@article{nokeyn,

title = {Tick-borne pathogen diversity and clinical impact of tick-infestation in Serbia and North Macedonia},

author = {Jakimovski D and Banović P and Mateska S and Stavrova M and Stamenkovska A and Bosilkovski M and Mijatović D and Bogdan I and Simin V and Lis K and Diaz-Sanchez AA and Obregon D and Moutailler S and Foucault-Simonin A and Zając Z and Griffith N and Cabezas-Cruz A},

url = {https://www.pasterovzavod.rs/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/2026-Tick-bornepathogendiversityandclinicalimpactoftick-infestationinSerbiaandNorthMacedonia.pdf},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2026.102626},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-03-17},

journal = {Ticks Tick Borne Dis. 2026 Mar 17;17(3):102626.},

abstract = {A B S T R A C T

Ticks and tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) pose an expanding health threat across Europe, yet few studies link tick infection data directly to human clinical outcomes. We conducted a prospective, cross-border “One Health” study in Serbia and North Macedonia to assess the prevalence, diversity, and potential transmission of TBPs from ticks to humans. A total of 133 tick-infested patients were enrolled at two healthcare centers (112 in Skopje, 26 in Novi Sad), and 135 ticks were collected from these individuals, alongside paired blood and serum samples.

Overall, TBP DNA was detected in 66.6 % of ticks, with Rickettsia helvetica (25.9 %) and Rickettsia monacensis (12.5 %) were most common. Mixed infections occurred in 15 % of ticks, with up to three pathogens cooccurring.

Other detected TBPs included Borrelia afzelii, Borrelia garinii, Borrelia lusitaniae, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, Babesia microti, and Babesia divergens. Four patients (3 %) had detectable pathogen DNA in blood, primarily Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma spp., yet remained asymptomatic. Most common clinical outcome during the observation period was local hypersensitivity reaction (21.1 %), while α-Gal sensitization was detected in two cases. Phylogenetic analysis revealed Balkan Rickettsia and Borrelia strains were mostly identical to Western and Central European lineages, with a notable exception: a Bo. garinii strain from North Macedonia clustered with strains from Russia and China, indicating possible long-distance introduction. The present study demonstrates that human exposure to multiple TBPs is common and while asymptomatic bloodstream infections do occur, local hypersensitivity reactions are much more common.},

keywords = {Balkans, Ixodes, Tick-borne pathogens, ticks, α-Gal},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokeyi,

title = {Probable Lyme carditis in pacemaker candidates with atrioventricular block: Preliminary results from northern Serbia},

author = {Gazibara D and Simin V and Bogdan I and Milovančev A and Redžek A and Kovačević D and Banović P},

url = {https://www.pasterovzavod.rs/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Probable-Lyme-carditis-in-pacemaker-candidates-with-atrioventricular.pdf},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2026.108488},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-02-12},

urldate = {2026-02-12},

journal = {Int J Infect Dis. 2026 Apr;165:108488.},

abstract = {a b s t r a c t 

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate the proportion of patients with newly diagnosed cardiac conduc- tion disorders requiring pacemaker implantation who have serological findings consistent with probable Lyme carditis in endemic northern Serbia. Methods: Adults presenting with new conduction disorders and scheduled for permanent pacing were enrolled and provided serum at baseline and 4-week follow-up. Anti- Borrelia immunoglobulin (Ig)G was assessed using a two-tier algorithm (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay screening, immunoblot confir- mation). Probable Lyme carditis was defined as IgG seroconversion or stable/rising titers; no Lyme carditis was defined as persistent seronegativity or declining titers. Results: Of 80 enrolled patients, 74 completed follow-up (92.5%; mean age 71.6 years; 68.9% male). Third- degree atrioventricular block was most frequent (56.8%). Probable Lyme carditis was identified in eight of 74 (10.8%) patients. Of 14 patients who were enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay–reactive/borderline, six (42.9%) were immunoblot-negative. Seropositive patients were older (age 76.3 vs 71.1 years); titers were higher in men at 4 weeks. IgG positivity was associated with suspected Lyme carditis (relative risk 6.8 at baseline; 16.2 at 4 weeks). No participant reported a recent tick bite or erythema migrans. Conclusion: Approximately one in 10 pacemaker candidates showed serological patterns compatible with probable Lyme carditis. Incorporating two-tier paired serology into evaluation of high-grade conduction disorders in endemic settings may improve etiologic diagnosis and inform management.},

keywords = {Atrioventricular block, Borrelia burgdorferi, Lyme carditis, Pacemaker, Serologic tests},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokeyj,

title = {Dominance of Ixodes ricinus and Emergence of Hyalomma marginatum Among Ticks Removed from Humans in Serbia and North Macedonia (2022–2024)},

author = {Radevska, A.M and Mateska, S and Stamenkovska, A and Najdovska, M and Stevanoska, S and Simin, V and Bogdan, I and Mijatović, D and Jakimovski, D and Banović, P},

url = {https://www.pasterovzavod.rs/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Dominance-of-Ixodes-ricinus-and-Emergence-of-Hyalomma.pdf},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/parasitologia6010006},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-01-15},

urldate = {2026-01-15},

journal = {Parasitologia 2026, 6, 6.},

abstract = {Abstract

Tick-borne diseases are rising across Europe, yet human-biting tick data from the central Balkans remain limited. We analysed ticks removed from patients seeking care after tick bites at centers in Skopje (North Macedonia) and Novi Sad (Serbia) between January 2022 and December 2024, recording species, developmental stage, month of removal, and anatomical attachment site. A total of 1641 ticks were collected (North Macedonia, n = 157; Serbia, n = 1484) and identified morphologically. Six tick species were detected in North Macedonia and eight in Serbia. Ixodes ricinus was dominant in both countries, comprising ~69% of ticks in North Macedonia and >90% in Serbia, while Hyalomma marginatum was found in North Macedonia. Adult females predominated among ticks in North Macedonia (75.8%), whereas nymphs were most frequent among ticks in Serbia (55.6%); between-center comparisons of developmental stage should be interpreted cautiously given the marked sampling imbalance. In both settings, collections peaked in May–June (~64% of annual ticks), indicating highest bite pressure in late spring/early summer. Attachment sites were most commonly the torso and lower extremities, with significant between-country differences and species-/stage-specific patterns most evident in Serbia. These data refine the epidemiology of human tick exposure in two Balkan countries and support targeted seasonal prevention messaging and strengthened regional surveillance.},

keywords = {attachment site, Balkans, human tick bites, Hyalomma marginatum, Ixodes ricinus, North Macedonia, seasonality, Serbia, tick surveillance},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokeyl,

title = {Differential Exposure to Borrelia spp. and Spotted Fever Group Rickettsia in Serbia and North Macedonia: A Comparative Study},

author = {Jakimovski, D and Mateska, S and Najdovska, M and Stamenkovska, A and Pavleva, V and Bosilkovski, M and Mijatović, D and Simin, V and Bogdan, I and Grujić, J and et al.},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens14080814},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-08-15},

urldate = {2025-08-15},

journal = {Pathogens 2025, 14, 814.},

abstract = {Abstract

Several diseases caused by tick-borne pathogens, including Lyme borreliosis (LB) and spotted fever group rickettsioses, are endemic in the Balkan Peninsula, positioned between Central Europe and the Middle East. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess serological exposure to Borrelia spp. and spotted fever group Rickettsiae (SFGR) among individuals with recent tick bites and healthy controls in two Balkan countries—Serbia and North Macedonia. Serum samples from 223 participants were tested for anti-Borrelia and anti-SFGR IgG antibodies. SFGR exposure was significantly higher in tick-exposed individuals from Skopje (North Macedonia) compared to those from Novi Sad (Serbia) (30.9% vs. 8.0%; p = 0.003). In contrast, anti-Borrelia IgG was more frequently detected in Novi Sad, though differences did not reach statistical significance. The findings support a north-to-south gradient in Borrelia exposure and a reverse trend for SFGR, consistent with earlier studies and regional tick infection data. Given the high SFGR exposure and limited clinical reporting in North Macedonia, the results highlight the likelihood that tick-borne rickettsioses remain under-recognized. Additionally, Borrelia exposure in North Macedonia warrants further investigation. These findings emphasize the need for enhanced tick-borne disease surveillance, identification of endemic zones, and improved diagnostic and public health infrastructure in both countries.},

keywords = {Balkans, Borrelia, North Macedonia, rickettsia, Serbia, tick-borne diseases},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokeyf,

title = {Prevalencija tvrdih krpelja koji infestiraju ljude u Južnobačkom okrugu: povezanost starosne dobi i lokalizacije infestacije sa razvojnim stadijumima krpelja},

author = {Stevanoska S and Simin V and Bogdan I and Gazibara D and Mijatović D and Stojšić A and Banović P},

url = {https://www.pasterovzavod.rs/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Prevalencija-tvrdih-krpelja-koji-infestiraju.pdf},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.5937/pomc22-5502},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-08-11},

urldate = {2025-08-11},

journal = {PONS Med J. 2025;22(1):3–8.},

abstract = {APSTRAKT

Cilj. 

Cilj istraživanja je bio utvrditi prevalenciju različitih vrsta krpelja koje infestiraju ljude, korelaciju između starosti pacijenata sa delom tela koji je bio zahvaćen infestacijom, kao i broj infestacija ljudi u periodu 1.1.2023 - 31.12.2023.

Metode. 

