Role of MR-proADM and Monocyte CD169 in Predicting In-Hospital and 60-Day Mortality in COVID-19 Patients.

Objectives: Mid-regional pro-adrenomedullin (MR-proADM) and monocyte CD169 (CD169) are valuable prognostic indicators of severe COVID-19.

Methods: We assessed the predictive ability of a single measurement of MR-proADM and CD169 at emergency department (ED) admission to forecast in-hospital and 60-day mortality in adult COVID-19 patients. We analyzed clinical and laboratory data, with in-hospital mortality as the primary endpoint and 60-day mortality as the secondary endpoint.

Identifying the best treatment choice for relapsing/refractory glioblastoma: a systematic review with multiple Bayesian network meta-analyses.

Background: Glioblastoma is a highly aggressive primary central nervous system tumor characterized by poor outcomes. In case of relapse or progression to adjuvant chemotherapy, there is no univocal preferred regimen for relapsing glioblastoma.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and Bayesian trial-level network meta-analyses (NMA) to identify the regimens associated with the best outcomes.

Do patients receiving extracorporeal membrane-oxygenation need antibiotic prophylaxis? A systematic review and meta-analysis on 7,996 patients.

Background: Patients undergoing Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) are particularly susceptible to infections: 42% experience sepsis and 26% develop a nosocomial infection (NI). Whether antibiotic prophylaxis is effective in reducing mortality and its effects on the rate of NIs is currently unclear.

Research Question: Can antibiotic prophylaxis decrease 30-day mortality for patients on ECMO? Can antibiotic prophylaxis prevent the occurrence of NIs in these patients?

Study Design And Methods: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted.

Diagnostic role of CD64 expression on neutrophils as biomarker for blood stream infection in liver cirrhosis: some preliminary findings.

Background: The expression of CD64 on neutrophils (nCD64), measured using flow cytometry, has been proposed as a biomarker for bloodstream infections (BSI). However, data regarding its use in the setting of liver cirrhosis are lacking.

Methods: We compared nCD64 levels in 15 cirrhotic patients with BSI to those in 19 controls, including outpatients with stable decompensated cirrhosis without infection.

Rethinking Combination Therapy for S. aureus bacteremia: A Fading Paradigm.

Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia presents clinical complexities, with prolonged duration associated with unfavorable outcomes. This research delves into unconventional treatments, such as combinations involving daptomycin, oxacillin, ceftaroline, and fosfomycin, with the aim of swiftly sterilizing bloodstream infection to reduce complications. Our examination of 30 MSSA bacteremia patients with infective endocarditis uncovers differing results between single-agent therapies (oxacillin or daptomycin) and combined treatment plans.

Time is running out. No excuses to delay implementation of antimicrobial stewardship programmes: impact, sustainability, resilience and efficiency through an interrupted time series analysis (2017-2022).

Introduction: The WHO declared antimicrobial resistance (AMR) a significant concern in 2014, sparking initiatives to ensure responsible antibiotic use. In human medicine, Antimicrobial Stewardship Programmes (ASPs) in hospitals play a pivotal role in combating AMR. Although evidence supports the effectiveness of ASPs in optimizing antimicrobial use, often the lack of resources becomes an excuse to limit their dissemination and use.

The Management of Recurrent Urinary Tract Infection: Non-Antibiotic Bundle Treatment.

Recurrent urinary tract infections (rUTIs) are a common condition with high morbidity and negatively impact the quality of life. They account for approximately 25% of all antibiotic prescriptions and are a public health concern in an era of increasing multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). Several non-antibiotic treatment strategies have been tried to curb antimicrobial use, and many are effective to some degree, but no experience testing multimodal interventions.

Mortality predictors in hospitalised COVID-19 patients and the role of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies and remdesivir.

Background: In a pre-vaccination era serologic tests may be used to evaluate the seroprevalence and efficacy of containment strategies applied to the community. Subsequently, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination has successfully reduced hospitalization and admission to intensive care. The role of antiviral treatment for COVID-19 remains debated.

Dalbavancin in catheter-related bloodstream infections: a pilot study.

Background: Catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSI) represent a frequent complication of vascular catheterization, with high morbidity, mortality, and associated costs. Most infections are caused by Gram-positive bacteria; thus dalbavancin, a new long-acting lipoglicopeptide, may have a role in early patient discharge strategies optimizing treatment and reducing overall costs.

Methods: In this small pilot feasibility study, we assessed the efficacy and safety of a "single step" treatment strategy combining dalbavancin administration (1500 mg IV single dose), catheter removal, and early discharge in adult patients admitted to medical wards in a three-year period.

Multiple Bayesian network meta-analyses to establish therapeutic algorithms for metastatic triple negative breast cancer.

Metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (mTNBC) is a poor prognostic disease with limited treatments and uncertain therapeutic algorithms. We performed a systematic review and multiple Bayesian network meta-analyses according to treatment line to establish an optimal therapeutic sequencing strategy for this lethal disease. We included 125 first-line trials (37,812 patients) and 33 s/further-lines trials (11,321 patients).

Home management of COVID-19 symptomatic patients: a safety study on COVID committed home medical teams.

To reduce the overburden in the hospital, during the COVID-19 pandemic, some "COVID Committed Home Medical Teams" (CCHTs) were created in Italy. These units consist of a small pool of general practitioners who aim to evaluate all patients with COVID-19 who require a medical examination directly at home. After the first visit (which can end with patient hospitalisation or home management), CCHTs periodically monitor the patients' clinical conditions and vital signs (usually a revaluation every 24-48 hours, except for a sudden worsening).

