Varicella zoster virus central nervous system infection - a retrospective study from a tertiary center in Greece.

Introduction: Central nervous system (CNS) infection due to the varicella zoster virus (VZV) can complicate the primary infection or the reactivation, leading to significant mortality and morbidity. This study aimed to describe the clinical, laboratory, and radiological characteristics of patients with confirmed VZV CNS infection in a tertiary hospital in Greece.

Methods: Data about patients hospitalized from January 2018 to September 2023 with CNS infection by VZV, confirmed by a syndromic polymerase chain reaction in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), were retrospectively collected and evaluated.

Incidence, Risk Factors, and Outcomes of Thrombocytopenia in Older Medical Inpatients: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Thrombocytopenia, defined as a platelet count of less than 150 × 10/L, is a frequent condition among hospitalized patients and presents unique challenges in diagnosis and management. Despite its commonality, data on incidence and related risk factors in medical inpatients remain limited, especially in older people.

Methods: A 2-year prospective cohort study with a 3-year follow-up was conducted on inpatients aged ≥65 years admitted to a medical ward.

Group A Streptococcus Infections in Children: Epidemiological Insights Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Group A streptococcus (GAS) is the cause of both mild and invasive infections in humans with a high morbidity and mortality rate. The transmission of disease usually occurs via droplets, so the implementation of infection mitigation strategies (IMS) during the COVID-19 pandemic altered the incidence of GAS infection. This review aims to provide an overview of the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of GAS infection in children (invasive or non-invasive).

Infective endocarditis by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteria - a systematic review.

Introduction: Infective endocarditis (IE) is a disease that may frequently lead to significant morbidity and is associated with high mortality rates. Even though IE is classically caused by Gram-positive bacteria, Gram-negative bacteria may seldom cause IE. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) may pose significant problems in treating IE, especially for carbapenem-resistant pathogens.

Infective Endocarditis by Species-A Systematic Review.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a disease associated with significant morbidity and mortality. It is more commonly caused by Gram-positive cocci, but Gram-positive bacilli may seldom cause the disease. is an aerobic Gram-positive coccobacillus and a foodborne and opportunistic pathogen most commonly causing gastrointestinal infections, even though bacteremia, sepsis, meningitis, and fetal infections may also occur.

Estrogen receptors and extracellular matrix: the critical interplay in cancer development and progression.

Cancer remains a significant global health concern. Breast cancer is a multifaceted and prevalent disease influenced by several factors, among which estrogen receptors (ERs) and the extracellular matrix (ECM) play pivotal roles. ERs, encompassing ERα and ERβ, exert significant diversity on tumor behavior, cell signaling, invasion, and metastatic potential, thus guiding breast cancer prognosis.

Antimicrobial Regimens in Cement Spacers for Periprosthetic Joint Infections: A Critical Review.

Antibiotic-loaded cement spacers (ALCSs) are essential for treating periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs) by providing mechanical support and local antibiotic delivery. The purpose of this review is to comprehensively examine the various types of spacers utilised in the management of periprosthetic joint infections (PJIs), including both static and articulating variants and to analyse the fundamental principles underlying spacer use, their clinical benefits, the selection and administration of antimicrobial agents, appropriate dosages, and potential adverse effects. Articulating spacers, which allow joint mobility, often yield better outcomes than static ones.

Predatory Bacteria in the Treatment of Infectious Diseases and Beyond.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an increasing problem worldwide, with significant associated morbidity and mortality. Given the slow production of new antimicrobials, non-antimicrobial methods for treating infections with significant AMR are required. This review examines the potential of predatory bacteria to combat infectious diseases, particularly those caused by pathogens with AMR.

Hemophagocytic Lymphohistiocytosis Triggered by Herpes Simplex Virus 1 and 2: A Narrative Review.

: Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) is a rare, life-threatening syndrome characterized by an uncontrolled hyperinflammatory reaction. HLH is classified into primary (familial) and secondary (acquired). Secondary HLH is commonly triggered by infections, with viral infections being a leading cause.

Limited impact of colistin resistance on mortality of intensive care patients with carbapenem-resistant bacteraemia.

Background: Increasing incidence of carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacteraemia (CR-GNB) has triggered increased use of polymyxins, likely fuelling the emergence and spread of colistin resistance.

Aim: To estimate the excess clinical burden of colistin resistance in intensive care patients with CR-GNB.

Methods: A cohort of patients with CR-GNB during their stay in the intensive care unit (ICU) of a university hospital in Greece over a 4-year period (2020-2023) was constructed.

The Impact of the Mediterranean Diet on Telomere Biology: Implications for Disease Management-A Narrative Review.

Introduction: Telomeres are nucleoprotein complexes at the ends of chromosomes that are under the control of genetic and environmental triggers. Accelerated telomere shortening is causally implicated in the increasing incidence of diseases. The Mediterranean diet has recently been identified as one that confers protection against diseases.

Antimicrobial Resistance Trends in Hidradenitis Suppurativa Lesions.

: Antibiotic (AB) therapy is the first step in managing hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Knowledge of the local patterns of antimicrobial resistance is paramount for the appropriate selection of antimicrobials. This study aimed to assess the occurrence of antibiotic resistance in patients with HS.

The Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential of Cranberry, D-Mannose, and Flavonoids against Infectious Diseases: The Example of Urinary Tract Infections.

The treatment of infectious diseases typically includes the administration of anti-infectives; however, the increasing rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) have led to attempts to develop other modalities, such as antimicrobial peptides, nanotechnology, bacteriophages, and natural products. Natural products offer a viable alternative due to their potential affordability, ease of access, and diverse biological activities. Flavonoids, a class of natural polyphenols, demonstrate broad anti-infective properties against viruses, bacteria, fungi, and parasites.

Infective Endocarditis by Species-A Narrative Review.

Infective endocarditis (IE) is a disease that may cause significant morbidity and mortality. IE is classically caused by Gram-positive microorganisms; however, Gram-negative bacteria may seldom also be the cause. species cause zoonosis and may also infect humans, mainly causing gastrointestinal infection by or invasive disease by , such as bacteremia, sepsis, meningitis, or vascular infection.

Infections in Humans-A Narrative Review.

is a Gram-positive, strictly anaerobic, spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium belonging to the phylum Firmicutes and the family Lachnospiraceae. Until now, is the only species of its genus. It was first isolated in 2003 during a study into the flora of lagoons and manure pits.

Infections in Humans-A Narrative Review.

species (formerly known as ) are Gram-positive filamentous bacteria in the family Promicromonosporaceae and are more commonly found in sewage and soil. The present study aimed to identify all the published cases of species infections in the literature, describe the epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological characteristics, and provide data regarding its antimicrobial resistance, treatment, and outcomes. A narrative review was performed based on a PubMed and Scopus database search.

Infections in Humans-A Narrative Review.

is a Gram-negative rod that belongs to the order Enterobacterales and the family Yersiniaceae and was first identified in 1983 from 10 clinical strains in the United States of America. The present study aimed to identify all the published cases of in the literature, describe the epidemiological, clinical, and microbiological characteristics, and provide data regarding its antimicrobial resistance, treatment, and outcomes. A narrative review was performed based on a PubMed and Scopus databases search.