: We investigated the expression of inflammation, placental development, and function markers, including cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), osteopontin (OPN), and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), to shed light on the controversy regarding the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on fetal development and pregnancy outcomes.
Antimicrobial resistance is considered one of the major threats to public health and is an important factor that influences the patient's outcome in the intensive care unit. Pharmacovigilance can help raise awareness of potential drug resistance (DR) or ineffectiveness (DI) through adverse drug reaction reports that are submitted to different spontaneous reporting systems. Based on spontaneous Individual Case Safety Reports from EudraVigilance, we conducted a descriptive analysis of adverse drug reactions associated with meropenem, colistin, and linezolid, with a focus on DR and DI. Of the total adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reported for each analyzed antibiotic by 31 December 2022, between 2.38-8.42% and 4.15-10.14% of the reports were related to DR and DI, respectively. A disproportionality analysis was conducted to evaluate the frequency of reporting adverse drug reactions relevant to the DR and DI of the analyzed antibiotics compared to other antimicrobials. Based on the analysis of the collected data, this study underlines the importance of post-marketing drug safety monitoring in raising a warning signal regarding antimicrobial resistance, thereby potentially contributing to the reduction in antibiotic treatment failure in an intensive care setting.
Haemolytic-uremic syndrome is a rare but serious complication of bacterial and viral infections, which is characterized by the triad of: acute renal failure, microangiopathic haemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia, sometimes severe, requiring peritoneal dialysis. In Europe, hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS) in paediatric pathology is primarily caused by Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) O157, followed by O26. Beside these etiologies, there are other bacterial and viral infections, and also noninfectious ones that have been associated to lead to HUS as well: in the progression of neoplasia, medication-related, post-transplantation, during pregnancy or associated with the antiphospholipid syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus or family causes with autosomal dominant or recessive inheritance. In terms of pathogenesis, HUS is the result of endothelial injury, most commonly being a result of the action of Shiga toxin. The unfavorable prognosis factors being represented by the age of more than 5 years old, different etiologies from STEC, persistent oligoanuria, central nervous system and glomerular impairment, the association of fever with leukocytosis. HUS is responsible for 7% of cases of hypertension in infants, and an important cause of significant kidney damage in adults.We present one case of HUS caused by adenovirus in a boy of 1 year and 7 months old with severe evolution, which required peritoneal dialysis.Stool sample repeated examination for adenovirus antigen was positive in 2 samples.During hospitalization, the patient required 8 peritoneal dialysis sessions.The renal function was corrected on discharge, the patient required cardiovascular monitoring 1 month after discharge.Although the most common cause that leads to HUS remains STEC, other etiologies like viral ones that may be responsible for severe enteric infection with progression into HUS should not be neglected.
Human hepatic fasciolosis has been reported in 81 countries, some of which are endemic areas. In Europe, case reports from humans were published in Portugal, Spain, France, and Italy. Regarding Romania, we do not have any data on the prevalence of this parasitosis, with the exception of two cases of twins that were born in Romania and diagnosed in the last 37 years in Italy after joining their mother that lived there. We report the case of a patient diagnosed in Romania with chronic fasciolosis, presented as a hepatic pseudotumor that was diagnosed during the histopathological examination of the hepatic lesion. The patient received oral treatment with triclabendazole, two doses of 10 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight, given 12 h apart, with no side effects during or after the treatment. The evolution of the patient was favorable. In conclusion, even in areas free of human fasciolosis, the presence of an anemic syndrome especially in children, abdominal pain in the upper quadrants, associated or not with other digestive manifestations, even more so associated with eosinophilia in the acute phase, should be carefully evaluated for ruling out a parasitosis such as fasciolosis even in countries where this diagnosis seems unlikely.
