title: Echinococcosis in Serbia: an issue for the 21st century?
abstract: Echinococcosis (hydatidosis) is traditionally endemic in Southeast Europe, Serbia included. In Serbia, echinococcosis is mandatory reportable, and this review analyzes the officially reported data as well as the research data published between 1998 and 2010. Official data on human and animal infections were obtained from the Institute of Public Health of Serbia (IPHS, 2010), and from the Ministry of Agriculture, Trade, Forestry and Water Management (MATFWM) and the Statistical Office, respectively. Published data were obtained by searching the Medline, Scopus, and Google databases using "echinococcosis," "hydatidosis," and "Serbia" as key words. In addition, the search included national journals and doctoral theses, as well as conference proceedings. Only Echinococcus granulosus has been reported in Serbia, with a total of 409 cases of human infection officially reported during the observed period as opposed to 820 cases described in clinical studies. No trend in the incidence of infection was shown among adults, but the number of cases in children continuously decreased over the period. Patients were more frequently female and from rural areas. Differences in the geographic distribution of cases were noted, with a lower incidence in the central part of country. Liver disease was by far the most common presentation, but cases of unusual cyst locations have been described. Among domestic animals, sheep were the most highly infected species. A decreasing incidence of echinococcosis in animals has been noted as of the 1970s. Echinococcosis continues to be endemic in Serbia in the 21st century, but despite predictions, neither official data nor those from clinical studies indicate its re-emergence. However, there is gross underreporting. Public health authorities should actively work to increase reporting, as only valid reported data provide an accurate basis for future control plans.
authors.affiliation: Institute for Medical Research, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia.
authors.forename: Branko
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bobić
authors.forename: Aleksandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Nikolić
authors.forename: Sofija Katić
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Radivojević
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Klun
authors.forename: Olgica
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Djurković-Djaković
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002648:Child; D004443:Echinococcosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000469:parasitology / Q000517:prevention & control; D048209:Echinococcus granulosus / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011634:Public Health; D055771:Serbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D015047:Zoonoses