@article{Banović2022c,

title = {Differential detection of tick-borne pathogens in human platelets and whole blood using microfluidic PCR},

author = {Pavle Banović and Elianne Piloto-Sardiñas and Dragana Mijatović and Angélique Foucault-Simonin and Verica Simin and Ivana Bogdan and Dasiel Obregon and Lourdes Mateos-Hernández and Sara Moutailler and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actatropica.2022.106756},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-11-23},

journal = {Acta Tropica},

abstract = {The tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) with adhesive phenotype can use platelets for dissemination and colonization of distant tissues and organs, and it has been shown that they can be found concentrated in the platelet fraction of blood. This study shows the differential presence of TBPs in samples of human platelet fraction (n = 68), whole blood samples (n = 68) and ticks collected (n = 76) from the same individuals, using an unbiased high-throughput pathogen detection microfluidic system. The clinical symptoms were characterized in enrolled patients. In patients with suspected TBP infection, serological assays were conducted to test for the presence of antibodies against specific TBPs. Tick species infesting humans were identified as Ixodes ricinus, Dermacentor reticulatus, and Haemaphysalis punctata. Eight patients developed local skin lesions at the site of the tick bite including non-specific lesions, itching sensation at the lesion site, and eschar. Most common TBPs detected in platelet fraction were Borrelia spielmanii and Rickettsia sp., followed by Borrelia afzelii and Anaplasma phagocytophilum. Multiple infections with three TBPs were detected in platelet fraction. In whole blood, most common TBPs detected were Anaplasma spp. and A. phagocytophilum, followed by Rickettsia spp. and B. afzelii. In ticks, the most common TBP detected was Rickettsia spp., followed by Borrelia spp. and Anaplasma spp. Overall, nine different pathogens with variable prevalence were identified using species-specific primers, and the most common was Rickettsia helvetica. In three patients, there were no coincidences between the TBPs detected in whole blood and tick samples. Only in one patient was detected A. phagocytophilum in both, whole blood and tick samples. These results suggest the unequal detection of TBPs in whole blood, platelet fraction and ticks collected, from the same individual. The results justify the use of both whole blood and platelet fraction for molecular diagnosis of TBPs in patients.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Jakimovski2022,

title = {Mediterranean spotted fever-like illness caused by Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae, North Macedonia, June 2022},

author = {Dejan Jakimovski and Sofija Mateska and Verica Simin and Ivana Bogdan and Dragana Mijatović and Agustín Estrada-Peña and Lourdes Mateos-Hernández and Angélique Foucault-Simonin and Sara Moutailler and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz and Pavle Banović},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2022.27.42.2200735},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-10-21},

journal = {Eurosurveillance},

volume = {27},

issue = {42},

abstract = {Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF)-like illness is tick-borne disease caused by Rickettsia sibirica mongolitimonae, an obligate intracellular bacterium, most probably transmitted by ticks of the genus Rhipicephalus and genus Hyalomma. While cases of MSF, which are caused by Rickettsia conorii, are frequently detected in endemic areas of Europe around the Mediterranean Basin, MSF-like illness is reported sporadically in different European and African countries. Here we present a case of MSF-like illness caused by R. sibirica mongolitimonae in a female patient after a bite from a Hyalomma tick in North Macedonia.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Grujic2022,

title = {Personal Freedom and Public Responsibility: Remaining Questions after First Case of HIV Transmission via Blood Transfusion in North Serbia},

author = {Jasmina Grujic and Nevenka Bujandric and Pavle Banović},

editor = {Vito Fiore},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10081397},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-07-27},

urldate = {2022-07-27},

journal = {Healthcare},

volume = {10},

number = {8},

abstract = {The reduction in the risk of transfusion-transmissible infections (including HIV infection) is an essential part of transfusion patient care. Here, we report the first incident of HIV transmission via transfusion in north Serbia due to blood donor dishonesty, and the failure of the laboratory screen tests to detect the presence of HIV particles in his blood. Infected blood products were distributed to two recipients, and HIV infection was confirmed in one. This incident finally led to the implementation of Nucleic Acid Amplification Technology as mandatory testing of blood donors for HIV infection in Serbia and raised many questions related to the responsibility and ethics of all the participants in the blood transfusion supply chain. There is a need for the implementation of modern and non-discriminative laws in Serbia in order to reduce transfusion-transmissible infections. In addition, transfusion institutes in Serbia need to be obliged to pursue the constant upgrade of their diagnostic capacities in order to prevent similar incidents and to provide the best possible care for blood donation recipients.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Grujić2021,

title = {Demographic and Clinical Factors Associated with Reactivity of Anti-SARS-CoV-2 Antibodies in Serbian Convalescent Plasma Donors},

