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The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and antibiotic resistance rates of extendedspectrum b-lactamase (ESBL)-producing Proteus mirabilis strains isolated from inpatients at the Split University Hospital (southern Croatia) during a survey performed between 2005 and 2008. A total of 2152 consecutive isolates of P. mirabilis were isolated. The prevalence was 0.5 % in 2005 and increased significantly to 20.9 % by 2008. Strains were most frequently isolated from urine (36.5 %) and bronchial aspirates and wound swabs (11.3 %). ESBL-producing P. mirabilis isolates showed very high resistance rates to the majority of non-b-lactam antibiotics and were susceptible to a b-lactam/b-lactamase inhibitor and carbapenems. The isolates were genotyped and their ESBLs were molecularly characterized. Strains originating from the intensive care unit and the surgery and neurosurgery wards were clonally related. All P. mirabilis isolates produced the TEM-52 type of ESBL. To the best of our knowledge, our work detailed here and summarized in an earlier communication is the first report of such isolates from southern Croatia. Increased monitoring and screening for ESBL production in this species at our hospital is mandatory.

Clin Microbiol Infect 2012; 18: E200–E203 Abstract To assess the prevalence of Toscana virus (TOSV) infection among healthy residents of Croatia we tested sera from 2016 persons, for IgG antibodies to TOSV, by an enzyme immunoassay. A total of 755 (37.5%) persons had IgG antibodies to TOSV: 53.9%, 33.6% and 6.1% among residents of the islands, coastal area and mainland of Croatia, respectively. Risk factors significantly associated with seropositivity to TOSV were: living on islands (OR, 11.10; 95% CI, 6.02–20.50; p <0.001) or in coastal areas (OR, 6.96; 95% CI, 3.81–12.71; p <0.001) and increase of age (OR, 1.03; 95% CI, 1.02–1.03; p <0.001).

The prevalence of asymptomatic leishmaniasis in the general population of Croatia has not been studied to date. To assess the prevalence of Leishmania infantum specific IgG antibodies among immunocompetent residents of Croatia, sera from 2,035 persons (eastern coast of Adriatic Sea, n=1,186; Adriatic islands, n=653; mainland, n=196), were tested by an enzyme immunoassay. A total of 231 (11.4%) persons had anti-Leishmania antibodies. Multivariate analysis revealed that seropositivity was associated with geographic location and age. Residents of coastal areas and islands were significantly more seropositive than mainland residents (odds ratios (OR) 20.37 to 28.51). Moderate to high anti-Leishmania seroprevalence was found throughout the eastern Adriatic coast and islands (4.0% to 22.2%) including the sites previously considered non-endemic. A highly endemic focus was identified in central coastal Dalmatia (seroprevalence 22.2%; OR: 1.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33-2.22). Regarding age, children aged 0-9 years were the most vulnerable group for asymptomatic Leishmania infection (OR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.16-4.14).

The prevalence of asymptomatic leishmaniasis in the general population of Croatia has not been studied to date. To assess the prevalence of Leishmania infantum specific IgG antibodies among immunocompetent residents of Croatia, sera from 2,035 persons (eastern coast of Adriatic Sea, n=1,186; Adriatic islands, n=653; mainland, n=196), were tested by an enzyme immunoassay. A total of 231 (11.4%) persons had anti-Leishmania antibodies. Multivariate analysis revealed that seropositivity was associated with geographic location and age. Residents of coastal areas and islands were significantly more seropositive than mainland residents (odds ratios (OR) 20.37 to 28.51). Moderate to high anti-Leishmania seroprevalence was found throughout the eastern Adriatic coast and islands (4.0% to 22.2%) including the sites previously considered non-endemic. A highly endemic focus was identified in central coastal Dalmatia (seroprevalence 22.2%; OR: 1.72; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.33-2.22). Regarding age, children aged 0-9 years were the most vulnerable group for asymptomatic Leishmania infection (OR: 2.19; 95% CI: 1.16-4.14).