Differences in the Dwell Time of Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters between Patients with Catheter Colonization and Those Developing Central Line-Associated Bloodstream Infection: A Single Centre Retrospective Cohort Study.

Substantial knowledge gaps exist concerning the varying durations of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) placements that lead to either central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI) or catheter colonization. We aimed to compare PICCs dwell time between patients who developed CLABSIs due to multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDROs) and patients with catheter colonization by MDROs. Data from 86 patients admitted consecutively to a tertiary-care hospital from 2017 to 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.

Central Venous Catheters versus Peripherally Inserted Central Catheters: A Comparison of Indwelling Time Resulting in Colonization by Multidrug-Resistant Pathogens.

Background: The use of peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs) as an alternative to central venous catheters (CVCs) has steadily risen over the last two decades. However, there is an ongoing debate regarding research evidence that supports any clear advantages or disadvantages of them compared to traditional central venous lines. The present study was conducted to compare the indwelling time of CVC and PICC placements leading to microbial colonization by multidrug-resistant microorganisms (MDROs) in critically ill patients.

Comparison of microbial colonization rates between central venous catheters and peripherally inserted central catheters.

Background: Central venous catheters (CVCs) and peripherally inserted central catheters (PICCs), have been widely used as intravascular devices in critically ill patients. However, they might evoke complications, such as catheter colonization that has been considered as predisposing factor for central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs). Although numerous studies have compared the risk of bloodstream infections between PICCs and CVCs, comparative studies on their colonization rates are limited.

Cardiac myxomas: A single-center case series of 145 patients over a 32-year period study.

Background: Myxomas are the most common primary cardiac tumors that develop mostly at the atrial chambers of the heart and represent 0,25% of all cardiac diseases.

Methods: This is a retrospective study aiming to analyze epidemiological and intraoperative data from cardiac myxoma cases in the hospital of the last 32 years. The study population was 145 cardiac surgical patients and was divided into 4 certain 8-year periods.

Lower risk of bloodstream infections for peripherally inserted central catheters compared to central venous catheters in critically ill patients.

Background: Peripherally inserted central venous catheters (PICCs) serve as an alternative to short-term central venous catheters (CVCs) for providing intravenous access in hospitalized patients. Although a number of studies suggest that PICCs are associated with a lower risk of central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) than CVCs, recent data concerning specific patient groups support the contrary. In this regard, we are comparing CVC- and PICC-related CLABSI rates developed in a selected group of critically ill inpatients and evaluating the CLABSI microbiological distribution.

Duration of central venous catheter placement and central line-associated bloodstream infections after the adoption of prevention bundles: a two-year retrospective study.

Background: Central line-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) remain a critical and possibly fatal outcome of hospitalization. Use of central venous catheter (CVC) bundles can considerably reduce CLABSI rates in hospitalized patients. However, despite widespread adoption of these bundles in hospitals worldwide, CLABSIs still remain prevalent.

Fungal Septic Knee Arthritis Caused by following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction.

Postoperative infections after arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) represent a rare but severe complication. An extremely rare case of septic arthritis in a 27-year-old patient following arthroscopic ACLR is reported. The patient presented with signs of knee infection 14 days after ACLR.

Central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection and colonization: the impact of insertion site and distribution of multidrug-resistant pathogens.

Background: Placement of central-venous catheters (CVCs) is an essential practice in the management of hospitalized patients, however, insertion at the commonly used sites has often the potential of inducing major complications. Neverthelss, the impact of specific site central line catheter insertion on catheter-associated bloodstream infections (CLABSIs) has not been clarified yet in the literature.

Objective: The aim of the study was to compare CLABSIs and catheter colonization rates among the three catheter insertion sites: subclavian (SC), internal jugular (IJ) and femoral (FEM) in hospitalized patients.

Autopsy of 54 cases of surgically excised cardiac myxomas. Investigation of their impact on immune response.

Introduction: The impact of cardiac myxomas on the immune response is still indefinite, although laboratory tests and histological findings suggest that there is a correlation between myxomas and inflammatory reaction.

Objectives: Our study speculates that cardiac myxomas are associated with inflammatory response and investigates potential elements of inflammation in the histopathological examination and biomarkers from laboratory tests.

Methods: It is a retrospective study and data were collected from a single center between May 2010 to May 2018.

Antimicrobial stewardship program in a Greek hospital: implementing a mandatory prescription form and prospective audits.

Aim: Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are urgently needed for Greek hospitals in order to improve antibiotic usage.

Patients & Methods: An ASP was implemented to a Greek hospital since February 2014. A mandatory order form was introduced for five antimicrobials; colistin, tigecycline, daptomycin, doripenem and linezolid.

