Epidemiological characteristics of Lyme disease in Belgrade

Apstrakt

Lyme disease is a bacterial infection, that is registered on all continents in the zone, characterized by a moderate climate. In our region it is the most prevalent arthropod borne disease. The aim of this paper was to describe the basic epidemiological characteristics of Lyme disease, reported in the area of Belgrade during 2014. Descriptive epidemiological study was applied. The data were collected from the Register of annual report of infectious diseases in Belgrade, from the Counselling for Lyme disease in the Institute of public health, Belgrade and using the results of the serological analyses, that had been done in the microbiological laboratory (Institute of public health, Belgrade). During this period 173 cases of Lyme disease was registered, out of which only 33 cases (19,1%) were reported. The rest of total number were based on the medical reports of the patients, who had already diagnosed as Lyme disease and were referred to the Institute of public health, Belgrade to do serological analyses. The vast majority of cases, 98,8% (171cases) were diagnosed at the beginning stage of disease with typical skin lesion, called Erythema migrans. Second stage manifestations of disease were present in the rest of 1,2% (2 cases). Almost half (49,1%) of total number of patients couldn't recall tick bite. More cases were among female (60,1%) and the majority of patients (43.4%) were in the age group older than 60 years. Peak occurrence of Lyme disease cases was in June (37 cases) and July (34 cases). Presented data indicate omission in Lyme disease cases reporting, which hinders accurate assessment of the Lyme disease incidence in Belgrade. The data also show visiting the doctor at the right time, early diagnosis of the disease and starting with appropriate antibiotic therapy from the beginning. All these requirements decrease the risk of further progression of the disease.

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