U istraživanje su bili uključeni pacijenti sa mestom prebivališta u Južnobačkom okrugu, a koji su se javili u Pasterov zavod sa već uklonjenim ili pričvršćenim krpeljom. Pacijenti su na osnovu starosti bili podeljeni u 8 starosnih kategorija: 1-10 godina, 11-20 godina, 21-30 godina, 31-40 godina, 41-50 godina, 51-60 godina, 61-70 godina i 71-80 godina. Istraživanje je uključivalo asocijacije starosnih kategorija u odnosu na zahvaćene delove tela (glava i vrat, gornji ekstremitet, donji ekstremitet, torzo i genitalni region), broj uklonjenih krpelja, kao i razvojne stadijume krpelja (adult, nimfa, larva).},

keywords = {faktori rizika, krpelji, lajmska bolest, Srbija},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokeym,

title = {One health investigation following a cluster of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever, North Macedonia, July to November 2023},

author = {Jakimovski D and Banović P and Spasovska K and Rangelov G and Cvetanovska M and Cana F and Simin V and Bogdan I and Mijatović D and Cvetkovikj A and Djadjovski I and Christova I and Meletis E and Kostoulas P and Zana B and Lanszki Z and Görföl T and Tauber Z and Kemenesi G},

url = {https://www.pasterovzavod.rs/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/One-health-investigation-following-a-cluster-of.pdf},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2025.30.4.2400286},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-30},

urldate = {2025-01-30},

journal = {Euro Surveill. 2025 Jan;30(4):2400286.},

abstract = {Background: Crimean–Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) is a severe illness characterised by fever, bleeding and high case-fatality rates. The disease is caused by CCHF virus (CCHFV), transmitted by ticks

and infectious body fluids and tissues. Aim: After CCHF was diagnosed in three persons in 2023, we aimed to investigate the presence of antibodies against CCHFV in healthcare workers (HCW), sheep and goats, and of CCHFV in ticks, in an area in North Macedonia and characterise virus strains. Methods: In 2023, we collected blood samples from HCWs involved in treating CCHF patients and sera and ticks from sheep and goats in the village in North Macedonia where the index case resided. The blood samples were analysed by ELISA. Ticks were tested for presence of CCHFV, and the virus from a CCHF case was sequenced. 

Results: Samples from four of 52 HCWs and 10 of 17 small ruminants had antibodies against CCHFV. The virus was not detected from any of the 24 Rhipicephalus bursa ticks.

The virus strain from the index case clustered with regional strains within the Europe-1 lineage (genotype V) group and was closest to strains from Kosovo‡.

Conclusion: This report shows CCHFV is endemic in North Macedonia. Raising awareness of the risk factors and educating people about the measures they can take to reduce exposure to the virus is important. Healthcare workers need to be aware of the disease. Early detection, robust diagnostic methods, surveillance and collaborative efforts are necessary to prevent and control CCHF in the affected regions.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokeyk,

title = {Genetic and Immunological Insights into Tick-Bite Hypersensitivity and Alpha-Gal Syndrome: A Case Study Approach},

author = {Banović P and Jakimovski D and Mijatović D and Bogdan I and Simin V and Grujić J and Vojvodić S and Vučković N and Lis K and Meletis E and Kostoulas P and Cvetkova Mladenovska M and Foucault-Simonin A and Moutailler S and Mateos-Hernández L and Cabezas-Cruz A},

url = {https://www.pasterovzavod.rs/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Genetic_and_Immunological_Insights_into_Tick-Bite_-1.pdf},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms26020680},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-14},

urldate = {2025-01-14},

journal = {Int J Mol Sci. 2025 Jan 15;26(2):680. },

abstract = {Abstract: Tick-bite hypersensitivity encompasses a range of clinical manifestations, from localized allergic reactions to systemic conditions like alpha-gal syndrome (AGS), an IgEmediated allergy to galactose-α-1,3-galactose (α-Gal). This study investigated the clinical, molecular, immunological, and genetic features of two hypersensitivity cases. Two cases were analyzed: a 30-year-old woman with fixed drug reaction (FDR)-like hypersensitivity and a 10-year-old girl with AGS exhibiting borderline α-Gal-specific IgE. Diagnostic methods included allergen-specific IgE quantification, HLA genotyping, histopathological examination, and the molecular detection of tick-borne pathogens using microfluidic PCR.

Case I demonstrated histopathological features of chronic lymphocytic inflammation and eosinophilic infiltrates, with HLA-B13 and DRB113 alleles indicating genetic susceptibility to hypersensitivity, while histological findings suggested a localized FDR-like reaction. Case II exhibited borderline α-Gal-specific IgE, resolving completely with a mammalianfree diet. The presence of HLA-DRB101 and DQB1*05 in the second patient indicated a genetic predisposition to AGS and other atopic conditions. No infectious etiology was identified in either case. These findings emphasize the heterogeneity of tick-related hypersensitivity and the importance of HLA genotypes in susceptibility. Comprehensive molecular, immunological, and genetic profiling offers valuable insights into the mechanisms of hypersensitivity, supporting personalized approaches for the diagnosis and management of tick-induced allergic conditions.},

keywords = {alpha-gal syndrome, fixed drug reaction, genetic predisposition, HLA polymorphisms, tickbite hypersensitivity;, ticks},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokey,

title = {Značaj Pasterovog zavoda u Novom Sadu za prevenciju i suzbijanje besnila u Republici Srbiji},

author = {Gazibara D and Ključar M and Simin V and Bogdan I and Mijatović D and Stojšić A},

url = {https://www.pasterovzavod.rs/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/ZNACAJ-PASTEROVOG-ZAVODA-U-NOVOM-SADU-ZA-PREVENCIJU-I-SUZBIJANJE-BESNILA.pdf},

doi = {https://www.doi.org/10.5937/zdravzast54-56980},

year  = {2025},

date = {2025-01-13},

urldate = {2025-01-13},

journal = {Zdravstvena zaštita. 2025;54(1):80–91.},

abstract = {SAŽETAK

Besnilo je smrtonosna zoonotska bolest, koja se javlja u više od 150 zemalja i predstavlja javnozdravsteveni problem za više od tri milijarde ljudi u svetu. U Evropi je besnilo kod životinja prisutno u Ukrajni, Belorusiji, Poljskoj, Moldaviji, Rusiji i Rumuniji, a pojedinačni slučajevi su prisutni i u drugim zemljama. Najveći broj slučajeva humanog besnila je prisutan u Aziji i Africi. Cilj ovog preglednog rada je bio da se predstavi značaj Pasterovog zavoda u Novom Sadu za suzbijanje i prevenciju besnila u Republici Srbiji. Podaci za ovaj rad su prikupljeni iz različitih baza podataka (Web of Science, PubMed, Google Scholar), biltena itd.

Pasterov zavod u Novom Sadu je Nacionalna referentna zdravstvena ustanova za besnilo u Republici Srbiji. Sve delatnosti potrebne u borbi protiv besnila su zastupljene u okviru ove ustanove: pružanje antirabične zaštite ljudima ugroženim od besnila primenom vakcine protiv besnila sa kulture ćelija i humanog antirabičnog imunoglobulina (HRIG), preventivna imunizacija visokorizične populacije, pružanje

stručno-metodološke pomoći i stručni nadzor nad radom 27 antirabičnih stanica (ARS) u Republici Srbiji, snabdevanje HRIG-om i vakcinom protiv besnila svih ARS, utvrđivanje doktrinskih i stručno-medicinskih stavova iz oblasti antirabične zaštite, praćenje kretanja besnila, izrada izveštaja i obaveštavanje ARS i organa vlasti o svakom registrovanom slučaju besnila u zemlji, predlaganje i sprovodjenje mera za njegovo suzbijanje, dijagnostika besnila u okviru nacionalne referentne laboratorije za besnilo, kontrola postignutog imuniteta nakon imunizacije ljudi i životinja. Regionalni projekat oralne vakcinacije lisica protiv besnila se od 2010. godine sprovodi na teritoriji Republike Srbije, a od 2011. godine monitoring uspešnosti vakcinacije. U Republici Srbiji, urbano besnilo je eliminisano 1980. godine, kao i poslednji slučaj humanog besnila na teritoriji pokrajine Kosovo i Metohija, dok je poslednji slučaj silvatičnog besnila lisica u Srbiji registrovan 2018. godine. U cilju eradikacije besnila neophodna je sinhronizovana aktivnost zdravstvene i veterinarske službe, kao i saradnja na lokalnom, nacionalnom i internacionalnom nivou.},

keywords = {besnilo, epidemiologija, istorija, javno zdravlje, Pasterov zavod},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokey,

title = {Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Infection in a Two-Year-Old Child Returning from Switzerland (July-August 2023): Is It Time for TBE Immunization of Serbian Travelers? Pathogens},

author = {Simin V and Ležakov O and Bogdan I and Mijatović D and Gazibara D and Popović-Dragonjić L and Vijatov Đurić G and Milanović B and Kesić J and Đuretić A and Ábrahám Á and Lanszki Z and Kemenesi G and Zana B and Bányai K and Zając Z and Jakimovski D and Cabezas-Cruz A and Banović P},

url = {https://www.pasterovzavod.rs/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tick-Borne_Encephalitis_Virus_Infection_in_a_Two-Y.pdf},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens13111013},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-11-18},

urldate = {2024-11-18},

journal = {Pathogens. 2024 Nov 18;13(11):1013. },

abstract = {Abstract: Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is a vaccine-preventable viral infection that poses significant public health challenges, particularly in regions where tick-borne diseases are endemic. This case report describes a 2-year-old boy with confirmed abortive TBEV infection following a tick bite during travel to Switzerland. The patient developed fever and mild symptoms but did not exhibit central nervous system involvement. The case underscores the importance of raising awareness among healthcare providers and travelers from non-endemic areas, such as Serbia, about TBE risk and the potential benefits of  reventive vaccination. Strategic immunization campaigns could mitigate the public health impact of travel-related TBE},

