Respiratory infections constitute a major reason for infants and children seeking medical advice and visiting health facilities, thus remaining a significant public threat with high morbidity and mortality. The predominant viruses causing viral respiratory infections are influenza A and B viruses (Flu-A, Flu-B), respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), adenovirus and coronaviruses. We aimed to record the proportion of RSV, SARS-CoV-2, influenza A/B and adenovirus cases with rapid antigen tests and validate the results with RT-PCR assays of upper respiratory specimens with a wide range of viral loads and (co)-infection patterns in children.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSince the emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, many issues have arisen. We report SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations, SARS-CoV-2 cases and COVID-19 outcomes in Greece during weeks 2-26 of 2021 (Alpha variant period), weeks 27-51 of 2021 (Delta variant period) and week 51 of 2021 to week 27 of 2022 (Omicron variant period). The average weekly cases were higher during the Omicron period vs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Both SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination result in the production of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies. We aimed to compare the antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 in different scenarios for antibody production. Methods: A surveillance program was conducted in the municipality of Deskati in January 2022.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Antibody seroprevalence in rural communities remains poorly investigated. We compared the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence in two Greek communities in June and July 2021 after the end of the Delta-driven pandemic wave that started in November 2020. One community was affected worse than the other.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCOVID-19 is a pandemic viral disease with a catastrophic global impact. The severity of COVID-19 symptoms ranges from very mild to severe and affects mainly the respiratory system. Spontaneous pneumothorax and pleural effusion are rarely seen in spontaneously breathing COVID-19 patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Data regarding the prognostic significance of pleural effusion (PE) are scarce.
Objective: Explore the impact of PE on mortality among hospitalized patients.
Methods: Multicenter prospective observational study.
Background: In this work, we aimed to evaluate antibody-response longevity to SARS-CoV-2 infection and/or vaccination in one of the Greek communities that was worst hit by the pandemic, Deskati, five months after a previous serosurveillance and nine months after the pandemic wave initiation (October 2020).
Methods: The SARS-CoV-2 IgG II Quant method (Architect, Abbott, IL, USA) was used for antibody testing.
Results: A total of 69 subjects, who previously tested positive or negative for COVID-19 antibodies, participated in the study.
(1) Background: Malignant (MPE), parapneumonic (PPE) and tuberculous (TPE) pleural effusions constitute common causes of pleurisy. Discriminating among them is usually challenging. C-reactive protein (CRP) and adenosine deaminase (ADA) pleural levels (p-CRP, p-ADA) have been used as differentiators in many studies showing promising results.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA 72-year-old woman, nonsmoker, presented with approximately 2 months of nonproductive cough. The cough was initially intermittent, occurred more regularly during bedtime, but gradually became more frequent throughout the day with no reported triggering factors. The remaining review of associated symptoms was negative; she did not complain of shortness of breath, fever, chest pain, muscle weakness, weight loss, night sweats, or fatigue.
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