Clinical Manifestations of European Borreliosis on the Skin in Acute, Subacute and Chronic Disease.

Background: Lyme borreliosis is a multisystemic infection caused by the spirochete Borrelia burgdorferi. Erythema migras is the main clinical marker of the disease. Objective: This study aimed was to investigate the frequency and clinical manifestations of European borreliosis on the skin, and to determine the significance of these findings for diagnosis and therapy. Methods: A retrospective-prospective clinical study of outpatients treated and monitored in a private clinic of an infectologist was conducted over nine years from to 2013-2021. The study was clinical, descriptive and analytical in nature. Results: In the investigated period, 509 (30.8%) patients with borreliosis symptoms were treated. EM in our patients occurred under the following conditions: a) ringed redness, b) redness of target cels and d) continuous round or oval redness of different sizes of individual redness, or multiple occurrences with primary dissemination. Skin changes with multiorgan chronic symptoms of borreliosis occurred in 67.7% of cases the including: walking redness of different shapes and sizes, pink borreliosis stretch marks, white borreliosis stretch marks, borreliosis palms and soles, psoriatic changes, Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans, Scleroderma circumscripta-morphae, Erythema nodosum, Granuloma anulare and Lichen striatus et atrophicans. Of the 509 patients treated for borreliosis, 32.3% with multi-organ symptomatology had no skin changes. Conclusion: The skin manifestations of European borreliosis are multi-layered and Erythema migrans are basic, but not the only markers of the disease. 'Pink borreliose stretch marks, "white borreliosis striae", "borreliosis palms or soles", and intermittent redness accompanied by itching are unique markers for the diagnosis of chronic borreliosis, if they are manifested.

Staphylococcal bacteraemia/sepsis-characteristics of laboratory parameters.

INTRODUCTION: While determining a diagnosis and during a disease follow-up, laboratory, or non-specific inflammatory parameters in particular, platelets reference values, nitrogen matters, and liver enzymes play a significant role because their values may indicate multiple organ failures. GOALS: To analyse laboratory parameters in patients diagnosed with the staphylococcal bacteraemia/sepsis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Analysed patients have been treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases through the period often years. RESULTS: Differences in average CRP values, leucocytes, neutrophils and platelets among the patients diagnosed with the sepsis and bacteraemia are not statistically relevant p > 0,05. Difference in the average sedimentation values of the erythrocytes between the patients diagnosed with the sepsis and the patients diagnosed with the bacteraemia are statistically relevant p = 0,035. Differences between the average INR values between the patients diagnosed with sepsis and the patients with bacteraemia are not statistically significant, but indicative p = 0,051. Differences in the average blood sugar values, urea, creatinine, bilirubin and ALT between the patients diagnosed with bacteraemia and sepsis are not statistically significant p > 0.05. CONCLUSION: The results have showed that even in the course ofa bacteraemia, there is a significant increase in the non-specific inflammatory parameters indicating the gravity ofbacteraemia as well, with a constant risk of developing sepsis and septic shock. The importance of running and following-up the laboratory parameters herewith is emphasised for the purpose of detecting sepsis in a timely manner and administering an adequate therapy.

Staphylococcal sepsis and frequency of metastatic foci.

INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcal sepsis is one of the most serious bacterial infections in the world, in most cases accompanied by metastatic foci in various organ systems. OBJECTIVE: analyze the metastatic foci patients suffering from staphylococcal sepsis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: we analyzed the patients treated for staphylococcal sepsis during the ten year period. RESULTS: 67 patients were included, of which 45 (67,2%) with the outpatient acquired infection and 22 (32.8%) hospital acquired. Male was present in higher percentage 58.2% and the average age of patients was 39 years. Meticillin-sensitive strains are present in 73.1% and resistant isolates in 26.9%. Chi square test of independence showed a dependence isolated pathogens in relation to the place of infection p = 0,003. From the total number of metastatic foci, 39 was in the lung, 32 in the skin and subcutaneous tissue, 24 in the abdomen, 15 in the bones and joints, 11 heart and brain 2. CONCLUSION: The greatest number of metastases was in the lung. Significantly large number of patients had outpatient infection with predominance of meticillin sensitive strains while in hospital infections in a greater percentage were meticillin rezistent strains. Proven dependence of isolated pathogens in relation to the place of infection (outpatient/hospital).

Serratia marcescens meningitis following spinal anaesthesia and arthroscopy.

We present case of nosocomial bacterial meningitis, caused by Serratia marcescens (ESBL), occurred following spinal anaesthesia. Although very rare bacterial meningitis is serious complication of spinal anaesthesia and early diagnosis as well as effective treatment is extremely important. Previously healthy individual, admitted to Orthopaedic Department for routine arthroscopy, approximately within 24 hours after operation was performed complained of headache and fever. Infectious Diseases physician was consulted, lumbar puncture was performed and purulent meningitis was confirmed. Cerebrospinal fluid and blood cultures of patient confirmed Serratia marcescens (ESBL), resistant pathogen and important nosocomial agent. Patient was successfully treated. Cases of spinal meningitis caused by Serratia marcescens are rare. Local resistance pattern is important and should be always considered when starting therapy. Infection control team was appointed because of similar case of meningitis one month before in the same Department, and after investigation discovered Serratia in anaesthetic vial used in procedures. New measures and recommendations regarding infection control were implemented at Orthopaedic Department. Meningitis as a complication should always be considered as a possible differential diagnosis with patients after spinal anaesthesia complaining on headache and fever. Early diagnosis and early treatment is extremely important. Knowledge and practice of infection control measures is mandatory and should be always emphasized to performing staff.

Cellulitis--epidemiological and clinical characteristics.