keywords = {Ixodes ricinus, Serbia, TBEV, travel medicine, vaccination},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokeyg,

title = {Sensitivity and Specificity of Radiographic and Ultrasonographic Imaging in the Detection of Canine Urinary Bladder Urolithiasis},

author = {Vukomanović and Annamaria Galfi and et al.},

url = {https://www.pasterovzavod.rs/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Sensitivity_and_Specificity_of_Radiographic_and_Ultrasonographic_Imaging_in_the_Detection_of_Canine_.pdf},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.2478/contagri-2025-0004},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-10-24},

urldate = {2024-10-24},

journal = {Contemporary Agriculture, vol. 74, no. 1-2, University of Novi Sad, 2025, pp. 21-27.},

abstract = {ABSTRACT

Urolithiasis is a common condition in dogs which necessitates rapid diagnosis due to the potential complications associated with the presence of uroliths. This study aimed to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging in the detection of urolithiasis in dogs, using cystotomy findings as the reference standard. The study also sought to identify the most appropriate imaging modality based on the results obtained. A total of 117 dogs of different breeds, ages, sexes, and body weights, all presenting with one or more clinical signs of urinary tract disease, were examined. Following a general clinical examination, all the affected animals underwent both radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging. The final diagnosis was established through surgical removal of uroliths from the urinary bladder. A total of 35.04% (41/117) of the dogs were confirmed to have urinary bladder uroliths. Radiography detected uroliths in 33 of 41 cases, whereas ultrasonography identified uroliths in 35 of 41 cases. The sensitivity of radiography and ultrasonography in detecting uroliths was 80.49% and 85.37%, respectively. Ultrasonography demonstrated superior efficacy and accuracy compared to radiography attributable to its higher diagnostic performance. Nevertheless, the combined use of both radiographic and ultrasonographic imaging is recommended for the diagnosis of canine urolithiasis, as their combined application enhances diagnostic sensitivity.},

keywords = {dog, radiology, ultrasound, uroliths, x-ray},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokeyd,

title = {Tick-borne diseases at the crossroads of the Middle East and central Europe},

author = {Banović P and Jakimovski D and Bogdan I and Simin V and Mijatović D and Bosilkovski M and Mateska S and Díaz-Sánchez AA and Foucault-Simonin A and Zając Z and Kulisz J and Moutailler S and Cabezas-Cruz A},

url = {https://www.pasterovzavod.rs/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Tick-borne-diseases-at-the-crossroads-of-the-Middle-East-and-central-Europe.pdf},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.idnow.2024.104959},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-07-24},

journal = {Infect Dis Now. 2024 Sep;54(6):104959.},

abstract = {A B S T R A C T

Objectives: The Balkan Peninsula, acting as a crossroad between central Europe and the Middle East, presents diverse ecosystems supporting various tick species capable of transmitting TBDs. This study  ocuses on Serbia and North Macedonia, both endemic for TBDs, aiming to investigate human-biting ticks’ prevalence, TBD prevalence, and major TBPs in blood samples. 



Patients and Methods: This  rospective observational study was conducted in 2022 at two medical centers, involving 45 patients from Novi Sad, Serbia, and 17 patients from Skopje, North Macedonia. All participants had either a tick still attached or had had one removed within the preceding 48 h. The study consisted in clinical evaluations of patients and testing of patient samples and ticks for tick-borne pathogens using a High-Throughput pathogen detection system based on microfluidic real-time PCR. In addition, the study assessed the genetic diversity of the identified pathogens. Results: Ixodes ricinus was the most prevalent tick species, with varying infestation rates across various body parts. Tick species and feeding times differed between Novi Sad and Skopje. TBPs were prevalent, with Rickettsia spp. dominant in Skopje and a mix including Rickettsia aeschlimannii, Rickettsia monacensis, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Borrelia afzelii in Novi Sad. Subclinical bacteremia occurred in 8.06% of cases, mostly involving Anaplasma spp. Clinical manifestations, primarily local hypersensitivity reactions, were observed in six patients. Phylogenetic analysis confirmed R. aeschlimannii and R. monacensis identity, highlighting genetic  ifferences in gltA gene sequences.



Conclusions: This study sheds light on the prevalence and diversity of TBPs in tick-infested individuals from Serbia and North Macedonia, contributing valuable insights into the epidemiology of TBDs in the Balkan region.},

keywords = {Balkans, Epidemiology, Tick-borne diseases (TBDs), Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs), ticks},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokey,

title = {One health approach to study human health risks associated with Dermanyssus gallinae mites},

author = {Pavle Banović and Angélique Foucault-Simonin and Luka Papić and Sara Savić and Aleksandar Potkonjak and et al..},

url = {https://www.pasterovzavod.rs/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/One-health-approach-to-study-human-health-risks-associated-with.pdf},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e30539},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-04-29},

urldate = {2024-04-29},

journal = {Heliyon, 2024, 10 (9), pp.e30539. },

abstract = {A B S T R A C T

Despite the significant health risks associated with Dermanyssus gallinae infestations in humans, they are often overlooked. This study investigated a household case of D. gallinae infestation and explored the resulting clinical manifestations and risk of infection in family members. Microfluidic PCR was employed for high-throughput screening of pathogens in collected mites and blood samples from both  hickens and family members. Morphological and molecular examinations confirmed the identity of the mites as D. gallinae sensu stricto (s.s.), with evidence indicating recent blood feeding. Results  ndicated that the mites exclusively harbored various pathogens, including Bartonella spp., Ehrlichia spp., Apicomplexa, and Theileria spp. Blood samples from family members and poultry tested negative for  hese pathogens, suggesting a potential reservoir role for D. gallinae. The study further identified haplotypes of D. gallinae, classifying them into D. gallinae s.s., cosmopolitan haplogroup A. Serological  nalysis revealed elevated IgE seroreactivity against mite proteins in the family member with bite lesions. },

keywords = {Allergy, One Health, Pathogens, Red mites},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokeyh,

title = {Stavovi zaposlenih o načinu upravljanja i organizovanja procesa rada u Zavodu za antirabičnu zaštitu – Pasterov zavod, Novi Sad},

author = {Gazibara D and Ključar M and Stojšić A and Mijatović D and Banović P},

url = {https://www.pasterovzavod.rs/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/STAVOVI-ZAPOSLENIH-O-NACINU-UPRAVLJANJA-I-ORGANIZOVANJA-PROCESA-RADA-U.pdf},

doi = {https://www.doi.org/10.5937/zdravzast53-48128},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-03-21},

urldate = {2024-03-21},

journal = {Zdravstvena zaštita 53(1), 2024},

abstract = {SAŽETAK

Uvod/Cilj: Menadžment u zdravstvu igra ključnu ulogu u unapređenju poslovanja zdravstvenih ustanova, integraciji tehnologije i razvoju ljudskih resursa. Cilj našeg istraživanja je bio da se ispitaju stavovi

zaposlenih u Zavodu za antirabičnu zaštitu - Pasterov zavod, Novi Sad (ZARZ Pasterov zavod, Novi Sad) o samoj organizaciji, organizacionoj klimi (tj. atmosferi i odnosima koji vladaju u organizaciji među

zaposlenima, prvenstveno između rukovodilaca i ostalih članova kolektiva) i rukovođenju.

Metode: Sprovedeno je istraživanje među 19 zaposlenih, na platformi Google form, koristeći modifikovanu verziju upitnika The Work Design Questionnaire koji sadrži 8 demografskih pitanja o ispitaniku i 26

pitanja (tvrdnji) koja se odnose na predmet istraživanja. Respondenti, koji su činili 86,4% od ukupno 22 zaposlena, iskazali su nivo saglasnosti sa tvrdnjom koristeći skalu sa ocenamaod 1 do 5.

Rezultati: Većina ispitanika smatra da su funkcije, ciljevi i odgovornosti unutar Pasterovog zavoda-Novi Sad, jasno definisani. Stav zaposlenih je da postoji prostor za povećanje učešća zaposlenih u donošenju odluka.

Zaključak: Neophodno je uvođenje participativnijeg pristupa u procesu donošenja odluka u ustanovi i implementacija mera usmerenih ka maksimalnom korišćenju sposobnosti zaposlenih, unapređenju

komunikacije i informisanja zaposlenih, uključivanje zaposlenih u proces odlučivanja, jačanju međusobnog poverenja i razvoju timskog duha kako bi se unapredila efikasnost ustanove i postiglo održivo poboljšanje organizacione klime i rada rukovodstva u Pasterovom zavodu-Novi Sad.},

keywords = {angažovanost zaposlenih, organizaciona klima, organizaciona struktura, upravljanje u zdravstvu},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{nokey,

title = {Real-world evidence of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis in Serbia: Nation-wide observational study (2017–2019)},

author = {Pavle Banović and Dragana Mijatović and Verica Simin and Nenad Vranješ and Eleftherios Meletis and Polychronis Kostoulas and Dasiel Obregon and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2024.102697},

year  = {2024},

date = {2024-02-17},

journal = {Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease},

abstract = {Background

Rabies remains a deadly zoonotic disease, primarily prevalent in Eastern European countries, with a significant global burden in Asia and Africa. Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is critical to prevent clinical rabies. Serbia, a country with a relatively low animal rabies incidence, has been implementing a 4-dose Essen PEP regimen for 13 years. This real-world study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the 4-dose Essen regimen, considering demographic and clinical factors, after WHO Category III exposure.



