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The prevalence of IgG antibodies to spotted fever group rickettsiae was studied by the indirect immunofluorescent antibody assay in a sample of 194 canine sera from different parts of Croatia. Dogs (n=141) from urban and suburban-semirural environs from the middle part of the eastern coast of Adriatic sea, and dogs (n=53) from Zagreb, the capital of Croatia located in the northern continental part of Croatia, were tested. The total of 88 (62.4%) dogs from southern coastal Croatia had antibodies toRickettsia conorii, with a significantly higher prevalence (69.9%) in suburban-semirural areas. The prevalence rate of antibodies toRickettsia conorii in canine sera from urban environment in the north of Croatia was 20.7%. The results show that the members of spotted fever group rickettsiae are present in both coastal and continental Croatia.

Snake venom poisoning is a medical emergency that requires urgent therapeutic procedures. The treatment of venomous snakebites is still controversial because of unclear therapeutic modalities. Choice of treatment is dictated in part by regional characteristics with regard to patient population and types of venomous snakes. The purpose of the study presented here was to report regional experience with venomous snakebites and to describe first-aid, pre-hospital, and hospital therapeutic procedures for horned viper bite. During a 16-year period, from 1980 to 1996, at the Clinical Hospital Split (Croatia) we collected data on 389 victims of horned viper bite. Incidence of the local and general complications is presented. We also reviewed therapeutic modalities and outcome with special attention to compartment syndromes and the indications for fasciotomy.