Publications by authors named "Luka Svitek"
Rationale: Herpes simplex virus 1 establishes a latent infection in trigeminal ganglia. Reactivation causes cold sores, as well as viral keratitis. The purpose of this study was to report potential benefits of using active vitamin D receptor ligands (VDR-agonists) as adjunctive therapies for the treatment of infectious corneal perforations, and prevention of HSV recurrence.
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- - Sodium imbalance is a frequent issue in COVID-19, often caused by hormonal disruptions, particularly involving conditions like hypothyroidism and hypocortisolism, which can both lead to lower sodium levels (hyponatremia).
- - Hypocortisolism, resulting from adrenal or pituitary issues, affects the kidneys' ability to excrete water properly and increases the secretion of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), further diluting sodium levels.
- - The review emphasizes that the relationship between COVID-19 and sodium imbalance is complicated by factors like the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) being impacted by the virus, highlighting the need for more research to better manage these disturbances in affected
Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) is a stress-induced cytokine associated with acute and chronic inflammatory states. This prospective observational study aimed to investigate the prognostic roles of GDF-15 and routine clinical laboratory parameters in COVID-19 patients. Upon the admission of 95 adult hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Croatia, blood analysis was performed, and medical data were collected.
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- Antidiuretic hormone (ADH) release from the posterior pituitary can lead to hyponatremia if not properly regulated, a condition known as SIADH.
- A case study details a 67-year-old male who developed SIADH symptoms after taking ciprofloxacin for prostatitis, with low serum sodium levels confirming the condition.
- After discontinuing ciprofloxacin and restricting fluids, his sodium levels improved significantly within four days, underscoring the need for awareness among healthcare providers about the potential side effects of this antibiotic.
The COVID-19 pandemic has revealed a significant association between SARS-CoV-2 infection and diabetes, whereby individuals with diabetes are more susceptible to severe disease and higher mortality rates. Interestingly, recent findings suggest a reciprocal relationship between COVID-19 and diabetes, wherein COVID-19 may contribute to developing new-onset diabetes and worsen existing metabolic abnormalities. This narrative review aims to shed light on the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying the diabetogenic effects of COVID-19.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: A rare case of coinfection of and SARS-CoV-2 disease in Croatia is presented in this report.
Methods: We tracked epidemiological and laboratory findings in a patient with SARS-CoV-2 and coinfection. A complete blood count was performed using the Sysmex XN-2000 analyser (Sysmex Corporation, Kobe, Japan), coagulation analyses were performed using the BCS XP coagulometer (Siemens Healthineers AG, Erlangen, Germany).
Objectives: The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants raised questions about the extent to which vaccines designed in 2020 have remained effective. We aimed to assess whether vaccine status was associated with the severity of Omicron SARS-CoV-2 infection in hospitalized patients.
Methods: We conducted an international, multi-centric, retrospective study in 14 centres (Bulgaria, Croatia, France, and Turkey).
Background: Tick-borne encephalitis virus (TBEV) is one of the most significant arboviruses affecting the human central nervous system (CNS) in Europe. Data on cytokine response in TBEV infection are limited.
Methods: We analyzed the cytokine response in serum, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and urine samples of patients with TBE.