Artan Bego1, Luljeta Alla1, Shpëtim Qyra1, Silva Bino1, Albana Fico1
1Institute of Public Health, Tirana, Albania.
Aim: Evaluation of the incidence of rickettsia infections in the suspected patients with febrile syndrome, geographic distribution and prevention needed measures.
Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, included 402 patients hospitalized with fever syndrome during year 2019. Socio-demographic and epidemiological data was collected by a standardized questionnaire. Weil Felix was conducted for each patient sera sample. Detection of presence of antibodies ≥ 1/160 was consider significant, based on manufacturer instructions.
Results: 8.2% (33/402) of clinical samples analyzed resulted seropositive for presence of anti-rickettsia antibody in significant titers. The mean age of study-group population was 42.4 years old with a range 1-87 years. District of Librazhd resulted with higher attack rate of illness 42.9% (9/21) OR=4.4 (95%CI 1.8 – 10.7) P<0.05 followed from Elbasan 36.8% (7/19), OR=5.7 (95%CI 2.11 – 15.7) P<0.05, Fier 21.4% (3/14), Kukës 20% (2/10). 10.2% (18/177) of female tested resulted seropositive compared with 6.7% (15/225) of male tested, but with not epidemiological significance OR= 1.6 (95%CI 0.77 – 3.24) P>0.05. 36.4% (12/33) of cases belong to the age-group 45-64 years old but with not epidemiological significance OR= 1.47 (95%CI 0.7 – 3.1) P>0.05.
Conclusions: Rickettsia infection is an infection transmitted by ectoparasitesvectors as fleas, lice, mites, and ticks throw biting or infected fluids (as faece) inoculated to the skin. Incidence of the diseases in the suspected patient with fever syndrome is considerable especially in some endemic areas of country as Elbasan and Librazhd. Affected all group ages, as males as females, habitant in infested areas. Most important measures for controlling and preventing of diseases remain control of vectors and respecting of hygiene and work safety condition in livestock and environment affected areas. Regardless of this epidemiological investigation, more detailed study to determine risk factors is needed.
Keywords: anti-rickettsia antibody, ectoparasites, Rickettsia infections, Weil Felix.