Method

The study included 601 patients who received the 4-dose Essen PEP and 79 who received an additional 5th dose.



Results

Age emerged as a critical factor influencing seroconversion rates after the 4-dose regimen, with older individuals exhibiting lower RVNA titers. Logistic regression indicated a 3.18% decrease in seroconversion odds for each added year of age. The Cox proportional hazards mixed model highlighted age-related risks, with age groups 45–60 and 75–92 at the highest risk of non-seroconversion. Human Rabies Immune Globulin (HRIG) administration was associated with lower RVNA values after the 4-dose regimen, suggesting interference with vaccine immunogenicity among people who received larger doses of HRIG.



Conclusions

This study provides valuable real-world evidence for rabies PEP in a non-homogeneous population with potential comorbidities. The results underscore the importance of optimizing PEP strategies, particularly in older individuals, and reconsidering HRIG dosing to improve seroconversion rates.},

keywords = {immunization, Rabies, seroconversion, vaccine},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Banović2023c,

title = {Evidence of tick-borne encephalitis virus neutralizing antibodies in Serbian individuals exposed to tick bites},

author = {Pavle Banović and Dragana Mijatović and Ivana Bogdan and Verica Simin and Eleftherios Meletis and Polychronis Kostoulas and Katarina Resman Rus and Nataša Knap and Misa Korva and Tatjana Avsic Zupanc and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz},

doi = {10.3389/fmicb.2023.1314538},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-12-12},

urldate = {2023-11-23},

journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},

volume = {14},

abstract = {Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is an emerging vector-borne and food-borne disease caused by the tickborne encephalitis virus (TBEV; Orthoflavivirus encephalitidis), with a distribution spanning the Eurasian continent. Despite its significant public health impact in various European regions, TBE remains largely underdiagnosed in Serbia due to limited awareness and diagnostic challenges. In response to this, our study aimed to comprehensively assess TBEV exposure in individuals infested with ticks and to identify potential TBEV foci within Serbia. From 2019 to 2021, we conducted an observational study involving 450 patients who reported tick infestations. Our demographic analysis revealed a median age of 38 years, with a slight male predominance among the participants. We documented tick infestations in 38 municipalities across 14 districts of Serbia, with a notable concentration in proximity to Fruška Gora Mountain. The ticks most frequently removed were Ixodes ricinus, with nymphs and adult females being the predominant stages. On average, nymphs were removed after about 27.1 hours of feeding, while adult females remained attached for approximately 44.4 hours. Notably, we found age as a significant predictor of infestation time for both nymphs and adult females. Furthermore, we detected TBEV-neutralizing antibodies in 0.66% of the serum samples, shedding light on potential TBEV foci, particularly in Fruška Gora Mountain and other regions of Serbia. In conclusion, our study emphasizes the urgent need for active TBE surveillance programs, especially in areas suspected of hosting TBEV foci, in order to assess the true TBE burden, identify atrisk populations, and implement effective preventive measures.},

keywords = {Serbia, tick-borne encephalitis, tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV), ticks},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dragonjić2023,

title = {Cordylobia anthropophaga Myiasis Mimicking Hyperproliferative Skin Disorder in Traveler Returning from Sub-Saharan Africa},

author = {Lidija Popović Dragonjić and Andrija Jović and Irena Janković and Jelena Miladinović and Aleksandar Ranković and Maja Cvetanović and Relja Beck and Dinko Novosel and Thomas Pape and Pavle Banović},

editor = {Harunor Rashid},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed8110505},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-11-20},

journal = {Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease},

abstract = {Myiasis is one of the most common skin diseases found in travelers returning from tropical and subtropical regions, where humans living in or visiting the African continent are most commonly infested by C. anthropophaga during the rainy season in regions with a warm climate. Here, we present a case of furuncular myiasis caused by C. anthropophaga in a Serbian patient returning from temporary work in Kenya, where the initial histology of skin lesion mimicked hyperproliferative skin disorder.},

keywords = {C. antropophaga, myiasis, pathohistology, returning traveller, Serbia},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Banović2023b,

title = {Current Status and Challenges Associated with Tick-Borne Pathogens and Diseases: Where Do We Stand?},

author = {Pavle Banović and Islay Rodríguez González and Dejan Jakimovski},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12101271},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-10-23},

journal = {Pathogens},

volume = {12},

number = {1271},

issue = {10},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Jakimovski2023b,

title = {Cases of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever in North Macedonia, July to August 2023},

author = {Dejan Jakimovski and Krsto Grozdanovski and Goran Rangelov and Verica Pavleva and Pavle Banović and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz and Katerina Spasovska},

doi = {10.2807/1560-7917.ES.2023.28.34.2300409},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-08-24},

journal = {Eurosurveillance},

volume = {28},

issue = {34},

abstract = {The last report of Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF) in North Macedonia was more than 50 years ago in the northwest. We report on a fatal CCHF case following a Hyalomma tick bite in the east of the country in July 2023. Tracing of 67 contacts identified CCHF in one healthcare worker (HCW) providing care for the patient. Monitoring of contacts is concluded (including further 11 HCW contacts), thus far 28 days after the death of the case no additional cases were identified.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Jakimovski2023,

title = {Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus and Borrelia burgdorferi Seroprevalence in Balkan Tick-Infested Individuals: A Two-Centre Study},

author = {Dejan Jakimovski and Sofija Mateska and Emilija Dimitrova and Mile Bosilkovski and Dragana Mijatović and Verica Simin and Ivana Bogdan and Jasmina Grujić and Zorana Budakov Obradović and Eleftherios Meletis and Polychronis Kostoulas and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz and Pavle Banović},

editor = {José A. Oteo},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12070922},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-07-09},

urldate = {2023-07-09},

journal = {Pathogens},

volume = {12},

number = {922},

issue = {7},

abstract = {Lyme borreliosis (LB) and tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) are important tick-borne diseases in Europe. This study aimed to investigate the seroreactivity against Borrelia burgdorferi and TBE virus (TBEV) in tick-infested individuals in North Macedonia and Serbia. Serum samples were collected from tick-infested individuals and from healthy individuals in the same regions. Samples were tested for anti-Borrelia IgG reactivity and TBEV-neutralizing antibodies. Results showed higher seroreactivity against Borrelia antigens in patients and healthy donors from Novi Sad compared to those from the Skopje region. However, there was no statistically significant difference between tick-infested patients and healthy donors within each region. No TBEV-neutralizing antibodies were detected in participants from Novi Sad or in the control groups, except for one person from North Macedonia who had a moderate TBEV-neutralizing reaction. The study highlights the need for improved surveillance and diagnostic capabilities for LB and TBE in these regions. It also suggests the potential existence of TBEV foci in North Macedonia. The findings provide a complementary understanding of the LB and TBE epidemiology in the studied regions; however, further research is needed to investigate the presence and distribution of Borrelia spp. and TBEV in ticks to assess the significance of detected seroreactivity.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dolinaj2023,

title = {The Price of Hospital Reshaping: Nasal Myiasis Caused by Flesh Fly (Diptera: Sarcophagidae) in Reallocated COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit},

author = {Vladimir Dolinaj and Jasmina Grujić and Davor Križanović and Aleksandar Potkonjak and Thomas Pape and Pavle Banović},

editor = {Caterina Sagnelli},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare11111533},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-05-24},

journal = {Healthcare},

volume = {11},

number = {1533},

issue = {11},

abstract = {Myiasis is a condition characterized by fly larvae infestation, most common in tropical regions, but with a risk of occurring anywhere in the world. Here, we report a case of nasal myiasis caused by a sarcophagid fly in a critically ill COVID-19 patient hospitalized in a reallocated ICU department in Serbia and discuss procedures that could prevent the occurrence of similar incidents in reallocated ICU departments worldwide},

keywords = {COVID-19, ICU, myiasis},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Cabezas-Cruz2023,

title = {Understanding Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Foci, a Tale of Two Mountains},

author = {Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz and Pavle Banović},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/pathogens12020265},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-02-06},

journal = {Pathogens},

volume = {12},

issue = {2},

abstract = {What factors influence the formation and disappearance of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) foci? TBEV is member of the genus Flavivirus, family Flaviviridae, and is the most important viral pathogen transmitted by hard ticks in Europe [1]. In natural foci, this virus circulates between vertebrate hosts (e.g., small rodents of the genera Apodemus and Myodes) and the tick vectors that feed on them, mainly Ixodes ricinus but also Dermacentor reticulatus [2]. TBEV foci are complex microecosystems that are highly dependent on biotic and abiotic factors, which affect all components of TBEV transmission and the amplification chain [3]. The identification of TBEV foci is based on the detection of continuous

virus transmission and virus dispersion from TBEV-positive ticks to rodents and other mammals [4].},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Smieško2023,

title = {Povećana učestalost urinarnih infekcija izazvanih rodom Enterococcus kod pacijenata COVID-19 bolnice Kliničkog centra Vojvodine},

author = {Gordana Smieško and Marija Baros Brkljaca and Pavle Banović},

doi = {10.5937/pomc19-37033},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-20},

journal = {PONS - Medicinski časopis},

abstract = {Cilj. Ispitivanje učestalosti izolata različitih uropatogena kod pacijenata COVID-19 bolnice ,,Mišeluk’’ u poređenju sa pacijentima iz ne-COVID-19 zone Kliničkog Centra Vojvodine (KCV). 

