-DIMER AND HIGH-SENSITIVITY C-REACTIVE PROTEIN IN HIV INFECTION – PRELIMINARY STUDY

Combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) provides HIV-infected people life expectancy comparable with HIV-uninfected people and turns the disease into a manageable chronic condition necessitating the need for innovative inflammatory markers. Our purpose was to determine the correlation between IL-6, D-dimer and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels among HIV-infected and the presence of chronic inflammation during general and immunological aging and drug exposure. Material and methods: Comparative prospective study was conducted at 37 HIV-positive persons from the Center for Monitoring and Treatment of HIV-positive Patients at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, UMBAL “Dr. G. Stranski” – Pleven (target group) and 18 HIV-negative individuals from outpatient practice (control group), aged ≥18 years. Results: The median age of seropositive persons was 40 years (24÷70 years), of the control group – 51 years (29÷72 years); 78% of the target group and 61% of the controls are men. The average duration of ART is 4 years (1÷9 years). The study of specified biomarkers in the target group found increased IL-6 in 8.11% of patients (mean 3.67±1.86 pg/mL; range 1.5÷8.62; 95% CI 3.11-5.02), increased D-dimer in 8.11% (mean 0.37±0.28 µg/mL; 0.21÷1.96; 95% CI 0.3691-0.37459) and increased hsCRP in 10.81% (mean 2.10±1.99 µg/mL; 0.19÷7.0; 95% CI 1.89-2.31). In the control group IL-6 was not increased (mean 2.75±1.67 pg/mL; 1.5÷6.91), D-dimer was increased in 16.67% (mean 0.37±0.17 µg/mL; 0.09÷0.8) and increased hsCRP – in 5.56% (mean 1.76±1.75 µg/mL; 0.19÷5.66). Il-6 was significantly higher in the target group. Conclusion: The implementation of sensitive biomarkers is crucial in the general diagnostic-therapeutic approach in aging with HIV