Comparative Analysis of Mortality From Coronavirus Disease 2019 Across the European Union Countries and the Effects of Vaccine Coverage.

Background: Mortality is a critical measure of disease impact. The European Union (EU) countries share the same regulatory framework but different implementation policies.

Methods: We extracted cumulative COVID-19 mortality data across the EU countries.

Automated monitoring compared to standard care for the early detection of sepsis in critically ill patients.

Background: Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that is usually diagnosed when a patient has a suspected or documented infection, and meets two or more criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). The incidence of sepsis is higher among people admitted to critical care settings such as the intensive care unit (ICU) than among people in other settings. If left untreated sepsis can quickly worsen; severe sepsis has a mortality rate of 40% or higher, depending on definition.

Medicare part D prescribing for direct oral anticoagulants in the United States: Cost, use and the "rubber effect".

Introduction: Direct oral anticoagulants (DOAC) have gained an increased share over warfarin for prevention and treatment of thromboembolic disease. We studied DOAC adoption across providers and medical specialties.

Methods: Retrospective, cross-sectional analysis of Medicare Part D public use files (PUF), 2013 to 2015.

Bosentan for patients with echocardiographic evidence of pulmonary hypertension due to long-standing rheumatic mitral stenosis.

Introduction: Vasoconstrictive endothelin signaling is not limited to idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension, but has also been implicated in pulmonary hypertension due to valvular heart disease. The efficacy and safety of endothelin receptor antagonists in these patients is unknown. We investigated the effects of bosentan in patients with transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) evidence of pulmonary hypertension due to mitral stenosis associated with rheumatic fever.

Infections in patients undergoing craniotomy: risk factors associated with post-craniotomy meningitis.

OBJECT The authors performed a prospective study to define the prevalence and microbiological characteristics of infections in patients undergoing craniotomy and to clarify the risk factors for post-craniotomy meningitis. METHODS Patients older than 18 years who underwent nonstereotactic craniotomies between January 2006 and December 2008 were included. Demographic, clinical, laboratory, and microbiological data were systemically recorded.

Biologic therapies in rheumatoid arthritis and the risk of opportunistic infections: a meta-analysis.

Objective: Biologic agents are increasingly used to treat patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). We aimed to review their association with opportunistic infections (OIs), including fungal, viral (with a focus on herpesvirus-related infections), tuberculosis and other mycobacterial infections.

Methods: We searched PubMed and EMBASE through June 24, 2013, and complemented the search with the reference lists of eligible articles.

Systemic antifungal prophylaxis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: a meta-analysis.

Background: Hematopoietic stem transplant recipients are subject to increased risk for invasive fungal infections.

Objective: This meta-analysis was undertaken to explore the comparative effectiveness of systemic antifungal prophylaxis in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Methods: We searched PubMed and The Cochrane Register of Randomized Controlled Trials up to March 2013 for randomized studies on systemic antifungal prophylaxis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Fungal central nervous system infections: prevalence and diagnosis.

Fungal infections of the central nervous system (CNS) are rare but they pose a significant challenge. Their prevalence spans a wide array of hosts including immunosuppressed and immunocompetent individuals, patients undergoing neurosurgical procedures and those carrying implantable CNS devices. Cryptococcus neoformans and Aspergillus spp.

Pegfilgrastim vs. filgrastim for supportive care after autologous stem cell transplantation: can we decide?

Granulocyte-colony-stimulating factors are helpful for the support of patients receiving autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, resulting in faster neutrophil recovery and lower incidence of febrile neutropenia (FN). Our aim was to evaluate the use of pegfilgrastim vs. filgrastim with regard to absolute neutrophil count (ANC) recovery, risk, and duration of FN and length of hospital stay.

Effectiveness of systemic antifungal prophylaxis in patients with neutropenia after chemotherapy: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Background: Invasive fungal infections are responsible for substantial morbidity and mortality among patients with neutropenia after chemotherapy.

Objective: This meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the effect of systemic antifungal prophylaxis on the frequency of invasive fungal infections in patients with neutropenia and the mortality associated with these infections.

Methods: MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were searched through September 15, 2010, for English-language publications of randomized controlled trials that compared systemic antifungal prophylaxis with placebo or no treatment in patients with neutropenia.

Infections in patients with traumatic brain injury who undergo neurosurgery.

Objective: Several factors place victims with traumatic brain injury (TBI) at increased risk for infection. The purpose of this study was to delineate the frequency, types and risk factors for infection in patients with TBI who undergo neurosurgery.

Materials And Methods: Retrospective surveillance of infections in patients with TBI, aged  ≥18 years who underwent neurosurgery in University of Crete between 1999 and 2005.

Impact of prolonged treatment with high-dose ciprofloxacin on human gut flora: a case report.

Introduction: Ciprofloxacin is a commonly marketed fluoroquinolone. It is not effective against obligate anaerobes, hence it is considered unlikely to have an impact on colonic microflora. We report the case of a patient who received prolonged treatment with high-dose ciprofloxacin for extensive pelvic osteomyelitis.

Spinal infections: evolving concepts.

Purpose Of Review: Although rare, spinal infections are characterized by an indolent clinical course and delay in diagnosis. Physicians should be aware of current diagnostic and therapeutic developments.

Recent Findings: The range of the pathogens causing spinal infections has expanded as a result of the increasing number of individuals at risk and enhanced diagnostics.

Mycobacterial species diversity at a general hospital on the island of Crete: first detection of Mycobacterium lentiflavum in Greece.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the diversity of mycobacterial isolates in a general hospital in Crete, Greece. 48 positive Lowenstein-Jensen cultures over a 3-y period were analysed by means of AccuProbe and GenoType assays. Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) comprised the majority of the isolates (56.

Risk factors associated with postcraniotomy meningitis.

Objective: The authors conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine the incidence, bacteriological features, and risk factors for postcraniotomy meningitis.

Methods: Patients older than 18 years who underwent nonstereotactic craniotomies between January 1996 and March 2000 and who survived for more than 7 days were included. Operations for placement of burr holes and shunts were excluded.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis malate synthase- and MPT51-based serodiagnostic assay as an adjunct to rapid identification of pulmonary tuberculosis.

The 81-kDa malate synthase (MS; Rv 1837c) and the 27-kDa MPT51 (Rv 3803c) of Mycobacterium tuberculosis are immunodominant antigens recognized by serum antibodies from approximately 80% of human immunodeficiency virus-negative smear-positive tuberculosis patients from India. We now provide evidence that the use of the MS/MPT51-based serodiagnostic assay can serve as an adjunct to sputum microscopy in the rapid diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis.

Biological therapies of autoimmune diseases.

The advances in the understanding of the pathogenesis of the autoimmune diseases have led to new treatment targets. Biological agents enhance or replace conventional immunosuppressive therapies in the treatment of autoimmune diseases. TNF-alpha has been validated as a good treatment target but the potential modalities also include the inhibition of the interaction between LFA-3 (lymphocyte function-associated antigen 3) and CD2, the blockade of the IL-1 receptors, the antibodies against the alpha4 integrins, the antibodies against B-cell CD20 and the inhibition of the activation of T-cells.