Professional paper
The Characteristics of Measles Today
Ljiljana Pašić
orcid.org/0000-0003-4621-8315
; Infectious Diseases Clinic, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Tatjana Roganović
orcid.org/0000-0001-5469-5301
; Infectious Diseases Clinic, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina; School of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Antonija Verhaz
; Infectious Diseases Clinic, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina; School of Medicine, University of Banja Luka, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Zdravka Kezić
; Infectious Diseases Clinic, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Milan Petrović
orcid.org/0000-0002-5116-4473
; Infectious Diseases Clinic, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Snežana Ritan
; Infectious Diseases Clinic, University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Abstract
Introduction. The aim of the study is the analysis of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of measles in patients hospitalized in University Clinical Centre of the Republic of Srpska (later in text: UKC-RS) in the last five years.
Material and methods. The survey was retrospective and encompasses 145 subjects hospitalized for measles in the Clinic for infectious diseases of UKCRS. For statistical analysis, software was used: SPSS 16.0 for Windows; MS
Office Word 2010 and MS Office Excel 2010.
Results. In this period 1158 examined patients were observed, of whom 145 (12,52 %) were hospitalised because of possibility of complications and necessity for isolation. According to case definition possible 61,38 % (n = 89) of
cases, probable 21,38 % (n = 31) and 17,24 % (n = 25) were confirmed. Most of them 77,93% (n = 113) were from sensitive populations (including vaccinated with one dose of MMR vaccine 27,59 % (n = 40), while unvaccinated
were 12,41 % (n = 18), and unknown vaccinal status 37,93 % (n = 55). The average lifespan of the subjects was 22,11
years (from a month of age to 54 years). There were more male subjects (51,72 %, n = 75) than female. Most had a moderately severe clinical picture (98,62%, n = 143) and came from the area of the city of Banja Luka (77,93%, n = 113). The classical clinical picture had 134 (92,41 %) subjects. The rash occurred on the average on the 3,37 day of illness (day 1 to 8), with 92,41 % (n =134) of the cases it was typical. The average value of C-reactive
protein was 28,49 mg/L. Thrombocytopenia was observed in 44 (30,34 %) subjects (min. 16 x 109/L) and elevated liver enzymes in 26,20 % (n = 38). Serological diagnostics of the presence of measles of specific IgM and IgG antibodies was made by ELISA tests. Pneumonia was reported in 28 (19,31%) subjects, and sinusitis 20% (n = 29), meningitis 0,68 % (n = 1), diarrhea 22,07 % (n = 32), laryngitis 2,07 % (n = 3), pancreatitis 0,68 % (n = 1). The antibiotic was used in 66,21 % (n = 96) subjects, the most common azithromycin – 64,58 % (n = 62). The average length of hospitalization was 5,92 days. Fatal outcomes were not recorded.
Conclusion. The main characteristics of the disease have not been altered nowadays, with the fact that today we can see unusual forms due to vaccinations. In the prevention of morbidity and mortality, the most important is the good vaccination coverage, otherwise measles will become an important health problem.
Keywords
measles; vaccination; clinical presentation; complications
Hrčak ID:
227791
URI
Publication date:
13.11.2019.
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