Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of XXXX infections during 2006-2009 in Northern Greece.

@entity1 @entity697 @entity625 @entity417 @entity1910 @entity8344 @entity2150 @entity409 @entity5617 @entity1503 @entity281 @entity8585 @entity4841 @entity221
Background. @entity8344 infects @entity1 and adults, often causing @entity8585 , @entity625 , but also @entity2150 in @entity1 with chronic @entity417 , @entity1910 , @entity221 or @entity5617 . This study aims at the detection of acute @entity8344 infections during 2006-2009 in northern Greece on epidemiological and clinical aspect.Material and methods. Specimens were obtained from 63 @entity1 , who addressed to hospitals, suspected for acute @entity8344 @entity281 (17 in 2006, 29 in 2007, 10 in 2008 and 7 in 2009). Thirty (47.6%) were @entity1 (one day - 15 years old) and 33 (52.4%) were adults (16-65 years old). The @entity281 was shown by PCR in whole blood and/or pleural fluid and supported by detection of specific IgM antibodies in the patients' blood serum, which was performed by ELISA.Results. Twenty (31.7%) out of the 63 specimens were found to be positive: 3/17 (17.6 %) in 2006, 16/29 (55.2 %) in 2007, none in 2008 and 1/7 (14.3%) in 2009, p=0.0002. Positive @entity1 were found 10/30 (33.3%) and positive adults 10/33 (30.3%). Specific IgM antibodies were detected in all 20 positive @entity1 . @entity1 developed @entity1503 , mainly types of @entity417 (6 cases), hydrothorax/ascites (2 cases), @entity625 (1 case), and @entity409 (1 case). Adults were presented with pregnancy complications (2 cases), @entity4841 / @entity625 (4 cases), febrile syndromes (3 cases) and @entity1910 (1 case).Conclusions. In conclusion, an annual variation in the circulation of @entity8344 was noticed, presenting an increase of @entity697 in northern Greece during 2007. Regarding serious cases, although @entity1 and adults seemed equally affected, differences in clinical manifestations were observed between them, with @entity1503 predominant in childhood.