Metode. Za potrebe ovog istraživanja sakupljene su informacije o izolatima iz urina upućenih iz COVID-19 bolnice i ne-COVID-19 zona KCV u tromesečnom periodu, pri čemu su uzorci iz ne-COVID-19 zone KCV služile kao kontrola.

Rezultat.: Od 449 nalaza pacijenata iz COVID-19 bolnice, najčešći nalaz su pripadnici roda Enterococcus, (216/449; 48,10%), koji su u najvećem broju slučajeva uzrokovali IUT kod žena (127/216;58,79%). Drugi po učestalosti uzročnik IUT u COVID-19 bolnici je Klebsiella pneumoniae (85/449;

18,93%). Od 913 nalaza pacijenata iz ne-COVID-19 klinika KCV, najčešći uzročnik IUT je Escherichia coli (249/913; 27,27%), i to dominantno kod žena (199/249;79,91%, (χ2 (1) = 49,042; p < 0,00001)). Drugi po učestalosti uzročnki IUT su pripadnici roda Enterococcus, (216/913; 23,65%), bez

značajne razlike u distribuciji među polovima (χ2 (1) = 0,0833; p = 0,847).

Zaključak. Najčešći uzročnici IUT u COVID-19 bolnici KCV su pripadnici roda Enterococcus i Klebsiella pneumoniae sa gotovo ravnomernom raspodelom među polovima. Uočena je statistički značajna razlika u učestalosti različitih izazivača IUT kod pacijenata COVID-19 bolnice naspram

ne-COVID-19 klinika KCV. Ovi rezultati mogu biti značajni za određivanje empirijske terapije kod pacijenata COVID-19 bolnice KCV, kao i pri planiranju procedura za redukciju intrahospitalih infekcija.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {forthcoming},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Banović2023,

title = {Emerging tick-borne spotted fever group rickettsioses in the Balkans},

author = {Pavle Banović and Adrian Alberto Díaz-Sánchez and Angélique Foucault-Simonin and Lourdes Mateos-Hernandez and Alejandra Wu-Chuang and Clemence Galon and Verica Simin and Dragana Mijatović and Ivana Bogdan and Belkis Corona-González and Liani 

 Coronado Báez and Joanna Kulisz and Aneta Woźniak and Zbigniew Zając and Dasiel Obregón and Sara Moutailler and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meegid.2022.105400},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-05},

urldate = {2023-01-05},

journal = {Infection, Genetics and Evolution},

volume = {107},

abstract = {The impact of tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) on human health has increased in the last decades, since the incidence of emerging and re-emerging infectious and zoonotic tick-borne diseases has increased worldwide. Tick-borne rickettsiae of the Spotted Fever group (SFGR) are considered as emerging pathogens that can infect humans and cause a variety of non-specific clinical symptoms. Here, we report nine cases of atypical tick-borne diseases (9/460; 1.95%) that occurred over a period of four months (from 15 April 2021 to 16 August 2021) in Serbia, from which five cases were classified as confirmed SFGR infection, two cases as probable SFGR infection and two cases as suspected SFGR infection. Within cases of confirmed SFGR infection, R. helvetica was detected as the causative agent in two cases. The most common clinical finding was non-expanding persistent circular redness, followed by eschar and enlargement of regional lymph nodes, and pain at lesion site. Rickettsia outer membrane protein B (ompB) and citrate synthase (gltA) gene fragments were amplified from clinical samples and ticks attached to patients and IgG reacting with Rickettsia conorii antigen were detected in sera samples of patients, which are highly suggestive of exposure to SFGR. Surveillance and monitoring of rickettsial diseases in Serbia should continue and extended to new areas due to the increasing trend of clinical infections caused by SFGR in the country.},

keywords = {rickettsia, Serbia, tick-borne diseases, ticks},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dragonjić2022,

title = {Fatal Case of Imported Tick-Borne Encephalitis in South Serbia},

author = {Lidija Popović Dragonjić and Miodrag Vrbić and Aleksandar Tasić and Verica Simin and Ivana Bogdan and Dragana Mijatović and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz and Pavle Banović},

editor = {Harunor Rashid},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/tropicalmed7120434},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-12-13},

journal = {Tropical Medicine and Infectious Disease},

volume = {7},

number = {434},

issue = {12},

abstract = {Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE) is vaccine-preventable neglected zoonotic neuroinvasive disease, caused by tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV). Many of the Central and Eastern European countries are affected by TBE, which is often poorly perceived by tourists visiting endemic territories. Here we are reporting a fatal case of imported TBE in Serbian resident who was exposed to a tick bite during a visit to Switzerland.},

keywords = {fatal, Serbia, tick-borne encephalitis, ticks},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@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 = {platelets, rickettsia, Serbia, tick-borne diseases},

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 = {blood, HIV, transfusion},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{M2022,

title = {Recommendations to Improve Tick-Borne Encephalitis Surveillance and Vaccine Uptake in Europe},

author = {Kunze M and Banović P and Bogovič P and Briciu V and Čivljak R and Dobler G and Hristea A and Kerlik J and Kuivanen S and Kynčl, J and Lebech A-M and Lindquist L and Paradowska-Stankiewicz I and Roglić S and Smíšková D and Strle F and Vapalahti O and Vranješ N and Vynograd N and Zajkowska JM and Pilz A and Palmborg A and Erber, W},

editor = {Pat Nuttall},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/microorganisms10071283},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-06-27},

journal = {Microorganisms},

volume = {10},

number = {7},

abstract = {There has been an increase in reported TBE cases in Europe since 2015, reaching a peak in some countries in 2020, highlighting the need for better management of TBE risk in Europe. TBE surveillance is currently limited, in part, due to varying diagnostic guidelines, access to testing, and awareness of TBE. Consequently, TBE prevalence is underestimated and vaccination recommendations inadequate. TBE vaccine uptake is unsatisfactory in many TBE-endemic European countries. This review summarizes the findings of a scientific workshop of experts to improve TBE surveillance and vaccine uptake in Europe. Strategies to improve TBE surveillance and vaccine uptake should focus on: aligning diagnostic criteria and testing across Europe; expanding current vaccine recommendations and reducing their complexity; and increasing public education of the potential risks posed by TBEV infection.},

keywords = {Incidence, recommendations, tick-borne encephalitis (TBEV), vaccine, Western Europe},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Banović2022b,

title = {Unexpected TBEV Seropositivity in Serbian Patients Who Recovered from Viral Meningitis and Encephalitis},

author = {Pavle Banović and Adrian Alberto Díaz-Sánchez and Selena Đurić and Siniša Sević and Vesna Turkulov and Dajana Lendak and Sandra Stefan Mikić and Verica Simin and Dragana Mijatović and Ivana Bogdan and Aleksandar Potkonjak and Sara Savić and Dasiel Obregón and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz},

editor = {Libor Grubhoffer},

doi = {10.3390/pathogens11030371},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-03-17},

journal = {Pathogens},

abstract = {The tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) causes a life-threatening disease named Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE). The clinical symptoms associated with TBE range from non-specific to severe inflammation of the central nervous system and are very similar to the clinical presentation of other viral meningitis/encephalitis. In consequence, TBE is often misclassified by clinical physicians , mainly in the non-identified high-risk areas where none or only a few TBE cases have been reported. Considering this situation, we hypothesized that among persons from northern Serbia who recovered from viral meningitis or encephalitis, there would be evidence of TBEV infection. To test this hypothesis, in this observational study, we evaluated the seroreactivity against TBEV anti-gens in patients from northern Serbia who were hospitalized due to viral meningitis and/or viral encephalitis of unknown etiology. Three cases of seroreactivity to TBEV antigens were discovered among convalescent patients who recovered from viral meningitis and/or encephalitis and accepted to participate in the study (n = 15). The clinical and laboratory findings of these patients overlap with that of seronegative convalescent patients. Although TBE has been a notifiable disease in Serbia since 2004, there is no active TBE surveillance program for the serologic or molecular screening of TBEV infection in humans in the country. This study highlights the necessity to increase the awareness of TBE among physicians and perform active and systematic screening of TBEV antibodies among patients with viral meningitis and/or encephalitis.},

keywords = {human encephalitis, ick-borne encephalitis, Ixodes ricinus, seroreactivity, TBEV},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Banović2022,

title = {Clinical Aspects and Detection of Emerging Rickettsial Pathogens: A “One Health” Approach Study in Serbia, 2020},

author = {Pavle Banović and Adrian Alberto Díaz-Sánchez and Verica Simin and Angelique Foucault-Simonin and Clemence Galon and Alejandra Wu Chuang and Dragana Mijatović and Dasiel Obregon and Sara Moutailler and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz},

editor = {Antonio Battisti

},

url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmicb.2021.797399/full},

doi = {doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2021.797399},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-26},