The challenge of curbing aminoglycoside resistance: can antimicrobial stewardship programs play a critical role?

Aminoglycosides are useful antimicrobials, primarily for serious infections involving aerobic gram-negative pathogens. The inevitable increase in aminoglycoside resistance has led to calls for reducing levels of inappropriate aminoglycoside prescribing through the implementation of various antibiotic stewardship programs (ASPs). These programs mainly include restriction policies and aminoglycoside cycling.

The Impact of Antibiotic Stewardship Programs in Combating Quinolone Resistance: A Systematic Review and Recommendations for More Efficient Interventions.

Quinolones are among the most commonly prescribed antibiotics worldwide. A clear relationship has been demonstrated between excessive quinolone use and the steady increase in the incidence of quinolone-resistant bacterial pathogens, both in hospital and community sites. In addition, exposure to quinolones has been associated with colonization and infection with healthcare-associated pathogens such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Clostridium difficile in hospitalized patients.

Fatal human anaplasmosis associated with macrophage activation syndrome in Greece and the Public Health response.

Human granulocytic anaplasmosis (HGA) is a tick-borne disease caused by Anaplasma phagocytophilum that has the potential to spread in new geographical areas. The first fatal case of HGA in Greece is presented. Fever of unknown origin, renal and respiratory insufficiency and development of macrophage activation syndrome characterized the clinical presentation.

Action Plan to combat infections due to carbapenem-resistant, Gram-negative pathogens in acute-care hospitals in Greece.

The prevalence of carbapenem-resistant pathogens (CRPs) has increased worldwide. Given the importance of CRPs for public health and the high rates of carbapenem resistance observed in Greece, the Hellenic Center for Disease Control and Prevention (HCDCP) under the auspices of the Ministry of Health has undertaken initiatives to develop an Action Plan (i) to estimate the burden of CRP infections in acute-care hospitals in Greece and (ii) to implement infection control measures to limit the intrahospital transmission of these organisms. Starting in November 2010, specific infections caused by CRPs were reported to the HCDCP weekly.

Prevalence of hepatitis B in haemodialysis nursing staff in Athens.

Background: Healthcare workers are at high risk of acquiring hepatitis B and particularly haemodialysis staff. The aim of the study was to examine the prevalence of hepatitis B markers in haemodialysis nurses and to explore the determinants of the infection.

Patients And Methods: Two hundred and sixteen haemodialysis nurses from 20 haemodialysis units in Athens completed an anonymous questionnaire, their blood samples were taken and tested for hepatitis B virus (HBV) markers.

Importance of maternal and cord blood viremia in pregnant women with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Background/aim: The spontaneous preterm birth (SPB) rates in a group of HBeAg-negative chronic HBV infected pregnant women without several known risk factors for preterm delivery as well as the mother to infant HBV transmission rates was evaluated. Moreover the role of maternal data during perinatal period as well as the role of HBsAg and/or HBV-DNA presence in cord blood in respect to preterm labour and vertical transmission of the infection was examined.

Methods: 138 consecutive chronic HBV infected pregnant women were haematologically, serologically and virologically evaluated during the perinatal period.

Presence of HBV-DNA in cord blood is associated with spontaneous preterm birth in pregnant women with HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Spontaneous preterm birth is the leading cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality. In this study the spontaneous preterm birth rates in a group of hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg)-negative chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected pregnant women without known risk factors for preterm delivery as well as the role of maternal laboratory data and hepatitis B surface antigen/HBV deoxyribonucleic acid (HBV-DNA) in cord blood in respect to preterm labour were evaluated. 138 consecutive HBeAg-negative chronic HBV-infected pregnant women were evaluated during the perinatal period.

Knowledge and practices about rabies among travel medicine consultants in Greece.

The number of travellers returning with animal bites from rabies enzootic areas has increased in Greece. The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge of travel-associated risk and preventive measures for rabies. A questionnaire was sent to Travel Medicine consultants in all prefectures.

Spontaneous preterm birth in women with chronic hepatitis B virus infection.

Objective: To determine whether chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection, as evidenced by serum levels of HBsAg and HBV DNA, is a risk factor for spontaneous preterm birth (SPB).

Method: The prevalence of HBV infection and the SPB rate were prospectively investigated among 1826 pregnant women, 30.89% Albanian and the remainder of other European origins.

Prevalence of HPV infection among Greek women attending a gynecological outpatient clinic.

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is a causative factor for cervical cancer. Early detection of high risk HPV types might help to identify women at high risk of cervical cancer. The aim of the present study was to examine the HPV prevalence and distribution in cervical smears in a sample of Greek women attending a gynecological outpatient clinic and to explore the determinants of the infection.