Abstract Mass vaccination against the disease caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) was a crucial step in slowing the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in 2021. Even in the face of new variants, it still remains extremely important for reducing hospitalizations and COVID-19 deaths. Only limited data exists about the short- and long-term dynamics of humoral immune response. We present a longitudinal analysis of post-vaccination IgG levels in a cohort of 166 healthcare workers vaccinated with BNT162b2 with weekly follow-up until 35 days past the first dose and monthly follow-up up to 6 months post-vaccination. A subset of the patients continued with follow-up after 6 months and either received a booster dose or got infected during the Delta wave in Romania. Tests were carried out on 1697 samples using a CE-marked IgG ELISA assay developed in-house, containing S1 and N antigens of the wild type virus. Participants infected with SARS-CoV-2 before vaccination mount a quick immune response, reaching peak IgG levels two weeks after the first dose, while IgG levels of previously uninfected participants mount gradually, increasing abruptly after the second dose. Overall higher IgG levels are maintained for the previously infected group 35-70 days after vaccination. The decrease of IgG levels is gradual, with lower overall values in the infection naïve cohort even 7-8 months after vaccination, compared to the previously infected cohort. Administration of a booster dose yielded higher average IgG antibody levels than post second dose in the infection naïve group and comparable levels in the previously infected group.
Abstract Background Regdanvimab is a monoclonal antibody with activity against SARS-CoV-2. A Phase 2/3 study with two parts is currently ongoing and data up to Day 28 of Part 1 is available while the data from 1315 patients enrolled in Part 2 are expected in June 2021. Methods This phase 2/3, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled, double-blind study with 2 parts is aimed to assess the therapeutic efficacy of regdanvimab in outpatients with mild to moderate COVID-19, not requiring supplemental oxygen therapy. Patients aged >18 with the onset of symptoms within 7 days were eligible to be enrolled. Results In Part 1, 307 patients (101, 103, and 103 patients in the regdanvimab 40 mg/kg, regdanvimab 80 mg/kg, and placebo groups, respectively) were confirmed to have COIVD-19 by RT-qPCR at Day 1 (or Day 2). Regdanvimab significantly reduced the proportion of patients who required hospitalization or supplemental oxygen therapy compared to placebo (8.7% in the placebo vs. 4.0% in the regdanvimab 40 mg/kg). The difference in events rate was even larger in patients who met the high-risk criteria and confirmed a 66.1% reduction in patients receiving regdanvimab 40 mg/kg (Table 1). The median time to clinical recovery was shortened by 2.9 days (7.18 days for regdanvimab 40 mg/kg and 10.03 days for placebo; high-risk). Also, greater reductions from baseline viral load were shown in regdanvimab groups (Figure 1). The safety results confirmed that the regdanvimab was safe and well-tolerated. Occurrence of adverse events (Table 2) and results of other safety assessments were generally comparable among the 3 groups. The overall rate of infusion-related reaction was low and no serious adverse events or deaths were reported. The anti-drug antibody positive rate was low in the regdanvimab groups (1.4% in regdanvimab vs. 4.5% in placebo), and no antibody-dependent enhancement was reported. Conclusion Results from the first part of the study indicate that regdanvimab may lower the rate of hospitalisation or requirement of oxygen supplementation, with the greatest benefit noted in patients at high-risk of progressing to severe COVID-19. The second part of the study remains ongoing and blinded. Therefore, results for the primary endpoint are forthcoming and will be presented at IDWeek. Disclosures Michael G. Ison, MD, MS, Celltrion, Inc. (Consultant) Jin Yong Kim, MD, MPH, Celltrion, Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Oana Sandulescu, MD, PhD, Algernon Pharmaceuticals (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Atea Pharmaceuticals (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Celltrion, Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Diffusion Pharmaceuticals (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Liliana-Lucia Preotescu, MD, PhD, Celltrion, Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Norma Erendira Rivera Martinez, MD, Celltrion, Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Marta Dobryanska, MD, Celltrion, Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Victoria Birlutiu, Assoc. Prof. M.D. Ph.D., Celltrion, Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu, Romania & Hasso Plattner Foundation (Research Grant or Support) Egidia Gabriela Miftode, MD, PhD, Celltrion, Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Natalia Gaibu, MD, Celltrion, Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Olga Adriana Caliman-Sturdza, MD, PhD, Celltrion, Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, Romania (Research Grant or Support) Simin-Aysel Florescu, MD, PhD, Celltrion, Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Anca