author = {Jasmina Grujić and Nevenka Bujandrić and Zorana Budakov-Obradović and Vladimir Dolinaj and Nebojša Savić and Damir Bogdan and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz and Dragana Mijatović and Verica Simin and Nikola Anđelić and Pavle Banović},

editor = {Robert Cole-bunders and Jacob Souopgui},

url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/1/42},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010042},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-12-21},

journal = {International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health},

abstract = {Passive immunotherapy with convalescent COVID-19 plasma (CCP) is used as a therapeutic procedure in many countries, including Serbia. In this study, we analyzed the association between demographic factors, COVID-19 severity and the reactivity of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (Abs) in Serbian CCP donors. Individuals (n = 468) recovered from confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection, and who were willing to donate their plasma for passive immunization of COVID-19 patients were enrolled in the study. Plasma samples were tested for the presence of IgG reactive to SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoprotein (S1) and nucleocapsid antigens. Individuals were characterized according to age, gender, comorbidities, COVID-19 severity, ABO blood type and RhD factor. Total of 420 candidates (420/468; 89.74%) reached the levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG that qualified them for inclusion in CCP donation program. Further statistical analysis showed that male individuals (p = 0.034), older age groups (p < 0.001), existence of hypertension (p = 0.008), and severe COVID-19 (p = 0.000) are linked with higher levels of anti-SARS-CoV-2 Abs. These findings will guide the selection of CCP donors in Serbia. Further studies need to be conducted to assess the neutralization potency and clinical efficiency of CCP collected from Serbian donors with high anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG reactivity.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Charles2021,

title = {Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases in Central America and the Caribbean: A One Health Perspective},

author = {Roxanne A. Charles and Sergio Bermúdez and Pavle Banović and Dasiel Obregon and Adrian Alberto Díaz-Sánchez and Belkis Corona-González and Eric Marcel Charles Etter and Islay Rodríguez González and Abdul Gaffar and Abdul Jabbar and Sara Moutailler and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz},

editor = {Mária Kazimírová},

url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/10/1273},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens10101273},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-27},

journal = {Pathogens},

volume = {10},

number = {10},

abstract = {Ticks have complex life cycles which involve blood-feeding stages found on wild and

domestic animals, with humans as accidental hosts. At each blood-feeding stage, ticks can transmit

and/or acquire pathogens from their hosts. Therefore, the circulation of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs),

especially the zoonotic ones, should be studied in a multi-layered manner, including all components

of the chain of infections, following the ‘One Health’ tenets. The implementation of such an approach

requires coordination among major stakeholders (such as veterinarians, physicians, acarologists,

and researchers) for the identification of exposure and infection risks and application of effective

prevention measures. In this review, we summarize our current knowledge on the epidemiology of

tick-borne diseases in Central America and the Caribbean and the challenges associated with the

implementation of ‘One Health’ surveillance and control programs in the region.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Milan2021,

title = {Intestinal helminth infections in the golden jackal (Canis aureus L.) from Vojvodina: Hotspot area of multilocular echinococcosis in Serbia},

author = {Miljevic Milan and Simin Verica and Blagojevic Jelena and Cabrilo Borislav and Bjelic-Cabrilo Olivera},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1556/004.2021.00030},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-09-06},

urldate = {2021-09-06},

journal = {Acta Veterinaria Hungarica},

volume = {69},

number = {3},

abstract = {In the present study, 64 golden jackals were examined for intestinal helminths in three regions of Vojvodina, Serbia. Among the examined jackals 57.8% were infected with at least one parasite species. Using the intestinal scraping technique (SCT), eight species of intestinal helminths were found: Alaria alata (7.8%), Toxascaris leonina (9.4%), Toxocara canis (4.7%), Uncinaria stenocephala (20.3%), Echinococcus multilocularis (14.1%), Mesocestoides sp. (42.2%), Taenia pisiformis, and Taenia hydatigena (the overall prevalence of Taenia infection was 6.3%). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of T. leonina in jackals from Serbia. In comparison with the SCT results, coprological tests were less sensitive and specific for parasite identification, as only two nematode species (T. leonina and T. canis) as well as ancylostomatid and taeniid eggs were identified. The total prevalence of intestinal helminths was higher in males (71.9% males, 45% females), but the difference was not statistically significant (χ 2 = 3.76; P = 0.052). Co-infection with two species of intestinal helminths was found in 35% of the examined golden jackal individuals, three-species co-infection was demonstrated in 21.6%, whereas four-species co-infection was detected in 2.7% of the golden jackals examined. Echinococcus multilocularis has previously been recorded in jackals and foxes in Serbia, but only in Vojvodina. Our results corroborate the findings of previous studies, and indicate that the Vojvodina Province, more specifically the Srem region, is probably a high-risk area for E. multilocularis transmission to humans.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}