journal = {Frontiers in Microbiology},

abstract = {Ticks carry numerous pathogens that, if transmitted, can cause disease in susceptible humans and animals. The present study describes our approach on how to investigate clinical presentations following tick bites in humans. To this aim, the occurrence of major tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) in human blood samples (n = 85) and the ticks collected (n = 93) from the same individuals were tested 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. A field study based on One Health tenets was further designed to identify components of a potential chain of infection resulting in Rickettsia felis infection in one of the patients. Ticks species infesting humans were identified as Ixodes ricinus, Rhipicephalus sanguineus sensu lato (s.l.), Dermacentor reticulatus, and Haemaphysalis punctata. Five patients developed local skin lesions at the site of the tick bite including erythema migrans, local non-specific reactions, and cutaneous hypersensitivity reaction. Although Borrelia burgdorferi s.l., Babesia microti, Anaplasma phagocytophilum, and Candidatus Cryptoplasma sp. DNAs were detected in tick samples, different Rickettsia species were the most common TBPs identified in the ticks. The presence of TBPs such as Rickettsia helvetica, Rickettsia monacensis, Borrelia lusitaniae, Borrelia burgdorferi, Borrelia afzelii, A. phagocytophilum, and B. microti in ticks was further confirmed by DNA sequencing. Two of the patients with local skin lesions had IgG reactive against spotted fever group rickettsiae, while IgM specific to B. afzelii, Borrelia garinii, and Borrelia spielmanii were detected in the patient with erythema migrans. Although R. felis infection was detected in one human blood sample, none of the components of the potential chain of infection considered in this study tested positive to this pathogen either using direct pathogen detection in domestic dogs or xenodiagnosis in ticks collected from domestic cats. The combination of high-throughput screening of TBPs and One Health approaches might help characterize chains of infection leading to human infection by TBPs, as well as prevalence of emerging rickettsial pathogens in the Balkan region.},

keywords = {One Health, rickettsia, Serbia, ticks},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Smieško2022,

title = {What is Fishy in Asymptomatic Patients? Co-Occurrence of Aerococcus urinae Infection in Pediatric Patient with Phimosis},

author = {Gordana Smieško and Pavle Banović and Vera Gusman and Biljana Milosavljević and Deana Medić and Tamara Bulajić and Milica Pejaković Budinski and Svetlana Golocorbin-Kon},

url = {https://publisher.medfak.ni.ac.rs/AFMN_1/2021/4-2021/full%20text/10What%20is%20Fishy%20G.Smiesko.pdf},

doi = {10.5937/afmnai38-32051},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-12},

journal = {Acta Facultatis Medicae Naissensis},

volume = {38},

number = {4},

abstract = { Here we present the first case of Aerococcus urinae isolated from urine sample of a 5-year-old boy from Vojvodina province (Serbia). The patient had predisposing factors related to the susceptibility of genitourinary system to infection. Thus, he reported no complaints related to active urinary infections. Eradication of infection was achieved after 10-day treatment with meropenem.



From this case, the question emerges: Is there a possibility that A. urinae infections are neglected in pediatric patients with susceptibility of genitourinary system to infection? Only after wide introduction of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS) in competent laboratories, we will be able to give a precise answer.},

keywords = {Aerococcus urinae, antimicrobials, resistance, urinary infection},

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 = {convalescent plasma, COVID-19, donors, SARS-CoV-2, Serbia, therapy},

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 = {Caribbean, Central America, One Health, tick-borne diseases, ticks},

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}

}

@article{Stankov2021,

title = {O značaju higijenskih mera u suzbijanju infektivnih bolesti koje se prenose respiratornim putem},

author = {Srđan Stankov},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.5937/smclk2-32327},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-06-23},

journal = {Srpski medicinski časopis Lekarske komore},

volume = {2},

number = {1},

pages = {11-15},

publisher = {Lekarska komora},

abstract = {Zarazne bolesti su postojale u obliku epidemija tokom istorije čovečanstva, a patogeni mikroorganizmi su dugo bili smatrani odgovornim za njihovo pojavljivanje. Međutim, takozvani biološki agensi akutnih zaraznih bolesti nisu njihovi stvarni uzroci, već samo katalizatori već postojećih patoloških procesa. Otuda ekstremna varijabilnost lokacije i intenziteta patoloških procesa sa istim biološkim uzročnikom kod različitih jedinki vrste domaćina. Patogenost i virulencija mikroorganizama nisu njihova vlastita i nepromenljiva svojstva, već su samo rezultat patogenosti neživih faktora životne sredine koji deluju na domaćina i koji obično ostaju van fokusa medicinskih istraživanja. Pitanje od glavne praktične važnosti, kako da sprečimo pojavu zaraznih bolesti, daje nam istorija. U prošlosti su mnoge higijenske mere bile dovoljne da se većina zaraznih bolesti svede na neznatnu pojavu. Do sada je društvo puno uradilo na higijenskim standardima čvrstih i tečnih materija u našem okruženju. Međutim, briga o higijeni atmosfere i dalje je prilično nerazvijena i zanemarena. Danas se atmosfera neprekidno i sistematski zagađuje određenim gasovima, parama kao i česticama. Direktni rezultat ovakog stanja razvoja higijenske prakse je da su danas jedina vrsta epidemija koje pogađaju opštu populaciju epidemije koje se šire atmosferom, tj. respiratorne epidemije. Da bi se trajno eliminisala dalja mogućnost respiratornih epidemija, neophodno je uvesti trajne i sistematske mere za održavanje higijene atmosfere ljudskih naselja.},

keywords = {diseases, infectious},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Banović2021c,

title = {A One Health approach to study the circulation of tick-borne pathogens: A preliminary study},

author = {Pavle Banović and Adrian Alberto Díaz-Sánchez and Clemence Galon and Angélique Foucault-Simonin and Verica Simin and Dragana Mijatović and Luka Papić and Alejandra Wu-Chuang and Dasiel Obregon and Sara Moutailler and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz },

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.onehlt.2021.100270},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-06-01},

journal = {One Health},

abstract = {Tick-borne pathogens (TBPs) have complex life cycles involving tick vectors and vertebrate hosts. However, there is limited empirical evidence on the zoonotic circulation of TBPs. In this study, we used a One Health approach to study the possible circulation of TBPs in ticks, animals and humans within a rural household in the foothills of the Fruška Gora mountain, northern Serbia. The presence of TBP DNA was assessed using microfluidic PCR (25 bacterial species, 7 parasite species, 5 bacterial genera, 3 parasite genera) in animal, human and tick samples and the presence of tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) RNA was screened for using RT-qPCR on tick samples. In addition, Lyme borreliosis serology was assessed in patient sera. Rhipicephalus sanguineus and Ixodes ricinus ticks were identified on dogs and Haemaphysalis punctata was identified on house walls. Rickettsia helvetica was the most common pathogen detected in pooled R. sanguineus and I. ricinus tick samples, followed by Hepatozoon canis. None of the H. punctata tick samples tested positive for the presence of TBPs. Anaplasma phagocytophilum and Rickettsia monacensis were the most frequent pathogens detected in dogs, followed by Rickettsia felis, whereas Anaplasma bovis was the only pathogen found in one of the goats tested. None of the human blood samples collected from family members tested positive for the presence of TBPs. Although microfluidic PCR did not detect Borrelia sp. in any of the tested tick or blood samples, a family member with a history of Lyme disease was seropositive for Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato (s.l.). We conclude that, despite the presence of TBPs in tick and vertebrate reservoirs, there is no evidence of infection with TBPs across various components of the epidemiological chain in a rural Fruška Gora household.},

keywords = {Anaplasma bovis, One Health, Rickettsia helvetica, Tick-borne-pathogens, ticks},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Ristić2021,

title = {Uticaj hroničnog imobilizacionog stresa na estrusni ciklus kod ženki miševa soja NMRI},

author = {Jelena Ristić and Damir Bogdan and Pavle Banović},

doi = {10.5937/mp72-28778},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-05-20},

journal = {Medicinski podmladak},

volume = {72},

number = {1},

pages = {6-11},

abstract = {Uvod: Stres je skup reakcija organizma koje nastaju usled dejstva faktora spoljašnje sredine. Da bi se održala homeostaza i zaštitio organizam, uključuju se brojni adaptacioni mehanizmi. Stresori koji deluju trenutno ili kratkoročno izazivaju akutni stres koji ima protektivni efekat. Kada stresor deluje duže, a organizam ne uspeva da odgovori na izazov, javlja se hronični stres koji vodi u patološko stanje. Hronični stres je, kao etiološki faktor, doveden u vezu sa poremećajima menstrualnog ciklusa žena. Cilj: Cilj je ispitati dejstvo hroničnog imobilizacionog stresa na estrusni ciklus kod ženki miševa NMRI soja. Materijal i metode: Dvanaest polno zrelih ženki miševa NMRI soja nasumično je podeljeno u kontrolnu (n = 6) i eksperimentalnu grupu (n = 6). Eksperimentalnoj grupi je indukovan hronični stres ubacivanjem u imobilizacione komore 2 sata dnevno u periodu od 14 dana. Svakodnevno je svim životinjama uziman vaginalni ispirak od koga je pravljen razmaz radi ispitivanja pod svetlosnim mikroskopom. Analiza preparata je obuhvatala određivanje faza estrusnog ciklusa. Za analizu efekta stresa statistički je ispitana učestalost smenjivanja estrusnih faza u eksperimentalnoj grupi naspram kontrolne. Rezultati: Kod ženki miševa je uočen estrusni ciklus koji se sastoji iz četiri faze: proestrusa, estrusa, metestrusa i diestrusa. U adaptacionom periodu je zapažen prolongirani diestrus, dominantno prisutan u obe grupe. Kod stresiranih jedinki je uočen izlazak iz diestrusa i pojava drugih estrusnih faza, za razliku od kontrolnih kod kojih je diesterus bio znatno učestaliji. Zapažene su neregularnosti u trajanju i smenjivanju faza kod jedinki eksperimentalne grupe, gde se učestalost odstupanja od diestrusa pokazala kao statistički značajna (p < 0,01). Zaključak: Indukovanje imobilizacionog stresa dovodi do izlaska životinja iz diestrusa i velikih varijacija u trajanju i smenjivanju faza estrusnog ciklusa ženki miševa soja NMRI. S obzirom na to da je hormonski mehanizam regulacije estrusnog ciklusa kod ženki miševa soja NMRI sličan mehanizmu regulacije menstrualnog ciklusa kod žena, mogu poslužiti kao dobar model za proučavanje reproduktivnih poremećaja kod žena.},

keywords = {NMRI, stress},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Đurić2021,

title = {Direktna imunofluorecencija kao niskobudžetna metoda za ispitivanje moždanog tkiva tokom standardizacije modela neuroborelioze kod miševa soja NMRI},

author = {Selena Đurić and Verica Simin and Pavle Banović},

editor = {Prof. dr Dragutin Arsić},

url = {https://aseestant.ceon.rs/index.php/pomc/article/view/28991},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.5937/pomc18-28991},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-05-15},

urldate = {2021-05-15},

journal = {PONS - Medicinski časopis},

volume = {18},

number = {1},

abstract = {Cilj. Ispitati primenljivost direktne imunofluorescencije (DIF) za dokazivanje prisustva borelija u moždanom tkivu prilikom standardizacije animalnog modela neuroborelioze na miševima soja NMRI.



