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The currently dominant SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant, while causing mild respiratory symptoms, exhibits high transmissibility, drug resistance, and immune evasion. We investigated whether the presence of the SARS-CoV-2 affected the dynamics of fecal microbial composition isolated in culture in moderate COVID-19 patients. Blood, stool, and medical records were collected from 50 patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection. Two samples were taken per patient, at disease onset (within 5 days) and after symptom resolution (30–35 days). The part of the gut microbiota identifiable using MALDI-TOF MS was analyzed, and inflammatory cytokines and blood markers were measured in serum. The analysis identified 566 isolates at the species level, including 83 bacterial and 9 fungal species. Our findings indicate a change in the gut microbiota composition isolated in culture during the initial phase of infection, characterized by the proliferation of opportunistic bacteria such as Enterococcus spp. and Citrobacter spp., at the expense of beneficial commensal bacteria from the genus Bacillus and Lactobacillus. Additionally, the enrichment of fungal pathogens in fecal samples collected 30 days after the cessation of disease symptoms might suggest a prolonged disruption of the gut microbiota even after the resolution of COVID-19 symptoms. This study contributes to a growing body of evidence on the systemic effects of SARS-CoV-2 and highlights the importance of considering gastrointestinal involvement in the management and treatment of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction/Objective. In August 2010, World Health Organization declared the beginning of the postpandemic phase of influenza surveillance. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiological and virological characteristics of influenza and correlation between the influenza occurrence and weather conditions. Methods. We used surveillance reports of influenza and laboratory data from October 2010 to May 2015. Data for the analysis were collected through sentinel surveillance of influenza-like illness (ILI), severe acute respiratory illness (SARI), acute respiratory distress syndrome, and by virological surveillance. The nasal and throat swabs from all influenza cases were performed by the PCR laboratory method. Results. During the observed period, the highest rates of ILI were registered during the 2010/11 and 2012/13 seasons, with influenza A (H1N1)pdm09 and influenza B being predominant, respectively. The highest weekly age-specific rates of ILI were registered in school-age children (ages 5–14). Out of 1,466 samples collected, 720 (49.1%) were laboratory confirmed as influenza, and influenza A virus was more frequently detected than influenza B. Among confirmed cases of influenza, participation of patients with SARI or ILI was nearly equal (46% vs. 44.1%). There was a weak correlation observed between the decrease in temperature and rainfall and the increase in influenza detection (ρ = -0.04214 vs. ρ = -0.01545, respectively, p > 0.05). Conclusion. There is a need for continuous surveillance in order to predict seasonal trends and prepare for a timely response to influenza outbreak.

Introduction. Literature data concerning risk factors for severe influenza in post-2009 pandemic period, from low- and middle-income Central and Eastern European countries are very limited. Objective. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for severe A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) influenza during the post-2009 pandemic period. Methods. During four consecutive seasons of 2010/2011-2013/2014, nasopharyngeal or nasal and pharyngeal swab samples from 153 patients with mild and 147 patients with severe influenza were tested using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (real-time RT PCR) assays. Results. The study indicated three statistically significant risk factors of influenza severity, including presence of chronic underlying illness/condition [odds ratio (OR) of 15.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) of 1.8-125.4, p = 0.001), age ≥15 years (OR 9.2, 95% CI 3.5-24.1, p < 0.001), and delay in medical care of more than two days after the symptoms onset (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.6-6.4, p = 0.001). Conclusion. Obtained results confirmed that patients with chronic underlying illness/condition and older than 15 years had the highest risk for serious complications from influenza and highlighted the importance of start of antiviral therapy within the first two days of illness in order to reduce the risk for the most severe outcomes of influenza, such as acute respiratory distress syndrome and lethal outcome.

Introduction. At present, two phylogenetically distinct influenza B virus lineages, B/Yamagata and B/ Victoria, co-circulate worldwide and can cause significant morbidity and mortality. Objective. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalences of two influenza B virus lineages in the population of Vojvodina and to identify their antigenic and phylogenetic properties. Methods. A total of 369 and 334 nasopharyngeal, or nasal/throat swab samples, collected during the 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 seasons, respectively, were tested using specific singleplex influenza A, influenza B, influenza B/Yamagata and influenza B/Victoria real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays. Antigenic and genetic testing were done by hemagglutination inhibition assay and hemagglutinin and neuraminidase gene sequence analysis, respectively. Results. During the 2012/2013 season, influenza B viruses were present in 53.4% (101/189) of influenza positive samples. The B/Yamagata-like viruses (81.2%) significantly predominated over the B/Victoria-like viruses (18.8%). Comparing to B/Victoria-like positive patients, among B/Yamagata-like positive patients, children 5-14 years of age were significantly more represented (5.3% vs. 35.4%, respectively), as well as patients with mild form of illness (15.8% vs. 45.1%, respectively). The results of sequence analysis and antigenic testing showed that tested viruses were not closely related to B/Wisconsin/1/2010, the vaccine virus for 2012/2013. During the 2013/2014 season influenza B viruses were not detected. Conclusion. The results of this study confirmed the health significance of influenza B viruses and indicated that B/Yamagata-like viruses were significantly more prevalent than B/Victoria lineage viruses, during the 2012/2013 season. They also showed a sub-optimal match between the tested viruses and the vaccine virus for season 2012/2013. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR31084]

In this study the presence of anti-Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies in sera of 245 children, aged 1 to 18 years, was determined. In the eldest group (15-18), 29.2% of the sera were positive for the IgG antibody. Toxoplasma gondii infection in pregnant women and immunosuppressed patients produces severe consequences, while in immunocompetent individuals it is considered asymptomatic and latent. Recent emerging links to mental disorders has shed a completely new light on the public health view of this common infection. It calls for a new approach in the prevention and screening of a population, children being the target group. [Projekat Ministarstva nauke Republike Srbije, br. TR31084]

