EPIDEMIOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF HUMAN LISTERIOSIS IN VOJVODINA, SERBIA, IN THE PERIOD 2005-2020

Abstract

In the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, listeriosis has been reported to health authorities since 2005. In this study, we retrospectively analysed the data of listeriosis collected from January 1, 2005 to December 31, 2020. Descriptive method was applied. Demographic, chronological and topographical distribution of the disease in Autonomous Province of Vojvodina was reviewed. In the study period, a total of 52 cases of listeriosis were registered. The average annual incidence rate of reported cases was 0.16/100,000. The largest annual number of cases (n = 10) was reported in 2020. The highest incidence rate registered in youngest age group < 1 year was (5.4/100,000). Gender distribution of the infected population showed no difference with respect to number of infected males and females. Listeriosis was registered throughout the year, but most frequently in October (21.15%). Topographical distribution revealed that listeriosis was more frequently reported in South Bačka county (2.4/100,000 inhabitants). The overall case fatality rate of reported Listeria monocytogenes infection was 23.08%. The highest case fatality rate was in the age group 19 - 59 years (29.41%), and fatal outcome in males was twofold the fatality rate in females. Our data analysis suggests that our practitioners, gynaecologists, paediatricians, oncologists and other clinicians should take listeriosis into consideration much more often in differential diagnosis in order to improve the diagnosis of the disease and further on epidemiological investigation on source of infection.