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.

[Morbidity patterns of workers employed in pharmaceutical-chemical industry].

INTRODUCTION: Work in pharmaceutical-chemical industry is characterized by exposure to numerous hazards, both physical (microclimate, illumination, noise) and chemical (organic solvents). Organic solvents can cause damage to many organic systems and have carcinogenic, teratogenic and mutagenic effects. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze patterns of chronic morbidity of workers employed in pharmaceutical-chemical industry during 2002. METHOD: The study was conducted in the pharmaceutical-chemical industry "Zdravlje" Leskovac in 2002. A total of 143 workers in workplaces with special working conditions exposed to chemical hazards as well as 40 workers from control group took part in the study. The physical examinations of the participants were performed at the Department of Occupational Health in Health Center, Leskovac. RESULTS: Heart diseases were the most frequent both among exposed workers (17.8%) and in control group (33.3%). Respiratory diseases were at the second place (16.9% in the exposed group, and 7.4% in control group). Arterial hypertension was diagnosed in 14.7% workers occupationally exposed to hazards, and in 12.5% workers from control group (p > 0.05). Chronic bronchitis was diagnosed in 175% of the exposed workers and in only 5.0% of controls (p > 0.05). The highest prevalence of diseases in both groups was observed among workers aged 40-49 years, with 20-29 years of exposure working time. 73.4% of the exposed workers and 85% of control workers were capable of work (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Workers occupationally exposed to hazards in pharmaceutical-chemical industry have higher prevalence of various diseases compared to non-exposed workers, which can be the result of work, working conditions and work activity. Preventive measures should be directed towards the decrease of occupational hazards and unfavorable working conditions and increase of work protection. Regular physical examinations of workers are of prime importance for the prevention of occupational morbidity, traumatism and invalidity.