Metode. Istraživanje je sprovedeno na 15 miševa soja NMRI. Svim miševima je supkutano inokulisano 100 µl BSK-H podloge u kojoj se nalazio lokalni izolat Borrelia afzelii. Životinje su žrtvovane nakon inokulacije u III (n=4), IV (n=6) i V (n=5) nedelji, cervikalnom dislokacijom. U uzorkovanim mozgovima miševa se vršilo dokazivanje prisustva borelija direktnom imunofluorescencijom (DIF) i reakcijom lančane polimerizacije (PCR).  



Rezultati. Prvi pozitivan nalaz registrovan je u III nedelji nakon inokulacije, kada su borelije uočene u 1 od 4 mozga (25%). Nakon toga se procenat pozitivnih nalaza povećavao: u IV nedelji borelije su registrovane u 3 od 6 mozgova (50%), u V nedelji u 3 od 5 mozgova (60%). Rezultati dobijeni DIF i PCR metodama su pokazali poklapanje.



Zaključak. Na osnovu preliminarnih podataka metoda DIF se pokazala kao praktična niskobučetna metoda za praćenje toka neuro-infekcije. NMRI miševi bi mogli biti pogodan soj za uspostavljanje animalnog modela neuroborelioze. Potrebno je dodatno ispitivanje radi proučavanja kinetike infekcije nervnog sistema NMRI miša nakon V nedelje od subkutane inokulacije, kao i senzitivnosti i specifičnosti DIF metode.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Banović2021b,

title = {Shared Odds of Borrelia and Rabies Virus Exposure in Serbia},

author = {Pavle Banović and Adrian Alberto Díaz-Sánchez and Dragana Mijatović and Dragana Vujin and Horvath Zsolt and Nenad Vranješ and Zorana Budakov-Obradovic and Nevenka Bujandric and Jasmina Grujic and Abdul Gaffar and Abdul Jabbar and Verica Simin and Dasiel Obregon and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz},

editor = {Ángeles Sonia Olmeda},

doi = {10.3390/pathogens10040399},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-03-28},

journal = {Pathogens},

volume = {10},

number = {4},

abstract = {Lyme borreliosis (LB) is the most common tick-borne disease in Serbia and other European countries. Rabies is a fatal zoonosis distributed worldwide and is caused by the rabies virus. Professionals at risk of rabies—including veterinarians, hunters, communal service workers, and forestry workers—overlap with some professions at a higher risk of exposure to tick bites and tick-borne pathogen infections. We hypothesized that individuals identified by the public health system as at risk of rabies virus infection, and consequently vaccinated against rabies virus, also share a higher likelihood of Borrelia exposure. To test our hypothesis, a case-control study was carried out during 2019 in Serbia to determine the seroprevalence of anti-Borrelia antibodies in two case groups (individuals at risk and vaccinated against rabies virus) and a control group (individuals without risk of rabies). Individuals vaccinated against rabies following either “pre-exposure protocol” (PrEP, n = 58) or “post-exposure protocol” (PEP, n = 42) were considered as rabies risk groups and healthy blood donors (n = 30) as the control group. The results showed higher Borrelia seroprevalence in PrEP (17.2%; 10/58) and PEP (19.0%; 8/42) groups compared with the control group (6.67%; 2/30). Furthermore, odds ratio (OR) analysis showed that risk of rabies (in either the PrEP (OR = 2.91) or PEP (OR = 3.29) groups) is associated with increased odds of being seropositive to Borrelia. However, the difference in Borrelia seroprevalence between groups was not statistically significant (Chi-square (χ²) test p > 0.05). The shared odds of LB and rabies exposure found in this study suggest that, in countries where both diseases occur, the common citizen can be at risk of both diseases when in a risky habitat. These findings are important to guide physicians in targeting high-risk groups, and diagnose LB, and to guide decision-makers in targeting control and prevention measures for both infections in risk areas.},

keywords = {Borrelia, Rabies, risk odds, Serbia},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Banović2021,

title = {Tick-Borne Encephalitis Virus Seropositivity among Tick Infested Individuals in Serbia},

author = {Pavle Banović and Dasiel Obregon and Dragana Mijatović and Verica Simin and Srđan Stankov and Vesna Turkulov and Siniša Sević and Zorana Budakov-Obradovic and Nevenka Bujandric and Jasmina Grujic and Adrian Alberto Díaz-Sánchez and Alejandro Cabezas-Cruz},

editor = {Sergio E. Bermúdez},

url = {https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0817/10/3/301/pdf},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.3390/ pathogens10030301},

year  = {2021},

date = {2021-03-05},

journal = {Pathogens},

volume = {10},

abstract = {Tick-borne encephalitis (TBE), caused by the TBE virus (TBEV), is a life-threatening disease

with clinical symptoms ranging from non-specific to severe inflammation of the central nervous

system. Despite TBE is a notifiable disease in Serbia since 2004, there is no active TBE surveillance

program for the serologic or molecular screening of TBEV infection in humans in the country. This

prospective cohort study aimed to assess the TBEV exposure among tick-infested individuals in

Serbia during the year 2020. A total of 113 individuals exposed to tick bites were recruited for the

study and screened for anti-TBEV antibodies using a commercial indirect fluorescent antibody test

(IFA) test. Blood samples from 50 healthy donors not exposed to tick bites were included as a control

group. Most of the enrolled patients reported infestations with one tick, being I. ricinus the most

frequent tick found in the participants. The TBEV seroprevalence was higher (13.27%, 15 total 113)

in tick-infested individuals than in healthy donors (4%, 2 total 50), although the difference was

not significant. Notably, male individuals exposed to tick bites showed five times higher relative

risk (RR) of being TBEV-seropositive than healthy donors of the same gender (RR= 5.1, CI = 1.6–19;

p = 0.007). None of the seropositive individuals developed clinical manifestations of TBE, but the first

clinical-stage of Lyme borreliosis (i.e., erythema migrans) was detected in seven of them. Potential

TBEV foci were identified in rural areas, mostly in proximity or within the Fruška Gora mountain.

We conclude that the Serbian population is at high risk of TBEV exposure. Further epidemiological

studies should focus on potential TBEV foci identified in this study. The implementation of active

surveillance for TBEV might contribute to evaluating the potential negative impact of TBE in Serbia.},

keywords = {foci, Serbia, TBEV, ticks},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Banović2020,

title = {Humans infested with Ixodes ricinus are exposed to a diverse array of tick-borne pathogens in Serbia},

author = {Pavle Banović, Adrian Alberto Díaz-Sánchez, Clemence Galon, Verica Simin, Dragana Mijatović, Dasiel Obregón, Sara Moutailler, AlejandroCabezas-Cruz

},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1877959X20304799?fbclid=IwAR3nbGgtSfPEXPX54Vr7DTBcHI_KlKPum63yjfSznOTm7NFkh7PyqLzerTs},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ttbdis.2020.101609},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-11-24},

journal = {Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases},

keywords = {Borrelia, rickettsia, Serbia, ticks},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Verica2020,

title = {Borellia burgdorferi infection in removed ticks and anti-borrelia antibodies in infested patients admitted to the Pasteur Institute, Novi Sad},

author = {Simin Verica and Dragana Mijatović and Snežana Tomanović and Milan Miljević and Borislav Čabrilo and Bogdan Ivana and Pavle Banović},

doi = {10.2298/VETGL200527008S},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-10-03},

journal = {Veterinarski glasnik},

abstract = {Introduction. The primary objectives of this study were (1) to determine the presence of Borrelia burgdorferi infection in ticks removed from patients for the purpose of singling out sites with increased risk of Lyme borreliosis, and (2) to determine the presence of IgM and/or IgG antibodies against B.  burgdorferi  sensu lato (s. l.) complex in sera of patients who had ticks removed 

Materials  and  Methods.  From  108  ticks  removed  from  patients,  all  were  examined zoologically and a sub-sample of 91 ticks was tested using PCR analysis to determine the presence of DNA indicating B. burgdorferi infection. To detect anti-Borrelia IgM and/or IgG antibodies in 61 patients bitten by ticks, we used line recombinant immunoblot test.