Introduction. Human enteroviruses represent the most common etiological agents of aseptic meningitis. Rapid diagnosis of aseptic meningitis affects the management of patients. Objective. The aim of this work was to assess the efficacy of rapid antigen detection (RAD) assay for the confirmation of human enteroviruses in comparison to that of the conventional cell culture (CCC), and to identify the serotypes associated with aseptic meningitis cases in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina. Methods. RAD assay was carried out using centrifugation of inoculated Vero, RD and HEp-2 cell cultures and indirect immunofluorescence with Pan-Enterovirus 2E11 reagent (Millipore-Chemicon). CCC was performed using the same type of cells and the same immunofluorescence reagent for enterovirus confirmation. Results. Out of 70 analyzed samples (29 cerebrospinal fluid specimens, 27 stool specimens, 9 rectal and 5 throat swabs) , 36 (51.4%) were positive by immunofluorescence after CCC and 34 (48.6%) by the RAD assay. The sensitivity of RAD assay was 94.4% and specificity 100%. Detection time of enteroviruses by the RAD assay was 3 days, and by CCC varied from 3 to 13 days (mean time 6.1 days). Within 72 h from inoculation, a cytopathic effect (CPE) occurred in only 19 (47.5%) of 40 CPE positive samples. Serotyping revealed 11 types of enteroviruses: coxsackievirus A16, B3, B4, B5, and echovirus 2, 4, 6, 11, 13, 16 and 30. Conclusion. The RAD assay was slightly less sensitive than CCC and significantly shortened the detection time of enteroviruses, so it may be useful in rapid diagnosis of enteroviral meningitis.

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Medicine / Arhiv Veterinarske Medicine is the property of Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Introduction. Serological tests appear to be the method of choice for establishing the diagnosis in the late phase of West Nile virus infection. Long persistence of IgM antibodies against West Nile virus is described and may be a problem for determination of the time of acquisition of West Nile virus infection. The aim of the study was to estimate the significance of IgG avidity determination in establishing the diagnosis of West Nile virus infection. Material and Methods. In a study 56 serum samples seropositive against West Nile virus were included. 24 serum samples were collected in 2012 from healthy residents of South-Backa district and 32 serum samples were collected in 2014 from 124 patients suspected of having West Nile virus infection. Commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent tests were used for the detection of West Nile virusspecific IgM and IgG antibodies and IgG avidity. Results. Out of 124 patients suspected of having West Nile virus infection, 32 (25.8%) were seropositive for West Nile virus antibodies. Acute infection was laboratory confirmed in 15 (46.9%) cases. All patients with acute infection were West Nile virus IgM positive, 13 (85%) were West Nile virus IgG positive, and 2 (15%) had a borderline result for West Nile virus IgG antibodies. Out of 32 seropositive patients the presence of IgM antibodies was determined in 22 (68.7%). In a group of samples with high IgG avidity values, 6 were IgM positive, while 8 were IgM negative. Conclusion. West Nile virus IgM and IgG antibody serological assays alone are not sufficient for the accurate and reliable diagnosis of WNV infection. West Nile virus IgG avidity testing is necessary to ensure the differential diagnosis of acute from past West Nile virus infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Medicine / Arhiv Veterinarske Medicine is the property of Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Archives of Veterinary Medicine / Arhiv Veterinarske Medicine is the property of Scientific Veterinary Institute Novi Sad and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A suspicion on West Nile virus (WNV) in Serbia was first reported in 1972 by a seroprevalence study, after which no data were available for four decades. We report full sequence of the isolate obtained for the first time from a human sample in Serbia. The closest clustering was obtained with lineage 2 WNV identified in Greece in 2010. Since WNV lineage 2 emerged in Europe in 2004, a cocirculation of lineages 1 and 2-as observed in Hungary and Italy-cannot be excluded. The reinforcement of surveillance will be required to investigate the possible cocirculation of the two lineages and the burden of WNV in the local population.

Introduction: Influenza A viruses can infect humans, some mammals and especially birds. Subtypes of human influenza A viruses: A(H1N1), A(H2N2) and A(H3N2) have caused pandemics. Avian influenza viruses vary owing to their 15 hemagglutinins (H) and 9 neuraminidases (N)., Human Cases of Avian Influenza a: In the Netherlands in 2003, there were 83 human cases of influenza A (H7N7). In 1997, 18 cases of H5N1 influenza A, of whom 6 died, were found among residents of Hong Kong. In 2004, 34 human cases (23 deaths) were reported in Viet Nam and Thailand. H5N1 virus-infected patients presented with fever and respiratory symptoms. Complications included respiratory distress syndrome, renal failure, liver dysfunction and hematologic disorders. Since 1999, 7 cases of human influenza H9N2 infection have been identified in China and Hong Kong., The Importance of Human Infection With Avian Influenza Viruses: H5N1 virus can directly infect humans. Genetic reassortment of human and avian influenza viruses may occur in humans co-infected with current human A(H1N1) or A(H3N2) subtypes and avian influenza viruses. The result would be a new influenza virus with pandemic potential. All genes of H5N1 viruses isolated from humans are of avian origin., Prevention and Control: The reassortant virus containing H and N from avian and the remaining proteins from human influenza viruses will probably be used as a vaccine strain. The most important control measures are rapid destruction of all infected or exposed birds and rigorous disinfection of farms. Individuals exposed to suspected animals should receive prophylactic treatment with antivirals and annual vaccination.