Reduced Expression of Autophagy Markers and Expansion of Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells Correlate With Poor T Cell Response in Severe COVID-19 Patients.

Widespread coronavirus disease (COVID)-19 is causing pneumonia, respiratory and multiorgan failure in susceptible individuals. Dysregulated immune response marks severe COVID-19, but the immunological mechanisms driving COVID-19 pathogenesis are still largely unknown, which is hampering the development of efficient treatments. Here we analyzed ~140 parameters of cellular and humoral immune response in peripheral blood of 41 COVID-19 patients and 16 age/gender-matched healthy donors by flow-cytometry, quantitative PCR, western blot and ELISA, followed by integrated correlation analyses with ~30 common clinical and laboratory parameters.

Impact of neuraminidase inhibitors on influenza A(H1N1)pdm09-related pneumonia: an individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: The impact of neuraminidase inhibitors (NAIs) on influenza-related pneumonia (IRP) is not established. Our objective was to investigate the association between NAI treatment and IRP incidence and outcomes in patients hospitalised with A(H1N1)pdm09 virus infection.

Methods: A worldwide meta-analysis of individual participant data from 20 634 hospitalised patients with laboratory-confirmed A(H1N1)pdm09 (n = 20 021) or clinically diagnosed (n = 613) 'pandemic influenza'.

Streptococcal Necrotizing Fasciitis with Toxic Shock Syndrome and Rapid Fatal Outcome.

Introduction: Streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis (NF) is a serious soft tissue infection with rapid progression of inflammatory process among superficial or deep fascia, systemic host response to infection leading to toxic shock syndrome (TSS), and multiple organ failure. Lethality is high.

Case Outline: A 46-year-old male without co-morbidities was admitted to the Emergency Department with redness, swelling and pain on his right lower leg.

Severe form of streptococcal necrotizing fasciitis of the upper limb--diagnostic and therapeutic challenge: A case report.

Introduction: Since delay in recognition and effective treatment of necrotizing fasciitis (NF) caused by invasive group A streptococcus increases the mortality and disability, the early diagnosis and management of this disease are essential for a better outcome. We presented a patient with a severe form of streptococcal NF of the left upper limb in whom amputation was performed as a life saving procedure.

Case Report: A 65-year-old man, previously healthy, suffered an injury to his left hand by sting on a fish bone.

Clinical significance of soluble Fas plasma levels in patients with sepsis.

Background/aim: The goal of modern clinical and experimental researches in the field of sepsis is to find one or more sensitive parameters that could predict the severity of sepsis and its outcome. In this study we investigated and compared the relationship of initial soluble Fas (sFas) plasma levels as well as Acute Physiology, Age and Chronic Health Evaluation II (APACHE II) score in 58 septic patients with severity and outcome of sepsis.

Methods: The diagnosis and assessment of disease severity was performed on the same day, based on clinical and laboratory parameters.

Surgical site infection surveillance in orthopedic patients in the Military Medical Academy, Belgrade.

Background/aim: Active surveillance is an important component of surgical site infection (SSI) reduction strategy. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare SSI surveillance data in orthopedic patients in the Military Medical Academy (MMA), Belgrade.

Methods: A 4-year prospective cohort study was performed to identify the incidence rate and risk factors for SSI in orthopedic patients in the MMA, Belgrade.

Effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitors in reducing mortality in patients admitted to hospital with influenza A H1N1pdm09 virus infection: a meta-analysis of individual participant data.

Background: Neuraminidase inhibitors were widely used during the 2009-10 influenza A H1N1 pandemic, but evidence for their effectiveness in reducing mortality is uncertain. We did a meta-analysis of individual participant data to investigate the association between use of neuraminidase inhibitors and mortality in patients admitted to hospital with pandemic influenza A H1N1pdm09 virus infection.

Methods: We assembled data for patients (all ages) admitted to hospital worldwide with laboratory confirmed or clinically diagnosed pandemic influenza A H1N1pdm09 virus infection.

Disseminated Rhodococcus equi infection in a patient with Hodgkin lymphoma.

Introduction: Rhodococcus (R) equi is an opportunistic, uncommon human pathogen that causes mainly infection in immunocompromised hosts. The disease is usually presented as subacute pneumonia that is mostly cavitary and sometimes bacteremic.

Case Report: We reported the extremly rare case of a 43-year-old woman with Hodgkin lymphoma, who developed R equi pulmonary infection after recieving multiple courses of chemotherapy.

Subdural tuberculous abscess of the lumbar spine in a patient with chronic low back pain.

Introduction: Despite modern imaging methods, tuberculous abscess in the subdural space of the spine can lead to misdiagnosis and to neurogical complications development, even more up to paraplegia. We presented an extremely rare case of subdural tuberculous abscess of the lumbar (L) spine and paraparesis in imunocompetent a 49-year-old patient.

Case Report: A patient with chronic L syndrome and a history of intervertebral (IV) disc L3 and L5 operations got severe back pain late in July 2007.

Atypical form of cat scratch disease in immunocompetent patient.

