2 research outputs found
Intestinal parasitosis in asylum seekers from Middle East and South Asia
Background/Aim. It is estimated that about 230 million refugees and asylum seekers circulates worldwide. Parasitosis are diagnosed in recent years with increasing frequency both in Europe and other developed countries. International migration of population, as an inalienable part and a result of the process of globalization, has an increasing impact on health of the population of countries through which migrants pass or settle. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of intestinal parasitic diseases in asylum seekers on the territory of Belgrade. Methods. The study group included 97 asylum seekers from the Centre for Asylum seekers in Obrenovac, in the period December 2013– January 2014. Stool samples were taken less than seven days after arriving to the Center and sent to the Laboratory for Parasitological Diagnosis of the Public Health Institute of Belgrade. Detection of parasites in stool samples was performed by a direct native slide made of fresh sample and direct slide made after stool concentration applying "Mini Parasep" technique. Statistical analysis included application of χ2-test of matching and χ2-test of independence. Results. The study showed that the parasites were detected in 9.3% of cases, in the group of 15–24 years of age. Protozoa were found in 6.2% and helminthes in 3.1% of the samples. Conclusion. Most intestinal parasitosis were found in asylum seekers from Bangladesh. All parasitosis were found in males and the most frequently detected parasite was Giardia lamblia
Characteristics of Norovirus infection in Serbia
Background/Aim. Norovirus (NoV), formerly Norwalk-like virus is the most
common cause of acute gastroenteritis in humans of all ages. It is known that
90% of viral gastroenteritis and about 60-85% of all outbreaks of
gastroenteritis, especially in the territory of United States of America,
Europe and Japan are caused by this virus. For the countries of the northern
hemisphere, individual cases and outbreaks of acute NoV gastroenteritis
appear in seasonal pattern, mainly during the winter months. The aim of this
study was to describe characteristics of acute gastroenteritis with the
established NoV etiology in Serbia. Methods. The study group included 88
patients with the symptoms of acute gastroenteritis, throughout the year 2010
and 2011. From all the patients, stool samples were taken less than three
days from the onset of symptoms. Detection of NoV in stool samples was
performed by commercial qualitative immuno-chromatography assay. Statistical
analysis included application of χ2 test, Mann-Whitney U-test,
Kruskal-Wallis's test, Spearman’s rank correlation test and logistic
regression analysis. Results. Outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis caused by
NoV were recorded to be the most common in children with the incidence of
infection of 50% in the age group 0-15 years. Analysis of individual symptoms
in the NoV proven infection, showed that diarrhea was the most common
symptom, followed by vomiting especially in small children, while abdominal
pain was most common in elderly (≥ 65 years). The presence of frequent
vomiting, more than 4 times/day, indicated NoV infection in the women, while
for men the infection was always presented with diarrhea. Conclusion. The
obtained results confirmed that small children and elderly are the most
susceptible to NoV infection and that out-breaks are more frequent in the
winter months. Those who consumed food in restaurants and other public
facilities were not at higher risk for NoV infection