An open label trial of anakinra to prevent respiratory failure in COVID-19.

Background: It was studied if early suPAR-guided anakinra treatment can prevent severe respiratory failure (SRF) of COVID-19.

Methods: A total of 130 patients with suPAR ≥6 ng/ml were assigned to subcutaneous anakinra 100 mg once daily for 10 days. Primary outcome was SRF incidence by day 14 defined as any respiratory ratio below 150 mmHg necessitating mechanical or non-invasive ventilation.

The Activin/Follistatin Axis Is Severely Deregulated in COVID-19 and Independently Associated With In-Hospital Mortality.

Background: Activins are members of the transforming growth factor-β superfamily implicated in the pathogenesis of several immunoinflammatory disorders. Based on our previous studies demonstrating that overexpression of activin-A in murine lung causes pathology sharing key features of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), we hypothesized that activins and their natural inhibitor follistatin might be particularly relevant to COVID-19 pathophysiology.

Methods: Activin-A, activin-B, and follistatin were retrospectively analyzed in 574 serum samples from 263 COVID-19 patients hospitalized in 3 independent centers, and compared with demographic, clinical, and laboratory parameters.

The role of the NLRP3 inflammasome and the activation of IL-1β in the pathogenesis of chronic viral hepatic inflammation.

Background And Aims: Chronic viral hepatitis is a prevalent disease with major health implications. Its underlying pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully understood. IL-1β and the NLRP3 inflammasome involvement has been suggested in recent years, from in vitro data and data from peripheral blood samples.

Mechanisms of accelerated liver fibrosis in HIV-HCV coinfection.

Although there is evidence that HCV progresses rapidly in HIV/HCV coinfected patients in comparison with HCV monoinfected, the HIV-, HCV- and host/genetic-related factors, as well as the exact mechanisms implicated in this process are not fully elucidated. Furthermore, cure of HCV in those coinfected seems possible with the new antiviral drugs, but high cost as well as insufficient identification, linkage with care and treatment hamper the achievement of this goal. Research on the subject, could reveal an important prognostic marker for the effectiveness of persuasion of patients with HIV/HCV coinfection with a predicted accelerated fibrosis course, in order to facilitate and prioritize, not in terms of guidelines but in the real life situation, their treatment with a medically just framework.

Pyoderma gangrenosum in a patient with chronic granulomatous disease: A case report.

Rationale: The simultaneous occurrence of pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) and chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is uncommon and few cases have been reported worldwide.

Patient Concerns: PG is a rare, chronic, ulcerative, neutrophilic skin disease of unknown etiology that requires immunosuppressive treatment. CGD belongs to Primary Immune Deficiencies in which the main defect lies in an inability of the phagocytic cells to generate superoxide making patients susceptible to serious, potentially life-threatening bacterial and fungal infections.

Prolonged and high dosage of tigecycline - successful treatment of spondylodiscitis caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii: a case report.

Background: The incidence of infectious spondylodiscitis has been increasing over the last few years. This reflects the expanding elderly and immunocompromised populations and the rising implementation of invasive spinal procedures. Infection may be inoculated into the disc space directly during invasive spinal procedures.