Streinu-Cercel, MD, PhD, Assoc.Prof. Infectious diseases, Algernon Pharmaceuticals (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Atea Pharmaceuticals (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Celltrion, Inc. (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Diffusion Pharmaceuticals (Scientific Research Study Investigator)Regeneron Pharmaceuticals (Scientific Research Study Investigator) Sang Joon Lee, n/a, Celltrion, Inc. (Employee) Sung Hyun Kim, n/a, Celltrion, Inc. (Employee) Il Sung Chang, n/a, Celltrion, Inc. (Employee) Yun Ju Bae, n/a, Celltrion, Inc. (Employee) Jee Hye Suh, n/a, Celltrion, Inc. (Employee) Mi Rim Kim, n/a, Celltrion, Inc. (Employee) Da Re Chung, n/a, Celltrion, Inc. (Employee) Sun Jung Kim, n/a, Celltrion, Inc. (Employee) Seul Gi Lee, n/a, Celltrion, Inc. (Employee) Ga Hee Park, n/a, Celltrion, Inc. (Employee) Joong Sik Eom, MD, PhD, Celltrion, Inc. (Consultant)
SARS-CoV-2 infection has been associated with an increased number of deaths, due to severe respiratory damage, cardiovascular impairment, acute renal failure, and also neurological injury, including stroke, which is most commonly responsible for death. These are elements that determine patients to seek medical advice.This is a case report of a female Caucasian patient, aged 65 years, with type 2 diabetes mellitus on metformin 1000 mg twice/day, and hypertension, who presented to the emergency department with one day history of left orbital hyperlacrimation and chewing and swallowing difficulty. On physical examination there was a decreased blink reflex, flattened nasolabial fold, and drooping left corner of the mouth, with left conjunctival hyperemia, and a present corneal reflex. Motion limited head CT and MRI revealed no pathological changes suggestive for the appearance of paresis. The patient was transferred to the Department of Infectious Diseases after laboratory confirmation of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Under treatment, improvement of paresis after three days was observed, with minimal asymmetry left five days after admission. A reassessment one month after discharge revealed complete recovery of the paresis, physical asthenia, and headache, in the context of long-COVID syndrome.The appearance of paresis may be a consequence of the direct action of the virus on the nervous system, of hypercoagulability, or, later, of an immune mechanism. The case presented is judged as an early, direct action of the virus on the central nervous system, the respiratory symptoms were minimized by the patient at the time of presentation.
Rationale: Syncope is described as the loss of consciousness and postural muscle tone with a short duration and fast onset. Micturition syncope can be caused by abnormal vasovagal response or by the dysfunction of the blood pressure regulating mechanism, which occurs before, during, or immediately after urination. Patient concerns: We present 4 cases of COVID-19 hospitalized in the Department of Infectious Diseases of the Academic Emergency Hospital Sibiu, Romania, cases that presented micturition syncope. Diagnoses: During hospitalization, patients confirmed with SARS-Cov-2 infection using real time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay, presented micturition syncope in different stages of the infection (at the beginning and in the second week of evolution). Interventions: Other causes of syncope such as adrenal insufficiency secondary to corticosteroids treatment, cardiac rhythm disorders, neurological impairment, dehydration, vasoactive medication, malignancies, pulmonary hypertension and coughing were excluded. The treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection was performed following the local and national guidelines. Outcomes: The clinical course of all 4 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and micturition syncope was favorable. To our knowledge, micturition syncope in COVID-19 patients has yet not been reported by other authors. Lessons: To our knowledge, micturition syncope associated with the evolution of COVID-19, has yet not been reported by other authors.
Background: Myroides spp. is considered an opportunistic germ, possibly pathogenic in immunocompromised patients, in whom it may cause varied clinical pictures in terms of severity, from skin and soft tissue infections, fasciitis, to urinary or respiratory infections, central nervous system infections, endocarditis etc. Few cases of sepsis caused by Myroides spp. have been described. Case presentation: We present the case of an immunocompromised patient with diabetes mellitus, chronic renal failure, diagnosed with sepsis caused by Myroides spp. with a chronic leg ulcer as starting point, superinfected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Proteus vulgaris, and associating bronchopneumonia. Conclusion: The presence of Myroides spp. or of other opportunistic pathogens in an immunocompromised patient, especially in those with renal failure, diabetes and persistent skin lesions, should be considered in cases with lack of response to commonly recommended antibiotics in these situations, as a possible emergence of an opportunistic pathogen that creates difficulties for treatment.
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