Antimicrobial Stewardship in the Covid-19 Pandemic.

During COVID-19 pandemic, implementing and maintaining an antimicrobial stewardship protocol obtained both low rates of MDR microorganisms and low antimicrobial use in an 800-bed hospital network in northern Italy. Infectious diseases specialist consulting was crucial to maintain this protocol active.

Rapidly progressive ischemic strokes and transient antiphospholipid syndrome during a mild SARS-CoV-2 infection.

SARS-CoV-2 infection is associated with an increased risk of thrombotic events, especially during severe forms of disease. Here we describe the clinical history of a patient with a mild form of Covid-19 infection presenting with multiple cerebral ischemic lesions that evolved in an atypical way.

Epidemiology of respiratory virus before and during COVID-19 pandemic.

The COVID pandemic has forcefully turned the spotlight on the importance of the diagnosis of respiratory virus infections. Viruses have always been a frequent and common cause of respiratory tract infections. Rapid molecular diagnostics applied to the diagnostics of respiratory virus infections has revolutionized microbiology laboratories only a few years ago.

Development and Validation of the Acute PNeumonia Early Assessment Score for Safely Discharging Low-Risk SARS-CoV-2-Infected Patients from the Emergency Department.

A continuous demand for assistance and an overcrowded emergency department (ED) require early and safe discharge of low-risk severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected patients. We developed ( = 128) and validated ( = 330) the acute PNeumonia early assessment (aPNea) score in a tertiary hospital and preliminarily tested the score on an external secondary hospital ( = 97). The score's performance was compared to that of the National Early Warning Score 2 (NEWS2).

Anthracyclines Strike Back: Rediscovering Non-Pegylated Liposomal Doxorubicin in Current Therapeutic Scenarios of Breast Cancer.

Anthracyclines are among the most active chemotherapies (CT) in breast cancer (BC). However, cardiotoxicity is a risk and peculiar side effect that has been limiting their use in clinical practice, especially after the introduction of taxanes. Non-pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (NPLD) has been developed to optimize the toxicity profile induced by anthracyclines, while maintaining its unquestionable therapeutic index, thanks to its delivering characteristics that increase its diffusion in tumor tissues and reduce it in normal tissues.

Acute kidney injury and single-dose administration of aminoglycoside in the Emergency Department: a comparison through propensity score matching.

According to the Surviving Sepsis Campaign, aminoglycosides (AG) can be administered together with a β-lactam in patients with septic shock. Some authors propose administering a single dose of an AG combined with a β-lactam antibiotic in septic patients to extend the spectrum of antibiotic therapy. The aim of this study has been to investigate whether a single shot of AG when septic patients present at the Emergency Department (ED) is associated with acute kidney injury (AKI).

Artificial neural network model from a case series of COVID-19 patients: a prognostic analysis.

Background And Aim: There is a need to determine which clinical variables predict the severity of COVID-19. We analyzed a series of critically ill COVID-19 patients to see if any of our dataset's clinical variables were associated with patient outcomes.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data of COVID-19 patients admitted to the ICU of the Hospital in Pordenone from March 11, 2020, to April 17, 2020.

Peritoneal Tuberculosis during Infliximab Treatment in a Patient with Ulcerative Colitis Despite a Negative Quantiferon Test.

Infliximab is an IgG1 antitumor necrosis factor monoclonal antibody that is commonly used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and other autoimmune disorders. However, it is known to increase the risk of reactivation of latent tuberculosis (LTBI) due to its capability to disrupt TB granulomas. We describe a case of extrapulmonary TB in a patient with ulcerative colitis who was treated with Infliximab after a negative Quantiferon Test.

Diagnostic performance of an automated chemiluminescence immunoassay for SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgM antibodies detection: A real life experience.

Background: Recently many serological assays for detection of antibodies to SARS-COV-2 virus were introduced on the market. Aim of this study was to assess the diagnostic performance of an automated CLIA for quantitative detection of anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies.

Methods: A total of 354 sera, 89 from consecutive patients diagnosed with COVID-19 (43 mild, 32 severe and 13 critical) and 265 from asymptomatic and negative on rRT-PCR testing healthcare workers, were evaluated for IgM and IgG anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies with MAGLUMI immunoassay.

Classification and analysis of outcome predictors in non-critically ill COVID-19 patients.

Background: Early detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)-infected patients who could develop a severe form of COVID-19 must be considered of great importance to carry out adequate care and optimise the use of limited resources.

Aims: To use several machine learning classification models to analyse a series of non-critically ill COVID-19 patients admitted to a general medicine ward to verify if any clinical variables recorded could predict the clinical outcome.

Methods: We retrospectively analysed non-critically ill patients with COVID-19 admitted to the general ward of the hospital in Pordenone from 1 March 2020 to 30 April 2020.

Canakinumab as treatment for COVID-19-related pneumonia: A prospective case-control study.

Objectives: Canakinumab is an IL-1β antibody that neutralises the activity of IL-1β. This study examined the efficacy and safety of canakinumab in patients with moderate COVID-19-related pneumonia.

Design: This study aimed to evaluate the reduction in duration of hospitalisation with adequate oxygen status.