The Ninth Dimension of National Culture: Unpacking Cross-Cultural Communication Styles

This article aims to study the communication styles among different national cultures, that is, we examine the relationship between national culture, based on Hofstede model, and communication styles. In order to investigate the role of national culture, it is fundamental to first analyse the communication styles and then identify how these are related to each other. With a purpose to identify differences (or similarities) in communication styles across selected countries, a factor analysis was conducted, combined with an ANOVA test. Based on a sample from 10 different cultures: Germany, Sweden, Japan, China, Russia, Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Serbia and North Macedonia, and using communication assessment instrument as well as the data on Hofstede’s six dimensions of national culture model, the findings show that different national cultures practise different communication styles. When Professional-Casual communication style is concerned, Germany is the most professional, while Japan is the most casual; that is, the least professional of all, while the analysis of the Cold-Warm communication styles leads us to the fact that Sweden is the coldest, and the US is the warmest country. The study’s significance is hopefully fundamental since it proposes an additional dimension, which is as frequent among cultures as it is rooted deeply in each culture. In this way, the article recommends that the countries ought to both comprehend their national culture and utilise it as a “tool” for understanding other cultures as well

The Ninth Dimension of National Culture: Unpacking Cross-Cultural Communication Styles

This article aims to study the communication styles among different national cultures, that is, we examine the relationship between national culture, based on Hofstede model, and communication styles. In order to investigate the role of national culture, it is fundamental to first analyse the communication styles and then identify how these are related to each other. With a purpose to identify differences (or similarities) in communication styles across selected countries, a factor analysis was conducted, combined with an ANOVA test. Based on a sample from 10 different cultures: Germany, Sweden, Japan, China, Russia, Italy, the United States, the United Kingdom, Serbia and North Macedonia, and using communication assessment instrument as well as the data on Hofstede’s six dimensions of national culture model, the findings show that different national cultures practise different communication styles. When Professional-Casual communication style is concerned, Germany is the most professional, while Japan is the most casual; that is, the least professional of all, while the analysis of the Cold-Warm communication styles leads us to the fact that Sweden is the coldest, and the US is the warmest country. The study’s significance is hopefully fundamental since it proposes an additional dimension, which is as frequent among cultures as it is rooted deeply in each culture. In this way, the article recommends that the countries ought to both comprehend their national culture and utilise it as a “tool” for understanding other cultures as well

Mini Review: Q Fever (Coxiellosis): Epidemiology, Pathogenesis and Current Laboratory Diagnosis

Q fever is zooantroponozis with global distribution caused by the strictly intracellular bacterium Coxiella burnetii. Causative agent of Q fever is an obligate intracellular parasite, classified in the genus Coxiella, family Coxiellaceae, class Gammaproteobacteria. The importance of the disease was assessed both in terms of human health and the serious economic damage they cause on livestock. Clinical manifestation of Q fever in humans is characterized by a wide variety - from asymptomatic infection to a chronic disease that can be fatal. Several basic methods have been developed to detection of C. burnetii. PCR and C. burnetii genomic sequences in whole blood are a sensitive and safe method of detection, with >90% sensitivity. A four-fold or greater rise of (CF) antibody (phase 2) between the paired sera is also diagnostic approach. Sensitivity of a four-fold rise in titre has been estimated as 73% ÷78% and specificity has been estimated as 90%, respectively. EIA is method with highly sensitive and specific. EIA detect IgM and then IgG antibodies which develop to phase II antigens in 10 to 14 days from symptom onset. IFA tests are of particular value for confirmation of acute infection and for diagnosis of chronic infection with high sensitivity. The technique detected IgG, IgM and IgA immunoglobulin classes. Suitable specimens for C. burnetii detection are blood samples. Although scientific interest in Q fever has always existed, a number of facts concerning the unforeseen nature of the epidemic, various clinical manifestations both in humans and in animals, the opportunities for chronic and other features of infection remain unclear. For this reason, timely and highly sensitive laboratory diagnosis is crucial for the outcome of the disease and subsequent treatment and monitoring

Serological and Molecular Detection of Coxiella Burnetii in Clinical Samples from Veterinarians and Cattle Farm Workers from Gabrovo Region, Bulgaria

