Interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) for the early prognosis of the risk for severe respiratory failure and death in COVID-19 pneumonia.

Objectives: Elevated concentrations of soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) predict progression to severe respiratory failure (SRF) or death among patients with COVID-19 pneumonia and guide early anakinra treatment. As suPAR testing may not be routinely available in every health-care setting, alternative biomarkers are needed. We investigated the performance of C-reactive protein (CRP), interferon gamma-induced protein-10 (IP-10) and TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) for predicting SRF or death in COVID-19.

Calprotectin and Imbalances between Acute-Phase Mediators Are Associated with Critical Illness in COVID-19.

The trajectory from moderate and severe COVID-19 into acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) necessitating mechanical ventilation (MV) is a field of active research. We determined serum levels within 24 h of presentation of 20 different sets of mediators (calprotectin, pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, interferons) of patients with COVID-19 at different stages of severity (asymptomatic, moderate, severe and ARDS/MV). The primary endpoint was to define associations with critical illness, and the secondary endpoint was to identify the pathways associated with mortality.

BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia Panel for Severe Lower Respiratory Tract Infections: Subgroup Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: The epidemiology of severe lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI) is constantly changing. We aimed to describe it using the BioFire FilmArray Pneumonia plus (PNplus) Panel.

Methods: In a sub-study of the PROGRESS trial, sputum samples of 90 patients with sepsis and LRTI were retrospectively studied.

Procalcitonin to Reduce Long-Term Infection-associated Adverse Events in Sepsis. A Randomized Trial.

Although early antimicrobial discontinuation guided by procalcitonin (PCT) has shown decreased antibiotic consumption in lower respiratory tract infections, the outcomes in long-term sepsis sequelae remain unclear. To investigate if PCT guidance may reduce the incidence of long-term infection-associated adverse events in sepsis. In this multicenter trial, 266 patients with sepsis (by Sepsis-3 definitions) with lower respiratory tract infections, acute pyelonephritis, or primary bloodstream infection were randomized (1:1) to receive either PCT-guided discontinuation of antimicrobials or standard of care.

Microbiology of acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infections in Greece: A proposed clinical prediction score for the causative pathogen.

Although clinical definitions of acute bacterial skin and skin-structure infection (ABSSSI) are now well established, guidance of the prediction of likely pathogens based on evidence is missing. This was a large survey of the microbiology of ABSSSIs in Greece. During the period November 2014 to December 2016, all admissions for ABSSSI in 16 departments of internal medicine or surgery in Greece were screened to determine the likely bacterial aetiology.

Polymicrobial bloodstream infections: Epidemiology and impact on mortality.

The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of polymicrobial bloodstream infections (pBSIs) on the outcome of sepsis in an area where antimicrobial resistance is of concern. This was a retrospective analysis of data collected prospectively from patients developing BSI outside of an intensive care unit (non-ICU patients) or after ICU admission. Demographics and clinical characteristics were compared for patients with pBSI versus monomicrobial BSI (mBSI) and following stratification by ICU or non-ICU and severity of sepsis status.

Risk assessment in sepsis: a new prognostication rule by APACHE II score and serum soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor.

Introduction: Early risk assessment is the mainstay of management of patients with sepsis. APACHE II is the gold standard prognostic stratification system. A prediction rule that aimed to improve prognostication by APACHE II with the application of serum suPAR (soluble urokinase plasminogen activator receptor) is developed.

Intestinal schistosomiasis caused by both Schistosoma intercalatum and Schistosoma mansoni.

A case is presented of intestinal schistosomiasis due to both Schistosoma intercalatum and Schistosoma mansoni in a 30-year-old man from Senegal with discussion of diagnostic approach, species identification and determination of the effect of treatment. The patient was admitted to hospital for investigation of renal failure, arterial hypertension and hypereosinophilia. Repeated stool examinations for ova and parasites were negative.

Pharmacokinetic interactions of ceftazidime, imipenem and aztreonam with amikacin in healthy volunteers.

The common usage of extended spectrum beta-lactams co-administered with amikacin in everyday clinical practice for infections by multidrug-resistant isolates has created the need to search for pharmacokinetic interaction. Eighteen healthy volunteers were enrolled in the study; six were administered 1g of ceftazidime singly intravenously or combined with 0.5 g of amikacin; six received 0.