Religiosity and Health Outcomes in a Cohort of Romanian Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19.

There is a growing body of evidence for the interrelation between health status and religious beliefs. Our aim was to evaluate the level of religiosity in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 and to assess the link between religiosity and measurable health outcomes. This was an observational, single-center study which included patients with moderate-to-severe forms of COVID-19.

Disease Progression, Clinical Features, and Risk Factors for Pneumonia in Unvaccinated Children and Adolescents with Measles: A Re-Emerging Disease in Romania.

Measles causes in vaccinated children, with some exceptions, a mild disease, while the unvaccinated can suffer complications that result in serious consequences and even death. Although the introduction of the measles vaccine has reduced the number of cases and the viral spread, the current downward vaccination trend has resulted in the resurgence of the disease. Currently, Romania has a measles vaccination coverage below the 95% safety threshold.

Biological Profile and Clinical Features as Determinants for Prolonged Hospitalization in Adult Patients with Measles: A Monocentric Study in Western Romania.

Measles is a highly infectious and sometimes deadly illness that is preventable with vaccination. The present research aims to analyze the most recent measles epidemic from Romania that occurred in a population with a falling desire to receive immunizations, by detailing the clinical picture and biological profile of hospitalized patients. A secondary goal of the present research is to identify characteristics that increase the likelihood of a longer hospitalization and the development of measles-related pneumonia.

Laboratory Profile of COVID-19 Patients with Hepatitis C-Related Liver Cirrhosis.

Patients with cirrhosis are known to have multiple comorbidities and impaired organ system functioning due to alterations caused by chronic liver failure. In the past two years, since the COVID-19 pandemic started, several studies have described the affinity of SARS-CoV-2 with the liver and biliary cells. Considering hepatitis C as a significant independent factor for cirrhosis in Romania, this research was built on the premises that this certain group of patients is susceptible to alterations of their serum parameters that are yet to be described, which might be useful in the management of COVID-19 in these individuals.

Direct-Acting Antiviral Use for Genotype 1b Hepatitis C Patients with Associated Hematological Disorders from Romania.

: this study assessed variations in the blood parameters of patients with hematological disorders infected with HCV throughout a 12-week interferon-free treatment regimen. We followed a total of 344 patients suffering from chronic hepatitis C, infected with the 1b genotype and concomitant hematological disorders, who benefited from the direct-acting antiviral (DAA) therapy in our clinic. Seven of the most routinely checked blood parameters were analyzed, namely, hemoglobin, leucocyte count, neutrophils, erythrocyte count, platelet count, ALT, and total bilirubin level.

Foodborne Botulism in Western Romania: Ten Years' Experience at a Tertiary Infectious Disease Hospital.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze epidemiological data concerning foodborne botulism in Western Romania over the last decade. Botulism, the toxin formed by the bacterium , results in a neuroparalytic disorder capable of severe clinical progression that begins in the cranial nerves and progressively descends. Preventing progression to a severe case entails timely diagnosis since curative assets are restricted.

Predictive Value of Comorbid Conditions for COVID-19 Mortality.

In this paper, we aim at understanding the broad spectrum of factors influencing the survival of infected patients and the correlations between these factors to create a predictive probabilistic score for surviving the COVID-19 disease. Initially, 510 hospital admissions were counted in the study, out of which 310 patients did not survive. A prediction model was developed based on this data by using a Bayesian approach.

Liver Impairment and Hematological Changes in Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C and COVID-19: A Retrospective Study after One Year of Pandemic.

: The COVID-19 pandemic is an ongoing public health emergency. Patients with chronic diseases are at greater risk for complications and poor outcomes. The objective of this study was to investigate the liver function abnormalities and clinical outcomes in patients with COVID-19 and chronic hepatitis C.

The Efficacy of Convalescent Plasma Use in Critically Ill COVID-19 Patients.

On 24 March 2020, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced the approval of convalescent plasma therapy for critically ill patients with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) as an emergency investigational new drug. This pilot study from Romania aimed to determine if convalescent plasma transfusion can be beneficial in the treatment of selected critically ill patients diagnosed with a SARS-CoV-2 infection. Donor and receiver eligibility for critically ill coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients was based on Romanian guidelines issued at the time of the study.