Introduction: Cat scratch disease (CSD) is an acute infectious disease with benign course caused by the bacteria Bartonella henselae. Clinically, it is usually manifested as regional lymphadenopathy and mild infective syndrome. Rare forms of the disease which usually occur in immunocompromised presons are: encephalitis, transverse myelitis, neuroretinitis, granulomatosus conjunctivitis, arthritis, hepatitis etc.

Efficacy of amifostine in protection against doxorubicin-induced acute cardiotoxic effects in rats.

Background/aim: Amifostine (AMI) is a broad-spectrum cytoprotector which protects against variety of radio- and chemotherapy-related toxicities without decreasing their antitumor action. The aim of the study was to investigate the potential protective effects of AMI against acute cardiotoxic effects of doxorubicin (DOX) in male Wistar rats.

Methods: AMI (300 mg/kg ip) was given 30 min before DOX (6 mg/kg and 10mg/kg b.

Clinical manifestations, therapy and outcome of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009 in hospitalized patients.

Background/aim: Increasing number of epidemiological and clinical studies to date showed that the pandemic influenza A (H1N1) 2009, by its characteristics, significantly differs from infection caused by seasonal influenza. Therefore, the information about clinical spectrum of manifestations, risk factors for severe form of the disease, treatment and outcome in patients with novel flu are still collected. METHODS; A total of 98 patients (mean age 32 +/- 15 years, range 14-88 years) with the signs and symptoms of novel influenza were treated in the Clinic for Infectious and Tropical Diseases, Military Medical Academy.

[Blood concentrations of lactate, C-reactive protein, and creatinine as early indicators of severity and outcome of sepsis].

Introduction: Since the outcome in septic patients can significantly be improved if the appropriate therapy is introduced timely early, the early diagnosis of sepsis and its complications is essential. The aim of this study was to compare mean values of the initial blood concentrations of lactate, C-reactive protein and creatinine and the severity of illness and the outcome of sepsis.

Materials And Methods: A total of 30 septic patients were included in the study.

[Impossibility of the treatment of inoperable liver multicystic echinococcosis due to adverse reactions to antihelminitics].

Introduction: In some cases of multicystic forms of liver echinococcal disease, the advanced method for treatment of cystic echinococcosis faces great problems relating to the final outcome of the treatment.

Case Report: In May 2005, a computerized tomography of the abdomen obtained in a 27-year-old female patient with abdominal pain revealed more than 20 echinococcal cysts measuring up to 6.7 cm in both lobes of the liver.

[Adverse effects of longterm, continual administration of high doses of albendazole in the treatment of echinococcal disease].

Background/aim: Modern treatment of cystic echinococcosis, except for surgical treatment and percutaneous drainage of cyst considers also administration of albendazole as a type of individual therapy. However, clinicians fear of the serious adverse effects of high doses of albendazole, first of all the elevation of serum transaminases activity, very frequently results in subdosing of albendazole and wrong conclusions its efficacy and safety. The aim of this study was to investigate adverse effects of a longterm, continual administration of high doses of albendazole in the treatment of patients with echinococcal disease.

Nosocomial bloodstream infections in ICU and non-ICU patients.

Background: Nosocomial bloodstream infections (BSI) create a serious health problem in hospitals all over the world. The objectives of our study were to explore putative disease markers and potential risk factors with nosocomial BSI in patients in intensive care units (ICU) and non-ICU patients and to determine risk factors associated with increased 28-day mortality rate in patients with nosocomial BSI acquired in combined medical-surgical ICU. However, the major purposes of this report were to identify epidemiologic differences between nosocomial BSI acquired in ICU and non-ICU, as well as analyses outcomes for patients with nosocomial BSI acquired in ICU.

[Primary localized cutaneous amyloidosis--lichen amyloidosis].

This case report presented a female patient with primary-localized-cutaneous-amyloidosis in the form of lichen amyloidosus. Primary-localized-cutaneous-amyloidosis is a rare idiopathic dermatosis caused by abnormal deposition of amyloid composed primarily of degenerated keratin filaments. In order to establish the final diagnosis, detailed clinical and laboratory investigations were performed, with a particular emphasis on pathohistological analysis of skin specimens, special stains, and electron microscopy.

[Multiorgan tuberculosis].

Tuberculosis is an unusual infectious disease because of the latent period between the infection and the appearance of the disease may be prolonged for many weeks, months, or years as it is in case of the secondary tuberculosis. Tuberculosis in organs other than the lung has been observed for many years but has not always been recognized as tuberculosis, and it has been given many names. Extrapulmonary tuberculosis gained new importance, because it represented a progressively greater proportion of new cases.

[Necrotizing fasciitis caused by group A streptococcus].

The first case of the confirmed necrotizing fasciitis caused by Group A Streptococcus in Yugoslavia was presented. Male patient, aged 28, in good health, suddenly developed symptoms and signs of severe infective syndrome and intensive pain in the axillary region. Parenteral antibiotic, substitutional and supportive therapy was conducted along with the radical surgical excision of the necrotizing tissue.