INTRODUCTION: Cellulitis is acute skin infection and/or infection of subcutaneous tissue, mostly caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and Staphylococcus aureus. Clinical preview is usually obvious and enough for diagnosis. Tretment is antimicrobial therapy. In recurrent cases a prophylaxis is very often needed. OBJECTIVES: Analysis some of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of cellulitis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective analysis of medical documentation of patients with clinical preview of cellulitis who were hospitalized in Clinic for infective diseases of Clinical Center of University of Sarajevo in last three years. RESULTS: In period of three years 123 patients were hospitalized with clinical preview of cellulitis in the broadest sense of the word. In 123 of cellulitises, 35/123 (28.45%) were erisipelases-superficial type and 88/123 (71,55%) were deep cellulitises. Men were more affected 56,09%, average of age was 50.22 years. Before hospitalization patients had ambulance treatment in average of 5.12 days, and hospitalization was long in average of 13.33 days. Risk factors wich contributes to the disease were found in 71.54% of cases. Due to localisation, skin disorders on lower limb were the most frequent 71.56%, cellulitis of upper limb were found in 12.19%, head and/or neck in 13.08%, trunk in 3.25%. Repetition of disease were found in 4.8% in patients wtih risk factors. Bacteremic isolats were confirmed in 27.64% of cases. In all patients empirical antibiotic treatment were started, in the 62.60% the first choice of medicine was antibiotic from the group of lincosamides. CONCLUSION: Cellulitis is very serious disease that can be prevented.

Analysis of comorbidity of the patients affected by staphylococcal bacteremia/sepsis in the last ten years.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: none declared. INTRODUCTION: Staphylococcal bacteremia/sepsis is one of the most serious bacterial infections around the world. In individuals with pre-existing diseases, there is always an increased risk of infections occurring due to impaired immune system, a variety of drug therapy, exposure to a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure and frequent hospitalizations. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the prevalence of comorbidity in a patient with the staphylococcal bacteremia/sepsis according to the diagnosis, the site of infection and according to the isolated agent. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We analyzed the patients affected by the staphylococcal bacteremia/sepsis and treated in the Clinic for Infectious Diseases during a ten-year period. RESULTS: 87 patients were included, out of whom 20 (23%) with clinical signs of the bacteremia and 67 (77%) of sepsis. In the analyzed sample, in 36 (41.4%) were not registered comorbidity. Hospital infections are represented by the previous antibiotic, corticosteroid and chemo therapy, pressure ulcers, and different implants. In all comorbidity, the most common isolated bacteria was S. aureus primarily strain MSSA followed by MRSA strain which is more frequent in patients who were surgically treated (comorbidity-various implants). CONCLUSION: The results suggest the importance of being mindful of the staphylococcal etiology of the bacteremia/sepsis in patients with comorbidities due to the selection of an adequate initial empirical therapy and reducing the risks of the septic shock.

Complicated Varicella Infection at 8-year-old Boy with Pulmonary Agenesis.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: none declared. INTRODUCTION: Varicella or chickenpox is highly contagious, childhood infectious disease caused by primary infection with varicella - zoster virus from the herpes family of viruses. Usually it has a mild clinical course, rarely with described complication, mostly affecting respiratory tract and rarely the central nervous system. CASE REPORT: The case present 8 year old boy hospitalized eighth day of disease with clinical pictures of varicella complication. Upon receipt tachydyspnea, high fever, tachycardia, hypotensive with positive findings on lung auscultation in the sense of pneumonia. Extremely high values of non-specific inflammatory parameters are implied on bacterial infection which is treated using triple antimicrobial therapy and antiviral. A detailed clinical, laboratory and radiological evaluation is determined of clinical disease complication under a picture of MODS that required prolonged multidisciplinary treatment in ICU. CONCLUSION: The disease had a favorable clinical outcome in terms of training completely without consequences but, with the detected congenital absence lower lobe of right lung and transposition of the brachiocephalic trunk.

Brucella endocarditis in prosthetic valves.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST: none declared. INTRODUCTION: Brucella endocarditis (BE) is a rare but severe and potentially lethal manifestation of brucellosis. Pre-existing valves lesions and prosthetic valves (PV) are favorable for BE. CASE REPORT: We represent the case of a 46-year-old man who was treated at the Clinic for Infectious Diseases, Clinical Center of Sarajevo University, as blood culture positive (Brucella melitensis) mitral and aortic PV endocarditis. He was treated with combined anti-brucella and cardiac therapy. Surgical intervention was postponed due to cardiac instability. Four months later he passed away. Surgery was not performed.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of novel AHIN1 flu.

INTRODUCTION: Swine influenza is respiratory infection caused by virus influenza A H1N1. OBJECTIVE: To show epidemiological and clinical characteristic of patients with confirmed influenza A H1N1 hospitalized at Clinic for Infectious Diseases of University Clinical Center Sarajevo. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed 127 medical records of patients with microbiologically confirmed pandemic influenza A/H1N1 (nasopharyngeal swab analyzed by PCR method). RESULTS: In our investigation female patients prevail (57%), age from 25 to 45 years old with medium difficult clinical picture (71.55%). Chi-square test showed significant dependence between sex and clinical status of patient (p < 0.05), dyspnea and clinical status of patient (p < 0.05), while statistical significance was nor proved related to comorbidity (p > 0.05), cough (p > 0.05), radiological confirmed pneumonia (p > 0.05), number of prehospital days of diseases (p > 0.05) and length of hospital care (p > 0.05). Significant impact on clinical status of patients is found related to age (p < 0.05), in a way that every year of age increase risk in 2.9% for more severe disease. CONCLUSION: Clinical and epidemiological parameters can impute severity of clinical status and therefore the outcome of disease.