Browsing by Author "Klun, I. (55919253000)"

Background: Fetal serum β2-microglobulin (β2M) has been reported as a reliable indicator of fetal infectious diseases. Objectives: To evaluate serum β2M as a marker of congenital toxoplasmosis or cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in neonates. Methods: β2M was retrospectively measured in 72 neonatal serum samples from preterm neonates. Of these, 32 originated from neonates with serological evidence of congenital toxoplasmosis (n = 12) and CMV infection (n = 20), while 40 samples from neonates in which both infections were serologically excluded served as controls. β2M levels were compared between the infection and control groups. Results: Mean (±SEM) β2M levels were significantly higher in the groups of neonates infected with Toxoplasma (5.64 ± 0.61 mg/l) (p = 0.014) and CMV (6.06 ± 0.66 mg/l) (p < 0.0001) than in the control group (3.80 ± 0.2). Against the cut-off level of 5 mg/l, β2M was normal in 36 of the 40 uninfected neonates examined, indicating a specificity of 90%. In contrast, it was elevated in 66.7% (8/12) and 65% (13/20) of the Toxoplasma and CMV-infected neonates, respectively, indicating an overall sensitivity of 66%. Conclusions: In the absence of urogenital disorders, an increase in β2M in neonates is likely to be infection-induced. We showed that serum β2M is increased in congenital toxoplasmosis and CMV infection in the first weeks of life. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG.

Background: Fetal serum β2-microglobulin (β2M) has been reported as a reliable indicator of fetal infectious diseases. Objectives: To evaluate serum β2M as a marker of congenital toxoplasmosis or cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection in neonates. Methods: β2M was retrospectively measured in 72 neonatal serum samples from preterm neonates. Of these, 32 originated from neonates with serological evidence of congenital toxoplasmosis (n = 12) and CMV infection (n = 20), while 40 samples from neonates in which both infections were serologically excluded served as controls. β2M levels were compared between the infection and control groups. Results: Mean (±SEM) β2M levels were significantly higher in the groups of neonates infected with Toxoplasma (5.64 ± 0.61 mg/l) (p = 0.014) and CMV (6.06 ± 0.66 mg/l) (p < 0.0001) than in the control group (3.80 ± 0.2). Against the cut-off level of 5 mg/l, β2M was normal in 36 of the 40 uninfected neonates examined, indicating a specificity of 90%. In contrast, it was elevated in 66.7% (8/12) and 65% (13/20) of the Toxoplasma and CMV-infected neonates, respectively, indicating an overall sensitivity of 66%. Conclusions: In the absence of urogenital disorders, an increase in β2M in neonates is likely to be infection-induced. We showed that serum β2M is increased in congenital toxoplasmosis and CMV infection in the first weeks of life. Copyright © 2008 S. Karger AG.

Objectives: As is the case for all of Southeast Europe, Serbia is an area traditionally endemic for Taenia saginata and Taenia solium infections. This study was performed to analyse the epidemiological data on taeniosis and cysticercosis in Serbia for the period 1990–2018. Methods: Data on cases of T. saginata and T. solium infection were collected via a systematic search of published articles, the grey literature, and official reports, as well as by performing clinical observational studies of patients treated in the departments for infectious diseases of hospitals and university clinics in Serbia. Results: A total of 212 cases of taeniosis were reported, all between 1997 and 2004 when taeniosis was notifiable (incidence range 0.04–0.9/100 000 population/year). From 1990 to 2018, 170 cases of cysticercosis (all but one of neurocysticercosis), were registered (incidence range 0–0.29/100 000 population/year), with a strong decrease since 2000 and a single case in the last 9 years. The annual number of cases of both taeniosis (Pearson's r = 0.914, p = 0.001) and cysticercosis (Pearson's r = 0.582, p = 0.014) correlated with the consumer price index. Conclusions: In Serbia, T. saginata and T. solium infections are autochthonous but occur only sporadically. However, the potential for re-emergence exists, depending on the socio-economic state of the country. © 2019 The Author(s)