Results and Conclusions. The most common tick identified was Ixodes ricinus. B. burgdorferi s. l. was present in 37 of 91 tested ticks (40.7%). Seroconversion against B. burgdorferi s. l. antigen was detected in 12 of 61 patients (19.7%). Most of the infected ticks were from the province of Vojvodina (11 municipalities), with the city of Novi Sad proving to be the site with the highest number of infected ticks, 6 in total. },

keywords = {Borrelia, Borrelia burgdorferi, Lyme borreliosis, Novi Sad, ticks},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Gordana2020,

title = {Molecular evaluation of chronic restrain stress in mice model of non metastatic fibrosarcoma},

author = {Smieško Gordana and Banović Pavle and Gusman Vera and Simin Verica and Anca Maria Cimpean and Dušan Lalošević},

url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10735-020-09886-5},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1007/s10735-020-09886-5},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-06-18},

journal = {Journal of Molecular Histology},

abstract = {Chronic stress is regarded as a significant factor in the etiology of the many diseases. Numerous methods have been developed through which the effect of chronic stress is examined. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the new experimental model for analysis of immuno-suppression induced by chronic restraint stress, through challenge with conditionally tumorigenic cell line BHK-21/C13. 20 male NMRI mice were randomly divided into 2 groups—control and experimental. Each mouse was subcutaneously inoculated with BHK-21/C13 cells. Stress in the experimental group was induced for 20 days. After the experiment, tumor masses were removed, and analyzed using histology and immunohistochemistry techniques. We found a statistically significant difference (p = 0.034) in tumor expression and tumor volumes (p = 0.0061) between groups, as well as in immunopositivity on Ki67, cytochrome C and matrix metalloproteinase 9. Absence of immune infiltrate was noticed in experimental, and the presence of inflammatory infiltrate at tumor invasion front in control group.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Fedrigolli2020,

title = {Proposition Of A Simplified Protocol and New Parameter Introduction In NMRI Mice Anhedonia Induction},

author = {Elsa Fedrigolli and Damir Bogdan and Dušan Lalošević and Pavle Banović},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-04-30},

journal = {Serbian Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research},

volume = {In press},

keywords = {anhedonia, anxiety, Chronic stress protocol, depression, NMRI mice},

pubstate = {forthcoming},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Stankov2020,

title = {Possibility of Immediate Introduction of a Single-Dose Antibody Induction Test as a Refinement of the NIH Test for Inactivated Rabies Vaccine Potency Determination},

author = {Srđan Stankov and Nemanja Obradović and Dragana Vujin and Nenad Vranješ},

url = {https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/vim.2019.0131},

doi = {10.1089/vim.2019.0131},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-03-10},

urldate = {2020-03-10},

journal = {Viral Immunology},

pages = {1-11},

abstract = {Antibody induction test (AIT) is a promising candidate as a refinement of the troublesome National institutes of Health (NIH) test in the sense of animal welfare 3R approach for determination of potency of inactivated rabies vaccines for veterinary and human use. In this study, we initially try to develop AIT as a suitable alternative to NIH test, to achieve a reduction of test duration and diminish animal suffering by omitting intracerebral CVS infection and measuring humoral immunity upon vaccination. Designs of both multi-dose and single-dose AIT were examined. Biological reference preparation, batch 5 with assigned titer of 10 IU/vial, was taken as both standard and test vaccine. Six consecutive AITs were performed and eight pools of sera in each AIT were tested in triplicate by rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test. We estimated the upper detection limit and calculated test variability for individual dilutions. For multi-dose AIT, we estimated the dose–response function and performed calculations of final test results and statistical validity parameters for both linear and sigmoidal model using CombiStats program. Sigmoidal 4-parameter dose–response model was found optimal. Presented design of

multi-dose AIT showed a satisfactory detection limit for testing of inactivated rabies vaccines for both veterinary and human use. However, due to nonconformity of obtained results with statistical validity criteria, we concluded that the presented model of multi-dose AIT was unsuitable for introduction in routine practice.

However, we concluded that there was a realistic option for introduction of two versions of single-dose AIT. The first version would be with two standard vaccine controls and could be introduced immediately, while the second version would include testing of the sample only and rely on comparison of the induced rabies antibody level with absolute cut-off limits set in advance.},

keywords = {animal welfar, antibody induction test, inactivated rabies vaccine, NIH test, potency determination},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Pavle2020,

title = {Mysterious path of Borrelia spielmanii: spreading without morphological alteration of collagen type I and IV},

author = {Banović Pavle and Ivan Čapo and Dejan Ogorelica and Nenad Vranješ and Simin Verica and Dušan Lalošević},

url = {https://www.futuremedicine.com/doi/10.2217/fmb-2019-0217},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.2217/fmb-2019-0217},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-06},

journal = {Future Microbiology},

abstract = {The majority of suggested mechanisms of Borrelia spreading inside erythema migrans (EM) are developed from in vitro studies and animal models. This report is the first to describe pathomorphological substrate of EM caused by Borrelia spielmanii in humans, addressing the hypothesis of enhanced Borrelia penetration through extracellular matrix. In the process of ruling out of atypical Masters’ disease, we conducted a punch biopsy of suspected EM and a two-tier serology testing for Lyme borreliosis, where we registered antibodies against B. spielmanii. Skin biopsy showed CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocyte involvement and high activity of matrix metalloproteinase 9. No alterations were detected in distribution and morphology of collagen type I and IV. Therefore, it is suggested that other mechanisms should be considered as major contributing factors to local spreading of B.spielmanii.},

keywords = {B. spielmanii, Borrelia, collagen type I, collagen type IV, erythema migrans, Lyme borreliosis, MMP9},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Miljević2019,

title = {Significance of the red fox as a natural reservoir of intestinal zoonoses in Vojvodina, Serbia},

author = {Milan Miljević and Olivera Bjelić Čabrilo and Verica Simin and Borislav Čabrilo and Jelena Boganč Miljević and Dušan Lalošević},

doi = {https://doi.org/10.1556/004.2019.055},

issn = {1588-2705},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-12-19},

journal = {Acta Veterinaria Hungarica},

volume = {64},

number = {4},

abstract = {In the present study, 223 foxes were collected from various localities in the northern part of the Republic of Serbia (Vojvodina province) and examined for intestinal helminths. Among the examined foxes 178 (79.8%) were infected. The most frequently identified parasites were Mesocestoides spp. (49.3%) and Toxascaris leonina (36.3%). The parasite with the lowest prevalence was Pterygodermatites affinis (0.9%), and this is the first confirmed finding in Serbia. The other recovered species were Alaria alata (25.6%), Taenia spp. (6.3%), Echinococcus multilocularis (13%), Toxocara canis (16.6%) and Uncinaria stenocephala (14.8%). The highest number of foxes infected with E. multilocularis were in the Srem area. The results of this study indicate the presence of helminth species in red foxes in Vojvodina which may also infect humans.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Banović2019,

title = {Novi patofiziološki mehanizmi razvoja migratornog eritema kod lajm borelioze},

author = {Pavle Banović and Dragana Mijatović and Dušan Lalošević},

url = {https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/0350-8773/2019/0350-87731903037B.pdf},

doi = {10.5937/pramed1904037B},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-12-18},

journal = {Praxis medica},

volume = {48},

number = {3-4},

abstract = {Migratory erythema is the most common manifestation of the first (early) phase of Lyme borreliosis. It is defined as the spreding rash or redness at the site of the tick bite. Although the occurrence of migratory erythema indicates the presence of local infection with pathogenic strains of bacteria from Borrelia burgdorferi sensu lato complex, the exact mechanism by which

spirochetes conductspreading in human skin has not been elucidated. This paper will review the literature, initially related to tick-pathogen-host interaction, after which the most common theories of the development of specific morphology of migratory erythema will be presented, as well as differential diagnostic problems that may arise from infection with other pathogens or the development of various allergic and autoimmune conditions.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Glavaški2019,

title = {Number and Distribution of Mast Cells in Reproductive Systems of Gravid and Non-Gravid Female Mice},

author = {Mila Glavaški and Pavle Banović and Dušan Lalošević},

doi = {10.2478/sjecr-2019-0047},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-11-22},

journal = {Serbian Journal of Experimental and Clinical Research},

volume = {20},

number = {4},

abstract = {Mast cells are mainly distributed in tissues exposed to the external environment, but they are also found in ovaries, oviducts and uterus. We determined the difference in the number and distribution of Alcian Blue (+) and Safranine O (+) mast cells in reproductive systems of gravid and non-gravid female mice by histological examination. We showed that the number of mast cells is significantly higher in the reproductive system of gravid mice than in the reproductive system of non-gravid mice. Mast cells are unevenly distributed in ovaries, oviducts and uterusin both gravid and non-gravid mice. A large number of mast cells reside close to blood vessels throughout the entire reproductive system.},

keywords = {mast cells},

pubstate = {forthcoming},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Gordana2019,

title = {Jack of all trades spotted in the Clinical Centre of Vojvodina – first detection of Aeromonas hydrophila from urinary tract infection samples},

author = {Smieško Gordana and Gusman Vera and Banović Pavle},

url = {http://www.srpskiarhiv.rs/global/pdf/onlinefirst/110-19OlF-v1.pdf},

doi = {10.2298/SARH190717110S},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-10-09},

journal = {Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo},

abstract = {Aeromonas hydrophila is representative of group

within the Aeromonadaceae family that mainly cause

infections in humans. Aeromonads can induce

meningitis, septicemia, respiratory and hemolytic

uremic syndrome as well as gastroenteritis. Regarding

diverse mechanisms involved in virulence and

metabolic adaptation of A. hydrophila to various hosts

and environments it is often introduced as “Jack of all

trades”. Here we report first isolation of Aeromonas

hydrophila from urine samples of the three patients

from Urology Department within Clinical Centre of

Vojvodina. Epidemiological survey identified contact

with surface water as only mutual risk parameter.

Following that, novel antibacterial agents against A.

hydrophila are discussed.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}