Infekcije Ehrlichi-om chaffeensis u različitim regionima Srbije

The aim of our study were to examine the prevalence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis, etiological agent of Human Monocytotropic Ehrlichiosis, in population of Serbia we assayed the presence of specific antibodies in human sera by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Sera from 273 healthy persons and 138 patients with unclear rheumatoid and influenza-like clinical symptoms from several localities with different geographical, climatic and lifestyle characteristics were tested. In this survey, for the first time, we detected presence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis-specific antibodies in the sera of healthy volunteers from the mountain/forest areas of Serbia. In addition, our findings suggest that some of the patients with unclear clinical symptoms experienced the infection with Ehrlichia chaffeensis, and most probably suffered from Human Monocytotropic Ehrlichiosis. These findings contribute to the investigation of the prevalence of Ehrlichia chaffeensis in Southeast Europe. Our study also revealed lack of awareness of Ehrlichioses and points the urge for the measures that would help improving current situation in the region.Cilj naše studije je bio da ispitamo prevalencu Ehrlichi-je chaffeensis, etiološkog uzročnika humane monocitotropične erlihioze u Srbiji utvrđivanjem prisustva specifičnih antitela u humanom serumu metodom indirektne imunofluoroscencije. Testirani su serumi 273 zdrave osobe i 138 pacijenata sa nejasnim reumatoidnim i gripu sličnim kliničkim simptomima iz različitih geografskih, klimatskim i socijalnih sredina. Na taj način smo po prvi put, detektovali prisustvo Ehrlichia chaffeensis-specifičnih antitela u serumu zdravih dobrovoljaca iz planinskih oblasti Srbije.Naš nalaz ukazuje da su neki od pacijenata sa nejasnim kliničkim simptomima bili izloženi infekciji sa Ehrlichijom chaffeensis najverovatnije oboleli od humane monocitotropične erlihioze. Ovaj nalaz doprinosi utvrđivanju prevalence Ehrlichije chaffeensis u jugoistočno Evropi. Naša studija je takođe otkrila da se ova bolest vrlo često previđa i ukazuje na mere koje bi poboljšale trenutnu situaciju u regionu

Prevalence of antibodies to Rickettsiae in different regions of Serbia

We assayed the presence of antibodies specific for Rickettsia typhi, R. akari, and R. conorii in sera of persons from several localities in Serbia with different geographic, climatic, and lifestyle characteristics. Sera from 140 patients with unclear clinical symptoms and 273 healthy persons were tested for the presence of rickettsiae-specific antibodies by indirect immunofluorescence assay. In this study, for the first time we detected the presence of rickettsiae from the spotted fever group in Serbia. We detected the presence of antibodies against R. conorii in the samples from all tested localities. The proportion of positive cases was low in the plain agricultural areas but reached up to 23% in the mountain areas. We also observed a significant number of cases positive for antibodies against R. akari. Antibodies specific for the antigens of R. typhi were detected in only 2 samples from the municipality of Pec (Kosovo region). These findings contribute to the prevalence of Rickettsia species in Southeast Europe. Our study also revealed a dramatic lack of awareness of rickettsioses among medical personnel and pointed to the need for urgent measures that would help improve the current situation in the region

Chemical Composition of Essential Oil and Leaf Anatomy of Salvia bertolonii Vis. and Salvia pratensis L. (Sect. Plethiosphace, Lamiaceae)

The taxonomical relationship between Salvia pratensis and S. bertolonii has been unclear for a long time. Salvia bertolonii has alternatively been considered a synonym, a subspecies, a problematic subspecies and a form of Salvia pratensis. However, both these two species are sometimes used in traditional medicine instead of sage (Salvia officinalis) or as an adulteration for the same drug. In order to confirm the status of S. bertolonii, together with the potential identification characteristics for differentiation from sage, both taxa were analyzed through the analysis of their essential oils, together with the micromorphological characteristics of the leaf surface and the anatomy and morphology of the leaves. The obtained results show that there are clear differences in the quantity of essential oil (0.073% for S. pratensis and 0.0016% for S. berolonii). The major compound in the essential oil of S. pratensis was E-caryophyllene (26.4%) while in S. berolonii essential oil caryophyllene oxide was the major component (35.1%). The micromorphological differences are also pronounced in the leaf indumentum (density and distribution of certain types of non-glandular and glandular trichomes). Clear distinction between the investigated Salvia species is also observed in the leaf anatomy (in S. pratensis leaves are thinner, palisade tissue is made of 1-2 layers of cells, and leaves of S. bertolonii are characterized by 2-3 layers of palisade tissue cells, and consequently thicker)