Coxiella burnetii, which causes Q fever, is a highly infectious agent that is widespread around the world.  During the last decades, the number of cases reported in Bulgaria varied from year to year. The present study aimed to determine the frequency of C. burnetii infection using ELISA and conventional PCR among freelance veterinarians and cattle farm workers in Gabrovo province, Bulgaria. In the period April 2020 to June, 2021 a total of 154 blood samples of target group was tested in the National Reference Laboratory of Cell cultures, rickettsia and oncogenic viruses (NRL CCROV) at NCIPD - Sofia. Diagnosis of C. burnetii was performed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ELISA (anti-Coxiella burnetii ph. II IgG/IgM) and by end-point PCR technique (to detect the sodB gene region of C. burnetii). By indirect ELISA assay of the tested 154 clinical samples, anti-C. burnetii positive ph. II IgM antibodies were registered in 37% of samples. A relatively high percentage are affected in the active age between 50-60 years old. Anti-C. burnetii positive ph. II IgG antibodies were proven at 50% of tested samples. A positive PCR signal for C. burnetii DNA was obtained at 37/154 (20% of samples) and follows the above reported trend of acute infection of active age patients. Around 10% of tested samples were positive for three C. burnetii laboratory markers. We conclude that Q fever is endemic in Bulgaria. More research is necessary in different Bulgarian regions to set the human risk groups, to diagnose acute and chronic Q fever and to determine the economic impact of Q fever in the cattle industry. In the NRL CCROV was developed diagnostic scheme including complex methods to improve early laboratory diagnosis of C. burnetii, allowing taking proper treatment of suspected with Q fever patients

HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN BULGARIA - ARE THEY PROTECTED FROM VACCINE-PREVENTABLE INFECTIONS?

Background: Healthcare workers (HCWs) are at increased risk of exposure to many viral infections, including vaccine preventable diseases (VPDs) such as measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) as compared to non-HCWs. Immunity of HCWs against these viruses is mandatory in a healthcare setting due to possible exposure from patients or colleagues. Aim: To provide an assessment of anti-measles, mumps and rubella IgG seropositivity among Bulgarian HCWs employed in hospitals and regional health inspectorates (RHI), as an indicator of protective immunity against MMR in this risk group.  Materials and Methods: In the current study, 181 HCWs from Infectious Units in regional hospitals in the country, and HCWs from the RHI, involved in the monitoring and surveillance of MMR cases in Bulgaria were screened. Serum specimens from all participants were tested by a commercial indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Anti-Measles, Anti-Mumps, Anti-Rubella IgG EIA-Euroimmun®, Germany) for presence of IgG antibodies against measles, mumps and rubella, as an indicator of protective immunity.  Results: The study included 181 HCWs, 25 male and 156 female, aged 22 to 66 years. The average protective seroprevalence for measles, mumps and rubella was 82.9%, 76.2% and 92.3% percent, respectively. The highest share of negative results were obtained for mumps-specific IgG – 23.2% (42/181), followed by measles 16.6% (60/181) and rubella-specific IgG 7.7% (19/181). Regarding the age distribution, the highest number of HCWs non-immune to measles and mumps was found among the 31- 40-year olds, and against mumps – among the 41-50-year-olds. Conclusion: HCWs are at greater risk of contracting infections than the general population because of contact with sick patients or infectious material. Infected healthcare workers can spread nosocomial diseases to vulnerable patients with more severe illness, leading to complications and even death. Therefore, the vaccination status of HCWs must be strictly monitored

Primate Erythroparvovirus 1 Infection in Patients with Hematological Disorders

Primate erythroparvovirus 1, commonly referred to as Parvovirus B19 (B19V), is a DNA virus that normally results in a mild childhood infection called “erythema infectiosum”. Besides respiratory spread, B19V can also be transmitted through transfusions, which may result in persistent anemia in immunodeficient hosts. Dialysis patients often face acute or chronic anemia after infection with B19V. Here, we describe the laboratory investigation of 21 patients with hematological disorders for B19V infections. B19V DNA was detected in 13 (62%) of them, with specific IgM antibodies in three of the DNA positives. All 13 patients received treatment and were laboratory-monitored over a period of one year. In only two patients (a 14-year-old child with a kidney transplantation and a 39-year-old patient with aplastic anemia), markers of recent B19V infection were still detectable in follow-up samples. For four B19V DNA positive samples, short sequences could be obtained, which clustered with genotype 1a reference strains. Our findings suggest that all cases of hematological disorders should be examined for specific B19V antibodies and DNA for accurate diagnosis and appropriate patient management